10 Museums in Sao Miguel That You Shouldn't Miss

The Interpretation Centre of Priolo was developed by SPEA in partnership with SRAM (Regional Secretariat of Environment and Sea) and DRRF (Regional Direction of Forestry Resources) during LIFE Priolo Project. Its mission is to raise awareness for the "Priolo" and its habitat, the Laurel Forest. "Priolo" is one of most threatened birds in Europe, existing only in the east part of the Island of São Miguel, where several actions to preserve and guarantee its survival have been carried, since 2003. Objectives: 1. Reception and information center for all visitors to the SPA ZPE Pico da Vara/Ribeira do Guilherme. 2. Create an activity program, aimed to the local population, that can contribute to improve their knowledge and awareness about native species in the Açores. 3. Offer an interesting educational program for schools all over the Azores. 4. Encourage sustaintable development in the region by selling local handcraft and alimentar products, and by developing Eco-tourism. 5. Develop a group of partners and volunteers, that can contribute to the conservation of the Priolo and its habitat. 6. Develop a structure to encourage research on the SPA Pico da Vara/Ribeira do Guilherme. The centre has many activities for the visitors all year round. Visitors will have access to an interactive exhibition that will help to have a better understanding of the flora, fauna and conservation actions present in the SPA Pico da Vara /Ribeira do Guilherme. The center also has a specially designed children area in which they can do activities related to Priolo and Azorean Laurel Forest.

Come and visit the Observatorio Vulcanologico e Geotermico dos Acores (OVGA, a place were you can understand the geology of Azores. We have different exhibits that are related to rocks, minerals and fossil. We have rare and unique exemplars!

The Observatório Astronómico de Santana (Santana's Astronomical Observatory) is a Science Center in the Azores, part of the Azores' Region Science Center Network, that has science and educational outreach as its main goal, always focusing in the themes of astronomy and space exploration. Our activities are focused on the schools' science educational programs, providing adequate learning bases to all students. We too work for the community, giving our region the access to astronomical material and continued formation to all ages and social backgrounds. More than being a science center, our work is supported on outreach activities, bringing astronomy to people, whoever and wherever they are.

The Parochial Church of Santa Cruz houses in the annexes adjacent to the building a museum space, organized according to the typologies and/or themes divided into six expository cores: Figurine Art Core, Jewellry Core, Ceramic and Tiling Core, Processional Core, Vestments' Core and Bonecretor Art Core.

Expolab - Centro Ciência Viva is a Science Center and its mission is the promotion of scientific knowledge in the many fields of Natural Sciences and Technology, focusing on experimentation and laboratory activities.

The Furnas Monitoring and Research Centre (CMIF) was created with the purpose of disseminating the history and evolution of the Furnas Volcano and the intervention of the Landscape Laboratory in the protection and recovery of ecosystems in the protected landscape area. It won the "Premio Internazionale di Pietra Architetture 2011 - XII edizione" award and it was finalist of SECIL Prize in 2013. It was the cover of the Spanish publication "El Croquis" and prominent target in some architectural websites. In 2016, won the "Tour Operator of the Year for Sao Miguel" in the "Holiday & Tour Specialist Awards" category of the Luxury Guide Awards. CMIF functions as an observatory and integrated centre for knowledge dissemination, playing an important role in the translation of scientific information to a language able of captivating visitors.

Situated on the western seafront of the city of Ponta Delgada, in the charming parish of Santa Clara, the Arco 8 Art Gallery/Bar/Club is an independent artistic lab, open to all forms of artistic expression. Many memorable and unprecedented cultural events have taken place here, making it a mythical place amongst local and international artists and musicians. Artistic freedom and creativity is the only rule that guides us in our choices of cultural programmes. For many years we have actively contributed to the development of a vibrant cosmopolitan vibe ( ou ambience) in the capital city of the archipelago of the Azores. Come and visit us! You will enjoy it!