The largest island of the Azores archipelago is São Miguel. It is well worth spending a day in its comely capital Ponta Delgada. Characterized by striking black basalt and whitewashed Portuguese architecture, this compact coastal city serves a walkable urban base and starting point for exploring the island’s dramatic natural interior.

Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, the town’s landmark building. It’s built in a curious mixture of styles: originally 16th-century late Gothic, with a Portuguese Manueline facade and baroque features added in the 18th century.

Forte de São Brás, which once protected the island from attacks by pirates. These days it houses the Military Museum of the Azores.