Miradouro do Castelo Branco is a beautiful spot on São Miguel island, in the Azores. This place offers a stunning view, making it one of the most beautiful viewpoints on 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 a view of 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 lakes 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 São Miguel island with its famous agricultural fields that give it the name Green Island. The town of Vila Franca do Campo, which was once the capital of the archipelago, and the deep blue ocean. On the other side, admire the beauty of the 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 in the paradise that is São Miguel’s central 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 the 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
You can go to Miradouro do Castelo Branco at any time during the day. We do not recommend going after 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 stunning on the top of the Furnas volcano.
Check all our articles about the weather in the Azores throughout the year 🌤️ ☔️: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Pro Tips
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 see the beautiful town of Furnas and enjoy the thermal waters to relax.
Nearby Attractions
Lagoa das Furnas
Lagoa das Furnas 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, Lagoa das Furnas occupies a considerable part of the Furnas Volcano caldera.
Did you know
Although Lagoa das Furnas 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 Cozido das Furnas is made.
With the large influx of tourists, entry to the lagoon costs €3 per person.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Furnas: Caldeiras das Furnas | Furnas | Capela da Nossa Senhora das Vitórias | Castelo Branco Viewpoint | Lagoa das Furnas | Lagoa das Furnas Viewpoint | Mata-Jardim José do Canto | Parque Terra Nostra’s Thermal Pool | Pico do Ferro Viewpoint | Poça da Dona Beija | Ribeira Quente | Praia do Fogo | Salto do Cavalo Viewpoint | Salto do Rosal | Terra Nostra Garden
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 by car, passing through the only tunnels of São Miguel island, or by hiking starting in Povoação.
There, you can enjoy the quite unusual, beautiful Praia do Fogo (Ribeira Quente Beach). 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 those who are always cold!
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Povoação: Povoação | Aldeia do Sanguinho | Faial da Terra | Salto do Cagarrão | Salto do Prego | Ribeira Quente Waterfall | Praia do Fogo | Miradouro do Pico dos Bodes | Miradouro Vigia da Baleia
Discovering the Vila Franca do Campo Islet
The Vila Franca do Campo Islet 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.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Vila Franca do Campo: Vila Franca do Campo | Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz | Ilhéu de Vila Franca | Praia da Amora | Praia da Vinha da Areia | Praia de Água D’Alto | Lagoa do Congro | Lagoa dos Nenúfares | Miradouro do Castelo Branco
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 Lagoa das Furnas, 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
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.
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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 longer and add this to your must-visit list!
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
Miradouro do Castelo Branco is located in the parish of Furnas, in the municipality of Povoação, on São Miguel Island, Azores. It sits on one of the highest points in the area, overlooking the Furnas valley.
From the viewpoint, you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views over the village of Furnas, the volcanic crater it sits in, Furnas Lake, and the lush surrounding hills and valleys.
The viewpoint is accessible by car, with nearby parking available. The road up is steep but paved. Hiking trails also lead to the spot for those who enjoy a scenic walk.
Miradouro do Castelo Branco is a natural and straightforward lookout point with no tourist facilities. There’s a small safety wall and plenty of space to take in the views and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
