São Miguel Island is known for its stunning natural beauty, including its rugged coastline and beautiful beaches. While some of the green island’s beaches are highly frequented and popular among tourists, there are also many hidden gems that only locals know. One such hidden gem is Praia da Viola, a secluded beach on the north coast of the island.
Praia da Viola (Beach of the Violin) is one of the most untouched black sand beaches of the archipelago. It is quite remote as you can only access it via a walking trail.
Surrounded by lush green cliffs from where several waterfalls flow into the ocean, Praia da Viola is the ideal spot to know a typical Atlantic beach of the Azores without the crowds. Let’s learn more about this amazing place.
What is Praia da Viola?
Geology & Volcanology
One of the unique features of Praia da Viola is its black sand. It is made up of volcanic minerals that were created by the island’s volcanic activity.
👉 Post related Best Beaches in the Azores Islands. Read more
Indeed, the beach has thick volcanic black sand and pebbles. Did you know that the black sand is the result of erosion from volcanic rocks? It also comes from the thermic shock when hot lava reaches the ocean.
History & Geography
Praia da Viola is located in the municipality of Maia, in an isolated area. This town belongs to the county of Ribeira Grande, on the North coast of São Miguel island, in the Azores archipelago.
Fauna & Flora
At the many beaches of the Azores islands, you can see a large diversity of marine wildlife. If you take your snorkel and mask with you, you might see plenty of colourful fish. And if you are lucky, octopuses, turtles, rays, and much more! Farther away from the coast, our seas are rich in whales and dolphins that you can spot with binoculars, or more easily on a whale and dolphin watching tour.
In the cliffs, look out for sea birds like our beloved Cory’s shearwaters. On the shore, mostly during the springtime, be careful with the Portuguese man-o-war. It looks like a blue bottle or plastic bag with long tentacles. Those are very painful if you step on, even when the ‘caravela’ is dead.
What To Do at Praia da Viola?
Swim In the Atlantic Ocean
The black sand contrasts beautifully with the clear blue waters of the Atlantic, making it a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing. But if the sea conditions are not appropriate, it can become quite dangerous to venture in.
The beach is also a great spot for snorkeling, as there is an abundance of marine life in the water around the beach.
See the Waterfalls
For those who are willing to explore a little, there are also some hidden gems to be found around Praia da Viola. With just a short walk on the beach, you will find a small waterfall flowing down the cliff into the ocean. It is a beautiful sight. And it provides a refreshing break from the heat of the sun. Especially if you can’t swim in the ocean due to poor conditions.
The beach is relatively small, but it is usually not very crowded. This makes it a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the Azores. Some natural rock formations near the beach are worth checking out.
Walk the Trail
There is a linear trail along the north coast of São Miguel island leading right to Praia da Viola. It is about 5 kilometers long for around 2 hours. The hike begins at the centre of Lomba da Maia town next to Nossa Senhora do Rosário church. From there you will find indications of the trail taking you towards the ocean.
Walking through pastures, you will have the best view over the coast of Maia, Ponta Formosa and Ponta do Cintrão. The next stop is Praia da Viola where you can go if the sea conditions are good. You will encounter ruins of water mills that once were used to turn corn and wheat into flour.
Along with several mill ruins, you will also pass by a viewpoint over the North coast and old reservoirs formerly used by locals to wash clothes.
Best Time To Visit Praia da Viola
Best Time of the Day To Visit Praia da Viola
The best time of the day to go to Praia da Viola would be in the late morning and early afternoon to get some sun. Indeed, because of the high cliffs around the beach, the sun can hide for the first and last hours of the day.
However, during the high season, the beach can get a bit crowded at those times of the day. Try during lunchtime for a quieter moment at the beach.
Plan Your Visit To Praia da Viola
How To Get To Praia da Viola
You can only get to Praia da Viola by walking. The beach is not easily accessible, and visitors must hike down a steep, winding path to reach it. There is a parking lot up the hill but you will need to go down some hundreds of meters (5 to 10 minutes). However, the effort is well worth it. Praia da Viola is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches on São Miguel Island.
To get to the parking lot, you will need to rent a car or go by taxi. Some buses go along the northern coast however their schedule might not be practical. From the city of Ponta Delgada, the parking lot located in Lomba da Maia is 37 kilometres away (35-minute ride).
What To Bring To Praia da Viola
If you wish to swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Praia da Viola – and if the sea conditions are good – bring your swimming suit and a towel. You might also want to bring water shoes as the sand is thick with some rocks. Sunscreen is a must-have as the sun can be pretty harsh in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With a hat, some snacks, water and you are good to go!
For the trail, bring good walking shoes and hiking sticks if you find them easy to use. Dress in layers to take them off as you get warmer. A raincoat is mandatory in the Azores as we can have 4 seasons in a day.
Where To Eat Near Praia da Viola
If you need somewhere to eat near Praia da Viola, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where To Stay Near Praia da Viola
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Pro Tips
One of the things that makes Praia da Viola so special is its seclusion, which makes it known and frequented by few people. The beach is not easily accessible and there are no facilities or amenities nearby. This means that visitors must come prepared with everything they need for a day at the beach, including food, water, and sunscreen.
While this may be inconvenient for some people, it also means that Praia da Viola is a peaceful and unspoiled spot with pure nature that is free from the crowds and noise of more popular beaches.
What To Do Around Praia da Viola
Walk To Moinhos da Ribeira Funda
There is a magnificent 5 km trail from Maia called Praia da Viola and Moinhos da Ribeira Funda. This track going by the coast shows different points of interest like old mills made of stones, a beautiful waterfall, the secret beach of Viola, and tobacco cultures. It is the ideal trail to discover the Azorean nature off the beaten track.
Pro Tip
Book this hiking trip with us and enjoy our knowledgeable and friendly guides.
Visit Maia
Located on the north shore of São Miguel Island, Maia is part of Ribeira Grande county. Nested right on the coast with always the breeze of the ocean flowing through its streets, Maia and its 2,000 inhabitants enjoy a tranquil life. Its name comes from the founder of the town, Inês da Maia, who developed the town back in the 15th century.
Maia is one of the oldest municipalities in Ribeira Grande County. The municipality includes Gorreana tea plantations, the oldest in Europe. Their tea is unique and tasty. A visit to the factory is a must if you want to know more about this special process.
See the Tea Plantations Near Praia da Viola
The tea plantations of Gorreana 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.
Did you know
You can also visit the exposition inside to see the machinery used for making tea out of the plant.
Chase the Waterfall of Salto da Farinha
Located in the middle of a lush forest, the 40-meter waterfall Salto da Farinha can be seen via a viewpoint in Salga or a trail. For an incredible sight worthy of a Jurassic Park movie, you should go there after rainy days to see the waterfall with more water.
Right next to the waterfall is a picnic area, and also access to the ocean where you can swim if the weather conditions are good.
Complementary Information
Useful Tools & Apps
The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores offers live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, letting you check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.
How to Get to São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is easily accessible with numerous flight routes. Lisbon and Porto are the main entry points to the continent, with direct flights to Ponta Delgada available. To find the best flight, use search engines like eDreams or Skyscanner.
These platforms allow you to compare prices and schedules from different airlines in one place. For more details on how to get to the Azores, look at our guide. Once you find the perfect flight, book it! You’ll reach one of the world’s most beautiful island groups in a few hours.
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island, part of the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago, has a unique climate shaped by various factors. This climate fosters the island’s lush vegetation and stunning landscapes. Temperatures stay mild year-round, with only slight variations.
In spring, temperatures average 16 °C, summer peaks at 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter hovers around 14 °C. For more details on the weather in the Azores, take a look at the following links:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Cultural Agenda of São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island hosts a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. The complete list of events is on the cultural agenda!
Video – Praia da Viola, Ribeira Grande (São Miguel Island, Azores)
Conclusion
While Praia da Viola may not be as popular as some of the green island’s other beaches, it is a hidden gem that is worth searching for. The beach’s remoteness and raw beauty make it a special spot. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful place to relax and get tanned or an adventurous day hiking around, Praia da Viola has something to offer for everyone.
Overall, we can affirm that Praia da Viola is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to São Miguel island in the Azores, especially if you enjoy scenic beaches and waterfalls, or simply being by the ocean.
At Praia da Viola, you will find mostly hikers and nature lovers enjoying the landscape and off-the-beaten-track, quiet places like this one.
References
- Mendonça, L. (2017). Questions and Answers on the History of the Azores. 2nd Edition, Letras Lavadas. Ponta Delgada.
- Forjaz, V., Ribeiro, L., Almeida, L., Pereira, N. and Rodrigues, J. (2019). Volcanoes of the Azores (4th Edition). Letras Lavadas. Ponta Delgada
