6. Provação Village
Provação is a quaint fishing village nestled on the island of São Miguel. This town boasts an impressive natural setting, surrounded by seven hills and expansive green meadows.
The village was the original settlement of the island's first inhabitants in the 15th century, hence its name in Portuguese, which means "settlement." A monument located at the port commemorates the arrival of the Portuguese to the Azores islands, a historic moment that can still be felt in the culture and charm of Provação.
Situated on the south coast of the island, it's very close to the famous towns of Vila Franca do Campo and Ribeira Quente. However, Provação is not as well-known and often gets overlooked in common tourist itineraries, which we believe is a mistake.
We recommend taking the time to discover Provação for its natural surroundings, authenticity, and culture. In fact, we hadn't heard of it ourselves. It was locals from the island who recommended this little southern village and the surrounding towns, like Faial da Terra or the traditional village of Sanguinho, and what a great recommendation it was!
These southeastern villages of São Miguel are perfect for a relaxing day or for spending a few hours in the afternoon to unwind after a day of excursions. In addition to some points of interest, Provação boasts a beautiful sandy beach located next to the hill. This beach is very peaceful, family-friendly, and ideal for swimming after a day of exploration.
In Provação, you can also visit the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, the Hermitage of Santa Bárbara, the monument to the island's first inhabitants, or the Wheat Museum, where instruments related to wheat and its cultivation are exhibited, in memory of ancient trades.
And finally, if you visit Povoação, you can't leave without trying its gastronomic specialty: the Fofas de Povoação. These are éclair-type pastries filled with butter, vanilla, or lemon, covered in chocolate, which you can buy at pastry shops or cafes in Povoação. Our favorites are from Pastelaria Pizzaria Guida.