Furnas City
Volcanic parish in Azores, geothermal hot springs
Furnas steams with geothermal vents that cook the island cozido; tourists come for thermal pools, botanical gardens, terraced tea fields and simple cafés serving local sweet breads.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
Furnas at a Glance#
Costs: Typical daily budget: $80-140 - meals, transport, and activities; summer prices higher.
Safety: Very safe and relaxed - low petty crime; watch volcanic steam areas.
Best Time: May-September - warmest, driest months; busiest in July-August.
Why Visit Furnas?#
Set in the Azores’ volcanic heart, Furnas draws travelers for its geothermal activity and thermal baths that offer a break from routine. Visitors come to soak in hot springs and explore Terra Nostra Park, where subtropical plants sit beside iron-rich pools. Food is a major lure too: the cozido das Furnas-stew slow-cooked underground in volcanic steam-pairs with local cheeses and tea from Chá Gorreana for a distinct regional flavor.
Things to DoTop sights, bucket list and day trips
Best Things to Do in Furnas#
Furnas Bucket List#
Terra Nostra Park - Explore Terra Nostra Park’s thermal pool and diverse botanical garden.
Lagoa das Furnas - Walk Lagoa das Furnas shore, watch fumaroles and island-style hot-spring cooking.
Caldeiras das Furnas - Visit Caldeiras das Furnas to see steaming vents and mud pools.
Poça da Dona Beija - Soak in Poça da Dona Beija natural baths surrounded by rock pools.
Miradouro do Pico do Ferro - Enjoy Miradouro do Pico do Ferro’s panoramic view over Furnas valley and lake.
Local cozido experience - Try a local cozido cooking demonstration near the fumaroles and restaurants.
Furnas village promenade - Stroll Furnas village lanes to discover small cafés, artisan shops, and viewpoints.
Sete Cidades (São Miguel) - Visit Sete Cidades twin-lake caldera for crater rim walks and lakeside viewpoints.
Lagoa do Fogo - Hike to Lagoa do Fogo for high-altitude lake scenery and quiet hiking trails.
Ponta Delgada - Spend a half-day in Ponta Delgada exploring the old town and waterfront.
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
Best Time to Visit Furnas#
Visit Furnas in late spring through early autumn for mild temperatures, blooming gardens and the island’s famous geothermal hot springs. Winters are mild but rainy-best if you want quieter thermal spas.
November - February
11-17°C (52-63°F)
Cool, wet and very green-great for thermal baths and hiking without crowds, but expect frequent showers and variable skies.
March - May
13-20°C (55-68°F)
Mild, blossoming and pleasantly humid; perfect for crater walks, gardens and outdoor cafés before summer crowds arrive.
June - August
18-25°C (64-77°F)
Warm, breezy and touristy-best for coastal walks and whale-watching, though occasional Atlantic mists keep things fresh.
Furnas's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 10°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1040 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 11° - 15° | 13° | 113 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.8h |
| February | Good | 10° - 15° | 13° | 96 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.7h |
| March | Good | 11° - 16° | 13° | 93 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.8 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 12° - 16° | 14° | 77 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.0h |
| May | Very Good | 13° - 18° | 15° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.0h |
| June | Very Good | 15° - 20° | 18° | 44 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.5h |
| July | Excellent | 17° - 23° | 20° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.3h |
| August | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 56 mm | some cloud | 80% | 2.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.4h |
| September | Very Good | 17° - 23° | 20° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 16° - 21° | 18° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Good | 14° - 18° | 16° | 132 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.0h |
| December | Good | 12° - 17° | 14° | 123 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
How to Get to Furnas#
Furnas is reached via Ponta Delgada (João Paulo II, PDL) on São Miguel island. Domestic flights from other Azores islands feed into PDL; from there buses, taxis or rental cars connect to Furnas.
Ponta Delgada - João Paulo II (PDL): Ponta Delgada (PDL) is the main airport for São Miguel island and the usual arrival point for Furnas. From Ponta Delgada airport you can take a local bus or shuttle into Ponta Delgada city centre (around 10-15 minutes); taxi transfer directly to Furnas takes about 40-50 minutes and typically costs €40-€60. Car hire at PDL is common (prices often from €30/day off-season) and gives the most flexibility for visiting Furnas and other island sites.
Lajes (TER) / Horta (HOR): Other Azores airports (Terceira TER, Faial/Horta HOR) connect inter-island but require a domestic flight to Ponta Delgada before reaching Furnas; domestic flight durations vary (20-45 minutes) and onward transfers follow the same PDL options above.
Train: There is no rail on São Miguel island.
Bus: Regional buses (operated locally, often listed under Scotturb on São Miguel routes) run between Ponta Delgada bus station (Rodoviária) and Furnas. Travel time from Ponta Delgada to Furnas is roughly 40-60 minutes and single tickets commonly fall in the low-euro range (typically around €3-€6). Buses are cheap but less frequent than driving, so check schedules in advance.
How to Get Around Furnas#
Getting around Furnas is easiest with a car; public buses provide a low-cost option but run infrequently. For short visits the village and thermal sites are walkable once you arrive.
- Car rental (€30-€70/day) - Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore Furnas and the rest of São Miguel - roadside parking is widely available at viewpoints and thermal sites. Expect one-way drives of 30-60 minutes between key points; hire rates commonly start around €30/day off-season.
- Taxi (€40-€60) - Taxis offer direct transfers (PDL ↔ Furnas about 40-50 minutes). Useful for groups or late arrivals, but fares are noticeably higher than buses - a PDL→Furnas taxi typically costs €40-€60. Agree fare or use the meter.
- Regional bus (Scotturb/local) (€3-€6) - Scotturb and other local operators serve routes from Ponta Delgada to Furnas. Buses are cheap (single fares in the low euros) and take 40-60 minutes; schedules are sparser on weekends so plan ahead during off-peak times.
- Bicycle / e-bike rental (€10-€30/day) - Biking is possible for fit cyclists - roads have hills and some narrow sections. E-bikes are a practical compromise for sightseeing around Furnas but expect limited rental availability compared with Ponta Delgada.
- Walking - Furnas village and its main geothermal sites are compact and best explored on foot. Expect short walks between attractions (10-30 minutes), but use sturdy shoes near hot springs and trails.
Where to StayThe best areas to base yourself
Where to Stay in Furnas#
Furnas - €40-120/night
Small town with a few guesthouses and one main thermal hotel; many true budget rooms are simple guest apartments nearby.
Octant Furnas (booking) - Closest affordable option with thermal access
Azor Hotel (Ponta Delgada) - Budget-friendly city option, ~45 min drive
Furnas / Ponta Delgada - €90-180/night
Mid-range choices concentrate on thermal hotels and comfortable guesthouses; limited boutique options inside Furnas itself.
Octant Furnas - Thermal gardens and spa facilities
Azor Hotel (Ponta Delgada) - Modern mid-range option in the island capital
Furnas / Ponta Delgada - €150-300/night
Luxury is limited in-town; the best pampering comes from the thermal spa hotel or staying in Ponta Delgada’s top properties.
Octant Furnas (higher-end rooms) - Spa, historic gardens, premium suites
Azor Hotel (Ponta Delgada) - Upscale city option with sea views
Eat & DrinkStreet food, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Where to Eat in Furnas#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Furnas’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Furnas#
Nightlife in Furnas is low-key. Evenings are more about relaxed hotel bars, casual cafés and late dips in thermal pools rather than dancing or live-music venues. In summer there are occasional local festas and seasonal events that bring out more late-night activity, but don’t expect a busy club scene.
ShoppingMarkets, malls and souvenirs
Shopping in Furnas#
Shopping in Furnas is small-scale and practical: a few shops and market stalls sell local foodstuffs, teas, honey and ceramics aimed at visitors. For a wider range of stores, specialty food or souvenirs head back to Ponta Delgada where supermarkets and souvenir shops are more numerous.