Top Things To Do In Furnas Azores: Must-See Attractions (2025)

What Is Furnas Known For?

Furnas is located 50 kms from Ponta Delgada on São Miguel in the Azores Islands. This area of the island is specifically known for its geothermal activity and contains the oldest active volcano on the island.  It is suggested that it collapsed several times – the first time 33,000 years ago.  

As a result, it left a massive caldera spanning 8kms by 6kms (the largest in the Azores) that has some fascinating sights to visit. After our visit there we wrote this blog to highlight what we feel are the best things to do in Furnas Azores.

Highlights of Furnas Azores

Miradouro Pico do Ferro

So Miguel is certainly known for its viewpoints and this area doesn’t disappoint. When initially approaching Furnas, it is nice to first view it from above. There is a slightly steep walk to this viewpoint but it is worth it.

You can see the full crater lake located 280m above sea level and the entire Furnas valley from the easily accessible viewpoint of Miradouro Pico do Ferro. This was a very different landscape than the Kerid Crater in Iceland that had less greenery inside the caldera or the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania that held no water.

Sometimes this area might have low clouds (as you will find the weather in Sao Miguel can be quite variable). But even on a cloudy day viewing this lake and its lovely green colour is a highlight.

You can walk around this viewpoint in a loop back down to the parking lot. It features a tree-lined pathway that provides a natural cover with pretty flowers alongside the walkway.

Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake)

From here you can proceed down into the Furnas valley where you can really take in the large green areas of this caldera. Being that this is the oldest volcano, the vegetation is quite extensive. Make sure to walk through some of the forested areas where the parking lot is located. There are huge trees that you can wander through which continue up and onto the hilltops.

We learned that the trees grow very tall here due to the excess amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (1600 tons on a daily basis is released from the Furnas volcano). The trees need to be larger to absorb all the extra gases.

Parque da Grena

Located from within the lake is the Parque da Grena. This is noted as a wonderful green space where you can walk or rent bikes to explore the area. 

We didn’t have a chance to visit this area but our guide told us it has many paths and boardwalks available throughout a lush forested area with several waterfalls and streams providing a beautiful environment. If you have some time, be sure to check it out for a perfect nature walk.

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Underground Cooking Silos

Around the lake, there is a large geothermal section that is set up for visitors. There are boardwalks installed where you can walk along the fumarole field which is quite large. This expansive area has bubbling thermal pools and also solid ground that is super hot underneath. It is amazing to think that continuous volcanic activity is rumbling under the earth beneath you.

All around you can see numerous holes dug into the ground. Inside are concrete silos that act as an oven. This is where locals and restaurant staff come early to place large pots filled with food into the ground,  and then cover them with a heavy iron plate and soil. They cook for 6-7 hours with temperatures reaching 100℃.

We watched some of the pots being unburied and removed. The gentlemen used long metal rods that hook onto the pots and pull them up and out of the steaming hot holes. It is quite a process to see.

The round holes are available for locals to use for free and are based on a first come, first served basis. Many of the restaurants have staff that come very early to ensure a spot and then local families can use the remaining locations.

Cozido das Furnas

The pots hold cabbage, kale, sweet potato, taro, potatoes, beef, pork, and sausage. There is no water added as the food cooks within the fat released from the ingredients. Due to the slow cooking process, the meat becomes tender and the vegetables quite soft.

There are many restaurants in this area where you can order a meal with this traditional Portuguese family dish called Cozido. We were first served the broth as a soup and then the meat and vegetables were served separately. We found the broth to be very tasty.

The meat was very tender and the root vegetables were nicely cooked but we found the flavour to be a little bland. It is a simple meal and worth trying while in the area.

Caldeiras das Furnas

After lunch be sure to check out the centre of Furnas and Furnas Calderira where there are some amazing thermal springs and hot pools. When you arrive you will see steam vents everywhere giving the location a bit of a mysterious feeling. Here there are 1600 tons of carbon dioxide released into the air daily. 

Since the entire area is steaming, the smell of sulphur is quite strong – similar to the hot pools we saw in New Zealand.  

You can walk around the paths and steps to view the bubbling and steaming pools up close. Some of them are boiling significantly and others are simmering since the temperatures range from 70 to 100℃. They have various colours as well that indicate the different mineral content within the pools.

Spring Water

With 21 springs in the area, there are taps along the roads in the town of Furnas and each one has a different tasting water that is free to try.  In fact, many locals bring their own containers and fill them with this natural water for their daily consumption.  Some are hot or cold and there are even others that have sparkling water.

We found most of the water to be quite acidic. Here are a few that you may want to check out:

Poco da Dona Beija

Poça da Dona Beija is a popular Furnas hot spring. This is a small location – similar to Caldeira Velha. The pool water is 39℃ so very nice for a relaxing soak.

One of the nice benefits of this spot is that it is open at night. Pre-reservations for a 90-minute appointment are required at their website.

Terra Nostra Park

If you only visit one place in this region make sure to see the gorgeous complex of Terra Nostra. This is a massive park with gardens covering 12 hectares.  It was established over 200 years ago and was first owned by an American from Boston.  

In the 19th and 20th centuries, it was owned by a Viscount who made significant changes to the area and then in the 1930s the current owners took possession.

The gardens onsite are immense with over 2000 species of plants, trees and fauna divided into seven different zones with plants from all over the world. They also house the largest collection of camellias with a surprising 800 different varieties.

Aside from a very large amount of plant material, the garden includes fountains, topiary, ponds and streams.

There is a very cool area where you can walk out into the water on concrete step stones and stand amongst the floating lily pads.

Walking these gardens is a real treat. It is obvious that a lot of planning and care was put into the design and layout and 200 years later it has now grown into a wonderland. 

The weather in the region is very temperate which encourages the plants to grow well and as previously mentioned, due to the abundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the trees grow taller to absorb the excess.

Terra Nostra Thermal Pool

In the centre of the grounds is a large thermal pool. It is one of the best places for enjoying the warm water that remains consistent at 40℃. The pool is fed from a volcanic spring and is an interesting orange colour due to its high iron oxide content. It is suggested that the mineral composition is excellent for your skin.

Also located within the park is a lovely property called the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. It is decorated in 1930s art deco style and is known for its focus on wellness offering a Turkish bath, gym, heated indoor pool and wellness centre. Guests also have access to the outside thermal pool after hours when the crowds have dispersed.

FAQs

Is Furnas Worth Visiting?

The geothermal activity within this region of São Miguel Island makes Furnas a unique and interesting place to visit. It is worth visiting to see the gorgeous lake, the steaming and bubbling thermal pools and to enjoy the relaxing thermal springs available for bathing.

How Do You Spend A Day in Furnas?

The Furnas area is not large so it is easy to get around to see the viewpoint, visit the lake and the fumaroles where the cooking in the ground takes place, try a traditional meal and then enjoy Terra Nostra gardens and thermal baths. This would make a perfect day in Furnas.

Furnas Restaurants

If you are looking to try the cozido the most popular place in Furnas is Tony’s Restaurant. It is a simple restaurant that also serves large portions of the famous Portuguese meal cooked in the earth. If meat is not your thing, they also serve other Azorean specialties and vegetarian options.

Another one of the local restaurants in town is A Quinta. A lovely location with outdoor seating facing the garden and a nice atmosphere. It is known for its tasty drinks and options such as tapas, homemade burgers and steaks.

Where To Stay In Furnas

We would recommend staying at the most popular hotel in Furnas, the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel as a great option while in the area. This is a highly rated property located right inside the Terra Nostra park. The hotel has a unique art deco style but with updated and comfortable rooms. The bonus to staying here is the complimentary after hours access to the gardens and pool.

Another popular location in Furnas is the Octant Hotel Furnas. This is close to Furnas town and a good location for exploring Furnas. They have two thermal pools, a sauna and a steam room on site for guest use and also a full service restaurant. But the most notable comment by guests is the wonderful service provided by the staff.

Final Word….Things To Do In Furnas Azores

As you can see there is a lot to do in the small area of Furnas. We recommend using this area as a base for exploring this geothermal wonderland rather than travelling back and forth from Ponta Delgada to Furnas.

It also provides easy access to the eastern side of the island of São Miguel where you can continue to explore the island – including Nordeste. Be sure to visit this area as it is very different from other regions.