Ponta Delgada was a small fishing village that developed over time. In 1522, the city was devastated by
a big earthquake and landslide which killed several people and destroyed many buildings. In this blog, we will dicuss all the information about Ponta Delgada, Azores Portugal. A complete cruise port Information.Ponta
Delgada became the center of the Azorean bureaucracy and economy.
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Location
Ponta Delgada is in the south of Sao Miguel, the biggest island in the Azores, Portugal.
Azores is located in Atlantic Ocean between the North America and Europe.
It’s In Atlantic Ocean
Ponta Delgada is located in the middle of Atlantic ocean between North America and Europe
Island Of Azores
Sao Miguel Island
Quick Facts: Ponta Delgada which means “thin point” due to its location along the volcanic lands leading to the sea where the Santa Clara chapel was built, which was named the Santa Clara point.
Ponta Delgada was a small fishing village that developed over time. In 1522, the city was devastated by a big earthquake and landslide which killed several people and destroyed many buildings. Ponta Delgada became the center of the Azorean bureaucracy and economy.
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Famous Landmarks
Ponta Delgada is known for its historical churches, cobblestone streets, and beautiful squares. The most common sites in the city are:
Portas De Cidade
Cruise port Information
San Sebatian Church
The Gothic-style Church of St. Sebastian near the harbor. 16th-century church with a beautiful facade, intricate interior wood carvings & a clock-tower.
Carlos Machado Museum
Climate
Ponta Delgada maintain a subtropical climate with a mid-temperature all year round.
Winter= December to March (February is the coldest) with a temperature of 57-60 F / Rainy
Rainiest on December to January
Spring = March to June (temp 57-64 F)
Summer = June to September (temp 66-71 F)
Autumn = September to December (temp 59-69 F) / some occasional rains
Language
Portuguese is the official language. English is widely used.
Currency
Euro. Most major credit & debit cards are accepted throughout the islands. Some small stores accept cash only.
Food
Cosido is the most famous dish which is a Portoguese stew which consists of hodgepodge layering of cuts of pork, beef, chicken, sausages and vegetables, is cooked in underground holes known as fumaroles.
Lapas or limpets – can be served raw with lemon like oysters or grilled in a butter, garlic, and spicy red pepper sauce.
Visit the pineapple farm/plantation and try the pineapple liquor, ice cream, and jam.
Cruise Port Information
Cruise ship docks on the Main Dock 1. There are different sites that you may visit near the port. This is one of the ports that you may explore the area on your own and save some money rather than paying for excursion. We felt safe and comfortable exploring on our own. In the Cruise port information, there is a huge swimming pool by the port but unfortunately this was close during our visit. There are churches nearby and the MIlitary Museum (Forte de Sao Bras) is only a 9 minute walk from the port.
Local transportation and taxis are available. Check online for the bus schedule. Just a reminder that on weekends, holidays, and specially Sundays, most of the public transportation are not running. We arrived on Sunday and taxis were easy to find by the port but difficult to find going back. Uber, Grab, or other shared transportation are not available. We walked for more than 8 miles but we enjoyed our time and the weather is perfect.
If you have limitations I highly suggest to take the city train tour (caterpillar train) which brings you around the city for sightseeing. The price is less than 10 Euros (it was 7.50 Euros on our visit) which is a 1 hour tour and you will see different churches, the municipal buildings, market, pineapple plantation and much more.
Near The Port
Near the Port (you may visit on your own) – estimated distance is 7.3km and 1 hour 32 minute walk.
1. Portas da Cidade (City Gates) – The most pictured site in the city of Ponta Delgada.
2. Military Museum
3. Forte de Sao Bras
4. Sanctuario de Senhor Santo Cristo des Milagres
5. Iglesis de Sao Sebastiao
6. Museu Carlos Mechado
7. Mercado da Graca
8. Azorean Pineapple Plantation
I underlined the 3 sites in red: the Botanical Garden. Museu Carlos Machado, and the Pineapple plantation. You may omit those sites if you want to reduce some sites to visit. We visited all of these places and other churches along the way.
Outside The City
Other places to visit in Ponta Delgada outside the city center:
1. Sete Cidades Crater Lake
2. Fire Lake & Ribeira Grande
3. Terra Nostra Botanic Gardens – one of the most beautiful gardens in the Azores which has a natural, hot-water swimming pool. You may swim here.
4. Gruta do Curvao – you will see some lava tubes, tunnels, and caves.
5. Vila Franca – for some hot springs
Video
Our take away: Overall, Ponta Delgada is a great port which offers beautiful architecture, history, and great food. It offers a safe haven for cruise passengers and easy access to nearyby sites. This port definitely offers a memorable trip without breaking the bank.
