Private Furnas tour: Thermal pools & volcanic landscapes

Walk through steam vents and soak in warm volcanic pools at your own pace

A private full-day tour of Furnas Valley combines geothermal landscapes, thermal pools, and botanical gardens with an experienced local guide and flexible itinerary. The route covers Furnas Lake and its underground cooking vents, Europe's oldest active tea plantation, and a famous viewpoint overlooking Vila Franca do Campo. Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation are included. Entrance fees to Terra Nostra Garden and the thermal pool are optional at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Furnas Valley highlights

• Visit Europe’s oldest tea plantation
• See Furnas Lake geothermal area
• Lunch in Furnas town (optional)
• Walk through geothermal village zone
• Explore botanical gardens and thermal pools
• Photo stop at iconic viewpoint

The experience

Seven to eight hours gives you time to move through Furnas without the pace of a group tour. You start at Europe's oldest and only active tea plantation, walking through the tea fields and the factory area to understand how the crop grows in volcanic soil. The guide handles the route and timing. You decide how long to linger at each stop.

The core of the day is Furnas Lake and the geothermal zone where locals still cook Cozido das Furnas underground using volcanic heat. You walk through the village and see the bubbling springs and mineral-rich waters that make the cooking possible. The botanical gardens, planted in the 18th century, lead into warm thermal waters where you can soak surrounded by exotic plants. This is where most travelers spend their longest stretch. A photo stop at the viewpoint overlooking Vila Franca do Campo and its islet rounds out the highlights, chosen for clear weather and calm conditions.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish, or Portuguese and travels with you in private transport, so the itinerary shifts if weather changes or you want to spend more time at a particular site. Meals are not included, so you can choose where to eat and what to try: many travelers stop in Furnas town for the traditional Cozido if they want to taste it.

What’s included

• Private transportation and an experienced local guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
• pickup and drop-off from your accommodation.
• access to the tea plantation, Furnas Lake geothermal zone, botanical gardens, and the viewpoint over Vila Franca do Campo.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 46 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.

Paid on site€ 20

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Azores Dynamic Tours

Is this one for you?The seven to eight hour pace is built around walking and soaking, not rushing. You spend real time at each stop and can linger in the thermal pools as long as you want. If you prefer a faster-paced group tour with set timing, a shared departure would suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What is the Cozido das Furnas and where do I see it cooked?

Cozido das Furnas is a traditional Azorean stew cooked underground using volcanic heat from geothermal vents at Furnas Lake. You walk through the geothermal zone and see the steam vents and cooking pits where locals prepare the dish. If you want to eat it, you can stop in Furnas town for lunch at a local restaurant.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer or hiker for this tour?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels. Walking is moderate (you move through the tea plantation, the geothermal village, and the botanical gardens), but there is no strenuous hiking or swimming required. You soak in the warm thermal pools at your own pace.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The itinerary is flexible and adapted to weather conditions, so your guide will adjust the route to prioritize the best viewpoints and outdoor experiences available that day.

Are meals included in the tour?

Meals are not included, so you choose where and what to eat. Many travelers stop in Furnas town to try the traditional Cozido das Furnas at a local restaurant during the tour.

What is included in the entrance fees I see listed as optional?

Entrance to Terra Nostra Garden and access to the thermal pool are optional at checkout. Your guide will explain both and you can decide whether to add them when you book.