Praia dos Moinhos, also known as Porto Formoso Beach, is located on the north coast of São Miguel, between Ribeira Grande and Lomba da Maia. This is a beautiful black sand beach of volcanic origin. Its clear, refreshing waters contrast with the colors of the surrounding green landscape.
The bathing area has good infrastructure to support bathers and excellent access conditions. It is also quiet and pleasant for the vast majority of visitors, regardless of their age or personal tastes.
This is the ideal destination for relaxing after lunch or simply spending 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. It has a good stretch of sand, and the transparent waters are inviting for swimming and diving — here, you can explore an underwater islet.
Recognized annually with the Bandeira Azul, 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 offers numerous facilities to support bathers, including 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. 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.
Plan Your Visit to Praia dos Moinhos
The Porto Formoso bathing area is yet another of the many summer holiday destinations that Ribeira Grande has to offer. If you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax and enjoy the warmer months of the year, we recommend planning your visit to Praia dos Moinhos and creating a detailed itinerary of all the places you’d like to visit.
Best Time to Visit
Due to its location, São Miguel experiences mild temperatures throughout the year. However, in the winter months, rain and lower temperatures become more frequent. 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 splendor of some of Porto Formoso’s viewpoints — Miradouro de Santa Iria.
How to Get to Praia dos Moinhos
To get to Praia dos Moinhos, you will have to travel around 9.3 kilometers. 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, you can find a parking space—if you’re travelling by car or bicycle— and head down to the Praia dos Moinhos sandy beach.
Where to Eat
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
To make your life easier, we’ve filtered the search by:
Nearby Attractions
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 in 1509, at the beginning of the 16th century. Porto Formoso boasts a magnificent landscape, featuring beautiful shades of green in contrast to the typical whitewashed houses.
Walking the Ladeira da Velha Trail
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 a panoramic view of the north coast of São Miguel Island and some of the region’s tourist attractions.
Diving in the Porto Formoso Waterfall
Many consider the Porto Formoso Waterfall a quiet and relaxing spot amidst the typical vegetation of the Azorean forests. It is located in the parish of Porto Formoso, in the municipality of 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 is considered the region’s Industrial Heritage. In 1998, the current owners began restoring the factory, and today, visitors can explore the estate’s various panoramic gardens, museum space, tearoom, shop, and the 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. 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 situated in Porto Formoso, within the municipality of Ribeira Grande, on the northern 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 showcases the lush green beauty of the stunning island of São Miguel, set against the vast blue Atlantic Ocean.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Ribeira Grande: Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande | Ribeira Grande | Miradouro da Bela Vista | Lagoa de São Brás | Porto de Santa Iria | Poços de São Vicente | Praia dos Moinhos | Salto do Cabrito | Miradouro de Santa Iria | Rabo de Peixe | Pico da Barrosa | Areal de Santa Bárbara | Miradouro Vigia da Baleia | Jardim Municipal da Ribeira Grande
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.
Video
Conclusion
Praia dos Moinhos is a pleasant surprise: the crystal-clear water, with its inviting temperatures, and the dark-colored sand of volcanic origin are excellent reasons 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.
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
Praia dos Moinhos is located in the parish of Porto Formoso, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, on the north coast of São Miguel Island in the Azores. It’s one of the most popular beaches on the island’s northern side.
Yes! The beach offers good swimming conditions during the summer and is also popular among surfers due to its consistent waves. Always follow the signs and lifeguard instructions for safety.
Yes. The beach features a parking area, a beach bar, restrooms, and showers. During the summer season, lifeguards are on duty for added safety.
Access is via a steep but well-maintained paved road. Parking is limited, so it’s best to arrive early, especially on busy summer days.
