Fajã da Caldeira do Santo Cristo

Fajã da Caldeira do Santo Cristo is a flat coastal plain on São Jorge, formed by an ancient landslide beneath the island's tall interior cliffs, and home to a brackish lagoon known for a locally farmed clam, amêijoa, found almost nowhere else in the Azores. The fajã can only be reached on foot, via hiking trails from Serra do Topo or Norte Pequeno, or by boat during calmer summer conditions, which keeps it free of vehicle traffic and largely undeveloped beyond a handful of small guesthouses and a surf-facing black-sand beach. A full visit is generally a half-day undertaking once the hike down and back is factored in, though many visitors choose to stay overnight in one of the local guesthouses to fully experience the fajã's isolation. The hiking trails involve a steep descent and a correspondingly steep return climb, so starting in the morning allows a full day at the fajã before tackling the climb back up while there is still daylight.