Santa Maria Island Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Island

Facts and practical information

Santa Maria Island, located in the Azores region of Portugal, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by adventurous travelers. With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, this island offers a unique and unforgettable experience.

One of the highlights of Santa Maria Island is its breathtaking natural beauty. From the moment you arrive, you will be captivated by the dramatic cliffs, golden sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Explore the stunning Praia Formosa, a beach known for its volcanic rock formations and tranquil atmosphere. Take a dip in the warm waters or simply relax on the shore, soaking up the sun and enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, Santa Maria Island offers a range of activities to satisfy every taste. Hiking enthusiasts can embark on a journey to Pico Alto, the highest point on the island, where they will be rewarded with panoramic views of the lush green landscapes and the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the island's diverse flora and fauna as you wander through the trails of the Serra de Santa Bárbara Nature Reserve, a protected area that is home to rare and endemic species.

History buffs will be delighted by the island's rich cultural heritage. Visit the charming town of Vila do Porto, the oldest settlement in the Azores, and wander through its narrow streets lined with colorful houses and historical buildings. Explore the Convent of São Francisco, a 16th-century monastery that now houses a museum showcasing the island's history and art. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Nossa Senhora dos Anjos Church, a beautiful example of Azorean baroque architecture.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture by indulging in the island's delicious cuisine. Sample traditional dishes such as cozido das furnas, a hearty stew cooked in volcanic steam, or lapas grelhadas, grilled limpets harvested from the island's rocky shores. Wash it all down with a glass of local wine or the famous passion fruit liqueur known as maracujá.

Local name: Ilha de Santa Maria Area: 37.52 mi²Elevation: 541 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 36°57'22"N, 25°6'38"W

Location

AzoresPortugal

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Santa Maria Island Top Attractions

Santa Maria Island Attractions - What to See and Explore

Santa Maria Island offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Fort of São Brás, Lagar, Reserva Florestal de Recreio de Valverde, Regional Natural Monument of Pedreira do Campo. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Historical place • Forts and castles
Fort of São Brás
The Fort of São Brás is a 17th-century maritime fort situated on the southern cliffs of the civil parish of Vila do Porto, municipality of the same name, on the Portuguese island of Santa Maria, in the archipelago of the Azores.
Archaeological site
Lagar
The Lagar of Diogo Fernandes Faleiro is an ancient winepress, hewn from riverbank rocks, situated in the civil parish of Santo Espírito in the municipality of Vila do Porto, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
Playground • Park • National park
Reserva Florestal de Recreio de Valverde
The Recreational Forest Reserve of Valverde is a recreational forest located centrally on the island of Santa Maria, in the civil parish of Vila do Porto, municipality of Vila do Porto in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.

Park
Regional Natural Monument of Pedreira do Campo
The Regional Natural Monument of Pedreira do Campo, which singularly translated means field quarry, is an area located west of Pico do Facho and Ponta do Figueiral, in the civil parish and municipality of Vila do Porto, on the island of Santa Maria in the Eastern Group of the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
Park
Recreational Forest Reserve of Fontinhas
The Recreational Forest Reserve of Fontinhas is a recreational forest located centrally on the island of Santa Maria, in the civil parish of Santo Espírito, municipality of Vila do Porto in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
City hall
Convent of São Francisco
The Convent of São Francisco, originally designated the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Vitória, located in the Largo of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, in the civil parish of Vila do Porto, municipality of the same name on the island of Santa Maria, in the Portuguese in the Azores.
Church
Church
The Church of Santa Bárbara is a Roman Catholic church in the civil parish of Santa Bárbara, municipality of Vila do Porto, in the archipelago of the Azores.
View point
Pico Alto
Pico Alto is a mountain which is the highest point, 586.84 metres, on the island of Santa Maria, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
Church
Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho
The Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho is the parochial church of the civil parish of Almagreira, located in the municipality of Vila do Porto, Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
37°0'21"N • 25°9'13"W
Hermitage of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos
The Hermitage of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos, is a hermitage/chapel located in the village of Anjos, on the northcoast of the civil parish of Vila do Porto, on the island of Santa Maria in the Portuguese Azores.
37°0'41"N • 25°3'27"W
LORAN Station
The LORAN Station is a long-range navigational station abandoned after the beginning of the 1980s, following cessation of service in the north Atlantic.
36°59'50"N • 25°8'9"W
Santa Maria Island Station
Santa Maria Island Station is an ESTRACK satellite ground station in the Azores, 5 kilometres from the town of Vila do Porto on the island of Santa Maria.