Best 5 Segway Tours in Sao Miguel

If you’ve ever spent a day wandering Sao Miguel’s winding, narrow roads only to realize you’ve only seen a fraction of the island’s jaw-dropping volcanic landscapes, you’ll know exactly why Segway tours are a total game-changer here. The Azores’ largest island packs crater lakes, geothermal valleys, rugged coastal cliffs and charming historic towns into a relatively compact space, but many of the best viewpoints and hidden spots are just far enough from parking lots that a 10-minute Segway glide saves you hours of hiking or driving hassle.

Explore complete travel information here

Find your perfect rental vehicle here

The catch? Not all Segway tours are created equal. Some stick to busy city streets with barely any wow factor, while others take you to the island’s most iconic (and hard-to-reach) spots with local guides who know exactly where to stop for the best views, the best local snacks and the stories most travel guides skip. We’ve tested every popular Segway tour on the island to bring you the 5 best options, whether you’re a first-time visitor, a seasoned hiker looking for a low-impact way to explore, or a family traveling with kids who can’t handle long treks.

1. Sete Cidades Crater Rim Segway Tour

This is the most popular Segway tour on the island for good reason, and it’s the perfect pick if you only have time for one tour during your trip. The route follows the well-paved upper rim of the massive Sete Cidades volcanic crater, where you’ll glide past sweeping viewpoints that look straight down onto the famous twin blue and green lakes that give the spot its name. Your guide will stop at hidden pullouts most hikers miss, like the quiet overlook where you can see both lakes side by side without the crowds that pack the main Vista do Rei viewpoint by midday. Most tours last about 2.5 hours, and include a quick stop at a local tea house for a sample of Azorean-grown tea, which is a nice bonus after the first hour of gliding.

This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, couples, and families with kids 12 and up (most operators require riders to be at least 12 years old and weigh over 45kg to operate the Segway safely). If you’re not up for the 8-hour full crater hike, this tour lets you see 90% of the same views with a fraction of the effort, and your guide will share fun facts about the crater’s volcanic history and the local legend of the star-crossed lovers who supposedly created the two differently colored lakes.

• Best time to go: Book for 9am on a sunny weekday between May and September. The rim paths can get slippery after rain, so avoid booking if there’s a forecast for showers, and the early start lets you beat the crowds and the midday summer heat that makes the open rim feel much warmer than the shade of the crater floor.
• Booking tip: Opt for a small-group tour with a maximum of 6 riders instead of the large group tours that run out of the main Sete Cidades visitor center. Smaller groups move slower, get more time at each stop, and your guide can answer all your random questions without rushing to keep the big group on schedule.

2. Furnas Valley Geothermal Segway Tour

If you’re fascinated by volcanic activity and local food culture, this tour is an absolute must. Instead of hiking down the steep 2km path into the Furnas valley, you’ll glide along the upper rim path that wraps around the valley’s edge, with unobstructed views of the steaming fumaroles, boiling mud pots and the bright blue Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake) that sits in the center of the caldera. Most tours include a stop at the edge of the lake right as local restaurateurs pull massive pots of cozido das Furnas (the island’s famous slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew, cooked underground using geothermal heat) out of the ground, so you can watch the process up close and even grab a sample if you book a tour that includes food. Your guide will also point out the native hydrangea bushes that line the path, which bloom bright blue and purple in the summer, making for incredible photos.

This tour is perfect for foodies, travelers with limited mobility who can’t handle steep hikes, and anyone who wants to learn about the Azores’ unique geothermal systems without getting their shoes muddy. Most tours last 2 hours, and many operators offer add-ons to the nearby Terra Nostra botanical garden, which has giant thermal pools you can soak in after your Segway ride if you book a longer tour.

Find in-depth travel notes here

Rent a car for your adventure here

• Best time to go: Book for 11am on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, which are the days local restaurants pull cozido das Furnas out of the ground. If you go on another day, you’ll still get great views of the geothermal vents, but you’ll miss the chance to see the stew being unearthed, which is the highlight of the tour for most visitors.
• Booking tip: Skip the generic tours that only run the rim path, and book a tour that includes entry to the Terra Nostra botanical garden’s thermal pools. The add-on only costs an extra €10 to €15, and it’s the perfect way to unwind after a couple hours of gliding in the warm valley air.

3. Nordeste Coastal Cliffs Segway Tour

If you want to escape the crowds that pack Sete Cidades and Furnas, this tour along Sao Miguel’s rugged northeast coast is exactly what you need. The route follows a paved coastal path that clings to the edge of 200-meter-high sea cliffs, with unobstructed views of hidden pebble beaches, cascading waterfalls that drop straight into the Atlantic, and, if you’re lucky, pods of dolphins or even whales swimming just offshore. Your guide will stop at the viewpoint near the Arnel lighthouse, which is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Azores, and at a quiet, hidden cove where you can take off your Segway and walk down to the shore for a few minutes if you want. Most tours last 3 hours, and many include a stop at a local family-run kiosk for a sample of freshly caught grilled fish or a cold Azorean beer.

This tour is perfect for nature lovers, photographers, solo travelers, and anyone who wants to see a quieter, less touristy side of Sao Miguel. The path is mostly flat and well-maintained, so it’s accessible for most fitness levels, and the small group sizes (most tours cap out at 4 riders) mean you’ll get plenty of time to ask your guide questions about the local wildlife and the history of the small fishing villages you pass along the way.

• Best time to go: Book for 4pm in July or August, when the afternoon light is golden and perfect for photos, the sun is less harsh than midday, and the ocean is usually calm enough that you can spot whales and dolphins from the cliff viewpoints.
• Booking tip: Ask your operator if the tour includes a stop at the Poça da Dona Beija hot springs in the nearby town of Ribeira Grande after the Segway ride. Most operators will add it for a small extra fee, and the hot springs are the perfect way to unwind after a few hours of gliding along the windy coast.

4. Ponta Delgada Historic City Center Segway Tour

If you’re staying in Ponta Delgada, the island’s capital, and want to see the city’s historic sites without spending hours walking on cobblestone streets, this short 1.5-hour tour is ideal. You’ll start at the city’s busy, picturesque marina, get a quick 10-minute safety demo for your Segway, then glide through the pedestrian-only streets of the historic center, stopping at iconic spots like the 18th-century Portas da Cidade city gates, the 16th-century Forte de São Brás, the Church of São Sebastião, and the colorful traditional houses that line the streets. Your guide will share stories about the city’s whaling history, its role in Azorean independence movements, and point out the best local spots for pastéis de nata and Azorean cheese that most tourists miss.

This tour is perfect for first-time visitors who want to get their bearings of the city, history buffs, and families with younger kids (many operators allow riders as young as 10 for the shorter city tour). It’s also a great pick if you have a short layover in Ponta Delgada and don’t have time to take a day trip out to the more remote parts of the island, as you’ll see all the city’s top sites in under 2 hours.

• Best time to go: Book for 10am on a weekday between April and October. Weekdays have far fewer cruise ship passengers in the city center, so the streets are quieter and you won’t get stuck behind large crowds while you’re gliding.
• Booking tip: Book a tour that includes a stop at the Mercado da Graça, the city’s main farmer’s market, where you can sample local pineapple, Azorean cheese, and fresh citrus fruits. Most basic city tours skip the market, but the add-on only costs a few extra euros and is a great way to try local snacks.

5. Lagoa do Fogo Rim Segway Tour

This is the most off-the-beaten-path Segway tour on the island, and it’s the top pick for adventure travelers and nature lovers who want to avoid the crowds at Sete Cidades. The route follows the upper rim of Lagoa do Fogo, a crater lake formed by a massive volcanic eruption in the 16th century that sits 500 meters above sea level and is surrounded by protected native forest and dramatic waterfalls that feed into the lake. The path is mostly paved and well-maintained, but it feels much more remote than the tours in the more popular parts of the island, and you’ll likely only see a handful of other hikers during your ride. Your guide will stop at multiple viewpoints that overlook the entire lake, point out endemic bird species like the Azorean bullfinch, and share stories about the 16th-century eruption that formed the lake and wiped out several nearby villages. Most tours last 2.5 hours, and many include a stop at a small, hidden waterfall that most hikers never find on their own.

This tour is best for experienced Segway riders, birdwatchers, and anyone who wants to see one of Sao Miguel’s most beautiful, underrated spots without the hassle of a long hike. The paths are mostly flat, but there are a few small inclines, so it’s not ideal for first-time Segway riders or people with limited mobility.

• Best time to go: Book for 10am in mid-July, when the native wildflowers along the rim are in full bloom, and the lake is at its bluest after the dry summer weather. The weather on the crater rim can change rapidly, even if it’s sunny in Ponta Delgada when you leave, so bring a light jacket even if it’s warm at sea level.
• Booking tip: Make sure your tour operator provides waterproof jackets and rain covers for your Segway’s control panel, as sudden showers are common on the crater rim even in summer, and most basic tours don’t include this gear. It’s worth paying the extra €5 for the upgrade to avoid getting caught in a rainstorm halfway through your ride.

What makes Segway tours such a special way to experience Sao Miguel is that they let you cover way more ground than you could on foot, without the stress of navigating the island’s narrow, winding roads or rushing to make the most of your limited vacation time. Whether you’re gliding along a volcanic crater rim, stopping at hidden coastal viewpoints, or zipping through the historic streets of Ponta Delgada, you’ll get to see parts of the island most travelers miss, all while learning the local stories and history that make the Azores such a one-of-a-kind destination.