Miradouro de Água Retorta: A Scenic Balcony Over Southeastern São Miguel

Travel 02/06/2026

Travel

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1 month ago

Miradouro de Água Retorta is a peaceful viewpoint located on the southeastern side of São Miguel island. Surrounded by greenery and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it offers a calm setting where visitors can pause to admire the landscape of this quiet part of the island.

This viewpoint stands out for its panoramic views stretching from the village of Água Retorta down to the coastline and the open ocean. The contrast between the surrounding green hills, the valley below, and the deep blue Atlantic creates a beautiful scene that reflects the Azores’ natural beauty.

Beyond the views, the area is a good stop for travelers exploring the Povoação and Nordeste regions, which are quite far from the main cities. With picnic facilities and a colorful garden, it is a pleasant place to rest and enjoy the peace while discovering the eastern side of São Miguel.

Contents hide

2 Plan Your Visit to Miradouro de Água Retorta

2.1 How to get to Miradouro de Água Retorta

2.2 Best Time to Visit

2.3 Pro Tips

3 Nearby Attractions

3.1 Salto do Prego Waterfall

3.2 Pico da Vara

3.3 Ponta da Madrugada Viewpoint

3.4 Povoação

4 Complementary Information

4.1 Best Season to Visit the Azores

4.2 How to Get to the Azores

4.3 Travel Essentials

4.4 Useful Tools & Apps

5 Video

6 Conclusion

7 Map

What is Miradouro de Água Retorta?

@cmpovoacao on Instagram | The city distances from Miradouro de Água Retorta

Miradouro de Água Retorta is a lookout spot situated at about 352 meters above sea level along the regional road ER1-1ª, in the parish of Água Retorta, within the municipality of Povoação. From this elevated viewpoint, visitors can enjoy a great perspective over the surrounding valley.

Looking down, one can see the town of Água Retorta, even its football field, and the nearby pastures that characterize this rural area. The view continues toward the rugged coast and the endless Atlantic Ocean, creating a wide and colorful panorama.

On sunny days, the island of Santa Maria may be visible on the horizon. The viewpoint itself has some picnic tables, barbecue areas, restrooms, and a few parking spots along the road, making it a great place for a picnic break.

There are some cool decorative signs, like arrows showing distances to world cities such as London, Toronto, Berlin, and many more, creating beautiful scenery for pictures. Another decoration is the traditional azulejo panel displaying a quote by the Portuguese poet Resendes Ventura (1936-2013), who was born in Água Retorta. The verse says:

“Enche os teus olhos no verde
E vai lavá-los no mar
Ouvir-te-às a dizer
Como é belo este lugar.”

Which literally translates to:

“Fill your eyes with the green
And go wash them in the sea
You will hear yourself say
How beautiful this place is.”

Plan Your Visit to Miradouro de Água Retorta

@cmpovoacao on Instagram | View from Miradouro de Água Retorta

How to get to Miradouro de Água Retorta

Miradouro de Água Retorta is easy to reach by car via the ER1-1ª road, near the southernmost village on São Miguel Island. If you are driving from Ponta Delgada, it will take about 1h15 minutes via the North coast or 1h25 minutes via the South coast. Coming from Povoação toward Nordeste, the trip is much shorter. The viewpoint appears on the right side just before the parish of Água Retorta.

This is definitely one of the most remote places you can go on the island. Besides renting a car, you can also go there by bus, though it will take much longer (about 3 hours) because the bus stops in every town along the way. You could also grab a taxi, but eventually it will cost you more than renting a car for the day.

Best Time to Visit

Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit the Miradouro de Água Retorta, especially in March when the azaleas in the garden are in bloom. However, there are different colorful flowers almost all year round, even the famous hydrangeas in the summertime.

Clear weather is essential for the best views, particularly if you want to see Santa Maria Island in the distance. In the summertime, you have a better chance of good weather, although we can have all four seasons in a day. It is always best to check the weather with the live cameras before heading all the way east. Even in the summertime, this place is never crowded. It is part of the less popular spots.

Pro Tips

If you are planning to explore the eastern area of São Miguel Island, consider combining this stop with a visit to the village of Água Retorta below for a local experience. This is a typical small village with local architecture and a slow way of living. This is a great addition to a scenic drive through southeastern São Miguel, if you want to go off the beaten track and touristy places.

Nearby Attractions

Salto do Prego Waterfall

Roger Altamira | The paradisiacal nore of Salto do Prego, take the opportunity to relax and to immerse yourself in the clear and icy water of the waterfall. — Roger Altamira | Relax and refresh in the crystal-clear, icy waters of Salto do Prego

After completing the Salto do Prego Trail, you’ll arrive at this stunning natural gem. A true highlight of São Miguel, the waterfall rewards every visitor who makes the effort to reach it.

Although the Salto do Prego Waterfall is relatively small, its powerful cascade and serene surroundings make it unforgettable. The icy waters plunge into a shallow pool framed by rugged rocks, offering an ideal spot to unwind and connect with nature.

Take a moment to relax, have a picnic with family or friends, and bask in the tranquility. Whether soaking in the refreshing water or exploring the top of the waterfall, visitors often describe the experience as revitalizing for both body and mind.

Pico da Vara

The only hiking trail open for Pico da Vara starts in Santo António Nordestinho. It departs specifically from the Forest Guard House in this area. This is a 7 km linear trail, both ways, for around 3 hours of going up and back down.

The trail takes you to the highest point of São Miguel island, which is 1,103 meters high. From there, you can enjoy incredible views of the entire green island. This is not an easy trail, as it can get steep quickly. You need to be physically healthy to reach the top. However, clear signs mark the trail, which remains in good condition unless heavy rain turns it muddy.

Ponta da Madrugada Viewpoint

Alvaro RP | Watching the sunrise at Ponta da Madrugada — Álvaro RP | Watching the sunrise at Ponta da Madrugada

Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada are two iconic viewpoints in São Miguel. They are the most famous spots to witness a perfect sunrise on the island.

This is a great experience; you must do it if you are staying near Nordeste. Many people sleep near the viewpoints or drive early in the morning to witness the sun rising over the ocean. The two parks offer beautiful landscapes of green cliffs that fall to the Atlantic, along with a variety of plants and flowers.

Povoação

The town of Povoação has been a municipality since 1839. It is divided into six civil parishes on the island of São Miguel. Settlement on the island began in this area, and several monuments commemorate this period.

Since its establishment in the 20th century, the town has primarily relied on producing cereals, particularly wheat. The Wheat Museum offers visitors an opportunity to explore the history of Povoação and the importance of this specific resource to the local community.

Additionally, the Povoação region boasts beautiful natural landscapes, and each parish in the town has something unique to offer visitors. These include hiking trails, thermal baths, parks abundant in flora, and an unexplainable connection with nature.

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.

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 let you compare prices and schedules from multiple 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!

→ 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

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

Portugal com Vinícius Braga | Miradouro de Água Retorta

Conclusion

The Miradouro de Água Retorta is more than just a viewpoint. It is a peaceful place close to nature, where you can enjoy a well-spent lunch with a view. Its elevated location provides remarkable views over the village, valley, and ocean.

If you are passing through the region or planning a short break on your journey around São Miguel, this viewpoint offers a relaxing setting to appreciate the island’s typical landscape. So, add it to your list of places to visit when on holiday in the Azores!

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.

Map

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Impactful & unforgetable experiences

Browse all the outstanding experiences you can live in the Azores

Whale Watching

Lying in the middle of the mystical Atlantic Ocean, the wonderful Azores islands are a permanent home or point of passage for more than a third of the entire world’s whale and dolphin species.
Dive into this lifetime adventure with ancestral creatures where science and emotion come together at their highest level!
This may be the best place on earth to observe these magnificent animals.

Jeep Tours

Feel the rush, surprise, and emotion in an all-terrain vehicle, this adventure will take you to the core of secrets. We will take you where nobody has ever reached before. Experience moments of adrenaline in our jeep tours. The adventure through the interior of the islands will begin!
The trips are made in 4×4 vehicles properly equipped, capable of taking you to places little explored. It is intended for those who want to discover new perspectives and unusual scenarios on the Azores Islands in a more adventurous way. We pass on secondary roads, which are not usually found on the usual tourist routes. They are narrow paths, dirt paths, called “canadas” in Azorean, and are mostly used by farmers.

Kayaking & SUP

Find solace in listening to the birds chirping and enjoy the peacefulness of the moment, and make sure you capture it with your camera this unforgettable experience.
Sete Cidades is a volcanic complex where you can visit several lakes. Inside one of the craters, you can find two lakes, known as Lagoa Verde (green lake) and Lagoa Azul (blue lake), that feature in a legendary love legend about the lake’s creation. This special place was elected as one of the country’s seven natural wonders and once you are there, you will definitely understand why.
The contrast of colors between the two mysterious lakes is mesmerizing, and being on the water, in the middle of the volcanic crater, will give you a different perspective of the high green cliffs around.

Canyoning

The boldest and most unique adventure! Heading through the natural landscape you will be able to enjoy some adrenaline-fueled activities. Wet, wild, and absolutely unforgettable.
This experience involves trekking through river gorges, around pools, or even behind waterfalls.
Canyoners navigate down waterways by abseiling down waterfalls, clambering over rocks, or jumping into water rock pools. You will get wet for sure, even with an exposure suit, but this is not too bad with the relatively warm climate of the Azores.

Van Tours

Take a seat in the emotion sector, stop wherever you want and where your curiosity demands it. Taste, observe, and treasure the entire originality of this Atlantic paradise.
If you want to get to know the island of São Miguel more peacefully, without the worry of renting a car, opt for more comfort, on a pleasant van ride. Make the most of your vacation and get away from the city.
This way, you are guaranteed to know the main points of interest, but also those you will not find in travel guides. This is perhaps the best choice for those looking for convenience and security.

Hiking Tours

From lush green vegetation to a great variety of wildlife, enjoy heaven after a long ramble with otherworldly vistas.
Enjoy your holidays in the Azores walking through the beautiful landscapes of volcanic origin. Breathe fresh air and contemplate all the diversity of fauna and flora you will find.
You can start the day feeling the nature among mountains, enjoy more than one lagoon on the island of São Miguel, and finally, to end the day in a perfect way, take a boat trip to see the sunset.

Bike Tours

In order to discover São Miguel island and stay active, cycling is definitely the way to go!
At Sete Cidades volcanic complex, have one of your best bike adventures! Indeed, we are not taking you to a random place. We are talking here about one of the Seven elected wonders of all of Portugal.
This is where our awesome bike adventures take place and we can tell that we love to take our guests there!

Coasteering

Here, you can explore the geography of the giant rocky cliffs climbing through the sky and how the pounding waves smooth the coastline. Coasteering is an exhilarating experience combining rock and water activity with coastal landscapes. It was originated as a combination of mountaineering and orienteering.