The Azores Driving Bucket List — Crater Lakes, Hot Springs, Cozido Why a Rental Car Unlocks the Azores Key Driving Destinations on São Miguel Sete Cidades Furnas Valley Lagoa do Fogo Volcanic Hot Springs Accessible by Car How to Experience Cozido das Furnas Driving on Terceira, Pico, and Faial Taking Your Rental Car Between Islands Driving Regulations and Fines Lagoa do Fogo Shuttle Local Rules and Conditions Fines and Penalties Things to Do in the Azores The Azores Driving Bucket List — Crater Lakes, Hot Springs, Cozido A rental car is the most practical tool for the Azores. With your own vehicle you can circumnavigate São Miguel on a 4.5-hour coastal loop, link Sete Cidades, Furnas, and Lagoa do Fogo, and reach attractions on Pico, Terceira, and Faial that public transport cannot serve. Why a Rental Car Unlocks the Azores A rental car is the most practical tool for getting the most out of the Azores. Public transport is limited, and taxis are expensive for the long distances between major sights. With your own vehicle, you can circumnavigate São Miguel on a coastal loop in approximately 4.5 hours of driving time, linking crater lakes, volcanic valleys, and coastal miradouros (viewpoints) efficiently on your own schedule. You can react to the archipelago's famously changeable weather by checking the live webcams on the Spotazores app and driving toward the clearest skies. This freedom allows you to arrive at popular spots like Miradouro da Boca do Inferno before tour buses, stay at a hot spring until closing, or stop at an empty black sand beach, a roadside fruit stand, or a small village cafe along the way. Key Driving Destinations on São Miguel São Miguel is the largest island and offers the most diverse driving routes. The road network is well-maintained, but some key attractions have specific access rules. A São Miguel car rental is essential for covering the island's main points of interest, from the west to the east. Sete Cidades The Sete Cidades caldera is the most iconic landscape on São Miguel. The main viewpoint is Miradouro da Vista do Rei. There are two distinct parking areas here. Directly in front of the derelict Monte Palace Hotel, a large building that has been closed since its sale to the Level Constellation group in 2017, there is a small lot for short-term parking with a 20-minute limit. For longer stays, a larger, long-term parking lot is located just past the intersection. For a fully accessible alternative, Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras offers a comparable view of the blue and green lakes and is equipped with a paved surface and a ramp for wheelchair users. Another critical viewpoint is Miradouro da Boca do Inferno. Access is via a gate, followed by a walk. The path is a 10-minute flat walk followed by a 10-minute final ascent up a dirt path. To avoid crowds, plan to arrive before 09:00. The trailhead for the nearby Lagoa do Canário is found at Miradouro da Grota do Inferno, a 1.2 km one-way walk. The access road to this point is unpaved. Driving on this road, along with other service tracks on the Sete Cidades crater rim, will void your rental car insurance. Furnas Valley The Furnas Valley is a hub of geothermal activity. Your car allows you to visit the village and its surroundings with ease. In the town itself, you can park and walk to the caldeiras, where boiling water and steam vents emerge from the ground. For a panoramic perspective, drive up to the Miradouro do Pico do Ferro. This viewpoint is situated at an elevation of 567 meters above sea level and provides a complete overview of the Lagoa das Furnas and the village. The drive is straightforward, and there is dedicated parking at the top. The roads are paved and suitable for all rental vehicles. Lagoa do Fogo Lagoa do Fogo is a protected nature reserve with strict access controls during the high season. Due to traffic congestion and environmental concerns, a summer car ban is in effect. From 15 June to 30 September, between 09:00 and 19:00, private cars are prohibited from accessing the highest points of the road. Visitors must park at designated lots and use a shuttle service. This measure, detailed in Portaria 62/2022 JORAA, is strictly enforced. Outside of these dates and times, you can drive your car directly to the main viewpoints. Always check the weather on the app before driving up, as the summit is often covered in dense fog.