For a beach that's a little off the beaten track, check out the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo. This tiny islet can be found off the coast of São Miguel.
It's only a small beach but it has a lot of heart and charm, being located on the interior rim of an old volcano. Visiting this beach is like landing on your own private island and the local area is teeming with wildlife too, so it's a great place to look out for birds or grab a snorkel and swim about beneath the waves to see what you can find.
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Step 1: Visit the website and book directly and/or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Step 2: If you are spending the night, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Call the hotel directly to book and ask for a romantic, kid-friendly or pet-friendly amenity if you need it.
Step 3: If you are flying, compare Flights. Book directly with the airline, add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).
Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.