A guide of things to do in Ponta Delgada in 2024
Updated January 2024
Ponta Delgada is the largest city and administrative capital of the Azores islands. With 500 years of history and a population of about 70.000 people, it offers a multitude of activities and places to see. Lately, it has become a very attractive tourist destination.
We made a selection of some of the best things to do in Ponta Delgada for 2019, namely landmarks and highlights, plus some great activities to do in a rainy day. Please notice this guide does NOT include bars, restaurants or commercial activities: instead, we suggest WHAT do experience.
Ponta Delgada is the largest city and administrative capital of the Azores islands. With 500 years of history and a population of about 70.000 people, it offers a multitude of activities and places to see. Lately, it has become a very attractive tourist destination.
We made a selection of some of the best things to do in Ponta Delgada for 2019, namely landmarks and highlights, plus some great activities to do in a rainy day. Please notice this guide does NOT include bars, restaurants or commercial activities: instead, we suggest WHAT do experience.
1. See the "Portas da Cidade" monument
Any exploration of Ponta Delgada downtown should start at the city's main square (Gonçalho Velho Cabral square) where you'll find the iconic "city doors": a stone gate built in 1783 and comprising three arches built in the typical Azorean black basalt rock and whitewashed masonry.
Things to notice:
This monument was replicated in 2004 in Fall River (Massachusetts, USA), due to the large Azorean immigrant community settled there.
Discover some additional unnoticed and amazing artwork near this landmark by joining our Ponta Delgada Food Tour.
Things to notice:
- The central arch is topped by the royal crown, and it also displays two coats-of-arms (the city and the king)
- Gonçalo Velho Cabral was a navigator, responsible for the early settlement of São Miguel island: his statue is in the middle of the square
This monument was replicated in 2004 in Fall River (Massachusetts, USA), due to the large Azorean immigrant community settled there.
Discover some additional unnoticed and amazing artwork near this landmark by joining our Ponta Delgada Food Tour.
2. Explore the Church of St. Sebastian
A few meters away from the "City Doors" you'll find the church of St. Sebastian (formerly called Matriz, the matrix), which was built around the 1500's, after a plague. Suffering several adaptations, it presents a mix of different architectonic styles, from Gothic to Baroque.
Worth noticing are:
Services take place daily and the church is open to the public.
Admission: Free
Join our Private Tours to know more about the mysterious alchemical motives of the South Door.
Worth noticing are:
- the façade decor, namely the sculptures and other motives carved in basalt (the 3rd hardest rock in the planet!)
- the magnificent white entrance door: Gothic-Manueline style, made of Lioz stone (brought all the way from mainland Portugal!)
- inside: the Rosary chapel inaugurated by famous Portuguese Jesuit António Vieira in 1654 (who was captured by Dutch corsairs on his way to mainland and dropped-off in São Miguel!)
- the intricate interior wood carvings
Services take place daily and the church is open to the public.
Admission: Free
Join our Private Tours to know more about the mysterious alchemical motives of the South Door.
3. Climb the Town Hall bell tower
Ponta Delgada became a city in 1546. The current town hall has a bell tower dating from 1724, which offers a great view over the city.
Some things to know:
Our tours reveal additional amazing facts about this building and its secret "white stone"
Some things to know:
- the tower is almost 30 m high, and 106 steps to reach the top!
- The whiter rock in the corners of the building is a "mystical" stone
- the statue of Archangel Michael (in the square), from whom the island got its name
- the Summer concerts and performances held at the town hall square
Our tours reveal additional amazing facts about this building and its secret "white stone"
4. Visit the "Sahar Hassamain" Synagogue
Ponta Delgada welcomed a small but vibrant Jewish community from 1820 onwards, whose members flourished as traders and entrepreneurs. Of the five synagogues that existed downtown, only "Sahar Hassamain" (roughly translated as "Gates of Heaven") survived.
Address: Rua do Brum nº16, 9500-036 Ponta Delgada
Phone: (+351) 296 306 516
E-mail: [email protected]
Schedule for visits: 13h00 to 16h30 (subject to changes)
Learn more about the incredible discovery of the XVIII-century Torah by joining our tours.
- Abandoned for decades, it was subject of extensive renovation and opened to the public as cultural center and museum in 2015.
- It's a major landmark of Jewish heritage in Portugal
- Its collection includes a Torah from the XVIII century, found in a cave in the Northern side of São Miguel island
Address: Rua do Brum nº16, 9500-036 Ponta Delgada
Phone: (+351) 296 306 516
E-mail: [email protected]
Schedule for visits: 13h00 to 16h30 (subject to changes)
Learn more about the incredible discovery of the XVIII-century Torah by joining our tours.
5. Taste local produce at Mercado da Graça (local market)
Mercado da Graça is Ponta Delgada's city market and was built in 1848, as there was need for a space dedicated to vendors and their supply animals. It's a small market where local farmers sell their produce, namely vegetables, fruits, honey, jam, etc.
Good to know:
Admission: Free
Schedules vary: from 7h30 to 18h30 on most weekdays, Saturdays until 14h and closed on Sundays.
Phone: +351 296 282 663
Adress: Rua do Mercado - Ponta Delgada
Explore the local farmers' market in our Ponta Delgada Food Tour, which includes tastings on location.
Good to know:
- there's some handicraft and souvenir shops, and a cheese shop
- Produce offer is irregular and varies depending on the season and weekday
- Locals often opt for morning visits, namely on Saturday (to avoid if you don't like crowds)
- There's free and paid parking in the premises
Admission: Free
Schedules vary: from 7h30 to 18h30 on most weekdays, Saturdays until 14h and closed on Sundays.
Phone: +351 296 282 663
Adress: Rua do Mercado - Ponta Delgada
Explore the local farmers' market in our Ponta Delgada Food Tour, which includes tastings on location.
5. Relax at the City gardens and parks
Some of the wealthy XIX-century São Miguel families invested in creating beautiful Romantic styled parks, populating them with beautiful plants and trees from allover the world. Of these, the Terra Nostra Garden (located in Furnas) is the largest and best-known example. In downtown Ponta Delgada there are a few gardens worth a visit, namely:
Jardim António Borges: This is the municipality garden and the most praised of the city park. Besides wonderful 200-year old specimens, it has a mysterious atmosphere due to its caves and tunnels, scenario of many local legends.
Admission: free
Adress: Rua Antonio Borges - Ponta Delgada
Jardim José do Canto: Small privately-owned park, which includes interesting specimens, a lake, wells, a rose farm, etc.
Admission: 4€ per person
Inclusions: a map of the garden and a liqueur tasting.
Address: Rua José do Canto, 9 - Ponta Delgada
Jardins de Sant'Ana: to enter this small garden your identity card is required, because the palace in the park houses the president of the Azorean Government.
Garden consists of trees, flower beds and a pond. Worth seeing besides the palace are the palm avenue, a gigantic Pohutukawa tree and the trees around the pond.
Admission: €2 per person
Inclusions: a map of the garden with a suggested walking tour.
Address: Ladeira de Santana - Ponta Delgada
Azores University garden: small garden included in campus of the Azores university since its foundation, in 1976. It was formerly the private park of 19th century palace which nowadays houses the rectorate. Identification might be requested by the gate keepers, since it's a private terrain.
Admission: Free
Address: Rua da Mãe de Deus - Ponta Delgada
Book your Private tour, and you can explore some of the amazing stories and tunnels this garden has to offer.
Jardim António Borges: This is the municipality garden and the most praised of the city park. Besides wonderful 200-year old specimens, it has a mysterious atmosphere due to its caves and tunnels, scenario of many local legends.
Admission: free
Adress: Rua Antonio Borges - Ponta Delgada
Jardim José do Canto: Small privately-owned park, which includes interesting specimens, a lake, wells, a rose farm, etc.
Admission: 4€ per person
Inclusions: a map of the garden and a liqueur tasting.
Address: Rua José do Canto, 9 - Ponta Delgada
Jardins de Sant'Ana: to enter this small garden your identity card is required, because the palace in the park houses the president of the Azorean Government.
Garden consists of trees, flower beds and a pond. Worth seeing besides the palace are the palm avenue, a gigantic Pohutukawa tree and the trees around the pond.
Admission: €2 per person
Inclusions: a map of the garden with a suggested walking tour.
Address: Ladeira de Santana - Ponta Delgada
Azores University garden: small garden included in campus of the Azores university since its foundation, in 1976. It was formerly the private park of 19th century palace which nowadays houses the rectorate. Identification might be requested by the gate keepers, since it's a private terrain.
Admission: Free
Address: Rua da Mãe de Deus - Ponta Delgada
Book your Private tour, and you can explore some of the amazing stories and tunnels this garden has to offer.
6. Visit the Carlos Machado Museum
With headquarters in the former St. Andrew convent (16th-century), the Carlos Machado museum was created in 1930 and consists of three sites: the convent building, the Santa Bárbara location (with more modern exhibits) and sacred art museum. They're all in walking distance from each other. The collection ranges from zoology and geology to history, religion and art, toys, etc.
Don't miss:
Admission: €2 per location or €5 for the three locations. Discount tickets apply (youth, seniors).
Schedule: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10h to 17h30. Closed on Mondays.
Address: Convento de Sto Andre, Rua Joao Moreira - Ponta Delgada
Phone: +351 296 202 930
Website: http://museucarlosmachado.azores.gov.pt/museu/convento.aspx
Book your Private tour of the museum and its highlights.
Don't miss:
- the chapel with its impressive masterpiece carved-wood altar;
- the Natural History collection, with a myriad of stuffed animals and other specimens;
- artworks from local masters, such as painter Domingos Rebelo or sculptor Canto da Maia.
- the convent gardens, choir, etc.
Admission: €2 per location or €5 for the three locations. Discount tickets apply (youth, seniors).
Schedule: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10h to 17h30. Closed on Mondays.
Address: Convento de Sto Andre, Rua Joao Moreira - Ponta Delgada
Phone: +351 296 202 930
Website: http://museucarlosmachado.azores.gov.pt/museu/convento.aspx
Book your Private tour of the museum and its highlights.
7. São Brás Fort and Military museum
The fort was built in the XVI century to protect the city from pirates and corsairs, and it's the most relevant military building on São Miguel island. It had an important role in several battles opposing Spanish, French and British troops, and nowadays hosts the Military Museum of the Azores.
If offers great views over the harbour and the city.
Interesting facts:
About the museum:
Admission: Adults: €3, Child: €2 for under 14 year old
Schedule: weekdays from 10am to 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 1.30pm, 2.30pm to 5pm
Address: R. Eng. Abel Ferin Coutinho 10 - Ponta Delgada
Phone: +351 296 304 920
Estimated visit duration: 1.5h - 2h
Book your Private tour, and learn about war-related episodes in the Azores.
If offers great views over the harbour and the city.
Interesting facts:
- The fort was built due to the creation of an additional tax on sugar and pastel
- An officer from the mainland travelled to instruct 30 locals on how to use the cannons
- A monument dedicated to the victims of WWI was embedded in the fort's outer wall in 1935
About the museum:
- Self-guided tour through several rooms connected by old tunnels
- Extensive information on Portuguese role in World War I, colonial war, etc.
- Great display of rifles and firearms
- Evolution of warfare on the Portuguese Armed Forces
Admission: Adults: €3, Child: €2 for under 14 year old
Schedule: weekdays from 10am to 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 1.30pm, 2.30pm to 5pm
Address: R. Eng. Abel Ferin Coutinho 10 - Ponta Delgada
Phone: +351 296 304 920
Estimated visit duration: 1.5h - 2h
Book your Private tour, and learn about war-related episodes in the Azores.
8. Enjoy a panoramic city view: the Hermitage of the Mother of God
The "mother of God" hilltop has been used for military purposes since the XV century, with the construction of a fort embedded in the ground. On top of the hill there was a chapel from the 1800's which was demolished during WWI, and the current chapel dates from 1924 and is built in neo-gothic style. The place offers and amazing panoramic view of Ponta Delgada!
Good to know:
Address: Ladeira da Mãe de Deus - Ponta Delgada
Learn more about the role of the hermitage of the Mother of God in World War I by joining our Ponta Delgada Highlights Tour
Good to know:
- The military fort lies under the chapel (notice the walls around the structure)
- The chapel schedule is irregular
- Location is NOT wheelchair accessible
Address: Ladeira da Mãe de Deus - Ponta Delgada
Learn more about the role of the hermitage of the Mother of God in World War I by joining our Ponta Delgada Highlights Tour
9. Enjoy amazing street art
Ponta Delgada has many street art works, mostly resulting from a yearly art festival called Walk and Talk. 2019's editions will take place from 5 to 20 July, in several Azorean islands. About 40 works are displayed downtown in Ponta Delgada, namely graffiti, carvings, etc., and here's a couple our favourites:
Learn more about street art in Ponta Delgada by joining our Cultural and Food Tours
10. Take a swim at Pesqueiro
Pesqueiro is the nickname for Ponta Delgada's public swimming area, located on the main avenue, near Portas do Mar. It's a must for locals and many of them bathe all year round, as the water temperature rarely goes below 18ºC. Pesqueiro is an inexpensive and practical way to enjoy a dive into the Atlantic ocean without leaving the city.
Good to know:
Admission: €1
Address: 771, EN1-1A - Ponta Delgada (main avenue)
Good to know:
- there's toilet and bathing facilities (not top-notch, beware)
- area is supervised by lifeguard
- thefts have been reported (keep an eye on your stuff!)
Admission: €1
Address: 771, EN1-1A - Ponta Delgada (main avenue)
11. Explore the "Jesuit collegium" area: church, garden and library
In the 1590's Ponta Delgada welcomed Jesuit priests who implemented a collegium / school to teach Latin and other subjects. Located just 0.5Km away from the Portas da Cidade, the area is generally called "colégio", and includes:
This location offers many things to do (in both sunny or rainy days!), and there's definitely many interesting facts surrounding it:
Our Ponta Delgada Highlights Tour explores this area.
- a magnificent Baroque-style church
- the "Antero de Quental" public garden
- the city's library, on the former Jesuit monastery buildings
This location offers many things to do (in both sunny or rainy days!), and there's definitely many interesting facts surrounding it:
- The church was not totally finished, as Jesuits were expelled in 1790
- It hosts the sacred art collection of the Carlos Machado museum
- the square is used for Summer concerts (don't miss them!)
- Antero de Quental, Ponta Delgada's most acclaimed intellectual, committed suicide in 1891
- the library offers free internet access and many public documental resources
Our Ponta Delgada Highlights Tour explores this area.
12. Explore "O Quarteirão"
"O Quarteirão" (literally "the block") is the nickname for Ponta Delgada's most creative and innovative area, on streets Carvalho Araújo, Pedro Homem e D’Água. You'll find an eclectic offer ranging from art, handicrafts, bars and unique eateries, and even an iconic structure designed by Orizzontale, a collective of Italian architects.
O Quarteirão Facebook page
O Quarteirão Facebook page
13. Gruta do Carvão (lava tunnel)
Gruta do Carvão (literally "coal cave) is located on the western side of Ponta Delgada (about 2,5km from downtown), which is mostly built on the top of lava tunnels - a result of the superficial cooling of lava flows.
Admission: Adult €5; Discount:€3; Child €1. Private tours: €20
Inclusion: tour guide
Tour schedule: 10h30, 11h30, 14h30, 15h30, 16h30
Address: Rua do Paim - 2ª Circular - Ponta Delgada
Additional info: make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes (no heels!) and warm clothing, as temperature inside the cave is about 15ºC. Photographs allowed.
Website: http://grutadocarvao.amigosdosacores.pt
- "Gruta do Carvão" was discovered already in the XVI century
- There are regular tours
- Guides provide accurate scientific and historical information
- The standard visit takes about 40 minutes (longer visits available)
- You will visit different underground galleries
- Tours run in Portuguese or English
Admission: Adult €5; Discount:€3; Child €1. Private tours: €20
Inclusion: tour guide
Tour schedule: 10h30, 11h30, 14h30, 15h30, 16h30
Address: Rua do Paim - 2ª Circular - Ponta Delgada
Additional info: make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes (no heels!) and warm clothing, as temperature inside the cave is about 15ºC. Photographs allowed.
Website: http://grutadocarvao.amigosdosacores.pt