Vista do Rei is a famous viewpoint on the west coast of São Miguel island in the Azores. It belongs to the town of Sete Cidades, Ponta Delgada county. It is popular due to the clear view it offers over the crater of Sete Cidades with its two-colored lake. The landscape visible from this viewpoint was actually elected one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal.
The viewpoint of Vista do Rei, at 544m above sea level, is a mandatory stop during your holidays in the Azores. It is a great spot to get an overview of the singular natural beauty of our islands. It definitely is one of the highlights of São Miguel, and most travelers have it on their must-see list.
If you are coming to the Azores from America or if you are traveling from São Miguel to the other central or western islands, you will probably see Sete Cidades and Vista do Rei from the plane. In this article, we will tell you all you need to know about Vista do Rei. From the best time to visit it to how to go there, here we go!
What is Vista do Rei
Vista do Rei is likely one of the most famous places in the Azores. You can see it in most of the postcards in souvenir shops. But also on many images while searching for ‘Azores’ in a search engine. It is a popular viewpoint that leaves both travelers and locals speechless. Nearby are two parking lots and a toilet for your comfort.
The name Vista do Rei literally translates to the King’s view. It comes from the fact that the king of Portugal visited this place in the summer of 1901. Indeed, it was King Dom Carlos I at that time and his queen Dona Amélia who went to Sete Cidades on July 6 during their royal visit to São Miguel.
What to See From the Vista do Rei Viewpoint
The view from Vista do Rei is breathtaking. There are many things to observe, from the beautiful two-colored lake to the coast of São Miguel island, from the quiet village down the crater to an imposing abandoned hotel. At the viewpoint, there is an indication sign with a beautiful drawing of the landscape. On it, you can see all the indicated lakes around and other points of interest inside the Sete Cidades volcanic complex, like the peninsula or the viewpoint of Boca do Inferno.
→ Related article: Grota do Inferno Viewpoint
Blue and Green Lakes
The first thing you see from Vista do Rei are the beautiful lakes. The blue and green lakes at the bottom of an ancient volcano’s caldera are, in fact, only one lake. Even though they look separated by a bridge, the water joins both ways. On a sunny day, you can truly see the color difference between the two. There are two explanations for this contrast: a scientific one and a legendary one.
→ Related articles: Sete Cidades Legend | Sete Cidades | Lagoa das Sete Cidades
The Picturesque Village
On the right shore of the blue lake and inside the volcanic crater lands is the picturesque village of Sete Cidades. It is a small village of about 800 inhabitants and belongs to Ponta Delgada county. On the left side of the lakes, you can see the peninsula. Inside the little forest, there is a path going along the blue lake up to a quiet picnic area. Inside the village, there is everything you need, from restaurants to a mini-market, a beautiful church to explore, and even a campsite and local accommodations.
Our activity center on the shore of the Blue Lake is excellent if you want to experience Sete Cidades from a different perspective. We have bikes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards to rent. Our friendly guide will give you all the tips to enjoy this wonderful area in the best way. You can access the village from Vista do Rei on foot or by car.
Volcano Crater Extension and Cumeeiras
The massive Sete Cidades volcanic complex contains many lakes and small peaks. From Vista do Rei, enjoy views of the immense green crater walls covered in lush vegetation. Behind these walls, you can see the deep blue Atlantic Ocean. There is a long trail going all around the top of the crater called Cumeeira Grande, allowing great views over Sete Cidades. If you go a bit before the parking lot at Vista do Rei, around the toilet building, you can also see the infinite ocean as far as the eye can see.
→ Related article: Miradouro das Cumeeiras
Hotel Monte Palace
When looking at the lakes from Vista do Rei’s viewpoint, behind you is a large building that is impossible to ignore. This is Monte Palace, the abandoned hotel. The 5-star hotel opened only for a year, from April 1989 to the end of 1990. It closed and was being supervised until 2011, but due to the lack of funds, it was abandoned, and vandalism began.
Now, all that is left is the floor, the walls, and the roof. People like to go inside for a great urbex (urban exploration). However, it is forbidden to enter because of the dangers of the ruin that can fall.
In total, there were 88 suites, a bar, some shops, a bank, and even a nightclub! Furthermore, two restaurants, Grill Dona Amélia and Restaurante Dom Carlos, were named in honor of the King and Queen of Portugal, who visited Sete Cidades in 1901.
Monte Palace, with a total of 2,400 m2 of implantation area, was for sale for 1.5 million euros in 2017. A Chinese investor bought it. The hotel should have reopened in 2021, but the reconstruction hasn’t started yet.
→ Related articles: Monte Palace Hotel | Caldeira Seca | Lagoa do Canário
Best Season to Visit Vista do Rei
It is challenging to choose a particular season as each has its beauty. But for more chances of a clear view, summer might be your best bet for visiting the Vista do Rei viewpoint.
Differences Between Seasons
In the summer, from June to August, the blooming hortênsias are a must-see in Sete Cidades. The flowers of many colors are a symbol here on São Miguel island, and Sete Cidades is one of the best places to see giant walls of hortênsias. There is a famous road down the village with thousands of hortênsias on the sides. From Vista do Rei, you can see many of those wonderful flowers.
When fall comes, the colors of the vegetation change. Trees turn more orange and brown, creating a different atmosphere. Sunset is a great time to take pictures to match the soft colors of the season. In spring, many flowers begin to blossom, giving the landscape bright colors. The grass starts to get greener, and you truly see why São Miguel is known as the green island.
During winter, there is no snow on São Miguel island, but it can get very chilly and windy at its altitude. Occasionally, hail also occurs, although it is rare. Fortunately, in the Azores, the temperature is always favorable, although weather conditions can get wild.
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
Best Time of the Day
Early in the morning is an exceptional time to go to Vista do Rei. There is a beautiful natural phenomenon when the crater and village of Sete Cidades are filled with low clouds, a perfect moment to observe and take poetic pictures.
In the summer, it is best to get there early for parking space. Later in the day, people park in the street, and traffic can get more complicated. Plus, if you get there early, you have more time to explore this beautiful region of the island. Sunset is also a great time to visit the Vista do Rei viewpoint. The sun sets on the ocean, on the left side of the lakes. The sky is filled with a thousand colors, and the village slowly plunges into darkness.
Plan Your Visit to Vista do Rei
In the Azores, we say that we have the 4 seasons of the year in only one day. And we can confirm this saying is 100% true. Be prepared for any weather. Bring several layers of clothes and a waterproof jacket.
Moreover, because of the altitude, sometimes it is not possible to see the lakes from the Vista do Rei viewpoint. Fortunately, we have cameras around the island to check the weather. Consider checking them before leaving for a place in altitude.
How to Get to Vista do Rei
Vista do Rei is probably one of the most leisurely attractions on São Miguel island. It is perfect for people with limited mobility, as you don’t need to hike or walk for a long time. From Ponta Delgada, you can go to Sete Cidades by bus, car, bike, or you can go on a guided tour to explore like a local.
If you go on your own, there are two different parking lots when you arrive up the hill at the viewpoint. The first one, right in front of the abandoned hotel, is a short-duration parking lot. You can stay for a maximum of 20 minutes. The second one, a bit further past the hotel at the intersection to go to the village, is a long-duration parking lot if you want to spend more time exploring.
Explore the Vista do Rei Hiking Trail
If you wish fully to experience the Vista do Rei Viewpoint and discover more, there is a linear trail going down from the viewpoint to the village, passing by beautiful natural features and great landscapes. You will pass by the lakeshore, where you can find our activity center offering several adventures. The end is in the center of the village, in front of the famous church.
It is a relatively easy 7.7 km trail going downwards for 2 hours. However, some parts can be slippery, especially when it has been raining on the days before. Another viewpoint nearby can be visited for a slight detour. It is called Lomba do Vasco and offers a view over the west coast with Mosteiros and its famous volcanic islets.
At the End of the Visit…
When you have enough time to enjoy the view from Vista do Rei, take a chance to go down to Sete Cidades village. Some highlights of the town are definitely a visit to the church or a walk around the lakes. A charming thing to do during summer is to rent a kayak and paddle on the green and blue lakes, passing under the bridge.
To complete a perfect day, go take a swim in the natural hot springs of Ferraria. Watching the sunset at Mosteiros is also a great idea.
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Conclusion
We hope that you found all the information you were looking for about Vista do Rei’s viewpoint in this complete article. It is a magical place that should be visited by all travelers passing by São Miguel island without any doubt. There are so many things to see near Vista do Rei! For example, discover Ponta da Ferraria, an outstanding hot spring in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean near Sete Cidades.
