3 Best Sights in Ribeira Grande, São Miguel

Stretching for about 1 km (a little over half a mile), this black-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean is best known as a prime surfing spot—in fact, World Surf League Qualifying Series events are held here every year. You can take a surfing lesson from the school on the beach or rent a paddleboard here, or just grab a drink in the adjacent beach bar. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; walking.

It’s a short walk on a paved path through a subtropical forest to reach the four small pools at Caldheira Velha: three hot pools (about 36ºC), and one cooler pool (about 27ºC) adjacent to a waterfall. While more compact than the pools at Furnas, the ferns and other greenery give this place an almost prehistoric feel. The interpretation center contains informative displays on the area’s volcanic history and biodiversity in the Azores in general. Bring a towel and flip-flops; there are lockers and showers, but with cold water only.

Home to one of the only tea plantations in Europe, Gorreana has been cultivating organically grown black and green tea since 1883. A visit here is rather homespun; visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour (or a free guided tour) of the factory, with machinery dating from the 19th century, before helping themselves to samples of both hot and cold teas. There’s also a tearoom that serves light meals (along with tea, of course), and a shop to buy products to take home.