Lagoa tour: Volcanoes, hot springs & pineapple plantation

See a volcano crater, walk through hot springs, and taste local liquor in one morning

A five-hour guided tour of Lagoa covers the island's natural landmarks and working heritage sites in a single day. You visit the volcanic caldera from the summit, walk among the hot springs at Caldeira Velha, stop at the Arruda pineapple plantation, and tour a ceramic factory and liquor distillery where tastings happen. Private transport and the Lagoa do Fogo entrance fee are included. The guide speaks English and Portuguese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore island's nature and culture

• See Lagoa do Fogo volcano view
• Visit Caldeira Velha hot springs
• Pass by Ponta Delgada old downtown
• See surfers’ beach and northern viewpoints
• Visit liquor distillery and tasting
• Explore ceramic factory and tile heritage
• Stop at Caloura old harbor for ocean views
• Drive along south coastline black sand beaches
• Visit Arruda pineapple plantation

The experience

The tour opens at the caldera of Lagoa do Fogo, the tallest volcano on the island, where you see the crater and lake from the summit. From there the route moves to Caldeira Velha, where hot springs sit tucked into the forest. Entry is three euros per person, paid at the gate, and you walk among the springs without bathing. The guide then drives through the old downtown of the largest northern city and past the surfers' beach and other northern viewpoints before reaching the distillery where local liquors are made and tasted.

The ceramic factory comes next, where you learn how tiles and ceramics fit into the island's heritage. A stop at Caloura's old harbor gives you ocean views and a chance to rest at the waterfront restaurant. The route then follows the scenic south coastline, passing the black sand beaches at the Vila Franca islet, and ends at the Arruda pineapple plantation, one of the oldest on the island. On Sundays, when the ceramic and liquor factories close, the tour swaps those stops for Vila Franca and the Nossa Senhora da Paz shrine instead.

The guide's knowledge of the island helps you plan the rest of your stay if you're there longer than a day. Book early in your trip so you get the most out of the stops and have time to explore further afterward.

What’s included

• Private transportation for the full five hours.
• entrance fee to Lagoa do Fogo.
• visits to the Arruda pineapple plantation, ceramic factory, and liquor distillery with a tasting at the distillery.
• stops at Caldeira Velha hot springs (entrance fee three euros, paid separately), Caloura harbor and the black sand beaches at Vila Franca.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 42 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on site€ 3

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Azores Like Locals

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see the island's volcanic landscape, hot springs, and cultural sites in one morning with a guide who can point you toward what matters most for the rest of your stay.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

9 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

What is the Lagoa do Fogo volcano like when you reach the top?

Lagoa do Fogo is the tallest volcano on the island, and you see the caldera and lake from the summit. The tour visits it as the first stop of the day.

Can you swim or bathe in the hot springs at Caldeira Velha?

Caldeira Velha's hot springs are for walking among and viewing only, not for bathing. Entry costs three euros per person and is paid at the gate on the day of your tour.

What happens on Sundays when some sites are closed?

The ceramic factory and liquor distillery close on Sundays, so the tour replaces those stops with a visit to Vila Franca and the Nossa Senhora da Paz shrine uphill instead.

Does the tour include meals or drinks?

Meals are not included, but your guide can stop for a coffee break. The liquor distillery tasting and the restaurant at Caloura harbor are on the route, and you can order there at your own cost.

How long is the tour and what transport is used?

The tour runs five hours with private transportation included. Your guide picks you up and drives the full route, so you don't need your own car.