Episode Details

How many days do you actually need in the Azores with kids, and is São Miguel worth the trip? This is the full São Miguel guide — flights and points, renting a car, where to stay, the best hot springs and waterfalls, whale watching, and the honest story of how our four days actually went, weather included.

We paired this trip with a stop in London (full recap in Season 2, Episode 2), and if you want the complete points and miles breakdown for the whole ten-day trip, that's back in Season 1, Episode 42. This episode is just about São Miguel: what it's like, what to do, where to stay, and what we'd change next time.

In this episode:

• Why the Azores feel nothing like mainland Portugal, even though they're technically part of it
• How long you actually need on São Miguel (we had four days — here's why that wasn't quite enough)
• Best time of year to visit and how the island's microclimates can wreck a tight itinerary
• The points and miles breakdown for getting to and from São Miguel, plus why renting a car is non-negotiable
• Where to stay: the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lagoa on points, plus Pedras do Mar and Senhora da Rosa for cash bookings
• Scenic lookouts, waterfalls, hot springs (including the one that's nearly impossible to book), whale and dolphin watching, and a pineapple farm
• Our actual day-by-day itinerary, weather setbacks and all
• A split family verdict: how Jacob, Shoshana, Ronnie, and Melissa each felt about the island differently

Timestamps

• 00:00 — Intro & Recap of the Trip
• 00:52 — Why the Azores Aren't Mainland Portugal
• 04:03 — How Long You Actually Need
• 06:07 — Best Time of Year to Visit
• 07:16 — Flights, Points & Renting a Car
• 10:50 — Where to Stay on São Miguel
• 13:18 — Best Things to Do
• 20:04 — Our Actual Day-by-Day Itinerary
• 22:39 — Family Verdict & What We'd Change

Links

The Full Guide

• São Miguel, Azores Travel Guide — full write-up with the map, packing list, and activity details mentioned in this episode

Related Episodes

• S1 Ep. 42 — How We Planned London & Azores on Points
• S1 Ep. 49 — London vs. Azores Recap: A Kid's Take
• S2 Ep. 2 — London with Kids: What We Loved, What Surprised Us, and What We'll Do Differently Next Time

Where We Stayed

• DoubleTree by Hilton Lagoa — booked on points, full Hilton transfer math in the guide
• Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa — splurgier north coast pick
• Senhora da Rosa — cash booking, pool table and a pineapple-greenhouse hot tub

Things to Do

• Poça da Dona Beija hot springs
• Caldeira Velha tickets — book the moment your dates are set, slots go fast
• Whale & dolphin watching tour