São Miguel East: Furnas Volcanic Stew & Nordeste Cliffs Day Trip

Summary

Furnas steam lunch, Ribeira dos Caldeirões falls, Nordeste cliffs in one day

You’ll taste volcanic cozido stew cooked right in Furnas’ steaming soil, feel spray from Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall on your face, and gaze out over Nordeste’s dramatic cliffs with locals nearby. With hotel pickup included and a friendly guide leading the way, this São Miguel day trip feels both personal and quietly memorable.

What’s the experience like?

I should’ve known the weather would do its own thing on São Miguel. Our driver Tiago just shrugged when the drizzle started as we left Ponta Delgada—“it’s just the island saying good morning,” he said. The van windows fogged up so fast I could barely see the first cliffs, but then someone cracked a joke about Azorean hair frizz and suddenly nobody cared about the rain. We stopped at a lookout over the north coast; I remember the wind tangling my scarf and the sea looking almost metallic under those low clouds. Tiago pointed out tiny villages tucked into green folds—I tried to pronounce “Nordeste” right, but he laughed and said it’s easier after coffee.

By the time we reached Furnas, everything smelled faintly of sulfur and wet grass. Honestly, I didn’t expect to be so fascinated by volcanic mud bubbling away next to the lake. Tiago showed us how they lower pots of cozido into steaming holes in the earth—he called it “nature’s slow cooker.” Lunch was served in a little place nearby (the cozido is hearty, earthy, and somehow smoky from all that underground cooking). There were veggie options too, which was good for Anna in our group. Afterward, some people went for a thermal swim—I just wandered around listening to birds and watching steam curl off the water. It felt strangely peaceful.

Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall was louder than I thought—it almost drowned out our chatter as we crossed slippery stones to get closer. The air there is cool and mossy, like standing inside a green sponge. We saw an old watermill with chipped paint; a local woman waved as she swept leaves from her doorstep. Heading further east, we stopped at a garden lookout where locals picnic on weekends (Tiago said families bring homemade cakes). The cliffs drop so sharply you feel your stomach flip if you lean too far.

I still think about that view above Farol do Arnel—the lighthouse looks impossibly small against all that wild Atlantic blue. On the drive back to Ponta Delgada, everyone got quiet for a while. Maybe it was just tiredness or maybe that feeling you get when you’ve seen something quietly spectacular without expecting it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore São Miguel East and Furnas

• View north coast from high cliff
• See Furnas town and lake views
• Explore Furnas geothermal area
• Visit Furnas hot springs and taste water
• Optional thermal bath in hot springs
• Lunch with traditional cozido stew
• Visit Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall
• See Farol do Arnel lighthouse view
• Enjoy high cliffs and garden lookout

Top questions

Is lunch included on this São Miguel east tour?

Yes, lunch is included—a traditional cozido stew cooked in Furnas’ volcanic soil, with drinks, dessert, and coffee provided.

Can vegetarians eat on this Furnas day trip?

Yes, vegetarian alternatives are available for lunch instead of meat-based cozido stew.

Are hotel pickups available from outside Ponta Delgada?

Hotel pickup is included for central Ponta Delgada hotels; pickups elsewhere may be possible for an extra fee—ask when booking.

Do you need to bring swimwear for Furnas hot springs?

If you want to swim in Furnas’ thermal pools (optional), bring swimwear and a towel—the entry fee isn’t included.

How many people are on this São Miguel east day trip?

The group size is small—up to 8 people maximum per tour.

What places are visited on this tour?

You’ll visit Furnas town and lake (with geothermal area), Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall, Nordeste cliffs/garden lookout, plus coastal viewpoints.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Ponta Delgada hotels (with other locations possible by request), all transportation with an expert local guide leading throughout, a full lunch featuring traditional cozido stew cooked underground in Furnas (plus drinks, dessert, and coffee), stops at waterfalls and dramatic viewpoints across eastern São Miguel—and plenty of stories along the way before returning in the evening.