When visiting São Miguel island in the Azores, don’t forget to visit Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões. This natural park is a mandatory stop for all travelers. It displays beautiful landscapes and offers an excellent opportunity for a relaxing walk surrounded by stunning natural scenery. An incredible scenery for pictures!
Between big waterfalls and unique vegetation, this is the perfect place to spend a quiet day far away from the city. But there are also options for the most adventurous travelers!
In this post, we will see everything about this magical place in one of the most remote and flowery parts of the island.
What is Ribeira dos Caldeirões
The Natural Park of Ribeira dos Caldeirões is a protected area that is part of the Special Protected Area of Pico da Vara and Ribeira do Guilherme. It is a family-friendly park with an interesting natural setting. If you follow the river that passes through the park, you will find beautiful waterfalls. All the paths have fascinating views and elements to see.
There is an excellent variety of Macaronesian flora at Ribeira dos Caldeirões, in addition to the Laurisilva forest. Among the lush vegetation, tree ferns, cryptomerias, and big bushes of hydrangeas (in the summer) are the most prevalent.
Did you know
All the waterfalls, the river, and the pond are responsible for the water supply of most of the park.
Furthermore, if you look up, you may be lucky and find a Priolo, one of the most endangered bird species in Europe, which is found only on the East Side of São Miguel Island.
What to Do at Ribeira dos Caldeirões
The park offers a variety of activities for all ages and tastes. Moreover, if you wish to spend more time in this beautiful area, there is accommodation available in the typical rocky houses.
The entrance to the park is totally free, and there is a free parking lot. Inside Ribeira dos Caldeirões, there is a cafe, a souvenir shop, a handicraft center, and even a children’s play space.
See the Waterfalls
There are several waterfalls at Ribeira dos Caldeirões. When you arrive at the parking lot, there is the biggest and most famous waterfall known as the Bride’s Veil across the street. It is the first thing you see upon arrival. This is the park’s main attraction. There is a short path to take great pictures.
The entrance to the larger part of the park is located on the same side of the road as the parking lot. If you follow the path down to the river, you will find many waterfalls.
Experience Canyoning at Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Canyoning in the Azores is gaining popularity. This outdoor activity is not for the faint of heart! You will jump in ponds, rappel down waterfalls, slide on rocks, and climb between canyons. We can book your perfect canyoning experience at Ribeira dos Caldeirões with a professional guide and all the necessary equipment for a day filled with adrenaline.
Have a Picnic & Taste Local Ice Cream
The park features a picnic area for its visitors, allowing you to enjoy a great time and take your own food for a unique lunch. There are tables, chairs, grills, a snack bar, and toilets for your comfort. At the park, it is pretty calm, although it can get crowded in the summer.
However, if you arrive early to secure a table, you can enjoy your meal with the soothing sound of the river in the background. At the cafe, don’t miss the opportunity to buy yourself a local ice cream. They come in many flavours, but Maria’s biscuits and passion fruit are the most delicious ones!
Visit the Open-air Museum and the Watermills
Within the park, there are five historic watermills, three of which are classified as Public Interest Buildings of great historical significance in the Azores. They were built in the 16th century and sustained many Azorean families through time.
One of the mills serves as an ethnographic museum, while the other is still operational. You can see a miller at work with the cornflour and learn more about the entire process.
The millers’ houses bring you back to the old times. They are not working anymore but were turned into a handicraft shop, accommodation or also a cafe.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Nordeste: Cu de Judas | Nordeste | Farol do Arnel | Faial da Terra | Ponta do Sossego | Miradouro do Salto da Farinha | Pico da Vara | Pico dos Bodes | Poço Azul | Ribeira dos Caldeirões | Miradouro da Boca da Ribeira | Ponta da Madrugada | Miradouro Vigia da Baleia
Best Time to Visit Ribeira dos Caldeirões
When is the best time to visit Ribeira dos Caldeirões? Let’s see together the difference between the seasons and the period of the day to make sure you have a great time in the natural park.
Best Season of the Year
In the summer, you have a greater chance of getting a sunny and warm day in the Azores. Although, as we like to say, we have the four seasons in a day. Even if the clouds seem never to get away and the wind is rising, don’t lose hope. The sun is just five minutes away!
Visiting Ribeira dos Caldeirões is possible all year round. In the summer, you can see the beautiful hydrangeas blooming all around the park. However, one of the benefits of wintertime is that the waterfalls have more water to flow, whereas in the summer, they can be drier.
Check all our articles about the weather in the Azores throughout the year 🌤️ ☔️: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Best Time of the Day
If you are visiting the Azores between June and September, we recommend visiting the most touristic spots early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. The parking lot can fill up quickly, as it is relatively small. You can visit the Nordeste area in the early morning to witness the sunrise, a truly wonderful experience! And then go to Ribeira dos Caldeirões for a nice walk.
Plan Your Visit to Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Now let’s plan your visit to the nature park of Ribeira dos Caldeirões. We will tell you its location and the different ways to get there.
How to get to Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Ribeira dos Caldeirões is situated on the Regional Road in Achada, Nordeste, on the island of São Miguel. When you go towards Nordeste along the North Coast, you will see some signs of the park after passing by the village of Achadinha.
The park is located within a protected area inside the Tronqueira mountain range, situated on the Guilherme River.
You can visit this wonder of nature by car, or for a stress-free experience, let our guide drive you in a comfortable van and share their knowledge about the island. During our complete tour of Nordeste, you will see in detail the most remote region of São Miguel and learn so much about the Azores.
Pro Tips
- The first tip is to arrive early and secure your spot. It is so much nicer to take a stroll around the park without anyone.
- Second, someone may offer local pastries inside the mills. Do not get fooled, those are not for free. You need to pay for it, even though they don’t tell you before you get one in your hand.
- Also, don’t just go to the two bigger waterfalls and back to the car. Walk the entire path and get closer to nature. You might see wild birds and brave canyoners!
What to do Around Ribeira dos Caldeirões
There are many things to do in the Nordeste region, around Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park. It is a place filled with pure nature, fantastic landscapes, and local culture.
Visit Nordeste
Vila do Nordeste is a colourful small town with a rich heritage in the Northeast of São Miguel Island. It is one of the most flowery villages in Europe, and if you visit during the spring or summer, you will see why. When you arrive in Nordeste, you will see the Bridge of the 7 Arches, one of the most beautiful bridges in the Azores. It is pretty old, as it was built between 1882 and 1883, offering stunning scenery to stop by.
Another attraction of Nordeste is the Farol do Anel. It is located in Ponta do Arnel and was also built at the end of the 19th century. The lighthouse is still working nowadays to guide boats along the coast.
If you want to relax on the warm sand, Lombo Gordo is a gorgeous black-sand beach where you can swim in the Atlantic. Note that it is best to go in the morning or early afternoon, as the sun hides quickly behind the high hills.
→ Related Post: Best beaches in the Azores. Read more!
For an enjoyable visit, consider going to Centro Ambiental do Priolo. This brief exposition highlights the importance of conserving the Azores Bullfinch, a small, endangered bird that is endemic to the Azores.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Nordeste: Cu de Judas | Nordeste | Farol do Arnel | Faial da Terra | Ponta do Sossego | Miradouro do Salto da Farinha | Pico da Vara | Pico dos Bodes | Poço Azul | Ribeira dos Caldeirões | Miradouro da Boca da Ribeira | Ponta da Madrugada | Miradouro Vigia da Baleia
Hike to Pico da Vara
Pico da Vara is nothing less than the highest point of São Miguel Island. Reaching up to 1,108 meters above sea level, Pico da Vara is located in the Basaltic Volcanic Complex of Nordeste, the natural habitat of the Azores Bullfinch.
The nature reserve of Pico da Vara is as big as 1,980 hectares. It displays a rich flora, as the Laurisilva forest covers it.
You can visit and hike up to the top of São Miguel Island with our guides! Join us for this beautiful experience! Please note that it is better to do this tour when there are no or few clouds for an exceptional view of the entire island.
See the Sunrise at Ponta da Madrugada
The viewpoints of Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada are the two most famous spots to see the perfect sunrise in São Miguel. This is a great experience to have if you are staying near Nordeste. Many people choose to sleep near the viewpoints or drive early in the morning to witness the sunrise over the ocean.
Did you know…
The best sunset spot in São Miguel island is Mosteiros, in the west part.
The two parks offer stunning landscapes of green cliffs that fall to the Atlantic and a diverse array of plants and flowers.
Take a Walk in the Tea Plantations
Only 10 minutes away by car from Ribeira dos Caldeirões, the Gorreana Tea Plantations create a unique landscape resembling the rice plantations of Asia. Get lost in the labyrinth of tea leaves and admire the beautiful view over the ocean. It is one of the very few tea plantations in Europe. You can also visit the exposition inside to see the machinery used to make tea from the plant.
→ Explore the authentic flavors of Azorean cuisine in our articles: Bolos Lêvedos | Cozido das Furnas | Grilled Limpets | Massa Sovada | Pimenta da Terra | Gorreana Tea
Complementary Information
Best Season to Visit the Azores
The Azores Archipelago boasts a unique climate that shapes its lush landscapes, making it a splendid year-round destination. With mild temperatures and minimal fluctuations, each season offers something unique. Spring averages 16 °C, summer reaches 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter remains mild at 14 °C.
→ For a detailed breakdown of the weather by month, check the following links 🌤️☔️: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
How to Get to the Azores
The Azorean Archipelago is easily accessible through numerous flight routes. Lisbon and Porto are the main entry points to the continent, with direct flights available to São Miguel (PDL), Terceira (TER), Faial (HOR), Pico (PIX), and Santa Maria (SMA). To find the best flight, use search engines like eDreams or Skyscanner. These platforms enable you to compare prices and schedules from various airlines in one convenient location.
For more details on how to get to the Azores, take a look at our complete guide. But what if you want to explore beyond your arrival island? We’ve got you covered!
- Azores airports 🛬
- Flights between islands ✈️
- Ferries between islands ⛴️
- Which island to choose? 🏝️
- What airlines fly to the Azores? 🛩️
→ Once you’ve found the perfect route, book your tickets and get ready to experience one of the world’s most stunning island groups!
Travel Essentials
Essential Information for your Azores trip: Azorean Language & Phrases 🗣️ | Currency & Banks 💵 | Credit Cards & Traveler’s Cheques 🏧 | Driving in the Azores 🚗 | Electricity 🔌 | Experiences & Tours 🗺️ | Health & Safety 🩺 | Internet & Wi-Fi Access 🛜 | Phones & Mobile Service 📞 | Post Offices & Buying Stamps ✉️ | Public Holidays 🏖️ | Shopping 🛒 | Time & Daylight 🕒 | Whale Watching Guide 🐳 | Best Island to Visit 🏞️
Useful Tools & Apps
The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores provides live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, allowing you to check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.
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Conclusion
So, to sum it up, Ribeira dos Caldeirões should be on your to-go list when traveling to São Miguel island. It is a lovely park to take a walk in close to nature with your family, friends, or loved ones. Enjoy a great time chasing waterfalls and have a picnic on the lush green grass of the nature park. And if you are up for more adventure, book a canyoning trip with us!
Authors’ Note
I am pleased to inform you that all the recommendations in this article are based on my personal experience and observations. As the author, I have personally visited each attraction mentioned, ensuring that every suggestion is grounded in first-hand knowledge and genuine enthusiasm.
FAQs
Ribeira dos Caldeirões is a natural park situated on the island of São Miguel, Azores. Known for its waterfalls, water mills, and lush vegetation, it is a popular destination for those seeking natural beauty and tranquillity.
Ribeira dos Caldeirões can be accessed by car from Ponta Delgada, a 45-minute drive. The park is well-marked and has parking available nearby.
Ribeira dos Caldeirões is situated in the parish of Achada, within the municipality of Nordeste, on the island of São Miguel, Azores. Location on Google Maps.
Yes, canyoning is possible at Ribeira dos Caldeirões. Futurismo offers canyoning tours in the park. Find more information and book a tour here!
Photo Gallery
References
- By Açores – Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
- Viagens e Passeios – Parque Nacional da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
- Futurismo Azores Adventures – Ribeira dos Caldeirões
