Furnas tour from Ponta Delgada: Tea, hot springs & lagoon

Bathe in thermal springs and walk through Europe's only tea fields

A guided tour from Ponta Delgada that moves through five stops across the Azores landscape: the Gorreana tea plantations (the oldest in Europe), a viewpoint over Furnas Lake, the thermal springs where you bathe, a lunch stop in Furnas, and the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory near the lagoon, finishing at a pineapple plantation. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French, and powerbanks included; pickups start at 8:45 a.m.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Furnas and surrounding landscapes

• Visit Gorreana Tea Plantations
• Stop at Furnas Lake viewpoint
• Bathe in Furnas hot springs
• Explore Furnas valley and nature
• Lunch in Furnas village
• Visit Furnas lagoon and chapel
• See Villa Franca do Campo Islet
• Tour pineapple plantations

The Experience

What makes a day in the Azores different from anywhere else in Europe? The Gorreana tea plantations are the only tea fields on the continent, and the tour opens there—you walk the rows, see how they grow, and taste the tea for free. From there, a short drive takes you to a viewpoint that frames Furnas Lake, one of the most photographed landscapes in the islands, before you head down into the valley itself.

The thermal springs in Furnas are the centerpiece. You bathe in naturally heated water while the landscape surrounds you, then move on to lunch at a local restaurant in the valley—the menu includes the famous mixed meat cooked in the earth's heat (a Furnas specialty), along with other options. After eating, you walk near the lagoon and stop at the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory, a small stone chapel with a distinctive style that sits near the water's edge.

The final stop is the pineapple plantation, where you tour inside and can order a drink or a quick snack at the bar. The whole day runs in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who speaks your language (English, Spanish, Portuguese or French), and powerbanks are on hand if you need to charge a phone. Pickups begin at 8:45 a.m., so plan to be ready at your hotel or meeting point by then.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• free tea tasting at the Gorreana plantations.
• access to the Furnas thermal springs.
• time to walk near Furnas Lake and see the Chapel of Our Lady of Victory.
• a tour inside the pineapple plantation with the option to order a drink or snack at the bar.
• powerbanks to charge your phone.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Azorean Tales

Is this one for you?The 7- to 8-hour commitment means you can fit this into a single day without rushing the main stops, though it leaves little room for other activities on the same day. If you want to see the Azores' most distinctive landscapes—tea fields, thermal water, volcanic lake and coastal views—without arranging transport or a guide yourself, this route covers them all in one loop.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Gorreana tea plantation and what do you do there?

Gorreana is the oldest tea plantation in Europe and the only place on the continent where tea is grown commercially. You walk through the tea fields, see how they are cultivated, and taste the tea for free during the visit.

Can you actually swim or bathe in the Furnas hot springs?

Yes. The thermal springs in Furnas are warm enough to bathe in, and the tour includes time to get in the water and relax while you take in the surrounding valley and nature.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but you stop at a restaurant in Furnas where you can order from a menu that features the region's famous meat cooked using the earth's natural heat, plus other options.

How long is the whole tour and when does it start?

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total. Pickups begin at 8:45 a.m., so you need to be ready at your designated meeting point by that time.

What is Vila Franca do Campo and why is it on the itinerary?

Vila Franca do Campo is a historic stop where you see the famous Vila Franca do Campo Islet, a small island formation that is one of the world-known landmarks of the Azores, visible from the shore.