Azores Bike Tour

Welcome to São Miguel, the largest of the lush islands that comprise the Azorean archipelago. Your home base is the Octant Ponta Delgada, one of the most iconic properties in Ponta Delgada. Celebrated for its prime location, the hotel is close to the island’s old town and faces the marina—which means ocean views to lull you to sleep tonight. Get settled, explore the historic center of town at your leisure, and start tomorrow’s bike tour completely refreshed. In the morning, enjoy an included breakfast before your bike tour begins right at the hotel.

Inclusions: Hotel, Breakfast
Accommodations: Octant Ponta Delgada
Price per person in double occupancy: $200
Price in single occupancy: $370

The amount listed is the starting price and subject to availability. If interested, please inform your Travel Specialist during the booking process, or inform your Tour Coordinator at least 60 days prior to tour.

Our guides will greet you at the pre-tour hotel in Ponta Delgada and conduct a bike fitting and safety review before our first ride: head out of the city on a bike path that follows the shoreline to Vila Franca do Campo. The town of Vila Franca was the original capital of São Miguel until it was destroyed by an earthquake (and subsequent landslide) in 1522—today, it’s prospering once again thanks to banana plantations and the fishing industry. After lunch, continue riding or catch a lift in the van to our first hotel nestled in the volcanic village of Furnas. Tonight, we dine together at the hotel’s restaurant.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca do Campo, Furnas
Accomplished: 16 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 1,253 feet / 382 meters
Longer Option: 29 miles / 47 km, elevation gain: 3,044 feet / 928 meters
Accommodations: Octant Furnas

After a breakfast of island-grown fruit, Azorean tea, and bolo levedo (an airy Azorean muffin) we’ll be properly fueled for a spin around the volcanic caldera of Furnas. From there, our ride continues along a winding road to Ribiera Quente, a quaint fishing village framed by verdant mountains. After a delicious seafood lunch, visit the town’s black sand beach, where the ocean is naturally heated by underwater thermal springs. Hop in the van or tackle the short climb back to the hotel, then spend the rest of the afternoon at the spa. Tonight’s dinner is a very special one—we’ll dine at geologist Paula’s house where she’ll share how the island’s natural elements shape local culinary traditions.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Furnas
Accomplished: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 2,610 feet / 796 meters
Longer Option: 32 miles / 51 km, elevation gain: 3,351 feet / 1,021 meters
Accommodations: Octant Furnas

This morning, begin riding from the hotel or transfer to a starting point further down the road—either way, we’re embarking on an epic loop ride along the island’s eastern coastline. Described by DuViners as one of the most beautiful rides of their lives, the roads are lined with subtropical forests, blooming azaleas, blue hydrangeas, and fragrant Belladonna lilies. We’ll pass the waterfalls at Caldeirões Natural Park and pause at lookout points over the Atlantic, imagining the 15th-century sailors who also gazed eastward towards mainland Portugal. Weather permitting, break for a picnic lunch prepared by your guides. Hop in the van after lunch, or keep riding right to the mouth of the volcano and into the caldera before looping back to the hotel. This evening, dine on your own in the village of Furnas—our guides can readily recommend a few favorite restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Furnas, Provoação, Nordeste, Achadinha
Accomplished: 28 miles / 45 km, elevation gain: 2,696 feet / 822 meters
Longer Option: 56 miles / 90 km, elevation gain: 6,485 feet / 1,977 meters
Accommodations: Octant Furnas

First planted on São Miguel in the 16th century, oranges were the island’s principal export until 1842 when a blight wiped out the industry. It was a watershed moment that led to economic reinvention: dairy farming became a new mainstay, and crops like pineapples, passionfruit, tobacco, and tea also thrived. This morning, we’ll take a short transfer to see one of the island’s “new” trades: one of Europe’s only tea plantations. Since the last quarter of the 19th century, the Porto Formoso Tea Factory is one of two plantations in all of Europe that continues to produce commercially. Enjoy a fascinating history lesson and a refreshing cup of tea on the terrace overlooking the plantation. Then start riding west along the coast, passing through fishing villages en route to a lunch of chicken in piri-piri sauce. We’ll cross from the north side of the island to the south and check in to our next hotel with time for poolside cocktails or an afternoon massage. This evening, meet our friend and sommelier Joao for a masterclass in Azorean wines and dine on an organic feast.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Ribeira Grande, Fenais da Luz, Mosteiros
Accomplished: 32 miles / 51 km, elevation gain: 2,404 feet / 733 meters
Longer Option: 42 miles / 68 km, elevation gain: 3,480 feet / 1,061 meters
Accommodations: Sensi or Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort

Today’s route starts with Sete Cidades, the island’s enigmatic volcano which derives its name from a folk story about star-crossed lovers. Start riding from the hotel before a steady climb up its southern slope until we reach the Vista do Rei, a lookout point with magnificent views of the lakes and village below. Descend into Sete Cidades for a coffee break, then choose to catch a lift back to the hotel or spend your last full day in the saddle. For those who wish to keep riding, we’ll climb to the top of the crater for some spectacular ocean views, followed by a glorious downhill that brings us along the coastal road. This picture-perfect ride finishes at our hotel with a light lunch. Tonight we meet for an apéritif heading to a restaurant lovingly adorned with antiques from the owners’ past life in Macao. Our memorable final meal features sustainable and locally sourced ingredients paired thoughtfully with wines from the Azorean island of Pico.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Sete Cidades, Ginetes
Accomplished: 24 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 2,568 feet / 783 meters
Shorter Option: 16 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 2,020 feet / 616 meters
Accommodations: Sensi or Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort

Your guides will transfer you back to the island capital of Ponta Delgada. You may wish to stay a little longer in order to experience São Miguel a few other ways—perhaps diving, hiking, or golfing.

Meals: Breakfast