Sete Cidades

Sete Cidades is a twin volcanic crater lake within a caldera on the western end of São Miguel, the two lakes separated by a narrow bridge and differing in colour — one appearing green, the other blue — due to variations in depth and light reflection from the surrounding vegetation. The caldera rim is accessible by road and trail, and the viewpoints of Vista do Rei and Miradouro da Boca do Inferno provide classic elevated perspectives over the lakes and the forested caldera walls. The interior of the caldera contains a small village, hydrangea-edged lanes, and agricultural land that has developed within the protected landscape.