| Furnas travel guide
Visit this unique village inside an active volcano
In this blog, we give tips for a visit to Furnas. A unique village situated in an active volcano on the Portuguese island São Miguel. This island is part of the Azores archipelago. This archipelago consists of nine islands, of which São Miguel is the largest.
We have also created a larger travel guide for visiting this beautiful green island. São Miguel is also known as the Ilha Verde, due to the rich green vegetation and the many flowers that you will find here. The fertile soil that is so characteristic for this island is mainly due to the many volcanoes in this area.
Furnas is located in one of these volcanoes and is a special hidden gem that is definitely worth visiting. In this Furnas travel guide, we will explain what you can do in Furnas, how to get there and where to stay.
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About Furnas
Furnas. A small picturesque Portuguese village in a very special location. The village is located in a volcano of the same name. This strato volcano last erupted in 1630 and contributed to the creation of the island of São Miguel, one of the 9 islands of the Azores archipelago.
In the village of Furnas, you will find a geothermal park with several geysers. The ground is so hot in some places that the local restaurants have dug holes in it, in which they prepare Cozido das Furnas. A dish that is typical of this place.
The humid climate combined with the fertile soil creates a beautiful green environment that seems like paradise. Especially when you visit the Terra Nostra Park. This botanical garden, which is over 200 years old, is a real feast for the eyes. To make this place even more special, you will also find several amazing thermal baths here, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius.
What is the best time to visit Furnas?
The best time to visit Furnas is from June to October. In this period, the temperature is the most pleasant and rainfall is generally low. Throughout the year, the temperature in Furnas varies between 16 and 23 degrees Celsius. However, the thermal baths remain warm and are therefore worth visiting all year round!
Rent a car to visit Furnas
To be able to move around freely on the island, renting a car is highly recommended. Being dependent on public transport makes it very difficult to explore the island. While it takes 45 minutes by car to get from Ponte Delgada to Furnas, it will take you almost an hour more by public transport. In addition, by car you have the advantage of being able to decide when and where to stop.
When booking a rental car, keep in mind that the price can vary greatly depending on when you book. The cheapest way is to book as soon as possible in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you may end up paying up to four times more.
Rent your car via rentalcars.com
You can also use the interactive tool below.
Bonus tip: When you land at São Miguel’s Ponta Delgada airport and there are two or more of you, make sure that one of your party walks ahead to pick up the car while the rest waits for their luggage.
After every flight, there is a queue of people at every car rental shop and the waiting times can be enormous. In this way, you can avoid this. It is important that the person who is booked as the driver, is the person who picks up the car.
Are you from Europe? Then you do not need to apply for an international driving licence. Are you not from Europe? Then you definitely need to arrange this in advance, otherwise your driving licence will not be valid and you will not get your rental car.
What to do in Furnas?
The geothermal park
You cannot miss this visit. Furnas is famous for its location, in a volcano. The geothermal park is a real must-see when on São Miguel. The boiling water coming out of the ground, the sulphur fumes, the warm ground under your feet. You can see, smell, feel and hear the earth breathe in this unique place!
Parque Terra Nostra and the thermal baths
Furnas has several thermal baths. Twenty-two in total. The thermal baths that you will find in the Terra Nosta Park are located at the deepest point of the crater. They are also located in one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. This botanical garden is over 200 years old and houses plants, flowers and trees from all over the world.
The garden and the baths are open to everyone during the day for an admission fee of €10. The park opens at 10.30 in the morning and closes at 4.30 in the afternoon.
The showpiece is the gigantic pool whose water is coloured orange. It is located in front of a beautiful country house that was built by the American pioneer Thomas Hickling, the founder of the Terra Nostra Garden.
The bath is coloured orange because of the amount of iron the water contains. The water also contains a lot of sulphur. This causes a somewhat unpleasant smell. Bear in mind that the iron can give your swimwear a yellow-orange tint. You too will not be spared from this. A good shower and scrubbing afterwards certainly won’t hurt!
Lagoa das Furnas
After seeing the orange water, it’s time for a different colour. How about blue-green? The beautiful Lagoa das Furnas is characterised by this. Another characteristic is, unfortunately, that you cannot swim in this lake. Our guide told us that it is polluted by manure from the agricultural sector.
Directly at the lake you will find the chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias. A Gothic church built out of love. A man built it for his wife, but unfortunately she died before the construction was finished. This did not stop the man from finishing his work, but unfortunately he also couldn’t outlive the built. After his death, the construction of the chapel was completed and they were both buried in here.
Miradouro do Pico do Ferro
If you want to get a good view of Lagoa das Furnas, the best place to visit is the lookout point, called Miradouro do Pico do Ferro. This viewpoint is located on the edge of the old volcano and gives a complete picture of the crater and everything in it.
Cozido das Furnas
This dish is typical of Furnas. People dig holes in the hot ground and bury pans of meat, vegetables and herbs in them. After about 6 to 8 hours of cooking underground, the meal is ready to be served. Below is a list of restaurants in Furnas where you can eat this traditional dish.
Alternatively, you can eat the Cozido das Furnas during this tour.
Waar Cozido das Furnas te eten?
Where to stay in Furnas?
Due to the presence of the natural thermal baths and the beautiful nature, Furnas is home to some of the finest luxury hotels in the Azores. However, good budget options can also be found in the same area. Below, we have listed the best options in the luxury and budget segment for you.
→ Find cheap flights to Ponta Delgada with Skyscanner
The best luxury accommodation in Furnas
A household name in the Azores! Known by all the locals as the best hotel in the archipelago.
This hotel is located practically in the centre of Furnas and, as the name suggests, here you will find the beautiful Terra Nostra Park. In addition to this 200 year old garden, you will find several thermal baths here.
The hotel also has an indoor swimming pool, a wellness place, a gym and several lounge areas.
Apart from an excellent restaurant, this hotel also has an outdoor terrace with bar called The Gardener. Here you can not only drink delicious cocktails, but you can also eat great food.
When you stay at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, you have free access to the botanical garden and the thermal baths. The garden and baths close at 4.30pm, except for hotel guests. This means that you can enjoy the wonderful warm water in this special environment under the stars in peace and quiet.
We did this, and it is an experience we will not soon forget!
This hotel is located about 750 metres from the centre of Furnas, in beautiful green surroundings. With several indoor and outdoor thermal pools and a spa and wellness centre, you can get truly pampered here.
At night, Octant offers you dinner in the Á Terra restaurant. This restaurant is located in the so-called Lobby Market of the hotel. In this Lobby Market you will also find the reception, a bar and a food shop where local products are sold.
Other luxury accommodations in Furnas
Located about 300 metres from the centre, this villa has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a fitted kitchenette and a terrace. If you like to eat out or cook for yourself, this is a good accommodation to stay in.
This holiday home is situated 650 metres from the centre. The accommodation has a beautiful garden with a brook next to it. In the garden you will find hammocks, a sauna and a jacuzzi. This house has a kitchen, so if desired, you can cook. There are also barbecue facilities.
These modern appartments are located 2.7 kilometres from the centre and only 150 metres from Lagoa das Furnas. Located in the middle of nature, you will have a beautiful view over the green fields. Next to this accommodation, you will find a terrace with a swimming pool and sun loungers.
The best budget accommodations in Furnas
Located 250 metres from the centre, this holiday appartment has 1 bedroom, a balcony and a fully equipped kitchen. From this flat, almost everything in Furnas is within easy reach. The Terra Nostra Garden is literally around the corner.
Located 50 metres from the centre, this guest house offers family rooms with a private bathroom and a patio overlooking the garden. There is also a seasonal outdoor pool and a sun terrace.
Located 650 metres from the centre, this 2-bedroom holiday home has a fully equipped kitchen. It also has a patio. Lagoa das Furnas is only 2 km away.
This appartment is located 550 metres from the centre and has 2 bedrooms. There is a kitchen where you can cook. This flat also has a garden where you can barbecue.
This hotel is located 450 metres from the centre. The rooms have a private balcony with panoramic views. Breakfast is included.
Near Furnas
Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa do Fogo is a crater lake. This lake is located at a height of 575 metres above sea level and is therefore the highest lake on the Azores. The edges of this crater reach up to 949 metres at the highest point.
The volcano where Lagoa do Fogo is located is the youngest volcano on the island of São Miguel. This volcano was formed about 15,000 years ago and the top collapsed about 5000 years ago.
A beautiful view when visiting this lake is anything but guaranteed. Often the crater is filled with clouds and the view is minimal. However, when the view is good, it is really good!
You can take a walk around the lake. There are two different hiking trails. One of 2 kilometres and one of 5 kilometres.
Of course you can also choose to drive to the different miradouros. These are the viewpoints where, with good visibility, you will get amazing vistas.
From Furnas it is about a half hour drive to Lagoa do Fogo.
Chá Gorreana
Chá Gorreana is the oldest tea plantation in Europe and has been in existence since 1883. The humid climate and fertile volcanic soil here are ideal for the growth of the tea bushes.
Because of the special location of the Azores, this island of the archipelago does not have to deal with the threat of diseases or insects that can ruin a harvest. Therefore, it is not necessary to use pesticides and that is why all the tea grown here is organic.
The tea plantation is about 40 hectares in size and freely accessible to the public. When you park your car on the car park of the tea plantation, you are free to walk through the fields.
It is worthwhile to visit the fields that are located a bit higher. From here, you can enjoy the view where you can see the tea plantation all the way to the coast.
The factory is also freely accessible. Here you can see how the tea is processed and you can taste the final product.
From Furnas, it is approximately a 15-minute drive to Chá Gorreana.
Whale watching
The Azores archipelago is one of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins. The seas here are known for their abundance of marine life, which is why many marine biologists flock to this area.
It is said that there are up to 28 species of dolphins and whales that can be seen here all year round. This is why tour operators guarantee year-round sightings. In fact, they are so sure of it that they give a 98% chance of seeing these majestic creatures.
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