Santa Maria: Fossils, Red Landscapes and Island Culture

At 96.87 km², Santa Maria is the southernmost and easternmost of the nine Azores islands. Its highest point is Pico Alto, at 586.84 metres. Red landscapes, fossil traces, hiking trails and a rich island history give your trip a variety of themes.

Red Landscapes and Visible Fossils

Barreiro da Faneca is a protected, red, semi-desert landscape covering around 8.35 km². It includes the bays of Raposo, Tagarete and Cré. The Natural Monument of Pedreira do Campo, Figueiral e Prainha is also located on the south coast and covers around 230 hectares.

At the man-made Gruta do Figueiral, past use and natural history meet. Clay was once extracted here for roof tiles, and limestone for producing lime. Numerous shell fossils are visible on the walls and ceilings. Anyone interested in the island’s geological past will find, alongside the red landscape, another clearly visible trace of its history.

Hiking Trails and Coastal Destinations

The Costa Sul PR05SMA hiking trail crosses the entire Natural Monument of Pedreira do Campo, Figueiral e Prainha and ends at Praia Formosa. The coastal trails of the Great Route of Santa Maria also lead to various bathing spots, including the white-sand beaches of São Lourenço and Praia Formosa.

The different route types are also useful when planning your hikes: the Great Route of Santa Maria is a circular trail that starts at Forte de São Brás in Vila do Porto. Areia Branca PR06SMA, by contrast, is a linear route connecting Praia Formosa with Baía de São Lourenço. The trail passes through both the Pico Alto protected area for the management of species or habitats and the protected landscape area of Baía de São Lourenço. This makes it possible to consider a circular hike and a connection between two coastal locations as distinct options, without assuming a walking time or difficulty level. As trail conditions can change, check the latest information before setting out.

Opposite Praia Formosa lies Baixa da Pedrinha, a marine protected area suited to night diving and snorkelling. The area is about a ten-minute boat ride from the Vila do Porto Marina. The actual journey time depends on the operator and sea conditions; diving and snorkelling opportunities also depend on conditions at sea.

Island History, Museums and Viticulture

Santa Maria was the first of the Azores islands discovered and settled by Portuguese explorers. The Núcleo de Vila do Porto of the Museu de Santa Maria is housed in two buildings in the historic area of Vila do Porto. Its exhibition presents the island’s history, from its discovery to the construction of the airport.

The Centro de Interpretação Ambiental Dalberto Pombo dedicates its permanent exhibition to the legacy of a naturalist. Topics include insects, the Santa Maria goldcrest (Santa-Maria-Estrelinha), sea turtles and fossils. Together, the two institutions offer different ways to explore the island: the museum covers its human history, while the environmental centre focuses on nature and species.

Viticulture is also part of the cultural landscape. Wine production on the steep, terraced slopes of São Lourenço and Maia is associated with the term “heroic viticulture”. Winegrowing on Santa Maria is thought to date back to the beginning of the 15th century. This cautious historical interpretation and the specific description of the slopes convey two different aspects of the tradition.

Music Events and a Sweet Fossil Greeting

Several annual events bring music to different parts of the island. Maia Folk takes place in July in Baía da Maia and features folk music from different generations and cultures. Also in July, Santa Maria Blues in Anjos presents musical styles that evolved from blues and jazz. In August, Festival Maré de Agosto at Praia Formosa features a variety of music genres and activities. Event dates may vary, so check the specific dates when planning your trip.

A culinary speciality connects the island’s history with a handcrafted product: the Route of the Volcanoes leads to the “Sweet Fossils”, biscuits from the “A Cagarrita” bakery. Their shapes are inspired by fossils found in fossil-bearing deposits on Santa Maria.

If you’re looking for hotels on Santa Maria, you can shape your plans around the experiences that matter to you: hikes and coastal landscapes, museums and island history, viticulture or music events.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Vila Do Porto, Almagreira, São Pedro, Santo Espírito, Faja De Baixo, Faial, Calheta De Nesquim, Graciosa.

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