Furnas São Miguel hot springs should be at the top of your Azores itinerary, especially if you enjoy soaking in steaming geothermal waters surrounded by nature. We explored São Miguel, Azores and found Furnas to be the best place for Hot Springs on the island. This charming volcanic town is home not only to natural hot springs, but also to stunning volcanic lake walks, spectacular viewpoints, and cozido, a stew slow-cooked underground. Here’s how to plan a perfect day in the iron-rich waters of Furnas São Miguel Hot Springs, with lakeside walks, and a caldera-cooked meal.
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Perfect Day at Furnas São Miguel Hot Springs
- Poça da Dona Beija – The Best Hot Springs in Furnas
- Bonus Soak in Terra Nostra Garden Hot Springs
- Furnas Beyond the Hot Springs
- Travel Tips for Enjoying the Many Things to Do in Furnas São Miguel
Poça da Dona Beija – The Best Hot Springs in Furnas
The most popular hot springs in Furnas, and also our personal favorite, is Poça da Dona Beija. It’s tucked away in a tropical setting alongside a gentle river on the edge of town. Dona Beija’s open-air pools are fed by the Furnas volcano, which results in steaming iron-rich waters. The pools are surrounded by ferns, stone paths, and warm wooden decks.
Pro tip: Bring a dark swimsuit, as the iron-rich water can stain light fabrics. Light-colored or dyed hair may also be impacted (shower caps can be purchased onsite).
Pro tip: While most of the pools are 39°C (102°F), the Ribeira pool mixes in stream water, resulting in a pool that is 28°C (82°F).
Tips for Your Visit to Poça da Dona Beija
| Tickets | Tickets can only be booked online on the Poça da Dona Beija website. Prices start at 12 Euros per adult during the day, 16 Euros in the evening. Children 2-6 years old have reduced entry fees, with <2 years free. You must select a 30 minute time window when purchasing a ticket. Show your ticket QR code at the entry booth. You can stay in the pools for 90 minutes. |
| Included Services | Restrooms, changing rooms, cold water showers, use of baskets to store your belongings |
| Services for Additional Fee | Locker rentals, towel rentals, hot showers, bath kit (shampoo, etc.), shower cap (for use in pools), food & drinks, souvenirs |
| Best Time to Visit | Early morning to avoid crowds or after dark for a peaceful starlit soak. |
Pro tip: Because tickets cannot be changed for a different time slot, it’s recommended to wait until you arrive in Furnas, then book your tickets online using your phone. You cannot buy tickets at the entry window.
Bonus Soak in Terra Nostra Garden Hot Springs
If you’d like another soak, visit the thermal pool at Terra Nostra Park. This giant pool sits in the midst of a historic botanical garden right in the center of town. One of the top benefits of a visit here is that you can also wander through the beautiful gardens in the park. Tickets can be purchased on the Terra Nostra site, and are 17 Euros for adults, 14.50 Euros for children and seniors.
Pro tip: Admission to the Terra Nostra garden is free for hotel guests.
Furnas Beyond the Hot Springs
Be sure to leave plenty of time to explore the town of Furnas and the stunning scenery in the surrounding area. Some of our top recommendations include:
Hike Around Beautiful Lagoa das Furnas
Before (or after) your soak, stretch your legs with a walk around Lagoa das Furnas. This volcanic lake sits just outside town. It’s one of the most scenic places in São Miguel, and it’s perfect for a leisurely stroll (or even a run for those feeling inspired). If you’re short on time, a quick lakeside walk (30–60 minutes) will still give you time to see the hot spring vents and steamy earth around the lake’s edge.
The Lagoa das Furnas trail is 4.0 miles (6.4 km) long, if you park in the lot just next to the lake. The trail is mostly flat, though you can extend the walk or make it more challenging by starting in town, walking up the stairs to the viewpoint above the lake, or by hiking to the Salto do Rosal Waterfall.
Pro tip: Visit the lake first thing in the morning to ensure you get a parking spot, especially during the summer season.
Along the way, don’t miss stops at the:
- Neo-Gothic Ermida de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias chapel,
- Boardwalks and shady paths around the lake,
- Fumaroles, where the Cozido das Furnas is cooked,
Furnas Monitoring & Research Center (CMIF) – with its insights into volcanic activity in the region.
If you have extra time, you might add a few more stops:
- Mata-Jardim José do Canto, a garden offering beautiful wooded trails and riverside scenery,
- Salto do Rosal Waterfall Trail (a short trail through the forest to a waterfall, accessed through the Mata-Jardim),
- Rent a kayak near the Fumaroles, to enjoy on the peaceful lake.
Pico do Ferro Viewpoint
This viewpoint has the best view of Lagoa das Furnas and the Furnas valley. To get there, either drive up or take the stairs from the Fumaroles area if you’re feeling ambitious.
Explore Furnas Town
Stroll through the charming village of Furnas, exploring the local shops, markets, and restaurants.
Taste the Famous Cozido das Furnas
You likely saw the Cozido das Furnas stew bubbling in the ground when you hiked around Lagoa das Furnas. Restaurants bury pots in the hot volcanic soil near the lake, which result in the traditional Cozido das Furnas stew. You can typically choose from meat, fish, and vegetarian options.
Pro tip: Be sure to reserve your meal at least 24 hours in advance, as it is made to order.
Best Places to Try Cozido in Furnas
- Tony’s Restaurant – This is the classic place to get Cozido. Be sure to book well in advance.
- Caldeiras & Vulcões Restaurant – More rustic, with traditional Azorean comfort food. If you eat here, be sure to try the Queijada de Inhame dessert.
- Terra Nostra Garden Hotel – Offers an upscale version, perfect for a relaxed post-soak meal. While we enjoyed our food here, the service was quite slow. The views of the garden were lovely while we waited.
Travel Tips for Enjoying Furnas São Miguel Hot Springs
How to Get to Furnas São Miguel Hot Springs
| Car | 40-45 minutes from Ponta Delgada each way | Ideal for flexibility |
| Guided Tour | 1/2 or full day tour from Ponta Delgada | First-time visitors or non-drivers |
| Bus (either Varela & C.ª Ldª or Caetano Raposo & Pereira) | 1.5-2 hours from Ponta Delgada each way | Ideal for budget travelers and those with plenty of time |
| Taxi | 40-45 minutes from Ponta Delgada each way | Roughly 100 Euros roundtrip, depending on size of group. |
We use and recommend DiscoverCars.com for our car rentals. Search for your Ponta Delgada car rental below.
Top Tours to the Furnas São Miguel Hot Springs
| São Miguel Full-Day 4WD Jeep Tour to Furnas with Lunch | This jeep tour includes a visit to Poça da Dona Beija hot springs and scenic viewpoints, a cozido lunch, Nossa Senhora da Paz chapel, a and a tea plantation. | Full day tour, starting at $95 per person. Price does not include hot springs entry. |
| Furnas Thermal Springs & Tea Plantation Day Tour with Lunch | Explore Furnas, Terra Nostra Park’s hot springs, the Furnas fumaroles, and the Gorreana Tea Factory. Includes a traditional “cozido” lunch. | Full day tour, starting at $86 per person. Price does not include hot springs entry. |
| Furnas The Mystic Tour with Dinner including Hot Springs | Experience Furnas at night, including a traditional cozido dinner, followed by a soak in the thermal bath at Poça da Dona Beija. | 6 hours, starts at $103 per person |
Note: Prices are approximate and may vary; please check the provided links for the latest information.
Top Places to Stay in Furnas, São Miguel
While Furnas is doable as a day trip from Ponta Delgada, staying the night allows you to enjoy the hot springs in the evening, when they’re less crowded and even more relaxing.
| Terra Nostra Garden Hotel | Direct entry to Terra Nostra Park’s thermal pool and lush botanical gardens & a restaurant serving the traditional Cozido das Furnas. |
| Octant Furnas | 24-hour indoor and outdoor thermal pools, a full-service spa, and the À Terra restaurant offering farm-to-table cuisine. |
| Canto`s Green Garden, Apartamentos Turísticos & SPA, 4 Estrelas | 1 bedroom apartments, with spa, pool, hot tubs, and a lovely garden. |
| Vista do Vale | Budget-friendly guesthouse with great service, clean rooms, and a location near Furnas’ main attractions. |
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Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com, TakeWalks.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | Trainline, RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Flixbus, Busbud |
We thoroughly enjoyed the Hot Springs when we visited the Azores. We used the healing mud to totally coat our bodies. It was delightful. However, it was a bit hard to get off. It looked like we had been to a tanning salon. The hike around the lake was fabulous as well with all the outdoor artwork
Glad you enjoyed your visit as much as we did!
Sounds idyllic after a hike to luxuriate here! Thanks for the info!
Thank you for the feedback!
What wonderful things to do – sightseeing and soaking and hot springs. My kinda holiday.
Thank you for the feedback!
What an incredible place to go for a soak! I looove the idea of hiking in this area first, seeing those fabulous views and then relaxing with a dip in the hot spring!! 😀
That is the perfect combination, hiking and then enjoying a soak!
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