Shuttle Vulcão do Fogo
Bus service (shuttle) to the Vulcão do Fogo visiting Area
Bus service (shuttle) to the Vulcão do Fogo visiting Area
It is a transportation service that allows a Hop-On/Hop Off bus access to Vulcão do Fogo Visiting Area and operates from the 15th of June to 30th of September 2025, between 09:00 am to 07:00 pm.
The bus service aims at regulating the circulation of vehicles, in order to improve the quality of the visitor’s experience and guaranty the respect for nature.
Tickets
The tickets can be purchased previously online at https://lagoadofogo.pt or at any São Miguel’s establishments that joined the ticketing system.
Itineraries
The route between the parking lot of Caldeira Velha and of Casa de Água has two circular itineraries (Red Line and Green Line) and five stop points.
With a single ticket, passengers may choose to take one or both itineraries, leaving the bus at any stop point and resume the route whenever they want.
The Red Line starts at Caldeira Velha (Ribeira Grande) and passes by the following points of interest: Miradouro da Bela Vista (1), Pico da Barrosa (2), Miradouro da Lagoa de Fogo (3) and back to Caldeira Velha.
The Green Line starts at Casa da Água (Lagoa) and passes by the following points of interest: Pico da Barrosa (1), Miradouro da Lagoa de Fogo (2), finishing at Casa da Água.
Frequently asked questions (Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
The bus service (shuttle) operates between 09:00 am to 07:00 pm, every day of the week, including national, regional and municipal holidays.
Each itinerary has an estimated duration of about 60 minutes, but the time spent on each trip, depends on the number and duration of each user’s stopovers on the chosen route.
The Hop-On/Hop-Off bus service (shuttle) allows a stop at each point of the itinerary.
- Caldeira Velha: 10 minutes
- Miradouro da Bela Vista: 3 minutes
- Pico da Barrosa: 3 minutes
- Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo: 10 minutes
- Casa da Água: 10 minutes
The passengers can get out at any of the bus service stops (shuttle), having to wait for the next bus. The ticket is always the same.
The tourists travelling autonomously, individually or in groups, after purchasing a ticket. The citizens resident in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, who wish to take the bus (shuttle), can do it for free.
Visiting the Lagoa do Fogo complex is permitted for residents of the Azores, provided they are in their own vehicle. If you are travelling from another island in a rental car, or if you voluntarily choose to use the shuttle service, you must still obtain a free ticket through the platform lagoadofogo.pt to present upon boarding the bus.
Tour operators, travel agencies and tourist activities companies that offer tours to Vulcão do Fogo Visiting Area (including Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint), as well as taxis, do not need to use the bus service, as there are car parking areas available along the road, subject to conditions of use.
In total, there are about 200 parking spaces:
- Caldeira Velha Parking Lot (101 places) – free;
- Parking Lot next to Casa da Água (60 places) – free;
- Short Term Parking Lot of Lagoa do Fogo Viewpoint (48 places) available for tour operators, travel agencies, taxis and residents.
Caldeira Velha
- Salto do Cabrito Trail (PRC29SMI Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande – Salto do Cabrito), a 2 km walk from the shuttle stop;
- Visit to the Caldeira Velha Natural Monument (admission by prior reservation).
Miradouro da Bela Vista
- Enjoy the panoramic view from this viewpoint over the north coast, from Ribeirinha to the western part of the island, including the Sete Cidades massif, Lombadas, and the geothermal power station.
Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo
- From this viewpoint, you can see Lagoa do Fogo and the city of Ribeira Grande on the north coast.
Miradouro da Barrosa
- Enjoy the panoramic view from this viewpoint over Lagoa do Fogo and part of the north and south coasts of the island of São Miguel.
Casa da Água
- Support center for hiking trails, with useful and varied information about the city of Lagoa.
The following walking trails are accessible from here:
- PR41SMI Rota da Água – Pedras Brancas;
- PRC37SMI Rota da Água – Janela do Inferno
Weather conditions may affect visibility at these tourist attractions (reduced visibility on rainy and foggy days).
The buses used on this service (shuttle) are prepared for the access of persons with reduced mobility.
When travelling with babies, it is recommended to use the appropriate equipment for their transportation. The buses have seat belts and an area for strollers.
