Family trip to Sao Miguel Island with children. Ideas on where to go with your child

Sao Miguel doesn’t have a lot of entertainment designed only for children. There are attractions, children's rooms and entertaining programs at large hotels. In most hotels, the child can be left for a couple of hours with the animator in the children's club for free or for a small fee. There is a cinema in Ponta Delgada where cartoons are shown periodically during the day. But still, Sao Miguel is an island for active children who are ready to discover new horizons with their parents and try something unknown every day. However, Sao Miguel will charm those children who love to read books and are interested in history, because there are many architectural attractions on the island.

First of all, you should show the capital of the island to your child. Ponta Delgada became the main city of the island in the 16th century. That is why there are many old buildings. Be sure to climb the walls of Fort of São Bras with your child. The fortification provides amazing views of the island. In addition, there is also a Military Museum on the territory of the Fort. Its collection will attract boys and girls interested in knights, princesses and castles. Every child will learn about the difficult life of people in the middle ages. There is a beautiful temple of the 16th century near the Fort, which can attract young connoisseurs of art.

You can take the child to the town and show him very modest, although quite old, Palace of Santa Catarina Manor, and the main city gate, which stand in its place since the founding of the settlement. Moreover, don’t miss the chance to visit the Nucleo de Santa Bárbara do Museu Carlos Machado Museum. The latter has an extensive collection of various works of art, household items, weapons and clothing of the ancestors of the locals. You should definitely walk with your child in the park near the presidential palace in the capital. Alas, you will not be allowed to enter inside of the building, but the child will be happy to walk in the garden of the ruler of the whole country. Every child will also love the small town of Vila Franca do Campo, abandoned by residents after the earthquake of 1522 and only recently restored. Old churches, town hall, town square, houses, whose age has exceeded 5 centuries – all this is sure to capture the imagination of the child for a long time. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

If your child is eager to know how things work, you can visit together several productions od the island. The child will surely enjoy the local pineapple plantation and pottery factory. Excursion to any of the tea plantations of Sao Miguel - Gorreana Tea Estate and Cha Porto Formoso will definitely interest every member of your family. The child will not only see how tea grows but also taste several varieties of this drink. An unusual natural object that you should definitely show to the child is the plateau of geysers Caldeira Velha. Steam hangs in the air here and the visibility is not more than five meters. It smells like sulfur, and boiling water constantly comes from the underground.

It is worth visiting Lagoa do Fogo lake (English: Lake of Fire) with your child, located in one of the old craters of the extinct volcano., you can climb to the top of the mountain with your child, but it is not necessary to go there on foot, you can reach more than half of the way by car. The view from the top is simply magnificent. Be sure to show your child Sete Cidades lake. It is an extraordinarily beautiful lake, which mixes the water of two different colours. You can also walk through the relic forest here with your kids.

If your child is strong enough for long walks, you can go for 5 km route near Povoacao, your child can see thick forests and a waterfall here. In Furnas settlement, you can walk through the local Botanical garden and swim in the healing water. It is worth visiting Gruta do Carvao cave in the capital of the island. You can go to the thermal Plata da Ferraria beach at any time of the year with your family, where the water temperature does not fall below 35 degrees. Aqua d'alto, and secluded Praia do Pópulo are perfect for families with children. Moreover, Sao Miguel is a perfect place for children where they can swim, have fun and try snorkelling.