Sunset in Mosteiros: why everyone heads for the water in the evening

Some places on São Miguel are known for their crater lakes, others for their hot springs. Mosteiros is famous for something else: the evening.

It comes down to geography. Our village sits on the island’s western tip, and just offshore stand the Ilhéus dos Mosteiros — jagged rock needles rising straight out of the water. As the sun drops, they stand black against a burning sky. People drive three quarters of an hour from Ponta Delgada for that picture.

When

In early September the sun disappears into the sea just after eight, and a few minutes earlier with every passing day. Allow plenty of time: the finest half hour is often the one after the sun has actually gone, when the sky really takes on colour. Leave the moment it vanishes and you miss the best part.

Where

At the harbour and the rock pools. The classic spot, right by the water, with the Ilhéus straight ahead. There’s always someone here in the evening.
From one of the fish restaurants. Our tip for a special evening: book a table by the sea in good time and have the sunset served with dinner. Booking is worth it, especially in summer.
From the terrace. Honestly the most comfortable seat of all. From the house you look out over the village to the sea — for this particular evening you don’t have to go anywhere.

Two practical notes

Bring a jacket. Once the sun is gone it turns noticeably cooler by the water, even after a warm day. And accept that the clouds will either play along or they won’t: a clear horizon is never guaranteed in the Azores. Then again, the half-cloudy evenings are often the most spectacular — the clouds are what make the colour.

If you’d like to spend the day by the water first, we’ve written up the best places to swim in Mosteiros.

Here you can see when the house is free.

Frank, Bärbel, Maren & Simon