Exploring Sete Cidades: Portugal’s Stunning Twin Lakes

Sete Cidades is located west of Sao Miguel in Portugal. It is the largest of the Azores in Portugal. “Cidades” is derived from the Latin “Civitas,” meaning a collective term for citizens within a community. This place is famous worldwide for its renowned twin lakes and extreme beauty. Sete Cidades means the island of seven tribes or the island of the seven people.

It is known as one of the seven wonders of Portugal. It is about 36 Km (22 miles) from Ponta Delgada a famous spot in Portugal. I recommend you add it to your Portugal Itinerary. A shepherd and a princess, deeply in love but forbidden to be together, are said to have wept profusely at the shore of this lake, forming its waters. We will guide you about the lovely village of Sete Cidades and show you what’s there to see and do. Our travel guide shows you the secrets of Cite Cidades, and we hope you will enjoy your Portugal vacation. We advise you to book your flights to Portugal because these are some of the most beautiful places in Portugal.

How to get to Sete Cidades Portugal?

The best way to reach almost any destination in Portugal, especially Sete Cidades Portugal, is by car. When I visited Sete Cidades I reached there by car. You can also get to Sete Cidades by your vehicle or you can use a bus or a taxi. Most visitors prefer to rent a private vehicle because it gives them freedom and saves time. Using public transport doesn’t provide you with freedom and it takes your precious time. It takes about 35 minutes to drive from Ponta Delgada, the island’s capital, to Sete Cidades. At the same time, public transportation can take between 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours.    

Places to visit in Sete Cidades 

I visited the lagoon, the village of Sete Cidades, Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a viewpoint, and the ruins of Hotel Monte Palace on my trip to Sete Cidades. It would be best to visit many places on your trip to Portugal, but I will tell you the main ones. 

Lagoa das Sete Cidades

Lagoa das Sete Cidades is a twin lake situated in the crater of a dormant volcano on the Portuguese archipelago of Azores. It is named one of the seven wonders of Portugal like Lake Blausee in Switzerland. It is a must-visit place for any traveler who comes to Sete Cidades. Lagoa das Sete Cidades is divided into two parts: the blue lagoon and the green lagoon. It is the single and the largest reservoir of surface fresh water. You can also see it on Maps Sete. It looks like there are two reservoirs but in fact, there is only one lake with two colors.

Additionally, I asked the locals about Lagoa das Sete Cidade’s history, they told me that it was formed during a volcanic eruption in 1445. In the past, this lake was a popular place for washing clothes by hand. In the past, villagers washed clothes in reservoirs from larger towns and transported them in Ox carts. There’s a Volcano Azores near Lagoa das Sete Cidades and Caldeira das Sete Cidades.

Top activities in Sete Cidades Lagoon

Kayaking in Sete Cidades

Kayaking is a fun activity you can do in Sete Cidades Lagoon. You can rent a Kayak and see the beauty of the Lagoon from more near. Don’t worry life jackets are provided for kayaking. You can also rent paddle boats for more adventure. But, remember they are difficult to ride and you would need more energy. If you’re looking for things to do in Portugal, consider kayaking in Sete Cidades Lagoon. It is a great activity.

Also, I saw beautiful birds there. You will also find migratory birds, some even in danger of extinction. There is also a variety of fish in the water, the majority of fish are carp (Cyprinius Carpio) and perch (Perca Fluviatilis). 

Rent a bike

You can rent a bike from the shop on the shores of Blue Lagoon. There are two options you can choose from. Either you have a guided tour with the staff of Lagoon or you prefer to explore on your own. 

Monte Palace Hotel

The Monte Palace is a captivating abandoned hotel in the village of Sao Miguel Island in the Azores. This palace has become a popular tourist attraction due to its structure and incredible panoramic views of surrounding natural beauty. You can find it on Maps Sete. The Monte Palace Hotel was once a hub of luxury and glamour. This hotel has become a major part of the island’s tourism industry. It is a must-visit place for tourists. The hotel is located on the stunning island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. Moreover, At the site, you will see ruined buildings, You can freely explore the hotel’s rooms, hallway, bar, and other places. And if you want a room to stay you can find it on Airbnb Azores. 

History:

The history of Monte Palace is that back in the late 1970s the Monte Palace Hotel was planned to be the best hotel in the Azores. A group of French and Belgian shareholders had set up a company to invest in the Islands’ nascent tourist industry and wanted to build two five-star hotels—the Buyer Palace down on the bay and the Monte Palace up on the mountain. The construction started in 1980 the idea was it would open by 1982, with the Monte Palace shortly afterward.

Before completing the bio in 1984, the project fell two years behind schedule and exceeded the original budget. It opened its doors to the world and likely lost enough money to close a year later. And then the new management team somehow managed the Azorean government to give them a loan and on April 15th, 1989 the 5-star Monte Palace Hotel finally opened. Guests could enjoy 88 luxury rooms and suites, a bar, a disco, three conference rooms, a bank, a hairdresser, a nightclub theater, and two restaurants. There was nothing like it anywhere else in the Azores. 

Miradouro da Vista do Rei

Miraduoro da Vista do Rei is a famous viewpoint on the west coast of Sao Miguel Island in the Sete Cidades Azores. It’s renowned for the spectacular view over the Sete Cidades. It is one of the most famous viewpoints; you can even see it on most postcards in souvenir shops. This viewpoint leaves travelers and locals speechless. The meaning of Vista do Rei is King’s view. The view from Vista do Rei is spectacular. There is a sign with a beautiful drawing of a landscape at the viewpoint. There are other points to visit near the volcanic complex, such as the peninsula or the Boca do Inferno viewpoint. The view Vista do Rei is near to Azores Portugal Airport. 

What you can see from Miradouro da Vista do Rei?

The view from Vista do Rei is breathtaking. You can see a beautiful two-tone lagoon to the coast of Sao Miguel Azores, from the quiet village to the crater to an imposing abandoned hotel. You can also see all the lagoons in the surroundings and other points within the Sete Cidades volcanic complex. This area is one of Azore’s most iconic and beautiful natural landmarks. Also, the weather in Portugal is mild in winter and has dry summers with regional variations across the country.

What is the best time to visit Sete Cidades?

The best time to visit Sete Cidades is from late spring to early fall (May to September), the weather in May and June is around 16-20 degrees Celsius, and it’s an ideal temperature to visit any place. Other famous cities in Portugal are Sintra, Funchal, and Guimaraes which offer diverse experiences for travelers.

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