Viewpoints are Nordeste’s visiting rooms. The high coastal lines, the sea and the imposing mountain made it possible to make Nordeste as one of the places with the most superb views on the island. Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta do Sossego, in the place of Pedreira, are mandatory visit sites in the municipality. Mountain and sea blend together here, surrounded by vast garden areas, where silence reigns and your eyes wander across the immensity of the landscape.
Between Pedreira and Vila do Nordeste, we offer another viewpoint: Vista dos Barcos sightseeing point, from where you can see the Arnel Lighthouse and the fishing port.
There are other viewpoints of equal beauty extending throughout the county. Most parishes offer sea views or the mountains, all of which are signed and highlighted along the Regional Road. In Algarvia, at the Vigia das Baleias viewpoint, the ceased whaling activity is referenced. There we find the reproduction of a lookout post and the sublime views of the coast and over the highest altitude on the island.
In the parish of Salga, the Salto da Farinha viewpoint overlooks a magnificent waterfall, with about 40 meters, and includes a pleasant picnic park. The proposed route is organized from east to west, and must be taken by following the Regional Road signs (see "Viewpoints").

Nordeste has a temple of great religious devotion to the people of São Miguel, the Ermida de Nossa Senhora do Pranto, with more than five centuries of history without ever losing the great devotion of the locals.
Usually more simple buildings, but of enormous beauty, almost always built in remote locations, far from the village, and associated with the devotion of Our Lady, in the Nordeste you'll find two other hermitages, both in the village of Nordeste, which are also worth visiting.
The route we propose is oriented from east to west, and you should pay attention to the religious niches you'll find along the Regional Road or inside the parishes, most of them of more recent construction (20th century).

1. Ermida da Nazaré

The pilgrims are devotees of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré. Every year, during Lent, pilgrim groups from all over the island stop there to pray to Senhora da Nazaré and to restore their strength for their remaining long journey.
The chapel is mentioned in the writings of the 16th century chronicler Gaspar Frutuoso, which means that the temple has existed in that place since the 16th century. However, the current building has features of 19th century architecture and has the date of 1825 inscribed on the main front, which corresponds to the last reconstruction. It has a peculiar implantation, overlooking the sea and at the confluence of the access path to the port and the lighthouse.

Rua da Nazaré, Vila do Nordeste

Permanent

 (30 meters away)

 (30 meters away)

2. Ermida do Rosário

There are records indicating that this chapel was founded by a very rich couple from Nordeste county in the first quarter of the 16th century (it was probably built in 1529). However, the current building dates from the 19th century, which corresponds to the reconstruction work carried out in 1848.
It is a small chapel situated on a hill and set in a level, walled churchyard, facing the sea and accessible by a staircase aligned with the building's main door. The front is framed by basalt stonework, which contrasts with the white-painted surfaces of the front.
The chapel is only open for religious celebrations, but we suggest you climb the steps to the churchyard and enjoy the view and the peace of this place.

Rua do Rosário, Vila do Nordeste

Closed

3. Ermida do Pranto

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Pranto, perched on a flat pasture overlooking the sea, in the parish of São Pedro de Nordestinho, is associated with the Lenten pilgrimages carried out by groups of pilgrims who pause here on their way around the island to thank Our Lady for the graces granted during the year.
According to the legend of this temple, after the famous earthquake of 1522, which devastated Vila Franca do Campo, with repercussions all over the island, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young shepherd, telling him that Ponta Delgada would be struck by the scourge of the plague and asking him to build a chapel in her honor. After that the population built this temple to the Virgin Mary in the invocation of Senhora do Pranto.
Near the chapel is the spring that helped build it and whose water sprang from the place through the Virgin.

Regional Road, São Pedro de Nordestinho

Monday to Friday: 8am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm | Sunday: in the four weeks before Easter, in the afternoon

 Parcial

4. Nicho de Nossa Senhora de Fátima

Practically every parish has a Marian devotional niche, several of them along the Regional Road, and therefore easy to find, and others located within the localities, some in higher areas, such as the Nicho de Nossa Senhora de Fátima in the parish of Algarvia at the Vigia das Baleias viewpoint.
Many of these niches are associated with pilgrimages and represent the great religiosity of the population.
You'll find other religious niche along the Regional Road or inside the towns.

Miradouro da Vigia das Baleias, Algarvia

5. Nicho do Romeiro

Located on the Regional Road, in the parish of Algarvia, this is another place of devotion and an obligatory stop for pilgrims during their Lenten pilgrimage. There, they say their prayers to Our Lady and take a short rest break, sometimes leaving a souvenir of their visit, which could be a thank you or a prayer to Our Lady engraved in tiles.
Visited all year, is during Lent that it is most popular.
Next to the niche, you'll find a small leisure area for those passing by to rest.

Regional Road, Algarvia

6. Padrão das Alminhas

The Padrão das Alminhas is a religious landmark (oratory) built in 1956/57, alluding to the salvation of souls. It is associated with the ritual of “Cantar às Almas” (Singing to the Souls), practiced by the inhabitants of Achadinha, and takes place annually during the month of November, starting on November 2.
The standard contains two inscriptions of local historical interest: the cross that tops the standard, from the parish's first mission, and the tiled inscription alluding to São Bento, from Achadinha's first sanctuary.
The fountain next to the standard once supplied water to the population of Rua Direita de Cima.

Rua Direita, Achadinha

Along this tour you can visit several places of literary interest in Nordeste, with special emphasis on Casa João de Melo, that once belonged to the writer's family, as well as gardens and other beautiful places related to literary figures from Nordeste.
At the end, enjoy the reading space on the library, where you will find the most important works by Nordeste's writers.

1. The tour starts in Achadinha, at the old house of the writer João de Melo's family, in Rua Direita, where you can visit a small museum and thematic center.
2. Go down the street called "Rua Direita" until you get to Achadinha's Church – Achadinha is the birthplace of both writers Adelaide Freitas and João de Melo.
3. Visit Achada village, stopping at the square alluding to the poet Virgílio Oliveira.
4. In São Pedro de Nordestinho village, visit the church of São Pedro, in São Pedro de Nordesrinho village, the oldest in Nordeste, near which you can see the bust of Father Dinis da Luz, a great writer and journalist from this county.
5. Stop by the Municipal Library, housed in a building of heritage interest in Vila do Nordeste, on Rua António Alves de Oliveira, where you can see several works by writers from the municipality, as well as a small exhibition of old books.
6. End the visit next to the house where Maria Mendonça was born, on Rua Jorge Maria Reis Machado, in Vila do Nordeste, near which the Sete Arcos Bridge can be seen.

Nordeste has been the inspiration for several poets and writers who found their words here to describe a “world that is not from this kingdom”. Come here and challenge your writing. Discover the most inspiring places along this tour that begins with the sunrise and ends with the nocturnal singing of the "Cagarros" by the sea.
All these places are identified throughout this website, under different headings, and you should consult their location so that you can get there.

1. Start the day watching the sunrise at Ponta da Madrugada.
2. Go up to Pico Bartolomeu to see the island of Santa Maria and the Tronqueira mountain.
3. Visit the Graminhais plateau and climb up to Pico da Vara.
4. Have a picnic in the Liberal Park and rest watching the sea.
5. Walk the path until Salto da Farinha waterfall.
6. Watch the sunset at Borda da Ladeira sightseeing.
7. Go to see the stars in Pelado Endemic Park.
8. Hear the "Cagarros", see the moon and the light from the lighthouse at Ponta do Arnel.

Cultural interests and heritage
To visit Achadinha is to walk through paths full of memories and traditions from the old times and to be able to learn about the history, monuments, houses and landscapes that backed-up the most different kind of experiences for its population. We suggest a walk through the trails, streets and paths of this town, along which you will find some of the most beautiful Nordeste’s landscapes. Starting at «Casa João de Melo», come and visit Achadinha and take with you the memories of an unforgettable tour.

1. João de Melo’s House
2. Evocative tile dedicated to the writer João de Melo
3. Liberal Troops’ obelisk
4. Alminhas landmark
5. Natural bridge (geological interest)
6. Poço Azul (small lake and waterfall)
7. Occasional sand beach near Cachaço stream’s mouth
8. Liberal Troops landing place
9. Old water mill
10. Pesqueiro viewpoint
11. First Mission’s evocative tile
12. Fountain on Rua Direita
13. Houses on Rua Direita
14. Paque dos Liberais – picnic area
15. Achadinha’s Nativity Scene (only during the Christmas season)
16. Parish Church (Nossa Senhora do Rosário)
17. Bandstand
18. Boavista garden
19. School buildings
20. Achadinha’s coat of arms

Other places to visit (we suggest that this part of the tour is done by car)

1. "Treato" – Holy Spirit’s House
2. Old ranger's house
3. Stone bridge over Cachaço stream
4. Oratory

For more information about this parish, visit Casa João de Melo.