Explore the stunning Santa Maria, the southernmost island of the Azores, known for its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, mild climate, and welcoming atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers to discover its sandy beaches, quaint villages, and scenic hills while enjoying various activities in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Santa Maria island brief overview
Santa Maria is the most Southern island of the Azores archipelago (28°08’ W and 37º43’ N) in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and North America.
Santa Maria has a population of about 5000 residents. The capital is Vila do Porto. The others parishes are São Pedro, Almagreira, Santo Espírito and Santa Bárbara.
The island has an area of approximately 97 km2, 17 km long and 9.5 km at its widest. It has a varied landscape: a hilly area between the villages of São Pedro, Santa Bárbara and Santo Espírito, and a more flatter area between Vila do Porto and Almagreira.
In the centre of the island is the Pico Alto, the highest peak of the island at 590 meters.
The shore is cropped with many bays and little coves, some of them housing sandy beaches at São Lourenço and Praia Formosa.
The climate is mild being the warmer and drier island of the Azores archipel. The average annual temperatures vary between 12° C (54° F) in winter and 25° C (77° F) in summer.
What to do in Santa Maria?
Please check the Visit Azores web site available in several languages on the link below
