Miradouro do Castelo Branco (literally translated as the ‘White Castle viewpoint’) is a beautiful spot on São Miguel island, in the Azores. This place gives you a stunning view, we can even say this is one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the Green island.
Unlike the other well-known viewpoints around the island of São Miguel like Grota do Inferno or Vista do Rei, Miradouro do Castelo Branco is not so frequented. You can easily have the view to yourself at any time of the day.
From up there, you will have a view of one of the most impressive volcanoes of the Azores, its small village inside the crater and one of the biggest lake on one side and on the other: the infinite Atlantic Ocean and the first capital of the Azores. Discover more here!
What is Miradouro do Castelo Branco?
This viewpoint is located at 660m above sea level, on the edge of a volcano crater. You will see the South Coast of So Miguel island with its famous agricultural fields that give it the name Green Island. The town of Vila Franca do Campo which once was the capital of the archipelago, and the deep blue ocean. On the other side, admire the beauty of Furnas volcano in its entirety. Inside the crater, there is a village — known for being the geothermal centre of the islands with hot springs and fumaroles — and a big emerald lake.
In addition to the incredible panoramic view it provides, there is a small medieval-like tower at the viewpoint. The white castle has nothing to do with wars or medieval times. It was built by someone who wanted to watch his lands around it. It is possible to go inside. By going up the stairs, you will have a 360º view with no obstacles on the paradise that is São Miguel’s centre part, from lush nature to small towns. Nowadays, this castle is only used as a viewpoint for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Plan Your Visit To Miradouro do Castelo Branco
How To Get To Miradouro do Castelo Branco
Miradouro do Castelo Branco belongs to the town of Ponta Garça, inside Vila Franca county. You can go there only by car, or taxi. There is no public transportation going there. The access is done via the Regional Road (Estrada Regional ER-1-1) between Vila Franca do Campo and Furnas. When you get out of Vila Franca towards Furnas, you will see an indication ‘Castelo Branco’ on your left side. Just follow this road and it will lead you to the viewpoint.
Best Time To Visit Miradouro do Castelo Branco
You can go to Miradouro do Castelo Branco at any time during the day. We do not recommend going after the sunset as it will get dark very fast, and you won’t have such a great view.
Go in the early morning for a beautiful sunrise, or the golden hour if you like landscape photography. The sunset is also very beautiful on the top of Furnas volcano.
Pro Tips For Miradouro do Castelo Branco
If you don’t have such a great rental car, you should leave your car at the entrance of the viewpoint, especially on rainy days. The road from the entrance to the tower is quite muddy and bumpy.
Also, if you are visiting Castelo Branco, don’t forget to go down inside the crater to visit the beautiful town of Furnas and enjoy the thermal waters to relax.
What To Do Around Miradouro do Castelo Branco
Enjoying the Tranquility of Furnas Lake
Furnas Lake is an ex-libris of the island of São Miguel, known for its tranquil setting and permanent contact with nature. This is why it attracts thousands of visitors annually who explore the region.
Located in an ancient volcanic crater, Furnas Lake occupies a considerable part of the Furnas Volcano caldera.
Did you know
Although Furnas Lake is surrounded by constant volcanic activity, Furnas Volcano has been “dormant” since its last eruption in 1630.
In this landscape, we can still see several intra-caldera volcanic cones, domes, thermal springs with medicinal properties, mud or clear water boilers with high temperatures, geysers, and volcanic fumaroles. There are also the well-known natural kitchens where the famous Furnas stew is made.
With the large influx of tourists, entry to the lagoon costs €3 per person.
Go To Ribeira Quente Beach
Ribeira Quente is a small town on the south side of Furnas, so close to Miradouro do Castelo Branco as well, but right by the ocean. The only ways to get there are with a car passing through the only tunnels of São Miguel island, or with a hike starting in Povoação.
There, you can enjoy the quite unusual, beautiful beach of Ribeira Quente. Indeed, this beach has a particularity: its water is warm in some spots! Thanks to the geothermal activity near the beach, you can feel the warm sand inside the water, warming it naturally. This means that the sea at this beach is warmer than on any other beaches on the island, so it’s perfect for the ones who are always cold!
Discovering the Vila Franca do Campo Islet
The islet of Vila Franca do Campo is probably the best beach on São Miguel island. It is an old submarine volcano with crystal-clear waters in its crater, where you can swim and snorkel. For preservation purposes, this wonder of nature is open only from June to October.
If you visit the island outside the high season, you can still go to Vinha da Areia beach in Vila Franca do Campo. The black-sand beach is ideal for relaxing when the sun is shining.
See The View From Salto do Cavalo Viewpoint
The Salto do Cavalo Viewpoint closes the Northeast Viewpoint Route and is located in the parish of Salga right at the end of the northeast municipality. If you’re looking for a spectacular view of both the valleys of Furnas and Povoação, as well as the north and south coasts of the island, then the Miradouro do Salto do Cavalo is a must-see destination.
Located at an altitude of around 760 meters, this viewpoint offers visitors an unforgettable panoramic view of Furnas Lake, the ocean, and the stunning vegetation that surrounds it. With so many elements to take in, you’re sure to be mesmerized by the breathtaking scenery from this viewpoint.
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 of Castelo Branco (São Miguel Island, Azores)
Conclusion
To sum it up, Miradouro do Castelo Branco is a viewpoint you don’t want to miss when visiting the green island of São Miguel. It will give you a beautiful perspective of Furnas volcano, and you get to see both land and ocean.
Many people defend that this is one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the island, and it is hard to disagree once you have been there. So don’t wait any more and add this to your must-visit list!
