Places to Visit

Located in the centre of Lagoa, this scientific centre aims to disseminate new technology applications and to carry out experiments.

The Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo Interpretation Centre (CIFCSC) was created in order for visitors to learn about the geological, biological and human history of the Fajãs de São Jorge (coves), in particular, the fajãs of Caldeira de Santo Cristo and of Cubres.

The building was originated from the reconstruction of an old housing and its support house, which retains the original and traditional frontage.

It was a highlight target in several websites and architecture magazines and was the cover of the C3 Korean magazine. It integrated the “Mostra Ibérica de Património Arquitéctonico – La MIPA” project, within the Lisbon Architecture Triennale 2013 "Close, Closer".

At the reception you can enjoy a rest area and see the space which recreates an old oven, decorated with reproductions of support tools.

In the exhibition room, visitors can find technical information in a multimedia kiosk and take a trip through time from the formation of fajãs up to today. You can also see several documentaries about the Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo and others of ethnographic character.

Located in the Natural Monument of Caldeira da Graciosa, the Furna do Enxofre Visitors Centre (CVFE) is the core of the Biosphere Reserve and of the Graciosa Natural Park, while also acting as the entrance to the Furna do Enxofre.

For a better understanding of the volcanic processes that gave origin to the island and, in particular, the Furna do Enxofre and the Caldeira, in the Centre there are several information panels and monitors that demonstrate the detected gas values within the Furna (cave), and also images and documentaries illustrating the natural and cultural values of Graciosa.

With two floors, it is a building that respects the environmental quality in full harmony with the values of geodiversity and biodiversity, and landscape and aesthetic balance.

On the ground floor you will find an exhibition area and on the upper floor, the reception area reserved for the disclosure, awareness and observation of the landscape and the entrance to the Furna (cave).

Going down the staircase, with 183 steps and 37 m high, visitors can see an imposing cave, with 194 m long and 50 m high at its center, which reveals a stunning ceiling with a perfect dome, the largest volcanic dome in Europe, covered by small stalactites and having in its deepest zone, a pond with about 11 m deep. This cave has a fumarolic field, which consists of a fumarole with muddy water and dry gases in the cave floor.

The Furnas Monitoring and Research Center (CMIF) was created with the purpose of disseminating the history and evolution of the Furnas Volcano and the intervention of the Landscape Laboratory in the protection and recovery of ecosystems in the protected landscape area.

He was the winner of the "Premio Internazionale Architettura di Pietra 2011 - XII edizione" and finalist of the SECIL prize in 2013. It was the cover of the Spanish publication "El Croquis" and a prominent target in some architecture websites. In 2016, he won the "Tour Operator of the Year for Saint Michael" in the "Holiday & Tour Specialist Awards" category of the Luxury Guide Awards.

The CMIF functions as an observatory and center of integrated knowledge dissemination, assuming, from the outset, an important role in translating scientific language into forms of dissemination of knowledge, capable of captivating visitors for a better understanding of the particularities of geodiversity, biodiversity, hydrology and culture.

It includes an auditorium for workshops and seminars and a large covered area for exhibitions which, through interactive mechanisms, accessible tools for users, multimedia platforms and guided tours, lead visitors to discover the history of the Furnas Volcano, the lagoon ecosystem and the Landscape Laboratory.

In addition, there are adjacent outdoor areas, namely snacking and contemplation areas and a large green space with a privileged view over the lagoon, where visitors can enjoy the landscape and develop leisure activities.

The Gruta das Torres Visitors Centre (CVGT) is an example of sustainable use of a natural resource for entertainment purposes as well as environmental awareness. The Gruta das Torres is the biggest lava tube in Portugal, with a length of 5150 m, and it’s a part of the formation of Lajidos - Gruta das Torres, inserted in the Mountain Volcanic Complex. It is estimated that it was formed about 1500 years ago during an eruption originated in Cabeço Bravo.

In 2006, it was a finalist of the Portuguese selection commission of the V Ibero-American Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism. It was nominated in 2007 for the Contemporary Architecture Mies van der Rohe Award. In 2009, it won the first place in Tektónica National Award of the Architects Order.

The visit is absolutely an innovation in Portugal, following a cavity that allows the good conservation of the cave, over a length of 450 m and the approximate duration of 1h. For this expedition, there are provided the necessary equipment to meet the cave in its natural state and to observe various types of lavas and several geological formations, of which stands out the different types of stalactites and stalagmites lava, side benches, lava balls, ridged walls and ropy lavas.

Natal Cave is 700 m long and this information center is located at its entrance.

The Park’s Shop is a focal point for the promotion of São Miguel Natural Park, in particular for the Lagoa das Sete Cidades (lagoon), classified as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal.

You can get several information about the Natural Park’s protected areas, including walking trails, geology, flora, fauna, water resources, classified heritage, among others.

Inserted in the redevelopment project of the margins of the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, this visitor support house aims to be both a space of knowledge and a tourism promoter, as well as site to the interpretation of the surrounding area, and performance of educational activities within the Natural Park education service.

The Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture Interpretation Centre (CIPCVIP) is a building of noble characteristics, located in one of the most peculiar cores of the Protected Landscape of the Vineyard Culture - Lajido de Santa Luzia, and is the starting point to understand this cultural heritage, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2004.

In this area, visitors can watch a short documentary about the Vineyard Culture Landscape and learn about the values that comprise it.

There is also available a guided visit to the vineyard and fig tree "plots", to the inside of a warehouse and a traditional distillery, still in operation, as well as a tour to the core of the Lajido to understand how the building is closely associated with the vineyard and fig tree culture. Along the tour, stands out the visit to the lava fields, locally called "lajidos", where you see, in this rocky floor, interesting small ledges made by the passage of lava flows, and where there are now several species of endemic flora.

House where the elected first President of the Portuguese Republic, Manuel de Arriaga, lived. It was recently restored and features a museum which portrays the life of this illustrious son of Faial.

Microbial Observatory of the Azores (OMIC) is part of the regional network of science centres, which seek to promote scientific knowledge and access to technological innovations.

The Pineapple Culture Interpretation Centre (CICA), located in the heart of Fajã de Baixo parish - considered the "Azores pineapple capital " – come from the need to establish the memory of the pineapple culture activity, as well as the promotion of the touristic use of its unique characteristics, allowing the visitation of its permanent exhibition and plantations.

It is a place that tells the story of the pineapple culture in an interesting way and promotes the local values and traditions.

In the exhibition space the visitors can “travel” through the history of the pineapple, and learn about the facts and technical evolution that allowed the creation of the “world’s best pineapple”.

There is available information about the knowledge of the pineapple’s productive cycle, the business environment that characterized its economy, the historical figures, the gastronomy, among others.

The Porto Pim Aquarium - Live Fish Station includes a central tank and two other sets of tanks, with the most common coastal species of the Azores, an exhibition about the Azores Marine Park and a film about the deep sea of the continental platform contiguous to the archipelago.

The Aquarium is housed in a building full of history, namely the cod dry and the first whale oil extraction station.

Promoting knowledge about the Azorean’s sea biodiversity, along with environmental awareness and recovery of sensitive marine animals, are the main tasks that the Faial Natural Park carries out on this unit.