Vila Franca do Campo stretches wide along the southern coast of São Miguel, a town of whitewashed houses and terracotta rooftops framed by banana groves, hills, and sea. From above, it looks like a slow sprawl, tapering down to the marina and the beaches beyond. From the street, it feels more like a sleepy town shaped by its proximity to water—to the Atlantic, yes, but also to history.
This was once the capital of the island.
In the 16th century, Vila Franca do Campo thrived as a trading port, strategically important and densely populated. But in 1522, a catastrophic earthquake triggered a massive landslide that buried much of the town and killed thousands. After that, the capital moved inland to Ponta Delgada, and Vila Franca became something else: quieter, less political, but no less vital.
Walking through a former capital
There are reminders of Vila Franca’s early significance everywhere. Churches with ornate stonework. Civic buildings that feel older than the roads around them. Azulejos that tell stories. The town’s architecture mixes colonial influence with vernacular simplicity: limewashed walls, basalt details, windows that open wide.
Today, it’s a place to wander without an agenda. You might pass fishermen repairing nets in the marina, or kids diving from rocks into the harbor. Locals gather at pastelarias in the morning, or walk the promenade at sunset. There is no rush.
Town beaches
Praia Vinha d’Areia is the main town beach, and in summer, it hums with umbrellas and sun-warmed bodies.
Sunbathers on Praia Vinha d’Areia, tucked between cliffs and marina walls
The sand is dark, almost volcanic. Rock formations rise at either end of the cove, offering shelter and shade. The water is shallow and usually calm, ideal for long swims or floating aimlessly.
A small seasonal bar nearby serves espresso and ice cream, and behind the beach there are casual restaurants.
Things to do in Vila Franca do Campo
Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Paz
This hilltop sanctuary is one of the most iconic landmarks in the region. Its zigzagging staircase, lined with azulejos, leads to panoramic views over the town and Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo.
Panoramic views from the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Paz, perched above the town and islet
We wrote a full post about visiting the sanctuary—you can find it here.
Kayak or snorkel around the Ilhéu
Just off the coast lies a collapsed volcanic cone, now a marine reserve. You can kayak across the channel, swim and snorkel in the crater, or book a boat tour led by marine biologists.
The islet’s volcanic ring and crater lagoon seen from above
We wrote all about this otherworldly island in our post here.
Explore the marina
Not just a functional harbor, the marina area is a lively place in summer, with cafes, diving centers, and small boat operators.
It’s also where many of the tours to the Ilhéu depart.
Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Paz
For one of the most iconic views over Vila Franca do Campo and its offshore islet, head to Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Paz, right beside the sanctuary.
We included this in our roundup of favorite miradouros across São Miguel for good reason. Read more in our full miradouros post.
From the hills to the sea
What makes Vila Franca do Campo stand out isn’t a single attraction. It’s the layering of landscape. The way the town slopes from the hills to the water.
Coastal walking paths and sea-access points in Vila Franca do Campo
It’s a place where the past is always in view—in the cracked tiles of a chapel, in the bend of a cobbled street—but never frozen. Things grow here. Banana plantations. Coral reefs. Afternoon conversations.
