Furnas tour with hot springs, volcanic lunch & tea factory

Watch volcanic heat cook your lunch, then soak in mineral-rich thermal pools

A full-day guided van tour of Furnas explores volcanic geothermal sites, thermal gardens, and Azorean food traditions in a small group with hotel pickup. The tour includes entry to Furnas Lake and Terra Nostra Garden, a traditional Cozido stew cooked underground in volcanic soil, and stops at the Gorreana Tea Factory and Vila Franca do Campo. The guide speaks English or Portuguese and the route covers eight hours of stops across the island's volcanic landscape.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Furnas Lake20m · entry included
2. Furnas30m

Explore Furnas volcanic wonders and culture

• Visit Vila Franca do Campo town
• Tour Gorreana Tea Factory
• See Cozido stew cooking at Furnas Lake
• Observe volcanic boilers and fumaroles
• Relax in Terra Nostra Garden thermal pool
• Enjoy views from Pico do Ferro viewpoint

The experience

The tour centers on Furnas Lake, where geothermal vents and fumaroles bubble through the earth and locals unearth pots of Cozido stew that have been slow-cooked for hours in volcanic soil. You watch this happen, then eat it at a local restaurant as part of the day. The landscape itself is the draw: sulfur vapors rise from the ground, the smell hits your nostrils, and the raw force of the geothermal activity is visible everywhere. This is not a gentle nature walk. It is geology you can see and smell.

Terra Nostra Garden, a 200-year-old botanical park, holds a thermal pool at its center, rust-colored and naturally heated by volcanic energy. You can swim in it. The route also takes you to Pico do Ferro, a viewpoint overlooking Furnas Valley where steam curls up from the hills and the lake sits below. At Gorreana Tea Factory, Europe's oldest tea plantation operating since 1883, you walk through the tea fields and see the leaves dried and packaged using the original machinery, then drink a cup while looking out at the Atlantic. Vila Franca do Campo, the island's first capital, is a stop for its cobbled streets and the chance to try a Queijada da Vila pastry if you want one (that is optional and not included in the tour price).

The van holds a small group, which the operator describes as more like a private day with friends than a big bus tour. Hotel pickup is included. The guide provides expert commentary on volcanic activity, Azorean traditions, and the island's landscape. All entrance fees and the traditional lunch are built into the price. The eight-hour day is structured to fit all the stops without rushing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• entrance fees to Furnas Lake and Terra Nostra Garden.
• traditional Cozido stew cooked underground in volcanic soil and served at a local restaurant.
• expert guide commentary in English or Portuguese.
• small-group van transport throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

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 5 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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Picos de Aventura - Animação e Lazer, S.A.

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Portuguese, so choose the departure that matches your language. Both versions follow the same route and stops, so the language is the only difference between them.

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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 (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is the Cozido stew and how is it cooked at Furnas Lake?

Cozido is a traditional Portuguese stew cooked underground for hours using volcanic heat from the geothermal vents at Furnas Lake. You watch locals unearth the pots from the volcanic soil, then eat it at a local restaurant as part of the tour.

Can I swim in the thermal pool at Terra Nostra Garden?

Yes, the thermal pool at Terra Nostra Garden is open for swimming. It is naturally heated by volcanic energy and rich in minerals, and it sits at the heart of the 200-year-old botanical park.

Does the tour include the Queijada da Vila pastry at Vila Franca do Campo?

The stop at Vila Franca do Campo is included, but the Queijada da Vila pastry is optional and not included in the tour price. You can buy one if you want to try this local hand-made pastry.

How long is the full tour and does it include hotel pickup?

The tour runs eight hours and includes hotel pickup from your accommodation.