Furnas, Sao Miguel: Hot Springs, Cozido and More

Furnas is São Miguel’s volcanic heart: a green valley full of bubbling hot springs and steaming fumaroles, with stew cooked in the ground and warm thermal pools to soak in. Here’s how to spend a day (or a night) in Furnas.

Quick answer: Furnas is about an hour from Ponta Delgada. Don’t miss the caldeiras (fumaroles) in the village, cozido das Furnas stew cooked underground by the lake, the warm iron-rich pool at Terra Nostra Park, and the hot pools of Poça da Dona Beija. Bring an old dark swimsuit, as the water stains. See Furnas tours.

Things to do

The caldeiras

Boiling springs and steaming vents right in the village, smelling of sulphur. Locals boil corn in the hot water.

Cozido das Furnas

A stew of meats and vegetables slow-cooked for hours in pots buried in the hot ground by Lake Furnas. Watch the pots being lifted around midday, then eat the stew in a village restaurant (reserve ahead).

Terra Nostra Park

Beautiful historic gardens with a large, warm, iron-rich thermal pool that turns the water orange-brown. There are smaller hot pools too.

Poça da Dona Beija

A set of hot pools in a lush setting, open into the evening. It’s magical after dark.

Lagoa das Furnas

A lake with a walking trail, the fumaroles and the Gothic chapel on the shore.

Nearby

• Gorreana tea plantation: Europe’s oldest tea plantation still in production, on the north coast.
• Miradouro do Pico do Ferro: a viewpoint over the valley and lake.
• Ribeira Quente: a fishing village with a beach warmed by underwater hot springs.

Stay the night

Staying in Furnas lets you soak in the pools after the day-trippers leave. See places to stay in Furnas, or see São Miguel hotels.

Tips

• Swimwear: the iron-rich water stains light fabrics permanently.
• Jewellery: remove silver before soaking.
• Book cozido lunches and pool slots in summer.

More: the São Miguel itinerary, the Sete Cidades guide and Lagoa do Fogo.

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