The viewpoints in Capelas offer different perspectives. From Miradouro do Fogo, you can see the sea and Morro das Capelas. This hill is a tuff cone formed by an underwater eruption. The viewpoint therefore combines a sea view with a geological feature of the hill. Miradouro das Capelas is located in São Pedro Picnic Park; from there, you can see the north coast and the municipality of Capelas. At Miradouro do Morro, Morro das Capelas, the harbor, and the sea are among the sights. To help you choose, you can distinguish between them: Fogo combines sea views and geology, Miradouro das Capelas focuses on the coast and municipality, while Miradouro do Morro brings the harbor into view alongside the hill and sea. The three viewpoints thus offer different perspectives on the landscape.

Seascapes and hiking trails

The Porto das Capelas–Ponta das Calhetas protected area offers a different perspective on the landscape. It covers 1,499 hectares and is a marine area between Morro das Capelas and the municipality of Calhetas. Its size and location between these two reference points make it different from a single miradouro: this is a marine area, whereas the viewpoints offer specific sights. This distinction can be useful when planning your trip. You can explore Capelas through individual views or take the larger marine area into account when choosing what to see.

There are hiking trails for visitors in Vila de Capelas. They complement the viewpoints with a different activity: rather than focusing on a single sight, you can make hiking a priority in its own right. This makes your decision more specific: are you mainly interested in views of the sea, coast, or harbor, or would you like walking to be a distinct part of your stay?

Culture and history

The cultural offerings also vary. Oficina – Museu de Artesanato Artes e Ofícios das Capelas was founded by Manuel João Melo in 1998. Its name refers to handicrafts and trades. A small exhibition, “A faina baleeira em São Miguel,” offers a different theme: it includes photographs and some objects relating to the history of whaling on São Miguel. While the museum’s name connects it with handicrafts and trades, the exhibition focuses on the island’s whaling history. These offer two different cultural interests to choose from: craftwork and the history of whaling. If you want to include either venue in your travel plans, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

A municipal report dated July 28, 2018, mentions bilingual information panels in Portuguese and English in the Pias area.

For an overview of the wider trip: S.Miguel.