Hi, I am going to Sao Miguel mid November with some friends for our 40th birthdays. We love playing cards- Pinochle, a Rummy variant etc. Would love to learn a local card game ahead of time in case we meet friendly card-loving locals. What games are popular? Similar to learning a bit of the language- it just seems polite

Heading to Sao Miguel in November and I'm trying to decide if it's worth booking tours (whale watching, day trip to Furnas etc) direct with Azores Getaways or to just explore on my own. Partner and I booked a car so we can self-guide but not sure if there are MUST do tours while there. Curious other people's experiences.

Just to add: we went to Terciera before and added on a few tours. Most got cancelled due to weather and the ones we did end up going on were just okay - nothing ground breaking, hence my hesitancy to add tours again.

I ask this as a person who prefers fish. :-) In restaurants, is fish served even more on Fridays? Like in buffets, prato do dia, special of the day, etc. How seriously is no meat on Fridays observed?

edit: emphasis on "is fish served EVEN MORE on Fridays?"

Does anyone know a place on Terceira Island i can get an HDMI port on a PS5 replaced?

We are on Sao Miguel now and my husband feels like he may have a herniated disc that is causing him a lot of pain but hopefully maybe just a tight muscle that is pinching a nerve. We leave home in 2 days. Is there a clinic we can go and maybe get an x-ray to see or that will give him pain medicine to endure the flight home?

We are getting married next October (2027) and I want to know more about the best places to stay, eat, or things to do!

We are just starting to explore different countries and didn't want some popular over populated "everyone is going there" type vibe. We are VERY much off the beaten path type people and enjoy doing things a little differently so anything you have to offer! I am excited for things like the hot springs but any other suggestions are great!

Coming for late November (Thanksgiving) with a 2 year old and 10 month old and staying at octant pdl. Will be renting a car and wanted to see what may be recommended with the kids during this time of the year? Unlikely to be able to do Hot springs with them but open to good food, views, towns to explore, and anything else! Thank you!

Ola!

I'll be on Sao Miguel for a lil getaway this weekend, arriving early Friday morning and leaving Wednesday night. My time will be spent all over the island.

I've got a bunch of ideas (Furnas hot springs, whale watching, some hikes) but paralysis by analysis is real, and I'm hoping you guys could share any experiences/views that really stood out to you on the island. I plan on being outside all day and going out at night.

Also, looking for restaurant recommendations! Definitely want to try the local cuisine without falling into tourist traps.

Any thoughts or info is appreciated!

Hi! I’m an architecture student researching construction materials used on Terceira and in the Azores more generally.

For my project, I’ve chosen a reinforced concrete frame with masonry infill. What is usually used for the infill locally?

From what I’ve read, high humidity seems to be a major concern, alongside exposure to salty air. I’ve also noticed fireplaces in some homes and wondered whether they’re used mainly for warmth or also to help manage dampness.

How is this usually handled? What heating systems are common, and do people use dehumidifiers? Are houses typically insulated, and if so, what insulation material and thickness are usually used?

I’m also curious about hempcrete (hemp-lime) as wall infill. Is it used in the Azores at all, and does anyone have experience with it in the local climate?

I’d really appreciate any local experience or examples. Thank you!

What are everyone’s favourite hikes on Sao Miguel ?

We were delayed for three nights during the late May 2026 fog event. We booked three hotels and ate a few meals. I put in a claim when I arrived home.

Today I received their offer, they will reimburse all our meals costs, as they were well under SATA's stated limit, and 80EUR per person per hotel room per night, this is the limit SATA say they will pay. I could push back for more, but at this point I do not care enough to fight for the extra 100EUR they really should pay.

Obviously hotel rooms were a nightmare to find, when people could not leave the island. EU261 days they should cover all reasonable costs for duty of care. One nights hotel at 308EUR was literally the only room option available when our flight was finally cancelled at 9:30pm.

They say it will take 6 - 8 weeks for the refund to hit my bank account, I will report back when it does happen.

4 exposures stacked, moonrise at 29/09/2026 @ ~21:15

I’m looking to plan a last minute trip to ponta delgada for my 29th birthday, is this an okay time of year to go? Any experiences?!

Good afternoon! I’m an Italian tour guide and tour leader (against mass tourism) and I would like to come to Flores to inspect the island for building up slow tourism itineraries. Looking for a workaway 10/15 days in November. If someone needs anything I would be happy to contribute. Muito obrigado!

Trying to figure out if we can buy tea there and bring it back or if customs doesn’t let it through.

hi all! how easy / feasible is it to get around by a scooter on maderia and sao miguel? previous experience with riding a scooter in Pai (Thailand) and Yakushima Japan before.

visiting in nov - any urgency to purchase the hike permits in advance?

thank you!!