In the center of the island of São Miguel, the Sete Cidades Lake is a dream place and one of my favorites of the entire archipelago of the Azores.
Just a first glance from the King’s Viewpoint over the volcanic crater, where the Green and the Blue Lagoons were formed, and soon you’ll be in love with the landscape.
My first trip to São Miguel was an amazing discovery. For years I was told that I had to get to Azores, I didn’t know what I was missing, but I always disbelieved and despised our archipelago.
How wrong I was!
And as soon as I saw the Sete Cidades Lake I just wanted to slap myself.
“The viewpoint gained the name of King’s View after the visit to the site of the Portuguese monarchs, King D. Carlos and Queen D. Amelia, in 1901”
Between wreckage
We began the discovery of this piece of the island by the old abandoned hotel, right by the viewpoint.
Someone one day thought of building a large hotel there, but due to lack of resources or other reasons beyond me, the structure was abandoned.
Today we can enter inside, go through the rooms given to the decay of time, climb the stairs that once were dreamed full of people and feel some of the carpet that was laid there.
It’s no man’s land, but also the place of everyone who wants to enter there. No need to check-in or worry about check-out time.
Adventure into the Sete Cidades Lake
The next step was to descend to Sete Cidades, the small town that stands in the middle of the crater. A small, quiet village full of tradition.
The Church of St. Nicholas was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. We didn’t go in, but the architecture framed by the trees and all the green of that place, makes this building of the 19th century even more special.
And then, we went on to discover the banks of the lagoons, all the fauna and flora, all the charms and nooks, in a remarkable walk.
“The Seven Cities Lagoon is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal”
Thinking about visiting São Miguel? Check out some of the available accommodations in the link below.
What do you think about Sete Cidades Lake? Have you ever visit the place? Share your opinion in the comment box below.
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35 COMMENTS
The Spirited Sloth
7 years agoThis is irrelevant, but you look a little bit like Maya Rudolph! And I mean that in the best possible way! Good for you!
But really, this is such a beautiful post. I will have to do some research into Sao Miguel and it might just be a new addition to my bucket list! Good post!
Marlene Marques
7 years ago AUTHORAhahah! I’ll really take it as a compliment. 😉 Thank you! Make sure you check out the island. I bet you’ll love it!
Joe
7 years agoWow, such lush and picturesque landscapes! The vibrant colours offer such vivid contrasts with each other. The Azores truly does look like a place that can live up to its stellar billing 🙂
Marlene Marques
7 years ago AUTHORIt’s really an amazing place, Joe! Thank you for your comment. 🙂
Rashmi and Chalukya
7 years agoThe vistas from the King’s View are absolutely stunning. The hotel abandoned sounds weird, hope you could dig out some dark secrets, we are intrigued. 🙂 The Church of St. Nicholas and the banks of the lagoons are so beautiful and peaceful you must have had a great time.
Marlene Marques
7 years ago AUTHORWe did had a great time! The hotel sounds creepy and it’s kind of a weird place to visit, but once you climb to the upper floor and look at that view from one of the abandon rooms, I guess you’re not scared of the place at all.
Tamara Elliott
7 years agoWow how beautiful! I’d love to go to Portugal, and pictured it with more of a desert look- it looks like there are actually a few different types of climates!
Barbara Wagner
7 years agoI have heard wonderful things about the Azores. I hope I can make it there one day. Your post made me even more keen on going there.
Lillie
7 years agoOh my GOODNESS GRACIOUS. The Azores have been on my list for a while since they’re such an easy flight from Boston, but these photos are making me want to slap myself, too, and buy a ticket right now! STUNNING.
Nat Deduck
7 years agoIncredible! It looks so untouched! Your pictures are gorgeous! We’d love to go back to Portugal!
Sandy N Vyjay
7 years agoThe Sete Cidades Lake looks ethereal, literally as if it has fallen from the heavens. The entire place has a fairytale aura around it. The abandoned hotel with its aura of intrigue is in sharp contrast to the pristine beauty of its surroundings.
Melissa Jones
7 years agoSete Cidades Lake looks like a dream! The nice weather, the vibrant colours of nature, plenty to enjoy a day out. I recently went to Portugal for the first time and would love to explore more there. Lovely to see such beauty in different parts of the country 🙂
Bryanna
7 years agoThis looks and sounds like an amazing place to visit! I love how you said you just had to slap yourself :).
neha
7 years agoThe whole place is so stunning and green. Particularly that view from King’s point!! OMG!! I never knew about this place, I am going to bookmark it. I want to visit here badly after looking at your pics
carla abanes
7 years agoBeautiful place! Portugal is still a dream for me. Hopefully soon I can visit it and Spain too!
Ana Ojha
7 years agoSete Cidades Lake looks incredibly surreal! The first picture looks like a postcard!The view from the King’s Point is breathtaking. I’d love to visit there!
TravelPeppy
7 years agoIt’s a dream place, heavenly beautiful . The landscape is awesome. You have captured it amazingly. Loved you pictures. I never knew about this place, Thanks for the post!
Indrani
7 years agoSounds like a dreamy adventurous place. Wonder why the plan for hotel was abandoned! It would have functioned profitably forsure. The greenery all around makes it so dream worthy. Hopefully I can make it there some day.
Jitaditya Narzary
7 years agowow, that’s bluest of the blues I have ever seen! I had never even heard of it before but now I must visit it someday.I’d also love to hike up those green hills.
Joanna
7 years agoI have heard a lot about the Azores and it’s beautiful lakes but I have never visited. From your photos, the entire place looks amazing! The church is indeed very beautiful, I wonder how it was inside.
Marlene Marques
7 years ago AUTHORUnfortunately, it was closed when we were there, so the interior still remains a secret to me.
Soumya Nambiar
7 years agoThe lake looks absolutely stunning and I can’t believe the color. It is so sad that no one got to stay in the hotel. That view of the church is awesome as well.
Adam Biernat
7 years agoWhat a stunning landscape, the lake looks so fairy and peaceful. For sure it’s an awesome place to visit. I would love to spend there some relaxing time. Great post!
Samarpita Sharma
7 years agoWhat beautiful, picturesque photographs. Must have been such a peaceful trip!
Kristina
7 years agoOh wow, that crater lake is GORGEOUS! What an amazing sight. Beautiful photographs as well. It looks like you really enjoyed yourself. Sad you didn’t get to stay in the hotel, but the church looked amazing.
Megan Jerrard
7 years agoSeriously stunning, the Azores is high on my list when I manage to book a trip to Portugal. Such an underrated area which I’ve found not too many people know about! The Church of St. Nicholas really is quite stunning!
Dane
7 years agoSo first off that view is on another planet! I cant even believe it! The landscape around it looks incredibly beautiful also. I love abandoned buildings! There is a giant one in the Cook Islands that apparently was being built by a mafia to launder money through and when they got caught it just stopped but they were so far along in the production it is amazing. This one looks pretty similar to that from what I can see.
Marlene Marques
7 years ago AUTHOREheheh that story is amazing, Dane. Thanks for sharing. I guess in this case it was just lack of money to end the project. What I heard is that the owners were bankrupt and the construction stoped, waiting for new financial investment. Unfortunately, until today.
Ami
7 years agoThe church does look really beautiful. And more than that, I love the green surroundings around the lake. I could just lie on the grass and stare at the sky while here. So calm and beautiful
Nadine Cathleen
7 years agoSo beautiful! I love nature places like this! Have to been to New Zealand? You’d love it!
Marlene Marques
7 years ago AUTHORNever been to New Zealand, unfortunately. But it most be beautiful! Would love to visit it one day.
Parampara
7 years agoThis looks extremely beautiful, what you’ve shared is like another world! So glad to come across this post <3
What time of the year did you take this trip?
Parampara-Parichay
http://awaradiaries.com
Marlene Marques
7 years ago AUTHORHi! I went there at the end of September. The climate in the Azores archipelago is normally neither too hot nor too cold, with some rainfall especially between October and March. Its said that the 4 seasons can occur in the same day. 😀
Suruchi
7 years agoWhat a beautiful picture of Viewpoint. I loved the perfect contrast of blue water and green around it. The church too looks perfect. Sad to know that nobody stays at that hotel. Otherwise, it would have been a perfect land with perfect views around it.