2-Day São Miguel Tour: Furnas, Sete Cidades & Tea Plantations

Two days of volcanic terrain, from boiling springs to mountain tea farms

A 2-day guided tour of São Miguel covering the island's major volcanic sites, natural parks and agricultural heritage. The itinerary moves through Furnas geothermal area with its mineral springs and traditional Cozido cooking, Sete Cidades crater with its twin lagoons, Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall park, and Gorreana tea plantation. Pickup and drop-off from Ponta Delgada are included. You choose between a version with lunch (Cozido das Furnas on one day, regional buffet on the other) or without, which gives you free time during the midday break.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo

• Visit Arruda Pineapple Plantation
• Stop at Pico do Carvão Viewpoint
• See famous Sete Cidades viewpoint
• View Mosteiros from western belvedere
• Break in Sete Cidades parish center
• Visit Santa Barbara beach
• Explore Ribeira Grande city center
• Admire Lagoa do Fogo lagoon

Day 2: Discover Furnas and Northeast nature

• Visit north coast viewpoint
• Tour Gorreana tea factory and taste tea
• Explore Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park
• Visit Mouth of the Volcano area
• Lunch break in Villa das Furnas
• Optional visit to Terra Nostra Park
• Pass Furnas Lake and chapel
• Return via Villa Franca do Campo

The experience

Two days lets you move through São Miguel's volcanic zones without rushing. Day one takes you to Sete Cidades, where you stop at the Pico do Carvão viewpoint overlooking both the north and south coasts, then descend into the crater itself to see the blue and green lagoons and the parish church. You also visit the Arruda pineapple plantation (the only one in Europe using traditional glasshouses), where you taste pineapple liqueur and learn how the crop grows in the Azores climate. The route includes Ribeira Grande's city center and the turquoise waters of Lagoa do Fogo, ringed by cliffs where seabirds nest.

Day two centers on Furnas and the northeast. You start at Gorreana, one of only two industrial tea factories in Europe and the last one worldwide using no pesticides or fertilizers. The plantation spreads across valleys where goats graze among the bushes. Then you move to Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park, an old water-mill site converted into a park known for its enormous waterfalls and popular with canyoning groups. In Furnas village itself, you walk among boiling mineral springs, taste traditional liqueurs at a local craft store, and pass the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories on the shore of Furnas Lake. The return follows the scenic south coast road past Villa Franca do Campo, the island's former capital.

Lunch timing depends on your choice at checkout. With lunch included, you get the Cozido das Furnas (the signature Azorean dish slow-cooked in volcanic soil) plus drinks, dessert and coffee on one day, and a regional buffet on the other. Without lunch, you have free time to explore, buy food locally or bring your own. Terra Nostra Park, a botanical garden with a hot mineral-water pool, is optional and not included. Entry costs 17€ per person if you want to add it on site. Your guide speaks English or Portuguese and leads the group through each stop.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from Ponta Delgada and surroundings.
• visits to Sete Cidades, Pico do Carvão viewpoint, Lagoa do Fogo, Arruda pineapple plantation with liqueur tasting, Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park, Gorreana tea plantation with tea tasting, Furnas geothermal area with traditional liqueur sampling, and Furnas Lake.
• a live guide in English or Portuguese.
• lunch option with Cozido das Furnas on one day and regional buffet on the other, or free time during the lunch break if you choose the tour without lunch.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Portuguese09:00

Guide in English or Portuguese09:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 17

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by I go Azores

Is this one for you?Choose the lunch-included option if you want to taste the Cozido das Furnas and regional dishes without stopping to find food. Pick the version without lunch if you prefer flexibility during the midday break to explore on your own pace or bring your own snacks. Both versions cover the same sites and attractions across the two days.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Cozido das Furnas and how is it cooked?

Cozido das Furnas is the signature Azorean dish, slowly cooked in the volcanic soil of Furnas using geothermal heat. It comes with drinks, dessert and coffee and is included on the lunch-option version of the tour on one of the two days.

Can I see the tea plantation and taste tea at Gorreana?

Yes. Gorreana is one of only two industrial tea factories in Europe and the only one that uses no pesticides or fertilizers. You tour the plantation, which spreads across valleys with grazing goats, and taste the tea as part of the tour.

What happens during the lunch break if I choose the tour without lunch?

Without lunch included, you have free time during the midday break in Furnas village. You can explore the area, buy food from local vendors, bring snacks with you, or simply rest before continuing the tour.

Does the tour visit Sete Cidades, and what will I see there?

Yes. Sete Cidades is a volcano crater with two lagoons (one blue, one green) visible from the Pico do Carvão viewpoint on the rim. You descend into the crater to see the parish church and have time to walk along the lagoon edge, explore the village, or go canoeing if you choose.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from Ponta Delgada and its surrounding areas. Confirm your hotel location when you book to ensure it falls within the pickup zone.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from Ponta Delgada, visits to all major attractions, tea tasting at Gorreana, pineapple plantation visit with liqueur tasting, and traditional liqueur sampling in Furnas. Lunch is available as a separate option. Without it, you have free time during the midday break.