Porta Delgada, Azores

As I just wrote on a different post, I was hesitant to reply to you because I have never used a tour guide. It seems no one else on the Portugal forum has either, or has not seen your post.

What I can offer you is a Google map I specifically designed for visitors on a cruise ship, listing of the major points of interest in Ponta Delgada, it order of how to visit. Base them on your interests once you click on each location. You may feel some are skippable. For sure you will not have enough time to visit all of them, which are all within walking distance to your ship.

November can be sketchy, so booking a tour might not be wise if the weather ends up not being good. One famous spot that almost everyone visits in Miradouro da Vista do Rei, in Sete Cidades. There are lots of webcams all over the island, including this one, and if it is cloudy, you need a back up plan. In any weather, Plantacao Ananases A Arruda is worth 60-90 minutes, and you need a taxi (probably costs 10 euros or less) to get there.

You can hire a taxi at the port or in front of Portas da Cidade, and the rates and types of tours offered are displayed, especially at the corner: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fn2ZiqhdSqkfhPog6. The taxis only take euros, and there are bank ATMs easily accessibly between where the ship docks (probably Portas do Mar) and Portas da Cidade. My map includes where the bank ATM is located that does not charge extra fees. Always click "no" to any conversion offered at any ATM or location you visit, such as a store or restaurant. I can also send to you the latest Taxi tour poster from my visit in 2025.

If you still want a tour guide, check out who and what is available at GetYourGuide or TripAdvisor.

If you want to see what I have, send a private message, including your email.

I hope this helps.

Last November we visited Sao Miguel on a package tour from Azores Getaways. We purchased a half day city tour of Ponta Delgada through Azores Getaways. The provider was Azorean Tales. Riding in a van with about 4 others, we visited a church on the hill above town, a pineapple plantation, and a ceramics factory. It was fun, informative, and good value for our money.

One that didn't work so well (but your experience may differ) was a 1 hour wine tasting via Azores Getaway, from provider Quinta da Jardinete. We showed up timely at the meeting place in Fenais da Luz, but the vintner did not appear. When we finally contacted him by phone, he said he was waylaid at the vineyard, and asked us to join him there. We never did find the vineyard, and instead received a prompt refund via Azores Getaways.

We absolutely loved our visit to the Azores, and no doubt you will too.

Thank you very much. I'm on a cruise that stops there for one day and all the shore excursions were booked while I was trying to decide and looking for options. Much appreciated!

We visited the Azores on a transatlantic cruise last fall, and chose an excursion from Princess, as we were heading across the ocean for the next seven days, and wanted a guarantee they wouldn’t leave without us. Good thing, too, because we were delayed and they waited for our group to return. We were the last to board the ship!

For our other two ports (Mallorca and Gibraltar), we chose Shore Excursions company, which does have a guarantee they will get you to the ship on time, or else they will get you to the next port, and pay $1,000 to you for the inconvenience. Maybe they will have an Azores excursion you would enjoy?

The highlight for us was seeing the Crater Lakes, one of the weather-dependent sights. We were lucky, as it had been really cloudy earlier in the day. It cleared up and was very windy when we got there. It was a highlight of the cruise for us.

Hope you can find a way to see the highlights of that beautiful island.

Laurie

Thanks so much, Laurie!