Furnas Hot Springs - Terra Nostra, Poça da Dona Beija, and the Cozido Caldeira

Furnas sits in a volcanic caldera on the eastern side of São Miguel island, about 40km from Ponta Delgada. Thermal springs bubble up across the valley floor, iron-rich water stains the soil ochre and orange, and sulphurous steam drifts through the landscape at all hours. It is one of the most geologically raw landscapes in Europe, and it happens to be immediately accessible - you can be soaking in a 39°C thermal pool, eating stew cooked by the earth, and walking through a 200-year-old botanical garden all in the same afternoon.

Our Azores island-hopping itinerary includes a Furnas day within the São Miguel leg. The São Miguel island guide covers Furnas alongside the island’s other key sites - Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, and the whale watching at Ponta Delgada. For choosing between islands, see which Azores island is right for you.

The Thermal Pools

Terra Nostra Park

The centrepiece of Furnas is the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, which contains the original thermal pool built in the 18th century. The ferruginous pool is large - roughly 40m across - and maintains a constant temperature of approximately 39–40°C. The water is a striking dark brown due to dissolved iron minerals; swimwear emerges stained, so bring a designated pool costume. The garden itself covers around 4 hectares and includes a camellia collection considered among the finest in the world, plus ancient dragon trees, tree ferns, ginko, and sequoia.

• Entry: approximately €8–10 per adult as of 2026 (includes both garden and thermal pool)
• Opening hours: 10:00–18:00 daily (pool closes 17:30)
• Tip: arrive before 11:00 to avoid the busiest mid-morning period when tour groups arrive

Poça da Dona Beija

About 1km north of the village centre, Poça da Dona Beija is a cluster of open-air thermal pools set beside a small stream. The pools range from approximately 37°C to 41°C. Unlike Terra Nostra, the pools here are a more natural mineral tone - not the iron brown of Terra Nostra but still visibly mineral-rich. The setting is leafy and informal.

• Entry: approximately €6–8 per adult as of 2026
• Opening hours: 09:30–21:00 (last entry 20:00)
• Best time: early morning (09:30–11:00) or evening (after 18:00) when tour traffic drops

Caldeiras das Furnas

The main caldeiras (geothermal vents) are on the shore of Lagoa das Furnas - a short drive or 20-minute walk from the village. These are active fumaroles and boiling mud pools, not swimming areas, but they are the reason cozido das Furnas is possible. Steam vents, bubbling grey mud, and bright yellow sulphur deposits make this the most visually dramatic part of any visit. Entry is free. The stew pots are buried on the lake shore and retrieved around lunchtime daily.

Tours and Operators

Most visitors join a guided day tour from Ponta Delgada. These typically combine Furnas with one or two other São Miguel highlights (Sete Cidades viewpoint, Lagoa do Fogo).

Azores Getaways - small-group jeep tours with English-speaking local guides, maximum 8 passengers. The Furnas day tour includes the caldeiras, a cozido das Furnas lunch, and access to Poça da Dona Beija.

• Price: approximately €55–65 per adult as of 2026
• Duration: 7–8 hours from Ponta Delgada

Futurismo - better known for whale watching, but also runs full-day island tours that include Furnas.

• Price: approximately €50–60 per adult as of 2026

GetYourGuide listings - multiple private and small-group operators list Furnas tours. Filter by departure point (Ponta Delgada) and group size. Small-group formats (under 12 people) allow for more flexible time at each stop.

• Price range: approximately €40–75 per adult depending on format and inclusions

Self-drive is straightforward - the EN1-1A road is well-signed and the drive from Ponta Delgada takes approximately 40 minutes. Rental cars from the city start from approximately €25–35/day as of 2026.

Cozido das Furnas

Two restaurants near the caldeiras serve cozido consistently. Restaurante Tony Caparica and Restaurante Terra Nostra Garden Hotel both retrieve their pots from the same geothermal source; Tony Caparica is the larger, more casual option while Terra Nostra Hotel’s restaurant is more formal. Both serve from approximately 12:00 until the day’s stew runs out - arrive before 13:00 in summer to guarantee a serving.

• Price: approximately €18–22 per person for the cozido as of 2026

Best Season

Furnas is a year-round destination - the hot springs function regardless of weather and the caldeiras are often more atmospheric in mist and fog. However, the swimming pools are most enjoyable from May through October when air temperatures are warm enough to make emerging from the water comfortable. The botanical garden is at its peak in February–March (camellia season) and April–June (hydrangeas).

July and August are the busiest months. For a quieter Furnas with shorter queues at Poça da Dona Beija, May, June, and September offer good weather with noticeably fewer visitors.

Getting There from Ponta Delgada

Method	Duration	Approximate Cost
Rental car	40 min	€25–35/day car hire as of 2026
Guided tour	Full day	€50–65 per adult as of 2026
SATA Azul bus	50–60 min	€3–4 each way as of 2026
Taxi	40 min	€30–35 one way as of 2026

For visitors not hiring a car, the guided tour is the most practical option - it covers transport, a local guide, and typically includes the cozido lunch within the price or as an add-on.

Browse tours in the Azores to find and book Furnas day tours from Ponta Delgada. For other São Miguel highlights see things to do on São Miguel, or combine Furnas with our Sete Cidades lake guide for a two-site day. The São Miguel best hotels guide covers accommodation in Ponta Delgada for overnight stays. For a broader trip plan, the Azores island-hopping itinerary shows how Furnas fits within a week-long circuit of the archipelago.