Ponta Delgada was originally a small fishermen’s village that developed after the capital at the time, Vila Franca do Campo, was destroyed by the great earthquake of 1522.
Five hundred years later, Ponta Delgada is a cosmopolitan city with a wealth of culture and leisure facilities. Casinos, cinemas and amphitheatres are joined by Portas do Mar, a project that has given the city a modern marina, as well as facilities to receive cruise ships.
In the city centre, traditional buildings are white-washed, with details often highlighted in dark basalt. Along the city’s cobbled streets, we find can historical churches and convents, and fascinating nooks and crannies.
The landscapes are breathtaking across the whole island. Their lush forests often surprise us with magnificent waterfalls, small lakes and hot sulphur springs.
Richly coloured hydrangeas line many of the country roads. The extensive green fields offer pasture for herds of cattle that produce delicious meat and dairy products.
No visit to the island would be complete without a tour of the famous lakes of Sete Cidades and Fogo. The impression they leave on us is best appreciated in silence, leaving an everlasting mark in our memories.
No words can express it … It is pure emotion.
