PONTA DELGADA WHALE WATCH FIELD GUIDE
Furnas in a Day: Steam, Tea and the Subterranean Cozido of São Miguel
An 8-hour, full-day van tour from Ponta Delgada that traces Furnas' volcanic origins, samples regional tea and the famed cozido, and lets you soak in Parque Terra Nostra's iron-rich hot springs — this guide explains what to expect and how the day flows.
Furnas in a Day: Steam, Tea and the Subterranean Cozido of São Miguel.
Embark on a full-day circuit into the heart of Furnas, São Miguel’s most evocative volcanic landscape: fumaroles and mineral springs punctuate green mountains and a lake where a traditional cozido is cooked underground. Over eight hours you move from coastal tea fields to geothermal caldeiras, a lush botanic park and a riverside town — a compact, 360º primer on the island’s geology, botany, history and living culture.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Volcanic Furnas and the Caldeiras
The tour places Furnas’ geothermal features front and center: steaming fumaroles, bubbling springs and mineral-rich waters where locals sample distinct gasocarbonic spring waters and feel the island’s volcanic origins.
Gorreana Tea and the Underground Cozido
A morning stop at the Gorreana tea factory offers a regional tasting; later the Lagoa das Furnas is the site of the unique cozido das Furnas, slow-cooked beneath the earth and served in local restaurants along the route.
Parque Terra Nostra’s Iron-rich Hot Pools
A highlight is Parque Terra Nostra, a centennial botanic garden famed for an extraordinary plant collection — and for its thermal pools where baths in 35ºC–40ºC water provide a restorative finish to the day.
What the day feels like
How the Day Feels
The pace is relaxed but full: pickup in the morning heads north through emerald mountains and coastal views, with stops to taste tea, photograph viewpoints such as Pico do Ferro, walk among steaming caldeiras, sample mineral waters, eat the island’s signature cozido, and end with a soak amid century-old trees in Parque Terra Nostra before a final stop at Vila Franca do Campo.
THE LANDSCAPE
Volcanic Furnas and the Caldeiras
The tour places Furnas’ geothermal features front and center: steaming fumaroles, bubbling springs and mineral-rich waters where locals sample distinct gasocarbonic spring waters and feel the island’s volcanic origins.
THE FLAVOUR
Gorreana Tea and the Underground Cozido
A morning stop at the Gorreana tea factory offers a regional tasting; later the Lagoa das Furnas is the site of the unique cozido das Furnas, slow-cooked beneath the earth and served in local restaurants along the route.
THE RELIEF
Parque Terra Nostra’s Iron-rich Hot Pools
A highlight is Parque Terra Nostra, a centennial botanic garden famed for an extraordinary plant collection — and for its thermal pools where baths in 35ºC–40ºC water provide a restorative finish to the day.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this van tour — and what to check before booking.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Expect an approximately 8-hour full-day tour beginning with a morning pickup from Futurismo Azores Adventure and returning later that day.
The itinerary includes a bathing opportunity at Parque Terra Nostra’s hot pools (water around 35ºC–40ºC); plan accordingly and confirm any gear recommendations with the operator.
The tour follows the north coast and Furnas valley with multiple short stops for views, tastings and a sit-down lunch at a local restaurant; route order is managed by the operator.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Van Tour Furnas - Full Day?
The tour lasts approximately eight hours.
Where does the tour depart from?
Pick-up and departure are from Futurismo Azores Adventure.
What are the must-see stops on the route?
Key stops include the Gorreana tea factory, Pico do Ferro viewpoint, the Furnas caldeiras and fumaroles, Lagoa das Furnas (where the cozido is prepared), Parque Terra Nostra, and Vila Franca do Campo.
Will there be opportunities to bathe in thermal pools?
Yes — the itinerary includes time at Parque Terra Nostra where guests may bathe in iron-rich pools with temperatures around 35ºC–40ºC.
Is lunch included on the tour?
The schedule includes a lunch stop at a local restaurant to taste the traditional cozido das Furnas.
What themes does the guide cover during the tour?
The guide discusses geology, botany, history and cultural heritage as part of a 360º overview of São Miguel.