Ribeira Grande, Portugal: Captivating Coastal Charms
Still known by its old name of Povoação, the municipality of Ribeira Grande, Portugal can be found in the northern part of the island of São Miguel in the Portuguese Azores. It serves as the region's urban center with a main plaza centering around a church. With its stunning valleys and mountains, Ribeira Grande is a captivating destination peppered with beaches as well as religious and historical sites.
Best Time to Visit
Ribeira Grande experiences warm and muggy summers and long, icy winters thus the best times to visit it for ideal weather is from May to September. Tourism is busiest in town in January, February and October. August is a great time to be around for the Monte Verde Festival, a mixed genre music fest. But it means that prices for Ribeira Grande, Portugal hotels and flights are more expensive though you can get good deals if you book in advance. November is a slow month as well as the least expensive month.
What to Do & Area Attractions
In the center of the island of São Miguel is Lagoa do Fogo, a crater lake that is considered one of the area’s most spectacular nature attractions. You can explore it by hiking. Accommodations in Ribeira Grande beautifully blend with nature while being near many tourist sites. One of them is the Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort, which is snugged between mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. The Quinta de Santana is near nature as it is surrounded by a garden and farm, while the low-key Apartamentos Turísticos Nossa Senhora da Estrela sits near a hilltop.