Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo is a small, flooded volcanic crater island about 1 km off the coast of São Miguel. It’s accessible by a short ferry ride, which runs every hour from June to October. After that, the islet is closed off as it becomes a sanctuary for migratory birds.
I can imagine that during the summer, the natural lagoon would be perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The lifeguards (who, surprisingly, were still there, even though no one would swim in this weather) mentioned that during peak summer months, the islet can see up to 400 visitors a day. In October, though, there’s not much to do. We were the only ones there at the time. The trail around the crater is short, and while the views are impressive, 30 minutes on a cold, rainy day was more than enough.
We were relieved when the ferry showed up 15 minutes earlier than scheduled.
When we got back, the weather started to clear up. We took a stroll through the city to a restaurant that had been recommended to us.
The fish assortment and the local traditional grilled limpets, known as Lapas, were delicious.
On our way back to the hotel, we wandered through the night streets, admiring the variety of stone pavements. I have to say, Portugal truly has a “black belt” in stonework. Every street has its own unique ornamentation, and it’s absolutely fascinating.
