Portugal » Sao Miguel

Furnas Volcano Day Trip: Hot Springs, Cozido Lunch & Tea

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/28

Duration8h

GroupUp to 40

LanguagesEN · PT +1

PickupAt your hotel

Furnas crater lakes hot springs lunch & tea from Ponta Delgada

You’ll walk through misty volcanic valleys near Furnas crater lake, taste cozido stew cooked underground, sip odd-tasting mineral waters, and wander Europe’s only tea plantation—all with pickup from Ponta Delgada and a local guide who knows every winding road.

Step-by-step itinerary

Depart from Ponta Delgada
Visit ceramic factory
Stop at Caloura viewpoint
Stop at Vila Franca Do Campo viewpoint
Visit Furnas village and churches
Enjoy Furnas crater lake and hot springs
Lunch with Furnas Cozido stew
Taste local mineral waters
Visit additional hot springs
Stop at Pico do Ferro viewpoint
Stop at Santa Iria viewpoint
Visit European tea factory
Return to Ponta Delgada

The Experience

João was already waiting by the van when we wandered out of our Ponta Delgada guesthouse—he grinned and handed us a bottle of water, saying something about “plenty of walking today.” First stop was a tiny ceramic workshop where the clay dust clung to my hands. I tried shaping a tile (not well), and the old woman working there just smiled and patted my arm. She didn’t speak much English but somehow made me laugh anyway. The drive out east had that thick green smell you only get after rain, windows fogged up for a bit as we climbed toward Caloura’s viewpoint—mist rolling over the cliffs, sea way below.

By Vila Franca do Campo, João pointed out a bakery famous for queijadas—I bought two, ate both before we even reached Furnas. The crater lake looked almost unreal with steam rising off the water in little wisps. We walked close enough to feel the warm air on our faces. There’s this spot where locals lower big pots into the ground to cook cozido—the smell is earthy and kind of metallic? Lunch in Furnas town was that same stew, all root veg and meat, served family-style. I tried to say “obrigado” properly but mostly got tongue-tied; João laughed and corrected me gently.

Later we tasted mineral waters bubbling up right from the ground—some sweet, some like licking coins (not my favorite). The hot springs hissed all around us; I kept thinking it sounded like a kettle just about to boil over. On the north shore, Santa Iria viewpoint had this wild wind that nearly knocked my hat off. Last stop was the tea factory—Europe’s only one apparently—which smelled faintly grassy inside. I still think about that view from Pico do Ferro, clouds moving so fast you could almost see them changing shape.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Ponta Delgada, transport by air-conditioned minivan (max 8 people), entry fees for all stops including ceramic workshop and tea factory visits, bottled water and soft drinks along the way, a traditional lunch with Azorean cozido stew (plus coffee or tea), tasting of local mineral waters—and you’ll be back in town by evening.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Green Visions Tours