Peacefulness and the smell of the ocean mixed gives the town of Maia. A quiet coastal village on top of an old lava flow with luxuriant nature and a rich culture and history. Maia is far away from tourist crowds and camera flashes. Discover a place locals know how to appreciate.
What is Maia
Located on the north coast of São Miguel Island and spanning 21.97 km2, Maia encompasses the picturesque locales of Gorreana and Lombinha da Maia. Bounded by the sea and neighboring parishes such as São Brás, Lomba da Maia, Ribeira das Tainhas, Ponta Garça, and Furnas, Maia boasts a rich history intertwined with its natural surroundings.
Historical Roots
According to Azorean historians, Maia derives its name from Inês da Maia, a noblewoman who settled here in the late 15th century. This parish is among the oldest in Ribeira Grande municipality, its church dating back to the late 15th century and already with its third vicar by 1522. Over time, Maia flourished into a thriving community on São Miguel’s north coast.
Architectural Treasures
Notable landmarks adorn Maia’s built heritage. The Parish Church, dedicated to the Holy Spirit and dating back to 1812, evolved from a 16th-century chapel, expanded through the 17th and 18th centuries. The Solar do Lalém, a noble house reconstructed in the 19th century, showcases exquisite 18th-century architecture with its chapel and gate.
Natural and Cultural Fusion
Nestled atop a 10,000-year-old volcanic fajã, Maia epitomizes the harmonious alliance between nature and human habitation. This natural platform, shaped by ancient volcanic activity, offers a stunning backdrop that defines Maia’s unique charm.
Gorreana Tea Plantations
Gorreana, renowned for its unique tea plantations, houses Europe’s oldest tea factory. Visitors can explore the centuries-old traditions of tea cultivation and processing, a testament to Maia’s cultural significance.
What to do at Maia
Top Places & Activities at Maia
Calhau da Maia: Bodyboarders’ Hidden Paradise
In Maia, there is the beach Calhau da Maia to enjoy a calm environment by the ocean. Locals carefully maintain this beach as a natural secret, ensuring it never becomes too crowded. It has easy access and sea lovers like to bodyboard on the wild waves of the Atlantic.
Maia’s Natural Pools
A popular thing to do in Maia is going to the natural pools made of lava rocks. In the summer, it remains a pleasant place, despite accepting water temperatures all year round. With a naked eye, you can see corals through the transparent sea.
Moinhos da Ribeira Funda Hiking Trail
The trail from Maia to Praia da Viola and Moinhos da Ribeira Funda spans a magnificent 5km. 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.
Tip: Book this hiking trip with us and enjoy our knowledgeable and friendly guides.
Praia da Viola
Viola Beach is also a very good option to lie down in the sun. Surrounded by cliffs, it provides an intimate and peaceful atmosphere. You can discover a small river and waterfall by the cliffs.
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is in the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago. Here, you will notice the atypical characteristics of this climate. These result from many factors contributing to its plant exuberance and landscape value.
The climate is mild regardless of the season, and the average values do not present many changes. Temperatures vary between:
- 16 °C in spring;
- 21 °C in summer;
- 18 °C in autumn;
- 14 °C in winter.
For more info about the weather in the Azores, check the links below:
- 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
After visiting Maia (nearby places)
Furnas
This is one of the biggest hydropolis in Europe. It combines a considerable diversity of thermal spring waters and boiling water spots. You’ll also be invited to drink these volcanic waters. It was an extraordinary experience!
The valley of Furnas is situated inside a huge volcanic crater, one of the most active on the island. Due to its unlimited beauty, Furnas’s main wealth sources are agriculture and tourism.
This quiet place is well known by travelers and locals who choose to visit for the weekend or holidays.
Points of interest in Furnas
- Caldeiras das Furnas;
- Capela da Nossa Senhora das Vitórias;
- Casa dos Barcos and Casa da Lagoa;
- Castelo Branco’s viewpoint;
- Furnas Monitoring and Research Centre;
- Lagoa das Furnas;
- Mata-Jardim José do Canto;
- Microbial Observatory of the Azores;
- Salto do Cavalo viewpoint;
- Parque da Grená;
- Terra Nostra Botanical Garden;
- Parque Terra Nostra Iron-rich Thermal Pools;
- Pico do Ferro viewpoint;
- Poça da Dona Beija;
- Poça da Tia Silvina “Lava-pés”;
- Ribeira Quente beach;
- Salto do Rosal;
- Salto do Cavalo viewpoint;
- Vila das Furnas.
Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo
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. However, this wonder of nature is only open from June to October for preservation purposes.
If you visit the island outside the high season, you can still visit Vinha da Areia beach in Vila Franca do Campo. The black-sand beach is ideal for relaxing when the sun is shining.
Points of interest in Vila Franca do Campo
- Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Paz
- Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz
- Museu de Vila Franca
- Praia da Amora
- Praia da Vinha da Areia
- Praia de Água D’Alto
- Quatro Fábricas da Luz Hiking Trail
Lagoa
Lagoa is where nature meets urban life and creates the perfect balance. A few minutes away from the town, hidden trails abound with waterfalls, mystical volcanic lakes, and idyllic beaches. Culture and history seekers will also be satisfied thanks to various museums and traditional events.
Points of interest in Lagoa
- Núcleo Museológico do Cabouco
- Caloura
- Água de Pau
- Casa do Pescador
- Cerâmica Vieira
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário
- Igreja de Santa Cruz
- Expolab
- Piscinas da Lagoa
- Observatório Vulcanológico e Geotérmico dos Açores
Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa do Fogo is located in the crater of a dormant volcano that formed about 15,000 years ago. It offers exceptional natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes. This awe-inspiring turquoise lake is a pure testimony to nature’s pace. Many stories can be told, and yours might start here.
This least humanized and preserved area even has a pumice beach on the lagoon margins, which was awarded the best wild beach in Portugal in the “7 Wonders—Beaches of Portugal Contest”. From the central part of São Miguel island was born the Serra da Água de Pau Volcanic Massif, where Lagoa do Fogo is nested. It is of great value in landscapes and untouched, pure nature.
Located between Ribeira Grande and the city of Lagoa, this volcanic lake looks like a postcard from paradise. The green of the volcanic walls filled with lush vegetation contrasts with the clear blue water of the lake, undoubtedly making it one of the most beautiful places in the Azores. This is one of the main tourist highlights of São Miguel, but there are still some secrets inside to be unveiled in this post. Follow this complete guide of all you need to know about Lagoa do Fogo.
Points of interest in Lagoa do Fogo
Ponta Delgada
The Ponta Delgada city is officially one of the best counties in Portugal to live in. The modern city is the biggest and most populated of the Azores. There, the ocean breeze, mountain views and delicious local food are part of everyday life. Despite being an energetic city, there is no rush in Ponta Delgada, nor annoying traffic jams.
In the beginning, Ponta Delgada was only a small fishing village. But quickly, thanks to its safe bays, it became the most important harbor for trades on the island. Ponta Delgada was declared a city in 1546 and considered as the capital of the island. This happened after the first capital – Vila Franca do Campo – was destroyed in 1522 by a terrible earthquake. Nowadays, Ponta Delgada with its almost 70,000 inhabitants is a cosmopolitan city attracting visitors from all over the world.
Points of interest in Ponta Delgada
- Carlos Machado Museum
- Igreja de Todos os Santos, Portas da Cidade
- Forte de São Brás
- Gruta do Carvão
- Jardim José do Canto
- Jardim António Borges
- Mercado da Graça / Farmers Market
- Parque Atlântico
- Pineapple Plantations
- Piscina do “Pesqueiro”
- Portas do Mar
- Praia das Milícias
- Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Regional
- Rocha da Relva
- Santuário da Esperança
- Sinagoga
Ribeira Grande
Ribeira Grande, the surf capital, is a beautiful coastal city on the North coast of São Miguel island. It is also the second-biggest city on the island after Ponta Delgada. The city’s treasures include several churches, beautiful squares where locals and tourists meet, a farmers’ market, a river, and an interesting Azorean Emigration Museum.
Points of interest in Ribeira Grande
- Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande
- Moinhos da Ribeira Funda hiking trail
- Pico da Barrosa
- Ponta do Cintrão
- Porto de Santa Iria
- Fábrica de Chá de Porto Formoso
- Praia do Areal de Santa Barbara
- Praia do Monte Verde
- Praia dos Moinhos
- Rabo de Peixe
- Miradouro de Santa Iria
- Salto do Cabrito
- São Brás
Where To Eat Near Maia
If you need somewhere to eat near Maia, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where To Stay Near Maia
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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!
Conclusion
Maia emerges as a tranquil haven on São Miguel Island, blending the soothing ambiance of coastal living with a rich tapestry of history and natural beauty. Far from the bustling tourist circuits, this picturesque village offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in its lush landscapes and storied past.
From its ancient volcanic origins to its historical landmarks like the Parish Church and Solar do Lalém, Maia invites exploration and appreciation.
Whether you’re strolling along the secluded beaches of Calhau da Maia, discovering the transparent waters of its natural pools, or hiking the scenic trails to Moinhos da Ribeira Funda, Maia promises an authentic Azorean experience cherished by locals and discerning travelers alike.
