Ponta Delgada is a city in Portugal, the center of the municipality of the same name, which is part of the Azores region.
Ponta Delgada is located on the southern coast of the island of San Miguel, at a distance of 1448 km from the capital of Portugal, Lisbon.
The city covers an area of almost 232 km2 and has a population of more than 46,000 people. The city, the largest in the Azores, became the second capital of San Miguel (the first was Vila Franca do Campo) in 1540. It was badly damaged by a tidal wave in 1839 and was subsequently rebuilt.
The Church of St. Christ is a famous pilgrimage site. The mild climate and lush vegetation have made the city an important year-round tourist destination in Portugal. Its harbor has a breakwater nearly 1 mile (1.6 km) long that serves as a refueling station and offers facilities for minor repairs to transatlantic ships. Ponta Delgada is the leading commercial center of the Azores, exporting pineapples, oranges, tea, wine, cereals, vegetables and dairy products. Sugar and alcohol processing, as well as tourism, are the main components of its economy.
Ponta Delgada is divided into three large districts: San Pedro, San Sebastián, and San Jose. The most tourist area of all is considered San Jose – it has the most developed infrastructure, a large number of hotels and restaurants. The most interesting sights are also located in this area.
Places of interest in Ponta Delgada
The capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, stretches along the southern coast of San Miguel Island and boasts many interesting places. Among them are elegant churches, old luxury mansions, a colorful city market. But to really get to know the” green island ” of Portugal, you will have to explore not only its capital, but also go beyond it to meet nature.
St. Sebastian’s Church
Locals recommend starting the tour from the main city church.
Saint Sebastian is considered the patron saint of Ponta Delgada, and it is not surprising that the church built in his honor is the main one in the city. It is located next to the central Republic Square, at Largo Matriz, Ponta Delgada.
Built in 1547, this shrine has a fairly typical architecture for the Azores. Thanks to the clever lighting, the building looks very impressive in the dark.
St. Sebastian’s Church is known for its golden tapestries, rare Brazilian wood furnishings, and a carved cedar altar.
You can visit this attraction completely free of charge: you can just look at the exterior and interior design, you can stand on the service.
Very close is another historical building that is no less interesting for those traveling in Portugal and the Azores – this is the Main Gate.
Funchal — what to expect from the capital of Madeira
City Gates
One of the most iconic monuments and most popular places in Ponta Delgada for photos is the city gate, located at Praca Goncalo Velho, and connecting Republic Square with the waterfront area.
Portas da Cidade is one of the oldest structures not only in the Azores, but also in all of Portugal. It consists of three combined arches of snow-white color, which depict two coats of arms: royal and city.
Church of San Jose
The large Church of San Jose stands in one of the squares of the capital of the Azores – the address of Campo de Sao Francisco, Ponta Delgada.
This shrine is built in a typical Portuguese style: an asymmetrical white facade with black edging, decorated with stucco and statues.
The interior is quite modest, and a stunningly beautiful gilded altar with carved wooden ornaments stands out against its background.
The church is active, there are always a lot of people here-both tourists and locals. Admission is free for all comers.
Church of St. Christ
Ponta Delgada has so many churches than anywhere else in Portugal that it seems to be home to some of the most devout people in the world. On Avenida Roberto Ivens, almost in the center of the capital of the Azores, there is another interesting shrine: the Church of St. Christ. The largest religious festival of the Azores and Portugal is held under the patronage of this particular church.
The building is very richly decorated: gold leaf, tiles of the XVIII century, luxury icons are used for decoration.
In front of the entrance to the church there is a statue of Christ the Wonderworker.
Main Market
In the center, however, closer to the waterfront (address: Rua do Mercado), is the main market of Ponta Delgada. The market is open all days of the week, and it is best to come for shopping before 13: 00, since from this time the sellers will already disperse.
Here you can buy fresh vegetables and fruits, including local pineapples of the Azores. Sellers offer a large selection of regional cheeses, different types of meat. It is interesting to go through the fish department: there are a lot of rare and unknown marine life, which the local population quickly buys up. There are also souvenir shops that sell handmade items.
The place is very colorful: you can try a lot, buy, just look. On the territory of the market there is an amazing smell that cannot be expressed in words: the aroma of fresh pineapples mixed with the smell of tart wines, goat cheese, freshly caught fish. By the way, the sellers are very polite, no cheating and body kit.
Attractions in Tenerife, islands in the Atlantic Ocean
Pineapple plantations
There is a unique pineapple plantation in the Azores, it is located at the address: Rua Doutor Augusto Arruda / Faja de Baixo, Ponta Delgada. It is very close to the city, so you can get to it on foot, or you can take a taxi for 8€.
It will be very interesting to see the plantation, especially since the entrance is open and completely free, and the visit will not take long – from 10 minutes to a maximum of 1 hour.
The Arruda Pineapple Plantation has existed in Portugal since 1919 and was founded by Augusto Arruda, whose bust is placed in front of the entrance.
Pineapples are grown in glass greenhouses throughout the year. Since plants are planted in different greenhouses at different times, harvesting also takes place at different times all year round. In general, pineapples of the Azores are considered the northernmost of all grown in the world, and their growth time is about two years.
In addition to the plantations and greenhouses themselves, there is a small beautiful park on the territory, a good cafe, as well as a small souvenir shop that sells pineapples, fantastic aroma and quality pineapple soap, delicious pineapple liqueur, and, of course, souvenirs.
Lagoa das Empadadas Lake
Lake Lagoa das Empadadas is located on the road to the highest observation platform of the lakes Network-Sidadish. It is hidden in a valley, surrounded by a wonderful coniferous forest – to get to it, it is advisable to use the map of Ponta Delgada.
It is difficult to put into words all the beauty of this place – you need to go here and enjoy the fresh air, stunning views. In this lake, even fish are not afraid of people – they swim to the shore and wait to be fed! This quiet, protected area of Portugal is designed for relaxing relaxation and meditation.
Places to stay in Ponta Delgada
As in most resort cities in Portugal, Ponta Delgada has hotels of different categories, hostels, and well-maintained villas. Near the city there is a campsite where you can put up a tent – this option is suitable for very unassuming young people.
Usually, hotel rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and on the territory of hotels – a swimming pool. Prices for a double room in 3* hotels start from 80-100 € – for this amount they offer accommodation in hotels Hotel Canadiano, Vila Nova Hotel. The minimum prices for a night stay in an apartment during the summer period are within 60 €, for example, a double room for this money can be rented Casa da Belinha or Casa Mãe Deus-House Azores. The average cost of a room in an apartment will certainly be higher – about 115-150 €. A good option where the price matches the quality is the 4* Hotel Marina Atlântico.
In any case, the choice of housing in the city is wide, but the most favorable options are booked a couple of months before arrival, so it’s better to take care of comfort in advance.
Food prices in Ponta Delgada
In Ponta Delgada, food prices are about the same as in most cities in the Azores.
- In a mid-level restaurant for 30-40€, you can have a good and delicious meal together.
- In inexpensive restaurants, food will cost one and a half to two times cheaper.
- Fans of fast food can keep within 6-8 € – this is the price of a combo set in fast food establishments.
- Drinks in the city, as in almost all of Portugal, are relatively cheap: cappuccino — 1€, local beer 1-1. 5 €, bottle of water-0,6 €.
Good inexpensive restaurants in Ponta Delgada, offering delicious, hearty dishes, can be recommended:
- Taberna Acor (address-Rua dos Mercadores No. 41, Ponta Delgada): Mediterranean and Portuguese cuisine, wine bar;
- Lan’s (address-Rua Manuel da Ponte 41/São Sebastião, Ponta Delgada): pizza, Italian and European cuisine, vegetarian dishes;
- Suplexio (address Rua Pedro Homem 68 / Travessa da Rua dÀgua): Portuguese cuisine, burgers, pub with brewery;
- Acores Grill (address Rua do Calhau 1): Portuguese and European cuisine, barbecue.
How to get to Ponta Delgada
The nearest airport to the capital of the Azores is located at a distance of approximately 4 km from the city. But in any case, you need to fly through Lisbon or make a transfer in any European cities. From Lisbon, there are flights from the national carrier TAP Portugal and Ryanair a couple of times a day – travel time is 1 hour and 20 minutes, round-trip tickets will cost 50-80 € (without luggage).
Well, how to get to Ponta Delgada from the airport, as a rule, there are no problems:
- The bravest and most extreme tourists who travel light in Portugal and the Azores can easily cover 4 km on foot.
- At the airport, at the exit of the arrival hall, you can order a taxi.
- You can rent a car: on level 0, near the exit, there are stands of companies offering cars for rent.
- Every 3 hours, bus 202 departs from the airport. The ticket costs € 1.2, and the journey takes only 10 minutes.
- A shuttle or airbus ride is the most convenient option. At the exit from the airport, on the right side, there is a ticket office where they sell shuttle tickets. The ticket costs € 4.5 one-way and € 6.5 round trip. Air buses run from 7: 00 to 00: 00. The ticket must be saved: you will need it for the return transfer!
