Duarte’s guidebook
Food scene
Best place on the island for aged meat cooked on the grill. Yes, it beats that other meat restaurant that you read about online. Order the broccoli or mashed potato side dishes if you are tired of french fries. This is a "don't miss" for people who like like their grilled meats prepared as requested. Call ahead for reservations in this small place where locals love to eat. The prices are reasonable given the high quality of the food. In Agua de Pau, expect about a 15 minute from Garoupas Inn.
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Casa do Abel
1 Rua Largo do BarracãoBest place on the island for aged meat cooked on the grill. Yes, it beats that other meat restaurant that you read about online. Order the broccoli or mashed potato side dishes if you are tired of french fries. This is a "don't miss" for people who like like their grilled meats prepared as requested. Call ahead for reservations in this small place where locals love to eat. The prices are reasonable given the high quality of the food. In Agua de Pau, expect about a 15 minute from Garoupas Inn.
Best fresh fish: Cherne is a mild white wreckfish which is unique to this area and especially well prepared by this restaurant. One plate is generally enough for two people. Consider Abrotea fish as a second choice. If you do not want to buy the bread or abundant appetizers, tell waiter "no thank you" as he begins to set them all on your table. Park for free in the port of Lagoa and you will be just behind this restaurant. This restaurant seems to be popular with Azorean emigrants (returnees who worked/lived abroad) and it is 5-10 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
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Borda d'Água
Best fresh fish: Cherne is a mild white wreckfish which is unique to this area and especially well prepared by this restaurant. One plate is generally enough for two people. Consider Abrotea fish as a second choice. If you do not want to buy the bread or abundant appetizers, tell waiter "no thank you" as he begins to set them all on your table. Park for free in the port of Lagoa and you will be just behind this restaurant. This restaurant seems to be popular with Azorean emigrants (returnees who worked/lived abroad) and it is 5-10 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
Extraordinarily flavorful Italian gelato...an actual contender for world's best in our opinion. Although we generally love chocolate, we do prefer the passion fruit, lemon, and cocoanut flavors because they are so intense. Ask for a taste! This place is about a half hour walk or five minute drive from Garoupas Inn, in downtown Ponta Delgada.
Gelataria Abracadabra
2 8 R. Dr. Gil Mont'Alverne SequeiraExtraordinarily flavorful Italian gelato...an actual contender for world's best in our opinion. Although we generally love chocolate, we do prefer the passion fruit, lemon, and cocoanut flavors because they are so intense. Ask for a taste! This place is about a half hour walk or five minute drive from Garoupas Inn, in downtown Ponta Delgada.
This is actually a cooking school on the water front in the back side of the peer in downtown Ponta Delgada. Food choices are a nice change and quality is excellent. You can have a pleasant meal for ten euros. We recommend the shrimp Caesar salad, the fresh fish of the day, the wraps, the lemonade, and the intense pineapple flan with grated island cheese. Make reservations or arrive early. Park underground near space #18 and walk straight out towards the marina. This is a five minute drive from Garoupas Inn.
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Restaurante/Lounge Anfiteatro
This is actually a cooking school on the water front in the back side of the peer in downtown Ponta Delgada. Food choices are a nice change and quality is excellent. You can have a pleasant meal for ten euros. We recommend the shrimp Caesar salad, the fresh fish of the day, the wraps, the lemonade, and the intense pineapple flan with grated island cheese. Make reservations or arrive early. Park underground near space #18 and walk straight out towards the marina. This is a five minute drive from Garoupas Inn.
Our best pizza place for delivery or pick up or a quick meal there. This is about a five minute drive from Garoupas Inn, tucked in next door to the fire department in Ponta Delgada.
Pizza Spot 2
Rua de São GonçaloOur best pizza place for delivery or pick up or a quick meal there. This is about a five minute drive from Garoupas Inn, tucked in next door to the fire department in Ponta Delgada.
The best Monday-Friday lunch specials, usually with two main choices. If there is a fish option that day, it is usually fresh and good. Main dish generally is served with starch and vegetable sides. Situated next to the volcano museum in Lagoa, about a 5 minute drive from Garoupas Inn.
Aromas das Ilhas
Avenida VulcanológicaThe best Monday-Friday lunch specials, usually with two main choices. If there is a fish option that day, it is usually fresh and good. Main dish generally is served with starch and vegetable sides. Situated next to the volcano museum in Lagoa, about a 5 minute drive from Garoupas Inn.
Sightseeing
Excellent whale watching or swimming with the dolphins on the marina in downtown Ponta Delgada. The smallest boats are the fastest and come closest to the marine animals. The bigger boats have toilets. Let us know what you want when you first arrive so that we can book this ahead for you. Most tours request 08:30 arrival for life jackets and orientation by marine biologist with actual tour starting closer to 09:00. Bring a jacket, bottle of water, and sunscreen and park underground near space #18. This is about a five minute drive from Garoupas Inn.
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Futurismo Azores Adventures
Excellent whale watching or swimming with the dolphins on the marina in downtown Ponta Delgada. The smallest boats are the fastest and come closest to the marine animals. The bigger boats have toilets. Let us know what you want when you first arrive so that we can book this ahead for you. Most tours request 08:30 arrival for life jackets and orientation by marine biologist with actual tour starting closer to 09:00. Bring a jacket, bottle of water, and sunscreen and park underground near space #18. This is about a five minute drive from Garoupas Inn.
Natural hot water enters a small ocean cove for a unique water experience. Drive to the bottom of the hill (not the same as the light house exit) and take the foot path to the left. Go during low tide (see Ponta Delgada tides online) and when it is still daytime. It is not safe at night as it is slippery and very, very dark. This is about 35 minutes from Garoupas Inn. Try to combine this destination with a visit to O' Sol Mio Italian restaurant in Ginetes for reasonably priced and authentic Italian lunch or dinner (Closed on Thursdays as of this writing).
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Spa of Ferraria
Natural hot water enters a small ocean cove for a unique water experience. Drive to the bottom of the hill (not the same as the light house exit) and take the foot path to the left. Go during low tide (see Ponta Delgada tides online) and when it is still daytime. It is not safe at night as it is slippery and very, very dark. This is about 35 minutes from Garoupas Inn. Try to combine this destination with a visit to O' Sol Mio Italian restaurant in Ginetes for reasonably priced and authentic Italian lunch or dinner (Closed on Thursdays as of this writing).
Just east of Ribeira Grande, this spot is very close to Caldeira Velha. Here we have a great swimming hole next to waterfall as well as good hiking trails. Short but steep and narrow road with two way traffic means you may want to park up top on more crowed summer days and walk down the hill to this destination which is about twenty minutes from Garoupas Inn.
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Salto do Cabrito
9''N Rua Doctor José Bruno Tavares CarreiroJust east of Ribeira Grande, this spot is very close to Caldeira Velha. Here we have a great swimming hole next to waterfall as well as good hiking trails. Short but steep and narrow road with two way traffic means you may want to park up top on more crowed summer days and walk down the hill to this destination which is about twenty minutes from Garoupas Inn.
Do not miss this one, since you are probably driving very close by on your way to Nordeste. This is a gorgeous and free park-like area with waterfalls, old mills that follow the river, and trails that people tend to miss. This is about 35 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
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Parque Natural Da Ribeira Dos Caldeirões
Do not miss this one, since you are probably driving very close by on your way to Nordeste. This is a gorgeous and free park-like area with waterfalls, old mills that follow the river, and trails that people tend to miss. This is about 35 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
City/town information
Walk around this small town where you can hear the birds sing. Visit the Reserva Florestal de Recreio do Viveiro and get a meal at the Tronqueira Restaurant,(regional buffet at certain times) or at the reasonably priced and very good snack bar downtown. Do drive the extra ten minutes south of Nordeste to see two of our most beautiful small parks (miradouros): Ponta do Sossego and Ponta do Madrugada. Nordeste is about 45 minutes from Garoupas Inn
Nordeste
Walk around this small town where you can hear the birds sing. Visit the Reserva Florestal de Recreio do Viveiro and get a meal at the Tronqueira Restaurant,(regional buffet at certain times) or at the reasonably priced and very good snack bar downtown. Do drive the extra ten minutes south of Nordeste to see two of our most beautiful small parks (miradouros): Ponta do Sossego and Ponta do Madrugada. Nordeste is about 45 minutes from Garoupas Inn
Walking and hiking town in old volcanic crater with paddle boarding on half blue/half green lake. Catch the best view point from above via short hike at Lagoa do Canário. Make sure visibility is good on spotazores.com before you head up.
Try Restaurante Lagoa Azul for traditional buffet or check out the tea house. Sete Cidades is 35-40 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
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Sete Cidades
Walking and hiking town in old volcanic crater with paddle boarding on half blue/half green lake. Catch the best view point from above via short hike at Lagoa do Canário. Make sure visibility is good on spotazores.com before you head up.
Try Restaurante Lagoa Azul for traditional buffet or check out the tea house. Sete Cidades is 35-40 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
Explore this part of the island for quiet beaches and unique tea hedges. Visit two tea plantations on the main highway where you can tea taste and learn about tea production. Our unique climate and geography means that we are the only area in western Europe where tea is grown. Porto Formoso is about 25 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
Porto Formoso
Explore this part of the island for quiet beaches and unique tea hedges. Visit two tea plantations on the main highway where you can tea taste and learn about tea production. Our unique climate and geography means that we are the only area in western Europe where tea is grown. Porto Formoso is about 25 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
Walk the downtown, visit the caldeira park just to the east where locals cook their own food underground. Surfers....this is a favorite spot. Ribeira Grande is about 15 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
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Ribeira Grande
Walk the downtown, visit the caldeira park just to the east where locals cook their own food underground. Surfers....this is a favorite spot. Ribeira Grande is about 15 minutes from Garoupas Inn.
Largest island town with cobble stone streets, marina, restaurants, museums and activities. Consider whale watching, swimming with dolphins in their natural setting, diving, snorkeling, sailing, or scheduling trips for canyoning, fishing, or island touring. This is about five minutes from the inn, or half hour if you walk there.
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Ponta Delgada
Largest island town with cobble stone streets, marina, restaurants, museums and activities. Consider whale watching, swimming with dolphins in their natural setting, diving, snorkeling, sailing, or scheduling trips for canyoning, fishing, or island touring. This is about five minutes from the inn, or half hour if you walk there.
Not just a hotel, Furnas is a town at the bottom of a deep and gorgeous valley. It is best known for walks, hikes, parks, and underground cooking. Visit Terra Nostra Park or just walk around to be part of the natural beauty. Do not miss the thermal areas: There are bubbling and steaming geo thermic areas with walkable paths close to downtown. At night, go to Poça da Dona Beija to soak in outdoor thermal pools. This is about a half hour from Garoupas Inn.
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Furnas
Not just a hotel, Furnas is a town at the bottom of a deep and gorgeous valley. It is best known for walks, hikes, parks, and underground cooking. Visit Terra Nostra Park or just walk around to be part of the natural beauty. Do not miss the thermal areas: There are bubbling and steaming geo thermic areas with walkable paths close to downtown. At night, go to Poça da Dona Beija to soak in outdoor thermal pools. This is about a half hour from Garoupas Inn.
This town's stretch of beach has underwater hot vents causing tantalizing hot water pockets when you swim in the ocean there. This town is on a beautiful cut off between Povoação and Furnas and combines well with a visit to either area. This is about 45 minutes from Garoupas Inn
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Ribeira Quente
This town's stretch of beach has underwater hot vents causing tantalizing hot water pockets when you swim in the ocean there. This town is on a beautiful cut off between Povoação and Furnas and combines well with a visit to either area. This is about 45 minutes from Garoupas Inn
Horseback riding
Enjoy horseback riding either on the Equitur farm in Lagoa, ten minutes from the inn, or on one of their tours in other areas of the island.
Equitur
Enjoy horseback riding either on the Equitur farm in Lagoa, ten minutes from the inn, or on one of their tours in other areas of the island.
Protected Ocean Swim Areas
Ready to have a rest day? The municipal pool complex in Lagoa is five minutes away, inexpensive, and very relaxing. There are several ocean inlet natural pools here as well as roped off ocean swimming. Another fairly large municipal pool complex exists 15-20 minutes away in Ribeira Grande.
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Complexo Municipal de Piscinas
27 R. da Cidade de New BedfordReady to have a rest day? The municipal pool complex in Lagoa is five minutes away, inexpensive, and very relaxing. There are several ocean inlet natural pools here as well as roped off ocean swimming. Another fairly large municipal pool complex exists 15-20 minutes away in Ribeira Grande.
Råd om byen
Sådan kommer du omkring
Avoid driving down the hill to the Nordeste light house
Park up top and walk down. Tourists tend to need a tow truck when they drive to the bottom of the hill.
Nyttige sætninger
What is miradouro?
Viewpoint. Stop to see them all!
Gå ikke glip af
tourist office in downtown Ponta Delgada
free maps of beautiful hiking trails and activities brochures are available
Book, inden du rejser
rental car is a must unless you book tours
If you arrive close to midnight, two other large planes usually do, too. It may be easier to skip the airport rental car lines and and take a taxi to Garoupas Inn in Sao Roque for about 12 euros. You can book the rental car for the next day. Autocunha Rental Car is within walking distance of Garoupas Inn and you can arrange with them where to drop off the car when it is time to return home. We have noted that island rental car prices in general tend to be lower when you book ahead. (We do not advise trying to book a rental car last minute in August, our busiest month).
Sådan kommer du omkring
make sure you get an area map from Garoupas Inn
We provide travel advice if you desire it. Many people divide their activities according to which part of the island that they are visiting that day. It will never be more that a one and a half hour drive from Garoupas Inn to any other part of the island.
It is also smart to regularly consult spotazores.com for real time web cam views of each area of the island. We have many rapidly changing microclimates here. It can easily be raining in one area and dry just ten minutes away. Check web cam visibility of Lagoa do Fogo and Sete Cidades before going: Higher altitude areas can be foggy.
Sådan kommer du omkring
Forget our street address!
To find us, google "Garoupas Inn". If you google our address, you will end up in the wrong place. We have at least 3 addresses that we know of, like many places here. There has been a history of frequent address changes and different online map services identify us by different road names.
Det skal du pakke
think intense sun in summer; don't over pack
Breezy clothes, swimsuit, beach shoes, walking/hiking shoes, and sunscreen are appropriate during summers here. A sweater for whale watching is good. We already have beach towels. There is limited night life; we are all about nature here. If you want to gather up a load of laundry, we can do it for a small fee.