If you are looking for a place to relax and experience nature at its best, Furnas Valley in São Miguel Island, Azores, is the place for you. Time your visit right, and you might witness locals pulling out their hot Cozido stew from the ground. From thermal pools to culinary delights, Furnas Valley is your laid-back paradise. Let our guide add a touch of magic to your journey around this enchanting Azorean island. Read on as we list some unique things you can do in the Furnas Lake of the Azores.
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Where Is Furnas?
Furnas is just 50km east of Ponta Delgada and is the heart of São Miguel’s geothermal wonders. Furnas Valley stands out because it’s a sleeping volcanic crater. Even though the Furnas volcano has remained dormant since 1630, some geothermal activity is going on, and you can easily feel it in the air. With steam rising from fumaroles, inviting thermal pools, and natural mineral springs popping up at every turn, Furnas is every traveler’s dream.
Getting to Furnas is a breeze – just get a rental car in Ponta Delgada and enjoy a scenic 45-minute drive. You can take the northern route, cruising through Ribeira Grande (no need to enter the town), passing through the Gorréana Tea Fstate, Furnas Golf Course, and Pico do Ferro on EN2-1A.
Or you can take the southern route. Cruise the highway till Vila Franca, then navigate the enchanting EN1-1A road uphill, soaking in the mesmerizing ocean views until you hit Furnas Lake. Both routes take about the same time, so you can go one way and return through the other.
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Unique Things to Do in the Furnas Lake of the Azores
Picture this: active volcanic sites with bubbling calderas, Terra Nostra Park’s lush beauty, hot spring pools for ultimate relaxation, gorgeous botanical gardens, and the scenic Furnas Lake – perfect for a chill afternoon stroll. A wholesome trip awaits.
Visit Furnas Lake
You must check out this awesome crater lake. It’s snuggled up by the steep peaks of the old Furnas mountain, wrapped in a lush, green rim. And if you want to stretch your legs, there are excellent hiking trails around the lake and some pretty parks. Also, don’t forget to visit the fancy neo-Gothic Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias!
You could also grab a kayak or paddle board and head to the middle of Lake Furnas for some 360° views of the jaw-dropping scenery, and make sure to swing by the bubbling calderas to check out the geothermal action. You might even catch local chefs cooking their Cozido stew from the fumaroles in the ground. It’s a wild ride, but worth it.
Drink Purple Tea
It’s unlikely that you have ever thought of sipping on a piping-hot cup of tea straight from a natural spring. But you can have such an experience in the Azores, where even your tea break is volcanic.
At Chalet da Tia Mercês, sipping tea is more like a chemistry class. You can watch as the naturally heated water turns your regular green tea into a mesmerizing shade of purple. Green, Gorreana, and Porto Formoso tea are locally grown on São Miguel Island. The island is home to two of Europe’s only commercial tea plantations. Pair your volcanic purple tea with mouthwatering homemade treats at Chalet da Tia Mercês.
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Enjoy Free Flowing Spring Water
You will find cool springs popping up all over, filling up charming little fountains. The locals call it “água azeda,” which means “sour water.” They say each spring has a unique flavor and is thought to contain healing properties. Here are some different springs you can find around town:
- Água Santa
- Água Azeda
- Água Azeda do Rebentão
- Iron Water
- Água do Padre José
- Água do Caldeirão
- Água Glória Patri
- Água Dr. Bruno
Eat Cozido das Furnas
This is an age-long Portuguese dish that’s very popular among the locals. The cooking happens in holes called fumaroles in the volcanic soil of Furnas. The dish consists of pork, beef, chicken, sausages, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and kale, all cozied up and slow-cooked in the ground for six hours.
Every joint in Furnas has its variation of this mouthwatering dish. So, wherever you turn in town, you’re spoilt for choice. However, ensure you book your meal 24 hours earlier.
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Savor Vale Cheese
This family-run cheese factory started small with a dairy farm. The entrepreneurial daughter innovated Queijo do Vale using local furnace “sour waters” for a unique flavor. Handmade with milk from their cows in Lagoa Seca Valley, it’s a taste of family passion and innovation.
Don’t miss Queijo do Vale in flavors like oregano, garlic, butter, half-cure, and thyme. You can find it in most supermarkets or visit Queijaria do Vale on Rua do Caminho Novo for a more authentic experience.
Experience the Calderas of Furnas
Downtown Furnas is like a natural hotpot heaven. With almost 30 steaming hot calderas and fumaroles, each with unique temperatures and biological compositions, coupled with the pungent scent of sulfur drifting through the air at every corner, you can’t have it better anywhere else.
The locals have maximized these natural boiling pots to cook tasty dishes. Don’t forget to make a quick stop for a snack of freshly boiled corn on the cob straight out of one of those bubbling calderas in town.
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Stroll Around the Parks and Gardens
Besides the geothermal wonders, you can expect breathtaking parks and gardens in Furnas. Here are some you should check out.
- Terra Nostra Park
Terra Nostra Park in Furnas, one of the Azores’ oldest gardens, spans 30 acres and dates back over 200 years. Renowned for its beauty, it holds a thermal pool and showcases 2,000+ global tree and plant species. The star? A colossal camellia collection with over 600 varieties, possibly Europe’s largest.
- Grená Park
Grená Nature Park in Furnas, Azores, is a haven of untouched beauty. From waterfalls to ancient trees to historic houses, it’s a magical spot.
Hike the trail to São Miguel Island’s tallest waterfall. Stairs and handrails guide the way, rewarding you with a stunning Furnas Lake panorama at the summit. For thrill-seekers, a refreshing waterfall swim awaits.
- Jardim das Murtas
The Jardim Dona Beatriz do Canto in Furnas is a gem open to the public for free in August. This 1860 garden on Rua de Santana boasts Sequoias, a historic house from 1866 owned by politician Ernesto do Canto and is easily spotted above Ribeira das Murtas’ mill wheel.
- Poças da Dona Beija and Poça da Tia Silvina
When in Furnas, don’t miss Poça da Dona Beija – a chill park with six pools of different temps, open until 11 p.m.! You can also check out Poça da Tia Silvina, a local fave for foot-soaking after a day’s hike. This toasty 40ºC/104ºF pool is said to work wonders on dermatosis.
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Where to Stay in Furnas
A wide range of accommodations is available, from budget-friendly spots to luxurious Furnas Lake resorts – plenty of options to suit every traveler. You can choose between a hotel or Furnas Lake villas to enjoy the island’s beautiful spots.
Final Thoughts
In the 18th century, Furnas’ mineral water was the talk of the town for its healing touch on rheumatism and skin conditions. Now, Furnas is this serene spot in the Azores, lush and charming. There’s plenty to keep you busy for a day. So, pack your bags and start your adventure!
