Furnas full-day tour: Thermal pools and volcanic landscape

Soak in natural hot springs while walking through volcanic terrain shaped by centuries of geothermal activity.

A full-day guided tour of Furnas on São Miguel Island takes you through the region's volcanic landscape, stopping at natural thermal pools, a working tea plantation dating to 1883, a botanical garden with rare plants, and a historic church with panoramic views. The tour includes a professional guide in English or Portuguese and hotel or port pickup from Ponta Delgada. Entrance fees to attractions are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Furnas geothermal and botanical sites

• Visit historic tea plantation
• Explore Terra Nostra Botanical Garden
• Relax in Terra Nostra thermal pools
• See Church of Nossa Senhora da Paz
• Enjoy panoramic views at viewpoint

The experience

Furnas sits on the eastern side of São Miguel, shaped entirely by volcanic activity and geothermal forces that still power the landscape today. The tour moves through this terrain with a professional guide, starting from your hotel or port in Ponta Delgada and returning there at the end of the day. The route connects four distinct stops, each one revealing a different layer of what makes Furnas unique: the geothermal features themselves, the human history built around them, and the rare plants that thrive in this specific climate.

The tea plantation is the oldest in Europe, operating continuously since 1883 and still using traditional Oriental cultivation methods passed down through five generations of the same family. Terra Nostra Botanical Garden sits nearby, filled with native Azorean plants alongside species from climates completely unlike Furnas: a collection that exists only because the garden's specialists learned how to make them grow here. The thermal pools within the garden let you soak while surrounded by this unusual mix of flora. The Church of Nossa Senhora da Paz, built in the 16th or 18th century depending on the source, stands elevated in nearby Vila Franca do Campo and offers panoramic views across the surrounding landscape.

The tour runs about seven and a half hours total. Entrance fees to the attractions are not included in the booking, so you'll pay separately to enter the tea plantation, the botanical garden, or the thermal pools. A minimum of two people per tour is required for the departure to run, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Public transportation options exist nearby if you want to explore on your own after the tour ends.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Portuguese.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off from Ponta Delgada.
• transportation between the tea plantation, botanical garden, thermal pools, and the historic church viewpoint.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 6

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 14 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Azores Trails of Nature

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Ponta Delgada and want a full-day guided experience: hotel or port pickup is included, so you can spend your time soaking in the thermal pools and exploring the geothermal landscape rather than navigating on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6).

What exactly is Furnas and why is it famous on São Miguel?

Furnas is a parish on the eastern side of São Miguel known for its geothermal features (natural hot springs, thermal pools, and fumaroles) all created by the island's volcanic activity. The combination of these thermal waters with lush vegetation and historic sites makes it a major draw for visitors interested in both nature and relaxation.

Can I actually swim or bathe in the thermal pools during this tour?

Yes, the tour includes access to thermal pools within the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden where you can soak. The pools are fed by natural hot springs and are one of the main attractions of the day, though you'll want to bring swimwear and a towel since those aren't provided.

What's included in the price and what do I pay extra for?

The tour includes the professional guide, hotel or port pickup and drop-off from Ponta Delgada, and transportation between stops. Entrance fees to the tea plantation, the botanical garden, and the thermal pools are not included and must be paid separately at each site.

Is this tour physically demanding, and can I do it if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You'll be walking between stops and exploring the sites, but there's no climbing or strenuous hiking required, and you'll have time to rest and soak in the thermal pools during the day.