Location:
Lomba de São Pedro is located in the quiet north-east of São Miguel, where the main source of income is agriculture. Here, along the cliffs between Ribeira Grande and Nordeste, most of the island's marked hiking trails can be found and thus are very close to the Casa Sillanova.
One of the most spectacular trails - Moinho do Félix - even passes right by the house and a second one with breathtaking views - Fenais da Vera Cruz - can also be followed directly from the accommodation.
The highest peak in São Miguel - Pico da Vara - is very near, as are the two tea plantations, the hot springs and the botanical garden in Furnas and, of course, many spectacular viewpoints, waterfalls, parks and picnic spots, which are easy to find with the detailed documentation provided in the Casa Sillanova.
Lomba de São Pedro is located in the quiet north-east of São Miguel, where the main source of income is agriculture. Here, along the cliffs between Ribeira Grande and Nordeste, most of the island's marked hiking trails can be found and thus are very close to the Casa Sillanova.
One of the most spectacular trails - Moinho do Félix - even passes right by the house and a second one with breathtaking views - Fenais da Vera Cruz - can also be followed directly from the accommodation.
The highest peak in São Miguel - Pico da Vara - is very near, as are the two tea plantations, the hot springs and the botanical garden in Furnas and, of course, many spectacular viewpoints, waterfalls, parks and picnic spots, which are easy to find with the detailed documentation provided in the Casa Sillanova.
Rental car:
The island is rather small with a length of 62 km (39 mi), but a rental car is indispensable if you want to enjoy São Miguel's natural beauty. It is recommended to reserve it very early, when booking the flight, otherwise it might be much more expensive. Reasonably priced vehicles will be found on Internet portals such as kayak.com, rentalcars.com or discovercars.com. Public transportation does exist, but it connects villages and towns and not viewpoints or hiking trails.
It is a good idea to specify "four doors" as a booking criterion, even for two people, but not a vehicle size. If you specify "smallest car", it may happen that you get a two-seater 'Smart' car on the spot which cannot hold two suitcases. As in most parts of Europe, rental cars with automatic transmission are rare, expensive and quickly booked out. There is no need for four-wheel drive, SUV or similar, the roads are very well developed. A navigation system is not always helpful, because many street names are not correctly registered. It is best to pick up the road map of São Miguel right at the airport - see the São Miguel tab.
Please be sure to note the information on roundabouts in the Things to know tab.
By the way, fuel will cost the same price at every gas station on the island at any time at least until the end of the month, even at 5 a.m. on the highway.
The island is rather small with a length of 62 km (39 mi), but a rental car is indispensable if you want to enjoy São Miguel's natural beauty. It is recommended to reserve it very early, when booking the flight, otherwise it might be much more expensive. Reasonably priced vehicles will be found on Internet portals such as kayak.com, rentalcars.com or discovercars.com. Public transportation does exist, but it connects villages and towns and not viewpoints or hiking trails.
It is a good idea to specify "four doors" as a booking criterion, even for two people, but not a vehicle size. If you specify "smallest car", it may happen that you get a two-seater 'Smart' car on the spot which cannot hold two suitcases. As in most parts of Europe, rental cars with automatic transmission are rare, expensive and quickly booked out. There is no need for four-wheel drive, SUV or similar, the roads are very well developed. A navigation system is not always helpful, because many street names are not correctly registered. It is best to pick up the road map of São Miguel right at the airport - see the São Miguel tab.
Please be sure to note the information on roundabouts in the Things to know tab.
By the way, fuel will cost the same price at every gas station on the island at any time at least until the end of the month, even at 5 a.m. on the highway.
Hiking:
In close proximity to Lomba de São Pedro are several marked coastal walks. Two signposted hiking trails, as mentioned, can be started directly from the accommodation. In less than 10 minutes by car you may reach at least five other hikes - some of them combineable. If you ride a maximum of 30 minutes, you can make a different hike every day for two weeks. In the last few years, especially in the northeastern part of the island, many new trails have been created that have not yet found their way into guidebooks. Further information can be found at the tourist offices in Ribeira Grande, Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões (Achada) and Nordeste. More about this in the tab São Miguel.
In close proximity to Lomba de São Pedro are several marked coastal walks. Two signposted hiking trails, as mentioned, can be started directly from the accommodation. In less than 10 minutes by car you may reach at least five other hikes - some of them combineable. If you ride a maximum of 30 minutes, you can make a different hike every day for two weeks. In the last few years, especially in the northeastern part of the island, many new trails have been created that have not yet found their way into guidebooks. Further information can be found at the tourist offices in Ribeira Grande, Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões (Achada) and Nordeste. More about this in the tab São Miguel.
Swimming:
There are various bathing bays around the island. Water temperatures are comfortable from June up to November, but low waves will be seen mainly in July and August. Air temperature will be even in summer not over 21-25°C (70-77°F), but direct sunlight and humidity will make you feel a distinctively higher temperature (>30°C / 86°F). UV-light irraditaion is always very high, even when it is lightly overcast. Sunscreen with high sun protection factor is obligatory, as well as bathing slippers (hot!).
Particularly in August (school vacation), all beaches are well-attended. On a cloudless summer day you will hardly find a parking space at e.g. Porto Formoso beach in the afternoon.
The closest unattended beach is approx. 5 minutes by car (Praia da Viola in Lomba da Maia). The little town beach of Maia with its bar/restaurant (<10 min) is well protected from surge waves. There are also natural rock basins for snorkeling (Piscinas Naturais) in Maia. Large beaches with bar/café are Praia dos Moinhos in Porto Formoso (15 min) and the surfer's spot Praia de Santa Bárbara in Ribeira Granda (25 min). The south coast of the island offers various beaches, e.g in Ribeira Quente (30 min) or Água de Alto (40 min). In Nordeste (15 min) is a nice natural water pool, which is independent from surge. Moreover there are swimming pools with a little city beach in Ribeira Grande (25 min).
Furnas (20 min) allows all-year bathing in hot pools (39°C / 102°F), Ferraria (ca. 60 min) even in the ocean (low tide only). An overview of almost all bathing places with detailed maps is displayed in the lodging.
There are various bathing bays around the island. Water temperatures are comfortable from June up to November, but low waves will be seen mainly in July and August. Air temperature will be even in summer not over 21-25°C (70-77°F), but direct sunlight and humidity will make you feel a distinctively higher temperature (>30°C / 86°F). UV-light irraditaion is always very high, even when it is lightly overcast. Sunscreen with high sun protection factor is obligatory, as well as bathing slippers (hot!).
Particularly in August (school vacation), all beaches are well-attended. On a cloudless summer day you will hardly find a parking space at e.g. Porto Formoso beach in the afternoon.
The closest unattended beach is approx. 5 minutes by car (Praia da Viola in Lomba da Maia). The little town beach of Maia with its bar/restaurant (<10 min) is well protected from surge waves. There are also natural rock basins for snorkeling (Piscinas Naturais) in Maia. Large beaches with bar/café are Praia dos Moinhos in Porto Formoso (15 min) and the surfer's spot Praia de Santa Bárbara in Ribeira Granda (25 min). The south coast of the island offers various beaches, e.g in Ribeira Quente (30 min) or Água de Alto (40 min). In Nordeste (15 min) is a nice natural water pool, which is independent from surge. Moreover there are swimming pools with a little city beach in Ribeira Grande (25 min).
Furnas (20 min) allows all-year bathing in hot pools (39°C / 102°F), Ferraria (ca. 60 min) even in the ocean (low tide only). An overview of almost all bathing places with detailed maps is displayed in the lodging.
Shopping:
Vacationers will be usually on the road all day long, so it stands to reason to buy food and other stuff en route. The provided cooler with thermal packs will help to run errands largely independent from your excursion.
Big supermarkets outside the capital are situated in Ribeira Grande, distance 25 km (15.5 mi), which takes approx. 25 minutes by car. There's a small discounter in Lomba da Fazenda (15 min direction Nordeste), some shops in Maia (10 min), one in Lomba da Maia (7 min) and little shops in the neighbouring villages Salga (3 min) and Fenais da Ajuda (4 min). There is also a combined mini-market and café/bar in Lomba de São Pedro. Mini-markets can be found in almost every village, but those are not widely assorted. Fresh fish and meat will not be available. Moreover, Lomba de São Pedro is regularly approached by delivery trucks for bread and vegetables, which call attention to themselves.
Fresh fish and meat is preferably bought in Ribeira Grande. Either at the supermarket »Continente« or even better at the fish shop and the central butcher (Talho Central). Across the street of the butcher is also a well assorted greengrocery, offering inexpensive seasonal/regional products. An overview including detailed maps is displayed in the accommodation.
Vacationers will be usually on the road all day long, so it stands to reason to buy food and other stuff en route. The provided cooler with thermal packs will help to run errands largely independent from your excursion.
Big supermarkets outside the capital are situated in Ribeira Grande, distance 25 km (15.5 mi), which takes approx. 25 minutes by car. There's a small discounter in Lomba da Fazenda (15 min direction Nordeste), some shops in Maia (10 min), one in Lomba da Maia (7 min) and little shops in the neighbouring villages Salga (3 min) and Fenais da Ajuda (4 min). There is also a combined mini-market and café/bar in Lomba de São Pedro. Mini-markets can be found in almost every village, but those are not widely assorted. Fresh fish and meat will not be available. Moreover, Lomba de São Pedro is regularly approached by delivery trucks for bread and vegetables, which call attention to themselves.
Fresh fish and meat is preferably bought in Ribeira Grande. Either at the supermarket »Continente« or even better at the fish shop and the central butcher (Talho Central). Across the street of the butcher is also a well assorted greengrocery, offering inexpensive seasonal/regional products. An overview including detailed maps is displayed in the accommodation.
Eating out:
Azorean cuisine is plain and hearty. Even though inexpensive and always available, locals do not eat fish very frequently, except for Bacalhau (dried cod) stew. Shellfish is not in place, except for Lapas (limpets). After all, there are no conches to be found at the beach. But many restaurants serve Lulas (squid) resp. Polvo (octopus). If fish is only a part of the menu of a standard restaurant, it's often overcooked and dry. Due to that, it's higjly recommended to go to a designated fish restaurant, or - which is even better - prepare it on your own, e.g. on the barbecue in the patio of the Casa Sillanova.
Typical snacks are Bifana (pork chops) and Prego resp. Bitoque (beef), which are served inside a small bread (no pão) or on a plate (no prato) with french fries and rice. The meat is typically marinated with the ubiquitous sweet pepper sauce (ground sweet pepper + salt), white wine and garlic. Moreover, you will find Entrecosto and Torresmo (pork ribs resp. pork belly), Costoleta do Novilho (young bull's chop - very good!) and Hamburguer (if you order no prato, it's a patty without bread, but french fries and rice). The culinary art is commonly a matter of price. A low-price Hamburguer in a snack bar will most likely be instant meat from the freezer.
Azoreans prefer to eat out for lunch, only, from 12 am till 2 or 3 pm. That is why there are not too many homecooking restaurants, which serve dinner. Dinner restaurants are usually more touristic and expensive. You also will find buffet restaurants, where you can try typical micelense food for little money. Lunch only, of course, but it pays, because it's the same food that people cook at home. Azorean families use to go out for lunch on Sunday, so it's recommended to do a reservation for that day of the week!
Azorean cuisine is plain and hearty. Even though inexpensive and always available, locals do not eat fish very frequently, except for Bacalhau (dried cod) stew. Shellfish is not in place, except for Lapas (limpets). After all, there are no conches to be found at the beach. But many restaurants serve Lulas (squid) resp. Polvo (octopus). If fish is only a part of the menu of a standard restaurant, it's often overcooked and dry. Due to that, it's higjly recommended to go to a designated fish restaurant, or - which is even better - prepare it on your own, e.g. on the barbecue in the patio of the Casa Sillanova.
Typical snacks are Bifana (pork chops) and Prego resp. Bitoque (beef), which are served inside a small bread (no pão) or on a plate (no prato) with french fries and rice. The meat is typically marinated with the ubiquitous sweet pepper sauce (ground sweet pepper + salt), white wine and garlic. Moreover, you will find Entrecosto and Torresmo (pork ribs resp. pork belly), Costoleta do Novilho (young bull's chop - very good!) and Hamburguer (if you order no prato, it's a patty without bread, but french fries and rice). The culinary art is commonly a matter of price. A low-price Hamburguer in a snack bar will most likely be instant meat from the freezer.
Azoreans prefer to eat out for lunch, only, from 12 am till 2 or 3 pm. That is why there are not too many homecooking restaurants, which serve dinner. Dinner restaurants are usually more touristic and expensive. You also will find buffet restaurants, where you can try typical micelense food for little money. Lunch only, of course, but it pays, because it's the same food that people cook at home. Azorean families use to go out for lunch on Sunday, so it's recommended to do a reservation for that day of the week!
Restaurants nearby:
These and further recommendations are displayed in the accommodation. Travel times are driving times:
These and further recommendations are displayed in the accommodation. Travel times are driving times:
Lomba de São Pedro
(1 min or a few minutes on foot):
A Coruja
is a snack bar with typical dishes, like e.g.
Bifana.
We recommend to try
Pão de Alho
(big garlic/cheese baguette). Open Thursday to Tuesday from noon continuously.
Salga
(3 min):
O Moagem
is a pizza parlor (lunch up to early evening - closed on Mondays), directly at the entrance to the village. Rich "Azorean" style pizza topping, real good flavor and inexpensive as well.
Maia
(10 min):
O Estrela. Bar and restaurant right at the beach of Maia. Small daily menu with e.g. freshly caught fish at bearable prices. Open for lunch until dinner from May to October.
São Brás
(10 min):
O Emigrante. Plain but good regional food at reasonable pricing. Daily lunch only.
Tá Ligado. A highly recommended snack bar with local charm. Open Monday to Saturday from noon, Sundays from 5 pm.
Cantinho do Cais. Well-attended family restaurant for lunch and dinner. Regional cuisine, specialty fish soup. Reservation is recommended during summer.
Coffee Bar Alfredo is a café, snack bar and plain restaurant right at the regional road. The variety of good pastries is remarkable. Open daily from breakfast until dinner.
Tá Ligado. A highly recommended snack bar with local charm. Open Monday to Saturday from noon, Sundays from 5 pm.
Cantinho do Cais. Well-attended family restaurant for lunch and dinner. Regional cuisine, specialty fish soup. Reservation is recommended during summer.
Coffee Bar Alfredo is a café, snack bar and plain restaurant right at the regional road. The variety of good pastries is remarkable. Open daily from breakfast until dinner.
Porto Formoso
(15 min):
O Amaral. Fresh fish, only, for lunch and dinner. Not a bargain, but worth it.
Furnas
(20 min): There are quite a few restaurants in Furnas, but some with a rather questionable price/performance ratio. Worth mentioning is the slightly expensive but very good
Caldeiras e Vulcões
(speciality: volcano-steamed
Cozido
on pre-order), which also has a snack bar next door.
Moreover, the little less expensive Vale das Furnas. Both offer lunch and dinner. Reservation highly recommended in summer.
Moreover, the little less expensive Vale das Furnas. Both offer lunch and dinner. Reservation highly recommended in summer.
Lomba da Fazenda
(15 min):
Casa de Pasto O Cardoso. Excellent regional cuisine, reasonably priced. There are also excellent fish dishes on the daily menu. Open daily for lunch, reservation is necessary.
Ribeira Grande
(25 min):
Faria. Bar and lunchroom with real authentic home cooking. Loud, lively, cheap and - no matter if fish or meat - darn tasty. Don't miss the homemade Queijadas de leite
for dessert. Mon-Sat, lunch only.
O Ildeberto is some minutes to walk from the center - opposite to a school - and offers daily lunch (and dessert!) buffet, from 12 am - 3 pm.
Carlos Feire is a snack bar with excellent value for money, which almost could be a restaurant. Bifana com bacon e ovo and Prego no pão are highly recommended.
Connoisseurs of cakes and desserts should take a detour to A Merenda and try Pão de Deus (god's bread).
If you like fresh handmade hamburgers, you should not miss a visit at Tio Lanches. They're open daily for lunch and dinner.
Ribeira Grande offers also some pricier dinner restaurants, like e.g. Monte Verde or O Silva.
O Ildeberto is some minutes to walk from the center - opposite to a school - and offers daily lunch (and dessert!) buffet, from 12 am - 3 pm.
Carlos Feire is a snack bar with excellent value for money, which almost could be a restaurant. Bifana com bacon e ovo and Prego no pão are highly recommended.
Connoisseurs of cakes and desserts should take a detour to A Merenda and try Pão de Deus (god's bread).
If you like fresh handmade hamburgers, you should not miss a visit at Tio Lanches. They're open daily for lunch and dinner.
Ribeira Grande offers also some pricier dinner restaurants, like e.g. Monte Verde or O Silva.
