About Quinta do Ferreiro – Authentic Azorean Hospitality on São Miguel Island

Quinta do Ferreiro is a local accommodation on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores.

The farm was a rural property that Francisco's grandparents began to explore around the 1950s, where they would come to spend the summer, leaving the centre of Ponta Delgada during this warmer season. Here they produced various types of crops, including vines, oranges and bananas. Over time, the farm was passed down from generation to generation and, in 2018, it was transformed into a local accommodation. It seeks to offer all the comfort and quality to those who visit us, as well as an experience of contact with the rural world just 2 steps away from the city centre.

The owners, Francisco, Ilda and Manuel, our 3-year-old son, and our 4 dogs, Pimpão, Pintas, Pantera and Cookie, now live on the farm. We no longer have a vineyard, but we continue to produce bananas and oranges, as well as new crops that have been introduced, such as coffee, avocado and passion fruit.

Francisco always welcomes his guests personally, giving them a short tour of the farm and explaining everything they need to know about the place. Ilda always welcomes our guests with a welcome cake! And Manuel always asks what language the guests speak and if they have children to play with them

São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores and offers a wide variety of tourist and culinary attractions. For those who enjoy nature, the island is known for its spectacular volcanic landscapes, including crystal-clear lagoons, lush forests and waterfalls. It is a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts. You can also relax in the warm waters of Furnas and visit the fantastic Terra Nostra Garden, which according to many experts is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. In the warmer seasons, you can also enjoy the numerous beaches and bathing areas along the coast. São Miguel is also one of the best places you will find for whale watching and swimming with dolphins.

When it comes to cuisine, São Miguel is famous for its rich and varied cuisine, influenced by its geographical location and historical heritage, which uses many local ingredients, including fish from our seas, meats, with the famous regional steak, and cheeses, butters and other dairy products from our cows that graze on our lush green meadows.

Some of the island's most famous culinary dishes are:

– Cozido das Furnas: is a stew made with meat, vegetables and potatoes with a characteristic flavor due to being cooked for hours in underground volcanic heat sources – in Furnas.

– Bife à Regional – beef tenderloin with garlic and pepper sauce.

– Fresh grilled fish, such as Boca Negra, Alfonsim, Peixe Porco, Bicuda, Encharéu among others, as well as Tuna Steak or fried horse mackerel.

– Fish Soups: these are soups made with fresh fish and vegetables, usually served with homemade bread.

– Bolo Lêvedo, typical of Furnas, is a soft and fluffy cake made with flour, sugar, eggs and yeast. It is usually eaten with butter, cheese, ham or jams.

Furthermore, the island is known for its tea production – Gorreana and Porto Formoso – and pineapple plantations, which can be visited and tasted.

These are just a few suggestions of what you can see, do or eat during your stay in São Miguel, but there is much more to explore and experience on the island.