On the island of Santa Maria, steep terraced vineyards climb the hills and slender white chimneys adorn the traditional homes of Portuguese settlers. The island’s historic villages of Vila do Porto and Anjos witnessed the arrival of Columbus on his first voyage to America. The villages still possess a charming, unspoilt character to this day. Santa Maria lies southeast of São Miguel and enjoys some of the Azores’ most dramatic beaches and spectacular coastline. With its deep, sandy bays and lush green interior, Santa Maria is a paradise for surfers and walkers alike.
As you arrive on Santa Maria, your first sensation will be a feeling of peace and tranquility typical of the Azores. The scenery is breathtaking and the lush, green mountains in the east, including the imposing peak of Pico Alto at 590m, contrast with the flat plains of the west. On the west side, you’ll find the capital of Vila do Porto along with the fabulous beach at Praia Formosa. To the east is the shell-shaped Bay of São Lourenço (St Lawrence), where beautifully clear turquoise water laps against pale volcanic sands and grapevines run down the hillsides towards the sea.
On the north coast, you’ll find the pretty village of Anjos with its sea pools and the chapel which Christopher Columbus is reputed to have visited on his return from the Americas.
Getting To and Around Santa Maria
SATA, the regional airline, has daily flights to Santa Maria from Ponta Delgada. Between May and October, an inter-island ferry, owned by Azorean maritime transport operator Atlantico Line, links Sao Miguel and Santa Maria in about 3 hours. Modes of transportation on Santa Maria include rental cars, taxis and buses which link almost all the villages on the island. View a map of Santa Maria…
Place to Stay
Hotel Colombo – The Hotel Colombo is a modern four-star property ideally located on the outskirts of Santa Maria Island’s capital, Vila do Porto; just 10 minutes from the airport. The Hotel Colombo has a health club, jacuzzi, Turkish bath, massage and relaxation room. Other facilities include an outdoor pool, children’s play area, babysitting, car park and a free airport shuttle service. Every room has a private balcony with panoramic view, a bathroom and air conditioning.
Highlights
Sand Beaches and Rock Pools – Tourists generally favor the white sand beaches and rock pools in the communities of Anjos (Vila do Porto), Praia Formosa (Almagreira), Maia (Santo Espírito) and São Lourenço (Santa Bárbara). Praia Formosa, in particular, is known on the island for its white sand beach that stretches around the bay. In some locales, original natural rock pools have been replaced by concrete pools with seawater access.
Historical Architecture- There are many examples (public buildings, churches and auxiliary structures, military constructions) of Santa Maria’s cultural heritage that have been conserved, restored, and preserved for their important historical and cultural value. Since Santa Maria was the first island to be colonized, it has some of the oldest buildings of the archipelago. The structures are also more prevalent here due to volcanic inactivity and fewer incidences of earthquakes.
Food & Drink
Apart from the Sopas do Impéro (served during Pentecosts), Santa Maria has a rich gastronomic history that includes Sopa de Nabos (a turnip soup), Bolo de Panela (a cake), Caçoila (a thick meat stew in traditional ceramic pot), Molho de Figado (a liver stew/sauce), Sopa de Peixe (a fish soup), and Caldeirada de Peixe (a mixture of fish or seafood in broth and/or bread). Sweet desserts, such as Suspiros (meringues), Melindres (honey cakes), Biscoitos Encanelados, Tigeladas (a pudding), Biscoitos de Orelha, Biscoitos Brancos, Biscoitos de Aguardente and Cavacas (sugar-coated biscuits), are also popular.
The sweet liqueurs and wines, especially those wines of the São Lourenço foothills, are excellent and are made using traditional techniques. These libations are favored as after dinner drinks and include Vinho Abafadinho and Vinho Abafado (both fortified wine liquers), Licor de Amora (mulberry liquer), Licor de Leito (milk liquer) and Aguardente.
Culture & Festivities
Based on the natural resources of clay and wool, the handicraft industry in Santa Maria is centered on pottery, ceramics and wool sweaters, ornate sheets, blankets, towels and other embroidery. Homespun garments include coarse woolen jerseys, embroidered linen shirts, embroidered women’s jackets and men’s suits. Similarly, straw hats, baskets and various other objects traditionally made from wood, fish scales, corn flask and metal are sold as souvenirs. These activities and products have been organized by the Santa Maria Handicrafts Cooperative, which also promotes other unique Mariense products such as bread, sweets, pastries and woven goods.
Traditional music and folk dancing are heavily influenced by the styles of the Beiras and Alentejo region. Several folk groups have developed on the island that reflect the island’s styles, music and traditional dance. Factors such as the climate and insular environment heavily influence the local style of music, songs, dance and instruments used (such as the viola de arame). Many of the dances have curious names, such as Pézinho da Garça (the Heron’s dance), Moda do Moinho de Mão (the dance of the Hand Mill), Alfinete (the Pin), Balão (the Balloon), and Mouros (Moors). The Museu Etnográfico de Santo Espírito is an important place to learn about various aspects of the history and culture of the island.
