Thermal pools and steam vents dot this Azorean valley town, where locals cook traditional cozido stews underground using natural volcanic heat.
Furnas, a small village in São Miguel, Azores, sits inside an active volcanic valley where steam rises from the ground and mineral springs bubble up through the earth. You can float in the orange-tinted thermal pools at Terra Nostra Park, watch cozido stew being pulled from underground ovens at 12:30 PM daily, and taste naturally carbonated water from public fountains throughout the village. The surrounding valley contains dozens of geothermal features, from gray mud pools to steaming fumaroles, all connected by a network of marked paths.
Volcanic Activity in the Valley
Furnas valley contains over 30 active steam vents and mineral springs scattered throughout the area. At Caldeiras das Furnas, wooden walkways lead you past bubbling mud pools and steaming vents, where temperatures reach up to 100°C (212°F). The strong smell of sulfur fills the air as evidence of the ongoing volcanic activity beneath the surface. Residents use these geothermal features for cooking and bathing, continuing practices that date back to the 18th century.
Terra Nostra Park and Thermal Pools
Terra Nostra Park spans 30 acres of botanical gardens with paths winding through collections of cycads, camellias, and native Azorean plants. The main thermal pool maintains a temperature between 35-40°C (95-104°F), and its iron-rich water creates a distinctive orange color. Two smaller pools nearby contain different mineral compositions and temperatures. You can visit the park daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and the thermal pools remain open until 7:00 PM.
Underground Cooking at Furnas Lake
Each morning between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM, local restaurants place large pots filled with meat, vegetables, and sausages into holes in the ground near Furnas Lake. The food cooks slowly for about six hours using only geothermal heat. At 12:30 PM, workers retrieve the pots using long hooks, pulling up the finished cozido stew. Each cooking spot has a small plaque indicating which restaurant owns the hole.
Mineral Springs and Local Specialties
Public fountains throughout Furnas dispense different types of mineral water, each with distinct compositions and temperatures. Several springs produce naturally carbonated water, while others contain high levels of iron. Local bakeries make bolos lêvedos, sweet flatbreads cooked on stone. At Chalet da Tia Mercês, the mineral-rich water creates a chemical reaction that turns green tea purple.
Getting Around Furnas
The village lies 50 kilometers east of Ponta Delgada airport, a 45-minute drive along the southern coastal road. Public buses run from Ponta Delgada to Furnas with the main departure at 7:00 AM, taking 90 minutes. You can walk between most village attractions within 15-20 minutes, but you'll need transportation to reach valley viewpoints. The walk from the village center to Furnas Lake takes about 30 minutes on foot.
