Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake)

Lagoa Azul fills the larger part of the Sete Cidades caldera at the western end of São Miguel, and it is the half of the famous pair that most people picture when they think of the Azores. The crater is about five kilometres across, and the lake lies in the deepest part of it, edged by steep, forested slopes, with the smaller Lagoa Verde beside it, joined by a narrow channel crossed by a small bridge. The two lakes together make the iconic view from the Vista do Rei, but the Blue Lake rewards a closer look.

Seen from the shore, the water is a deep blue on bright days and grey on cloudy ones, a reminder that the colour depends heavily on the sky, the angle of the light, and the depth of the water. A road follows the lake's edge for part of its circuit, and walking or cycling along it gives close views of the shore with its hydrangea hedges, which flower from June to September and fill the verges with blue, pink, and white. In the village of Sete Cidades, at the narrow strip between the two lakes, a neo-Gothic church stands beside the water, and cafés and a small picnic area make a pleasant stop.

The lake is also a place for activity. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be hired in good weather, and gliding out over the calm water, with the crater walls rising on all sides, is a very different way to see the caldera. Trails lead from the shore up onto the rim, including the well-known circuit around the crater, and there is a walk along the water to the old hotel ruin on the hill above. Swimming is sometimes done by the adventurous, but the water is cold and there are no lifeguards, so caution is needed.

The mist is a constant factor. Clouds often drift into the crater and sit on the water, and the view can disappear and return within minutes. Early morning is usually the calmest time, and the light on the lake at that hour is magical. Bring waterproof clothing and warm layers, since the crater can be chilly and damp even in summer.

A legend about the lakes, involving a green-eyed shepherd and a blue-eyed princess whose tears formed the water, is told in the village. The lake suits photographers, walkers, kayakers, and families, and it makes a good half-day.