Praia dos Moinhos, also known as Porto Formoso Beach, is located on the north coast of the island of São Miguel, between Ribeira Grande and Lomba da Maia.
This is a beautiful black sand beach of volcanic origin with clear, refreshing waters that contrast with the colours of the surrounding green landscape.
The bathing area has good infrastructure to support bathers and excellent access conditions. It is characterised by being very quiet and pleasant for the vast majority of visitors who come here, regardless of their age or personal tastes.
This is the ideal destination for relaxing after lunch or simply doing some beach time – soaking up the sun and taking a dip in the sea. Take advantage of your stay in Porto Formoso to discover the charms of this region.
Where is Praia dos Moinhos?
Located in the parish of Porto Formoso, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, Praia dos Moinhos is set in beautiful, typically Azorean scenery on the north coast of the island where the sea is usually rougher.
The town and the green slopes border the beach of volcanic origin, have a good stretch of sand and the transparent waters are inviting for swimming and diving — here you can explore an underwater islet.
Did you know
The seawater has delightful temperatures in summer, averaging around 22°. C.
Recognised annually with the Blue Flag, Praia dos Moinhos is a guarded and safe beach where you can enjoy this leisure space in peace during the hottest months of the year.
It has many facilities to support bathers, such as a bar, showers, a free car park and access for people with reduced mobility.
What To Do In Praia dos Moinhos?
In addition to the typical sunbathing at the bar or on the sand and dips in the sea, Praia dos Moinhos is the perfect place to do an activity you’ve probably never thought of doing before.
Have you ever thought about exploring an underwater islet?
If you like diving and getting to know the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, this beach is ideal for snorkelling in good weather conditions. Grab some diving equipment and a snorkel and set off on your adventure to discover this beautiful underwater islet at Praia dos Moinhos.
Best Time To Visit Praia dos Moinhos
Due to its location, temperatures in São Miguel are mild all year round. However, in the winter months, rain and lower temperatures become more frequent.
👉 Post related Best Beaches in the Azores Islands. Read more
In this sense, the best time to visit Praia dos Moinhos is usually between May and September, when the days are sunny and more inviting for swimming.
However, it’s important to note that cloudy skies are a common feature of all the islands in the archipelago, so you may sometimes find it difficult to appreciate the true splendour of some of Porto Formoso’s viewpoints — Miradouro de Santa Iria.
Plan Your Visit To Moinhos Beach
The Porto Formoso bathing area is yet another of the many summer holiday destinations that Ribeira Grande has to offer.
So if you’re looking for a quiet place to relax and enjoy the warmer months of the year, we recommend that you plan your visit to Praia dos Moinhos and draw up a detailed itinerary of all the places you want to visit.
Booking flights and accommodation in advance is also advisable to get better deals and value for money.
How To Get To Praia dos Moinhos?
To get to Praia dos Moinhos you will have to travel around 9.3 kilometres. The journey takes approximately 12 minutes by car and 40 minutes by bus.
From Ribeira Grande in the direction of Porto Formoso, visitors have several alternative routes and means of transport at their disposal, so you can choose between the following options:
- Car (12 mins): follow the EN1-A1 towards Nordeste for 5 km, then turn left towards Praia dos Moinhos (M518);
- Bus (between 40 min and 1 h 15 min): following the EN1-A1 towards Praia dos Moinhos (M518);
- On foot, if you choose to walk to Praia dos Moinhos, you have three routes available: 1 h 40 min (7.3 km) via the EN1-1A, 1 h 53 min (8.1 km) via the M518 or 1 h 54 min (8.2 km) via Rua do Pico das Freiras and the M518;
- Bicycle (45 min): follow the EN1-A1 towards Praia dos Moinhos (M518).
Once you’ve reached your destination, all you have to do is find a parking space — if you’re travelling by car or bicycle – and head down to the Praia dos Moinhos sandy beach.
What To Do Around Praia dos Moinhos?
After sunbathing on the black and grey sand and enjoying the salt water of Praia dos Moinhos, it’s time to get to know some of the tourist attractions in Porto Formoso, Ribeira Grande.
Explore the Parish of Porto Formoso
Located on the north coast of the island of São Miguel, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, the parish of Porto Formoso was founded at the beginning of the 16th century, in 1509.
Did you know
The name of this town comes from the harbour sheltered at the end of a beautiful cove, hence the expression “beautiful”.
Porto Formoso has a magnificent landscape with beautiful shades of green in contrast to the typical whitewashed houses. When you visit this beautiful town, don’t miss out on some tourist attractions, such as:
- Fort of São Brás do Porto Formoso;
- Cintrão Viewpoint;
- Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça;
- Among others.
Walking the Ladeira da Velha Trail (TM04)
The Ladeira da Velha Trail (TM04), located in Porto Formoso, starts near the entrance to Praia dos Moinhos and runs along the entire seafront of the Ladeira da Velha Peninsula.
With a circular route of 7 kilometres, this trail has a medium degree of difficulty and an average duration of 2 hours 30 minutes. From here you can see the panoramic view over the north coast of So Miguel island and some of the region’s tourist attractions.
Along the trail, you can visit the following tourist attractions:
- Ladeira da Velha viewpoint;
- Ilhéus Viewpoint;
- Furado Viewpoint;
- Ruins of Casa de Banhos da Ladeira da Velha;
- Ruins of the Bathing Tank;
- Nossa Senhora da Graça spring;
- Ribeira do Limbo waterfall.
Diving in the Porto Formoso Waterfall / Cascata dos Moinhos
The Porto Formoso Waterfall is considered by many to be a quiet and relaxing spot amidst the typical vegetation of the Azorean forests. It is located in the parish of Porto Formoso, in Ribeira Grande.
The Cascata dos Moinhos has a fresh, crystalline and refreshing waterfall that is ideal for swimming on hot summer days.
Located next to the Porto Formoso Camping Park, near the 9th Strand Vízesés Spring and Moinhos Beach, you can access the waterfall by walking along a small path to your destination.
Visit the Porto Formoso Tea Factory
The Porto Formoso Tea Factory, founded by Amâncio Machado Faria e Maia, operated between the 1920s and the 1980s. It is housed in the parish of Porto Formoso, in Ribeira Grande, and people consider it the region’s Industrial Heritage.
Did you know
People believe that in the second half of the 18th century, someone brought the first tea seeds from Brazil to the Azores. The Azoreans only used tea as a decorative plant in their gardens.
In 1998, the current owners began restoring the factory, and today, you can visit the estate’s various panoramic gardens, museum space, tearoom, shop, and tea factory itself.
São Miguel is home to Europe’s only industrial tea plantations. Porto Formoso tea has a sublime aroma and flavor, marked by the island’s temperate climate and rich volcanic soil.
Quick Info
Since January 2018, the Porto Formoso Tea Factory has been producing organic tea, making it the first certified organic tea on the island of São Miguel and in Europe.
Visit Miradouro de Santa Iria
The Miradouro de Santa Iria is located in Porto Formoso, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, on the north coast of the island of São Miguel. From here, you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of the coast.
Here you can contemplate the cliffs full of vegetation and the rough Atlantic Ocean. Don’t forget to take a camera with you to capture these moments.
This marvelous viewpoint reflects the green beauty of the stunning island of São Miguel, surrounded by the vast blue of the Atlantic Ocean.
Where To Eat Near Porto Formoso
If you need somewhere to eat near Porto Formoso, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where To Stay Near Porto Formoso
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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 dos Moinhos, Porto Formoso (São Miguel, Azores)
Conclusion
Praia dos Moinhos is a pleasant surprise: the crystal-clear water with its inviting temperatures and the dark-coloured sand of volcanic origin are an excellent reason to visit the island of São Miguel. You can also go snorkelling here and discover the underwater islet that this island has to offer tourists.
After enjoying a good time on the beach and in the sea, take the opportunity to visit Porto Formoso and pass by some of the region’s best-known points of interest.
From the tea factory, trails and waterfalls to breathtaking viewpoints, this town has a lot to offer.
Come and collect memories on one of the most beautiful islands in the Azorean archipelago.
References
- Mendonça, L. (2017). Perguntas e Respostas sobre a História dos Açores. 2.ª Edição, Letras Lavadas. Ponta Delgada.
- Forjaz, V., Ribeiro, L., Almeida, L., Pereira, N. e Rodrigues, J. (2019). Dos Vulcões dos Açores. (4.ª Edição). Letras Lavadas. Ponta Delgada.
