Essential Activities in Ponta Delgada, Azores

Explore the City's Historical District

Founded in the 15th century, Ponta Delgada's historic center is rich with sights to explore during your port day. Starting at Gonçalo Velho Square, the city's central plaza, you'll be greeted by impressive art and architecture, including the Portas da Cidade (ornate monumental gates symbolizing the city) and the statue honoring Gonçalo Velho, the explorer for whom the square is named.

From there, you can explore several of the city's key public spaces, such as:

• Town Hall Square, featuring the Baroque-style town hall and the Torre do Relógio clock tower.
• Largo da Matriz, home to the city's main church, Igreja de São Sebastião.
• Praça 5 de Outubro, where you'll discover two remarkable churches: Igreja de São José and Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Esperança.
• Forte de Sao Brás, a well-preserved 17th-century maritime fort complete with ramparts, cannons, and a memorial for those lost in World War I.

Explore the Botanical Gardens

Ponta Delgada's historic center isn't the only area of the city with captivating sights. Located about 20 minutes north of the port is the Palácio de Sant'Ana, the presidential palace. While the palace itself is not open to the public, visitors can enjoy two botanical gardens surrounding it. One is the Jardin du Palais Sant'Ana, the official gardens of the palace, and the other is Jardim Botânico José do Canto. For a small entrance fee, these gardens provide a lush escape within the city, along with excellent photo opportunities.

Here are a few other botanical gardens you might find intriguing, all within a pleasant walking distance of each other:

• Jardim Antero de Quental
• Jardim Padre Sena Freitas
• Jardim Botânico António Borges

If you're curious about the nature beyond Ponta Delgada, consider our Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens shore excursion, which takes you across the island to the stunning Ribeira Grande. This excursion includes stops at breathtaking viewpoints, a tea factory, and São Miguel's incredible hot springs.

Savor the Flavors at Mercado da Graça

Public markets offer a unique glimpse into the everyday life of a city, showcasing local cuisine and social interactions. Perhaps this is why Mercado da Graça is regarded as "one of the most frequented tourist attractions in the city," according to the municipality of Ponta Delgada.

At Mercado da Graça, you'll find an impressive selection of local fruits and vegetables, many of which are unique to the island due to its fertile volcanic soil and special climate. Look for items like annonas, araçal, and the famous pineapples of São Miguel. In addition, vendors offer souvenirs, crafts, cheeses, and local liquors.

(If you're interested in discovering how pineapples are cultivated on São Miguel, you might enjoy our Go Green: Sustainable Pineapple & Cosmetics shore excursion, which includes a visit to a pineapple greenhouse, a cosmetics lab, and a workshop where you can create your own cosmetic products.)

Mercado da Graça operates six days a week, opening at 7 a.m. daily. It closes at 6 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Discover Sete Cidades

Spending a day in port at Ponta Delgada puts you just a short journey away from Sete Cidades, a picturesque village on the northwestern coast of São Miguel Island. Sete Cidades is renowned for its stunning natural scenery. One of its most iconic sights is Lagoa das Sete Cidades ("Lagoon of the Seven Cities"), a pair of lakes nestled within the crater of a dormant volcano. You can enjoy a close view of these lakes via a bridge that spans directly between them.

Don't forget to subscribe for emails to receive Dinogo's latest cruise promotions and exclusive offers.