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 & 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.
Top Places & Activities at Maia
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.
→ Explore the authentic flavors of Azorean cuisine in our articles: Bolos Lêvedos | Cozido das Furnas | Grilled Limpets | Massa Sovada | Pimenta da Terra | Gorreana Tea Plantation
Calhau da Maia
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 activity in Maia is visiting the natural pools made of lava rocks. In the summer, it remains a pleasant place, despite the warm water temperatures all year round. With the 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, which follows the coast, showcases various points of interest, including old stone mills, 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
Praia da Viola is also a great spot to relax in the sun. Surrounded by cliffs, it provides an intimate and peaceful atmosphere. You can discover a small river and a waterfall by the cliffs.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Maia: Maia | Gorreana Tea Plantation | Praia da Viola
Where to Eat
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
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Nearby Attractions
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Lagoa: Lagoa | Caloura | Água de Pau
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 on all you need to know about Lagoa do Fogo.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Lagoa do Fogo: Caldeira Velha | Lagoa do Fogo | Pico da Barrosa | Janela do Inferno
Ponta Delgada
The Ponta Delgada city is officially one of the best cities 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, Ponta Delgada has no rush and no 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 trade on the island. Ponta Delgada was declared a city in 1546 and considered 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.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Ponta Delgada: Gruta do Carvão | Ponta Delgada | Jardim António Borges | Jardim Botânico José do Canto | Pinhal da Paz | Portas da Cidade | Milícias & Pópulo Beaches | Praia de São Roque | Pico Vermelho Windmill | Rocha da Relva | Mercado da Graça | Miradouro Vigia da Baleia
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.
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.
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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.
