Graciosa

Housed in a former cereal and wine warehouse, this museum recreates ethnographical and cultural characteristics of Graciosa. Apart from reproducing a typical island house with all its elements, the museum has also a wine cellar (press rooms), agricultural utensils and several instruments related to traditional crafts, such as cooperage, cabinet work and pottery. In the garden attached to the building, you will find a cannon exhibit, presenting the cannons used in the several island fortresses, but most of them have already vanished. The main museum has two other museum centres: one of them depicting whale hunting activity, housed in an ancient hut of whale hunting canoes, and another one set in a typical island mill, located in Fontes.

A spa complex from the nineteenth century, it is located by the sea, and its warm, sulphur water (between 36C and 40C) has been used since 1750 for the treatment of rheumatism and skin diseases. This area is also visited by many people because of its tidal pools.

This multipurpose facility provides a library, a lab, a media room and an exhibition area. In addition, it is possible to carry out various pedagogic activities.

Known as Piscinas do Carapacho, these pools provide crystal clear waters and an excellent place to spend some quiet time.

Large garden with typical Portuguese pavement. It is located in the center of Santa Cruz and includes a marsh.

Bathing site composed of natural swimming pools in the municipality of Santa Cruz. There is also a small harbor in this area.

  This beach formed by lava stones is one of the island's most important bathing sites.

The tower of this lighthouse is 23 meters high, being the tallest in the Azores. From this area there is also an excellent view over the famous Ilhéu da Baleia (Whale Islet).

Given its location, this lighthouse is also known as Farol da Restinga. It opened in 1956 and it is placed 191 meters above sea level.

Church founded in 1600 by order of Captain Manuel Machado. Father António Vieira has preached in the church.

A 194-metre wide and 40-metre high volcanic cave, it features stalactites and a sulphurous, cold water lake, 130 metres in diameter. The first explorations of the cave took place during the nineteenth century, with the participation of international researchers such as Prince Albert I of Monaco in 1879, who was one of the first to descend down to the lake.

The construction of this church lasted approximately two centuries, mixing the Portuguese Manueline and the baroque styles of architecture. It was one of the first churches in Graciosa.

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.