Mosteiros

Mosteiros sits on the western tip of São Miguel below the outer slopes of the Sete Cidades caldera, and it is where people on the island go to watch the sun set, because four basalt islets stand offshore in a line and the sun drops behind them. The village has a black sand beach, lava rock pools filled by the sea for swimming, a small harbour, and a scattering of restaurants. Because it faces west and the rest of the island's north coast faces north, this is one of the few places where the sunset is over water. The rock pools are cold, sharp and enclosed, and swell closes them; the beach has a strong shore break and currents. The road down from the Sete Cidades rim is steep with viewpoints, and the whole western end of São Miguel is greener and emptier than the south.

What you actually see

• The four islets - basalt stacks standing offshore in a line.
• The sunset - the sun dropping behind the islets, over water.
• The lava pools - sea-filled rock basins for swimming beside the black beach.
• The setting - the outer slopes of the Sete Cidades caldera above the village.

When to go

June to September for swimming; year-round for the sunset, which is the main reason to come. Half a day, timed for the evening.

Honest expectations

Rock pools close in swell and the sea here is rough often. Strong currents off the black beach. The road down is steep and narrow. Facilities in the village are limited and close early out of season.

Nearby

Sete Cidades and its caldera lakes are above; Ponta Delgada is south-east.