Furnas

Shore Excursions

After getting picked up from your hotel in the morning, cross the island to the north coast. Make your first stop at Samta Iria viewpoint, and head to the Tea Factory Porto Formoso. Enjoy a splendid view over the bay, a magnificent garden and a tea tasting. Head back to the road, and stop at the Pico do Ferro Lookout on top of the Furnas Volcano crater to admire the interior of the volcano, the village and the Furnas Lake. Begin your journey into the crater and stop for a hike or a dip in the botanical garden, and the Terra Nostra or Poça da Dona Beija thermal pool. Admire Furnas Lake, where Cozido das Furnas are made using the heat of the volcano. Taste this typical and famous food at a local restaurant. After lunch, hike in the area of the boilers and visit the many volcanic manifestations, taste some of the many mineral waters, or stop for a traditional liquor taste. See the Natural Park of Ribeira dos Caldeirões and its watermills, a magnificent waterfall, and the trail that winds along the river. Visit the Northeast Village, admire the Bridge of seven arches, and the Vista dos Barcos Lookout. Return to your hotel in the evening.

On reaching the town of Ribeira Grande, the architecture of the city will be highlighted, its Ribeira and municipal gardens, pass by the haystack (Viewpoint), location which overlooks part of the north coast of the island of Sao Miguel, the start rises to observe the Lagoa do Fogo, we will stop in the natural park of the Old Boiler, which offers visitors a relaxing stroll, having direct contact with nature, having at its disposal two eras of train waters, whose temperatures vary between 35 ° at the new epoch and 25 ° in the older era and along the cascade, followed by Lagoa do Fogo, a pond of very blue waters, surrounded by a dense and lush vegetation endemic, and the lagoon highest of the island of Sao Miguel (Situated in the Pico da Barrosa). Furnas, known for its beautiful Valley, due to its paradisiacal scenery, and a City that has a lot to offer, namely its Lagoon, Terra Nostra, the Poca da Dona Beija, Beatriz owner of the Garden, the fumaroles, springs hot and not only, as well as their delicacies cooked on volcanic soil that appears at high temperatures, allowing cooking in the same soil. When moving to the Furnas, have the opportunity to visit also the Vila Franca do Campo, highlights of Ilheu and Chapel of Our Lady of Peace, on the way from the town center of Furnas. Furnas Lagoon is a mandatory stop, due to its surroundings and natural beauty and there, the ritual removal of cooked Furnas. Follow a path to the town center, where an Inn offers numerous flavors, sensations, from its sources, its gastronomy and all its natural beauty, that mother nature offers. Furnas, through the Iron Peak Lookout is the next stop, the route where a local manufacture processes tea in the factory, and the cha Black and cha Green are a delight for lovers. The Sta Iria viewpoint, point of interesting landscape and history, which provide a nice view of the northern coast and on the three main mountains of the island of Sao Miguel, being your last stop before returning to Ponta Delgada.

Depart Ponta Delgada and journey along the south coast of São Miguel before heading towards the Furnas Valley to experience its dramatic volcanic landscape. Stop at the village of Lagoa en route and visit a traditional pottery. Marvel at the former capital of the island at Vila Franca do Campo. Upon arrival in the Furnas Valley, go to the lake to enjoy a lunch of authentic cozido na caldeira (traditional Portuguese stew) cooked using the heat of the volcanic soil. Savor the ingredients characteristic of this typical dish. Next, go to the belvedere of the Pico do Ferro for a panoramic view of the valley. Return to Ponta Delgada via the island's north road, and stop at the site of Europe's only tea plantations and tea factory.

Begin your tour to discover the island of Sao Miguel with pickup from your hotel or accommodation. Drive towards Furnas, stopping at the Santa Iria Viewpoint to admire the views over the north coast. Enjoy the contrast of green pastures and the blue sea behind. Continue to one of the island’s tea plantations, where your guide will accompany you on a tour of the planting and factory facilities. Take the chance to taste one of the teas produced there, and enjoy a short break before descending into Furnas. Explore the famous fumaroles and hot springs of the volcanic landscape. Continue to Vila Franca do Campo, making stops at the Hermitage of Our Lady of Peace and another viewpoint. Drive back along the south coast towards Ponta Delgada, where your tour will end.

Travel from Ponta Delgada to Furnas Azores on a full-day 4x4 tour on the island of São Miguel. Furnas Azores has a history of volcanic activity that has left behind a legacy of particularly impressive natural geysers, hot springs, calderas, and fumaroles. Along the way, you will visit a number of locations with stunning landscapes and unique and intriguing features, such as Vila Franca do Campo, where you can see the famous islet, a tea factory, and views from various spots. Upon arriving at Furnas Azores, admire the lake and its geysers, which are surrounded by lush nature.

This tour covers some of the best scenic areas of São Miguel island and the Furnas volcanic area. It offers the opportunity to enjoy the hot springs and a visit to Terra Nostra Botanical Garden (entrance fee not included in the tour). • Pisão Viewpoint and Caloura • Vila Franca do Campo and its pastry factory • Senhora da Paz Viewpoint • Furnas Lake and Hot Springs • Furnas Village • Terra Nostra Botanical Garden (optional) • Hot Springs & mineral waters • Pico do Ferro Viewpoint • Gorreana Tea Plantation and Factory • Santa Iria Viewpoint

Depart from Ponta Delgada, along the island's south coast, towards Furnas valley. On the way, you'll stop in few places, one of them being Vila Franca do Campo. Here, you'll observe an islet with the same name as this village. Arriving at Furnas, you'll watch rowing and the ritual removal of cooked Furnas, which you'll later be able to taste. After watching the removal, follow the path to the town center, with landscape, springs, gastronomy and all of its natural beauty. As you leave the village, you will stop for a panorama view of the valley, after which you will follow the tea route, visiting the tea plantation and tea factory (only place in Europe), where you observe all the traditional processes of transformation of the tea leaves, and delight in the black, green or Bergamot tea. At the end of this tour, by the island's north road, you'll stop in beautiful lockout that affords a nice view of the northern coast and the three main mountains of the island of Sao Miguel.

Benefit from pickup at the Ponta Delgada cruise ship terminal at 09:00 AM or 01:00 PM, and then travel along the south coast before heading north to Graciosa. Get breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape from the Santa Iria lookout.  Next, visit a tea factory at the last natural tea plantation in the world. Start your ascent to the volcanic crater of the active Furnas do Enxofre and get far-reaching views from the Pico do Ferro viewpoint.  Walk inside the volcano to marvel at the cones, hot lava activity, and mineral springs. Taste a traditional liquor at a local shop and discover the natural kitchen where the locals cook their unique stew using the heat of the volcano in a hole in the ground. Soak up the impressive views of the lake before driving back to the cruise ship terminal at Ponta Delgada.