Praia Formosa connects Almagreira with a distinctive coastal landmark: the ruins of a fort stand at the western end of the beach. Here, the beach landscape and the history of defense meet at a specific, named location. You can use this as a starting point for planning your trip, then decide whether the coast, architecture or route is likely to shape your stay most.

Praia Formosa: light sand and shallow water

The beach, about one kilometer long, lies on the southern side of Santa Maria in the parish of Almagreira. Its light-colored sand contains calcareous particles, which are rare in the Azores; the water is clear, warm and shallow. The beach’s length, sand color and water characteristics give this stretch of coast distinctive features. If you are looking for a beach to make the focus of your trip, you can base your choice on these characteristics.

Geology and building materials on Santa Maria’s south coast

On Santa Maria’s south coast, the Pedreira do Campo, Figueiral e Prainha Natural Monument covers around 230 hectares. At Pedreira do Campo, rare submarine volcanic rocks and fossil-bearing marine sediments occur together in a combination unique in the Azores. Here, the focus is on geological features—a different aspect of travel from beaches and historic buildings.

The artificial Gruta do Figueiral lies within the protected area. Clay for roof tiles and limestone for lime production were once extracted there; the lime was used to build traditional houses on Santa Maria. The cave thus links geological features with the island’s architectural history.

Architecture and history on Santa Maria

The ruins of Forte de São João Baptista da Praia Formosa lie at the western end of Praia Formosa in the parish of Almagreira. The fort is also known as Prédio Militar n.º 1/Vila do Porto, Castelo de São João Baptista and Castelo da Praia. It was built in a strategic position on the south coast to defend against the frequent attacks by pirates and privateers at the time. The fort’s purpose gives the beach a historical dimension.

The houses of the Casa Típica de Santa Maria are traditionally white. In the parish of Almagreira, red-ochre bands frame the doors and windows; they are called “vistas” and are known as “vermelho-almagre.” The Ermida de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, also known as Ermida de Santo Amaro, was rebuilt in 1868. Its main façade faces the Miradouro da Praia Formosa. The architectural styles and the year of reconstruction reveal different facets of the island’s history.

Routes with different itineraries

PR05 SMA Costa Sul connects Vila do Porto with Praia Formosa in the parish of Almagreira and ends at the Praia Formosa car park. The route has been reported closed; check its current status before planning to hike it. PR06 SMA Areia Branca is a linear route between Praia Formosa on the south coast and Baía de São Lourenço on the northeast coast.

Percurso 51 is an easy circular route. It follows the western side of the island, where the terrain is flatter, and passes through the parishes of Almagreira and São Pedro. The routes therefore differ in form: PR06 connects two coastal points, while Percurso 51 is a circular route through two parishes. Check the current status of the routes before planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: São Pedro, Santo Espírito, Vila Do Porto.

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