Cheap holiday Ponta Delgada

When is the best time to go?

May and June are the favourite months: good weather, few crowds and reasonable prices. September and October are ideal for budget travellers, with still decent weather and fewer tourists than high summer. July and August are the busiest and most expensive but the most reliable for sun. Winters are mild (14 to 18 degrees) and lush green, with some chance of rain. The Azores are visitable year-round, but nature is at its finest in May and June.

The best areas on Sao Miguel

• Sete Cidades The iconic green volcanic crater with two lakes in blue and green. Free to visit, the most photographed view in the Azores. Drive the panorama road for the best angles.
• Furnas Thermal valley with steaming geysers, the famous "cozido das Furnas" stew cooked underground (a unique dining experience), and the warm Parque Terra Nostra with thermal pools.
• Nordeste The most undiscovered corner of the island, with lush green hills and the little-known Salto do Farinha waterfall: a 30-minute jungle hike to a double waterfall with almost no other tourists.
• Lagoa do Fogo Crater lake at 560 metres altitude with spectacular views. In summer a mandatory shuttle runs for €5 per person; outside season reachable by own car.
• Ponta Delgada city Charming historic centre with black basalt facades, the famous Portas da Cidade gate and excellent local food in the harbour tavernas.

Top 5 things to do on Sao Miguel

• Whale watching with Futurismo Sao Miguel offers a 98% sighting guarantee thanks to permanent whale colonies. A 3-hour trip costs around €70 per person. Blue whales, dolphins and sperm whale groups are active year-round.
• Sete Cidades crater lake The most famous view in the Azores: two crater lakes, one blue and one green, separated by a narrow isthmus. Free to visit, with a car park near the Boca do Inferno viewpoint.
• Furnas: cozido and geysers Visit the steaming geysers (free), then eat the cozido das Furnas at Tony's or Caldeiras restaurant: a full stew for €15 to 25, slow-cooked 6 hours in the earth. Pay €10 to 12 for the thermal pool at Parque Terra Nostra.
• Lagoa do Fogo Volcanic lake at 560 metres, surrounded by a protected nature reserve. Spectacular crater-rim walks. Mandatory summer shuttle (€5 pp).
• Caldeira Velha warm waterfall Warm-water waterfall in a lush jungle, entry €3 to 5. Take a warm dip in the springs at the base of the waterfall.

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

Transavia flies twice a week direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Ponta Delgada (PDL) in around 4 hours 35 minutes. Flights are seasonal and operate mainly in the summer period. There are no direct flights from Eindhoven. A rental car on Sao Miguel is strongly recommended: the best sights are spread across the island and barely reachable by public transport. Book via DiscoverCars for a rental car on Sao Miguel, from €25 to 55 per day depending on season.

What does a holiday in the Azores cost?

Hostel: €30 to 50 per night. 3-star hotel: €55 to 90 per night. Budget for one week excluding flights: €600 to 1100 per person including a rental car, food and sightseeing. Local food at a tasca: main course €8 to 15. Whale watching: €70 per person. Most nature attractions are free or cost at most €12.