Things To Do
in São Miguel
São Miguel is a vibrant neighborhood in Salvador, Bahia, known for its warm hospitality and Afro-Brazilian cultural influences. It blends residential charm with colorful street life, markets, and easy access to waterways along the Atlantic coast. Visitors can expect a lively mix of traditional music, delicious Bahian cuisine, and opportunities to explore historic streets.
While compact and walkable, its hills and coastal lanes invite curious explorers to linger and discover hidden gems.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive at Ponta Delgada Airport and transfer to your accommodation. Take some time to settle in and freshen up before exploring the local area. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a nearby café that offers traditional Azorean pastries.
Stroll along the charming waterfront and visit the iconic Portas da Cidade, a set of beautiful city gates. Explore the historic streets of Ponta Delgada, with stops at local shops and handicraft stores. Enjoy lunch at a seafood restaurant, tasting the catch of the day.
Dine at a local restaurant featuring Azorean cuisine, savoring dishes like cozido das furnas. After dinner, take a leisurely walk through the vibrant city squares filled with lively cafes and shops. Relax at your hotel, preparing for a week of adventure ahead.
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast before heading to Sete Cidades, one of the island's most beautiful locations. Hike around the twin lakes, Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul, enjoying stunning panoramic views. Take numerous photographs as you navigate through scenic trails that connect the two lakes.
Visit the viewpoint at Vista do Rei for breathtaking vistas of the volcanic caldera and its emerald waters. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the shores of the lakes, surrounded by the lush greenery. Explore the quaint village of Sete Cidades, and learn about its history at the small local museum.
Head back to Ponta Delgada and indulge in dinner at a restaurant known for its local dishes and wines. Experience the local nightlife, perhaps visiting a bar featuring live music. Wind down your evening enjoying the island’s starry sky, a result of minimal light pollution.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $8-12 |
| 🥤Coffee or soft drink | $1-3 |
| 🍝Meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $25-40 |
| 🏨One-night hotel in mid-range | $60-120 |
| 🚕Taxi starting fare | $2-3 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich Afro-Brazilian culture and music scene
- Delicious Bahian cuisine with seafood and dendê oil
- Close-to-city beaches and scenic waterfronts
- Can be crowded and humid, especially in peak season
- Some areas have limited English and tourist infrastructure
- "Oi" - Hi
- "Bom dia" - Good morning
- "Por favor" - Please
- "Obrigado/Obrigada" - Thank you
- "Quanto custa?" - How much does it cost?
- "Onde fica o banheiro?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "Você fala inglês?" - Do you speak English?
- "Pode me ajudar?" - Can you help me?
- "Aceita cartão de crédito?" - Do you accept credit cards?
- "Eu não fumo" - I don't smoke
Places to Visit in São Miguel
Visit one of these nice places.
Colonial-era elevator with panoramic views over the Baía de Todos os Santos and the old city.
Bright colonial houses and cobblestone streets ideal for daytime photography and sunset shots.
Urban beach with a lighthouse and gentle waves, perfect for sunset and people-watching photography.
Lakeside area featuring sculpted Orixá figures and reflective water surfaces for dramatic photos.
Food in São Miguel
São Miguel Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A deep-fried ball of black-eyed peas filled with vatapá and caruru; widely found at street stalls and specialty shops.
Must-Try!
A fragrant fish stew made with coconut milk and dendê oil, typically served with rice and farofa.
A creamy paste of bread, coconut milk, peanut, and dendê, often enjoyed with acarajé or as a side.
Shrimp cooked in a creamy cassava and coconut milk sauce, usually with rice.
Okra-based stew with shrimp and palm oil, a staple at Bahian tables and celebrations.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Historic market near the port offering crafts, spices, and bite-sized Bahian snacks; great for a quick tasting and gift shopping.
Large traditional market where you can sample fresh produce, dried fruits, and street foods, plus local ingredients for home cooking.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Greet with 'Bom dia' / 'Boa tarde' and offer a handshake or kiss on the cheek in social settings, depending on familiarity.
Use polite forms ('você', 'senhor', 'senhora') with elders and in service interactions; avoid raised voices in public.
Safety
Tipping in São Miguel
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not always required; if service is not included, 5–10% is common in restaurants.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas; carry some cash for markets and smaller shops; ATMs are common.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Hot and humid with frequent tropical showers in the afternoon; plan early-morning activities and beach days.
Pleasant warmth with decreasing rainfall; ideal for outdoor walking, markets, and street photography.
Milder daytime temperatures with cooler evenings; still humid, so dress in light layers and bring a light jacket for evenings.
Warm days with intermittent rain; great for coastal hikes and city strolls.
São Miguel at Night
Hiking in São Miguel
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Short, scenic hikes with coastal views and opportunities to photograph sea cliffs and sunsets.
World-renowned hiking region with caves, waterfalls, and dramatic landscapes; often reached by longer road trips from Salvador.
Airports
How to reach São Miguel by plane.
Serves Salvador and the metro area; typically 20–40 km from central Salvador depending on route.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Predominantly Afro-Brazilian communities with a mix of other cultural groups.
Domestic and international visitors exploring Salvador’s coast, music, and cuisine.
Some expatriates living in Salvador for work or study, contributing to a small international scene.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport in Brazil and widely played in local communities.
Common on coastal beaches and beach clubs.
Traditional Brazilian martial art and cultural performance often seen around cultural centers.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting São Miguel.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Bahian cuisine centers on seafood and meat, but vegetarian options include moqueca de palmito, bean stews, roasted cassava, and fresh fruit. When dining out, ask for 'sem carne' or 'sem peixe' and look for vegetarian dishes or customizable plates.