Lagoa das Sete Cidades and its two-coloured volcanic lake
Published on 09/24/2026 at 07:50 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Lagoa das Sete Cidades fills much of a volcanic caldera on São Miguel, west of Ponta Delgada. Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde form one freshwater lake, divided by a narrow connection and linked by a road bridge.
Lagoa das Sete Cidades: one lake, two named waters
The lake’s defining feature is its division into the Blue Lake and the Green Lake. Their names belong to the landscape itself, appearing in Portuguese as Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde.
The water body extends across more than 4 km² and reaches about 33 m at its deepest point. The lake lies at roughly 259 m above sea level, within the broad depression of the Sete Cidades volcanic complex.
The volcanic basin beneath Lagoa das Sete Cidades
The Sete Cidades Volcano forms a large collapse caldera with an average diameter of 5.3 km. Its basin formed around 36,000 years ago, placing the principal caldera formation in the late Pleistocene.
The caldera contains volcanic ash, pyroclastic deposits, trachyte and basaltic lava. Inner slopes rise around the water, while pasture, woodland, smaller volcanic features and the settlement of Sete Cidades occupy parts of the basin.
Several lakes lie within the wider volcanic landscape, including Lagoa de Santiago and Lagoa Rasa. The Serra Devassa ridge southeast of the caldera contains further volcanic cones and small lakes.
A protected landscape on São Miguel
Lagoa das Sete Cidades belongs to a protected area covering about 2,173 hectares at the western end of São Miguel. The designation includes the lake, caldera, surrounding habitats and the human landscape around Sete Cidades.
The lake is a Ramsar wetland site and contains a geosite within the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark, designated in 2015. Its protected status brings geology, freshwater, vegetation and settlement into one recognised landscape.
The Lagoa das Sete Cidades Environmental Complex provides interpretation of the Nature Park, including geology, flora, fauna, water resources and classified heritage. The lake was also selected among the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal in 2011.
Visiting Lagoa das Sete Cidades: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Lagoa das Sete Cidades lies in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, on western São Miguel. Road access reaches the village and the lake through the Sete Cidades caldera.
- The lake sits inside a volcanic basin, with viewpoints and routes on the surrounding caldera slopes. Walking in the area involves uneven volcanic ground, gradients and exposed viewpoints.
- The road bridge crosses the narrow connection between Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. The village of Sete Cidades stands beside the water within the caldera.
- The official language is Portuguese and the currency is the euro.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Lagoa das Sete Cidades on social platforms
These links open searches for Lagoa das Sete Cidades on each platform.Frequently asked questions about Lagoa das Sete Cidades
Where is Lagoa das Sete Cidades?
Lagoa das Sete Cidades lies on São Miguel in the Azores, within the municipality of Ponta Delgada. It occupies the floor of the Sete Cidades volcanic caldera.
What can visitors expect at the lake?
The landscape combines freshwater, volcanic slopes, pasture, woodland, viewpoints and the village of Sete Cidades. Routes around the basin include gradients and uneven volcanic ground.
What makes Lagoa das Sete Cidades distinctive?
One freshwater lake is divided into the named Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. A road bridge crosses their narrow connection, making the twin arrangement visible within the volcanic basin.
