Furnas & Tea Plantations: Hot Springs, Lagoons & Pineapple Tour

Summary

Soak in Furnas hot springs walk tea fields taste volcanic lunch

You’ll feel steam on your skin at Furnas hot springs and wander Europe’s only tea fields before tasting a stew cooked deep in volcanic soil. There’s time to stroll by a crater lake, glimpse island life at Vila Franca do Campo, and sample São Miguel’s famously sweet pineapples—all with pickup and a local guide who brings every stop to life.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the steam curling up from the ground in Furnas, almost like the island was breathing. Our guide, Ana, grinned as she handed me a chunk of sweet bread—she said you can smell sulfur if you stand close enough. She wasn’t kidding. The air had this warm, eggy scent that clung to my jacket for hours (not complaining). We’d left Ponta Delgada early, driving through these rolling green hills that looked like someone had cranked up the saturation on nature. By the time we reached the Gorreana Tea Plantations, the sun was just peeking through clouds and everything felt damp and alive. I tried to pronounce “chá” properly—Li laughed when I tried it in Mandarin too—then we wandered between rows of tea bushes while an older lady explained how they still pick leaves by hand.

I didn’t expect to actually bathe in a volcano that day. There’s this pool at Furnas where the water is rusty orange and hot enough to make your skin tingle. You can hear people laughing through the steam; some locals bring plastic bags for their swimsuits so they don’t stain everything else (wish I’d known). After soaking, Ana led us to lunch—a stew called cozido das Furnas—cooked underground by volcanic heat. The meat falls apart with just a fork and there’s this earthy flavor you only get here. Sitting around that table with strangers who suddenly felt like friends… I still think about that moment when everyone went quiet for a second, just eating.

Later we walked off lunch by the lagoon—green water edged with hydrangeas and cows grazing nearby—and then drove out toward Vila Franca do Campo. You see this little islet offshore; in summer you can swim there but today we just watched fishermen unloading crates and kids waving from bikes. Last stop was a pineapple plantation near Ponta Delgada. The air inside those glasshouses is sticky-sweet, almost fizzy with all those tiny pineapples growing in rows. Didn’t know pineapples could be so small or take two years to ripen—makes you think about patience differently.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Furnas and surrounding nature

• Visit Gorreana Tea Plantations
• Tour tea plantation and enjoy a snack
• Admire Furnas village and valley views
• Relax in Furnas hot springs
• Have lunch in Furnas
• Visit Furnas lagoon and stroll
• See Vila Franca do Campo islet
• Visit pineapple plantations

Top questions

How long does the Furnas & Tea Plantations tour last?

The tour lasts one full day with pickup starting at 8:45 am.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Ponta Delgada?

Yes, hotel pickup is included at 8:45 am from designated locations.

Can I swim in the Furnas hot springs during this tour?

Yes, bathing in the Furnas hot springs is part of the experience.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Yes, lunch at Furnas is included—you can try cozido das Furnas or other menu options.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome and infant seats are available.

Do guides speak languages other than English?

Tours may be available in German, French or Spanish if booked more than 48 hours ahead.

What are some highlights of this day trip from Ponta Delgada?

The highlights include Gorreana Tea Plantations, Furnas hot springs & lagoon, Vila Franca do Campo islet, and pineapple plantations.

Are there any accessibility features on this tour?

The tour allows service animals and has options for different fitness levels; specialized infant seats are also available.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Ponta Delgada at 8:45 am, all entry fees for tea plantations and thermal baths, powerbanks for charging devices on-the-go, plus a traditional lunch cooked by volcanic heat before returning after visiting lagoons and pineapple glasshouses.