Furnas 4x4 Tour: Hot Springs, Volcanic Lunch, Tea Plantation

Walk past 19th-century chapel, soak in thermal springs, eat volcano-steamed lunch, taste volcanic spring water

A private hybrid 4x4 tour of Furnas combines a lakeside walk, a soak in Terra Nostra hot springs, a three-course lunch cooked in geothermal steam, and visits to two active volcanic zones. The tour includes pickup, an English-speaking guide, and runs eight hours. The hybrid vehicle seats couples and small groups with comfort and off-road capability.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Furnas and North Coast

• Take lakeside walk at Furnas Lake
• Visit volcanic boiling area with guide
• Soak in Terra Nostra Gardens hot springs
• Enjoy 3 course lunch
• Explore second active volcanic zone
• Visit North Coast tea plantation
• See coastal observation point view

The experience

The day starts with a walk along Furnas Lake, where a lush green trail passes wood carvings and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, a Gothic structure built in the mid-1800s on the shoreline as a private chapel and burial place. From there, your guide leads you to the geothermal zone where the ground is hot to the touch. The same volcanic steam that has been cooking your lunch for six hours underground in a traditional cozido.

Before lunch arrives, you'll spend time soaking in the hot springs of Terra Nostra Gardens, a 12.5-hectare botanical site built around an 18th-century thermal lake. The gardens hold smaller discoveries beyond the main spring, and there's no schedule pressure. You soak and wander at your own pace. After a three-course meal (soup, the volcanic stew, choice of dessert, plus wine, water and coffee), the tour moves to the second active volcanic zone, where fumeroles bubble and steam. You can taste the mineral-rich spring waters that flow through town, filtered naturally by the volcanic rock.

Time allowing, the route heads to the North Coast to visit one of only two surviving tea plantations in Europe, operating since 1883. You'll see the machinery still in use and taste organic Azorean tea in the on-site café. The final stop is a 180-degree coastal viewpoint overlooking cliff edges and the deep blue ocean before returning to your hotel.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a hybrid 4x4 vehicle.
• pickup from your hotel.
• English-speaking guide.
• entry to Terra Nostra hot springs.
• three-course lunch with soup, traditional volcanic cozido stew, choice of dessert, plus water, wine and coffee.
• access to the geothermal zones and tea plantation.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday, Saturday and SundayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 29 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Azores Connections

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're a couple or small group with an afternoon or full day free and want to experience Furnas' geothermal sites without driving yourself. The private format means the pace follows your interests (longer at the hot springs if you prefer, or more time at the tea plantation) rather than a fixed group schedule.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

17 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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 Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias and why is it on this tour?

The chapel sits on the shoreline of Furnas Lake and was built in the mid-1800s by José do Canto as a private burial place for him and his wife. Its Gothic architecture is unique to the island, and the lakeside walk passes it as the tour's opening stop.

How does the cozido lunch get cooked if we're not at a restaurant?

The traditional cozido is buried in the geothermal zone of Furnas and cooks for six hours using the steam from the volcanic ground. Your guide shows you the cooking site during the tour, and the finished three-course meal (soup, stew, and dessert) is served after you've soaked in the hot springs.

Can I spend as long as I want in the hot springs, or is there a time limit?

Terra Nostra hot springs have no schedule pressure. You soak and explore the 12.5-hectare gardens at your own pace before lunch. The tour is tailored to your comfort, so the timing is yours to set.

What is the tea plantation visit like?

The plantation has operated since 1883 and is one of only two surviving tea estates in Europe. You'll see the original machinery still used to process leaves into tea, learn about Azorean tea production methods, and taste organic European tea in the on-site café.

How many people can fit in the hybrid 4x4?

This is a private tour built for couples and small groups. The hybrid vehicle offers the comfort of a modern SUV with off-road capability and seats your party with luggage space included.