Porto Moniz

The island's northernmost village was a whaling station in the 19th century. These days its natural pools, formed by ancient lava flows, make it one of the island’s best day trips. There's not much to do here except eat, sunbathe, and splash around the pools, though its position below towering mountains is part of its appeal. The old houses and twisting cobblestone streets can be found uphill—most of the seafront is made up of a new town of hotels, cafés, and restaurants.