Miradouro da Bela Vista: A Window to São Miguel’s North Coast

As you may know, São Miguel Island — and the Azores in general — is rich in extraordinary viewpoints with breathtaking panoramas. Miradouro da Bela Vista is one of those.

From there, you can enjoy the greenery of Green Island and observe some parts of the Northern Coast with the infinite ocean in front. This viewpoint is straightforward to find, and you should add it to your list of places to visit São Miguel Island, especially if passing by Lagoa do Fogo.

Here, we will tell you everything there is to know about this fantastic viewpoint of Bela Vista, a window to São Miguel’s North Coast.

What is Miradouro da Bela Vista?

Miradouro da Bela Vista is one of several viewpoints located on the road leading to and from the famous Lagoa do Fogo. However, this one is not located near the lake. Instead, you will have clear views over the North Coast, including the city of Ribeira Grande — the surf capital of the Azores.

Of course, you will have plenty of greenery right before the city, a patchwork of pastures for our local cows. If the weather is not too bad, you will also see the beautiful volcanic complex of Sete Cidades on the far west end of São Miguel. 

This viewpoint, at 570m above sea level, is accessible to all and has a small car park. There is no need to hike or climb stairs; Miradouro da Bela Vista is right on the roadside.

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

Plan Your Visit to Miradouro da Bela Vista

How to Get to Miradouro da Bela Vista

Miradouro da Bela Vista is located on the Northern end of the Fogo Volcano. From this side of the volcanic complex, you can view the mountains of Lombadas and the Geothermal power plant.

It is located on ER 5-2 road, north of Lagoa do Fogo. If coming from Ponta Delgada — the South side — you have to go towards the East and then North up to Lagoa do Fogo’s viewpoint: Pico da Barrosa. Then, you will go down towards the Northern coast, and on the road before Caldeira Velha, you will find this viewpoint. It takes approximately 30 minutes by car if you decide to take that road. 

Please note that during the summer, traffic is prohibited on this road for rental cars. You will need to take the shuttle from the departure point of Janela do Inferno’s trail on the same route. 

Planning a trip to the Azores? These articles will help you: How to Get to the Azores 🗺️ | Azores airports 🛬 | Flights between islands ✈️ | Ferries between islands ⛴️ | Which island to choose? 🏝️ | What airlines fly to the Azores? 🛩️

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Miradouro da Bela Vista is when the weather is good and the sky is clear. This can be early in the morning, right at noon, or in the late afternoon. It is not worth a stop when the view is blocked. 

To capture the golden hour, consider visiting sometime between sunrise and sunset. The sun will set over the Sete Cidades volcanic complex, offering excellent colors for photography. Come in the middle of the day for the brightest colors of the greenery and the ocean.

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

Don’t limit your visit to just this viewpoint when driving to Miradouro da Bela Vista. The road is spectacular, and you can see so many incredible landscapes. 

For instance, stop at Pico da Barrosa Viewpoint to see Lagoa do Fogo and Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo. Both are worth a visit. On the same road, there is Caldeira Velha — the famous hot springs — and the waterfall of Salto do Cabrito. 

Furthermore, this road in the summer is filled with blue hydrangeas. An unbelievable sight! However, never stop your car in the middle of the road to take pictures. As tempting as it can be, locals do not appreciate this.

Where to Eat Near Ribeira Grande

If you need somewhere to eat near Ribeira Grande, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on TripAdvisor.

Where to Stay Near Ribeira Grande

To make your life easier, we’ve filtered the search by:

• Airbnb
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Nearby Attractions

Caldeira Velha

This is a great relaxing option after a good day of exploring the island. The hot springs of Caldeira Velha are the ideal place if it is cold or windy. Its hot waterfall is famous across the islands and provides a great back massage. In the summer, it is advisable to book in advance or arrive early, as the venue can become crowded and has a limited entry capacity.

→ Related Article: Caldeira Velha

See Lagoa do Fogo From the Viewpoint of Pico da Barrosa

Being one of the island’s highest points with 947m, you can enjoy stunning views of the interior of Lagoa do Fogo crater and panoramic views of the surrounding areas to the north, south, and west. It must be a breathtaking experience to see the beauty of nature from such a high vantage point.

→ Related Article: Pico da Barrosa

Janela do Inferno Hike

If you love hiking, there is another trail from Lagoa do Fogo to Ponta Delgada called Janela do Inferno (Hell’s Window). Despite the cold name, it is a beautiful circular hike with a gorgeous waterfall. You will pass by tunnels, farmlands, a forest, and pipes used to transport water. The 7.6 km hike takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

→ Related Article: Janela do Inferno

Salto do Cabrito

Salto do Cabrito is a beautiful waterfall in the forest. From there, canyoners rappel down, jump, and swim in the clear waters. Enjoy the view and nature, or take your swimsuit for a refreshing moment. What could be better in the summer?

→ Related Article: Salto do Cabrito

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

Miradouro da Bela Vista can be considered just “another beautiful viewpoint”, but it is one of the most spectacular viewpoints to have a clear sight of the Green Island’s north coast from the countryside.

There are many viewpoints in São Miguel, but never too many. All of them are mandatory stops to explore the island’s unique natural beauty. Just as its name indicates, Miradouro da Bela Vista offers a beautiful view you want to have during your trip to the Azores.

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