HOT SPRINGS · PORTUGAL
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 portugal hot springs tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
From Ponta Delgada, join a small group of up to eight for an evening in Furnas. Your guide, often Paulo, Filipe, Eduardo, or Rafael, leads a nature walk and geothermal stops, serves traditional cozido dinner, and ends with a soak at Poça da Dona Beija.
“It was amazing evening tour! Funny guide and great food 😊”
Travel from Ponta Delgada to Furnas for steaming calderas, panoramic views, a hearty Cozido das Furnas dinner, and a nighttime soak at Poça da Dona Beija. Guides such as Paulo, Filipe, Rafael, and Eduardo lead small groups of up to eight. Bring a dark swimsuit, towel, and €16 for entry.
“Hot springs weren't very impressive Furnas baths were nice, but a bit crowded @ late night time slot. Dinner food was good.”
Join a biologist or naturalist guide for a four-hour van tour from Vila Franca do Campo to Lagoa do Fogo, with stops at Pico da Barrosa and Bela Vista. Learn about volcanic activity, soak at Caldeira Velha, and visit a waterfall, beach, or Ribeira Grande when weather allows.
“It was very nice tour. We were not lucky with the weather and didn’t see Lagoa do Fogo because of the fog. But instead the guide showed us very nice beach nearby with great shore view. Hot springs were really calming and relaxing.”
Travel from Lagos in an air-conditioned minivan with a guide such as Filipe, António, or Margarida. See Silves Castle and Cathedral, stop at Caldas de Monchique, reach 902-meter Fóia, then finish with local wine tasting. Lunch is not included.
“We had a great time on this tour! Filipe, our driver and guide, picked us up from our hotel and gave a very passionate, and thorough tour. We learnt so much about the area's history, it's plants and wildlife, and culture in such a short time. The tour was really well structured, there were opportunities to do some really off the beaten track things - such as the Monchique Water Spring, and a few other surprises (which I won't spoil). The visit to the vineyard and the wine tasting was a great cool off after a day of touring as well, and you get to try a bunch of wines.…”
Meet at Herdade do Ananás for a 36°C greenhouse hot pool, towels, robes, and spa features. At 5pm, an English-speaking pineapple expert leads a 20 to 30-minute tour of the plantation, with local pineapple details, juice, and time for photos among the plants.
“Loved the environment, setting it was in. enjoyed the hot tub. would have liked to have been able to have a pina colada at the end of be able to buy a glass of the pineapple wine rather than have to buy the bottle.”
Spend a full day exploring São Miguel with a guide such as Mario, Andre, Miguel, or Nano. See Lagoa do Fogo, browse Cerâmica Vieira, visit Gorreana Tea Factory, stop in Ribeira Grande, and allow 1.5 hours for Caldeira Velha hot springs.
“Andre the guide was excellent. He turned the day into a great one. It was raining and windy when we were picked up. However he worked with the weather and we got to see more of Sao Miguel than expected.”
Join guide Ivo Soares for a six-hour evening from Ponta Delgada to Furnas. You’ll see volcanic vents, eat Cozido das Furnas cooked underground, soak at Poça da Dona Beija, and finish with steaming pools, local sweets, and a northern-island drive back.
“My husband and I chose this tour as one of our honeymoon activities and we were not disappointed! This tour was the perfect combination of sight seeing some of the local spots both to and from the dinner and hot springs. Our guide was extremely informative and friendly, happy to answer any and all questions! We had a great time and would highly recommend this tour! Now on to bed with lots of new knowledge of the island, full bellies, and relaxed muscles :)”
Join Ivo, Zico, or another WildScape Azores guide for a six-hour evening tour from Ponta Delgada, Lagoa, or Ribeira Grande. Walk beside Furnas Lagoon, eat volcanicly cooked cozido, taste mineral waters, and relax at Poça da Dona Beija, with entry paid separately.
“Excellent tour, entering the baths at night was amazing! We were a party of six friends traveling together, 3 couples. This tour is highly recommended.”
Spend a full day exploring São Miguel’s volcanic heart with a guide such as Gonçalo. Visit Terra Nostra Park, Furnas hot springs, Pico do Ferro, Gorreana Tea Factory, and coastal viewpoints. Lunch includes traditional cozido, with tea tasting and hotel pickup included.
Spend about six hours with a local guide such as Paulo, traveling from Ponta Delgada or Lagoa to Furnas for a traditional cozido dinner and nighttime thermal bath. The air-conditioned minivan holds no more than eight people, with pickup included. Bring a swimsuit and towel, and note that bath admission and lockers cost extra.
“Paolo was excellent tour guide. He explained Furnas thermal pools and Natural calderas. He also explained the azore culture and islands and the local food we are at dinner. The thermal pools at Furnas were filled with sexy people at nighttime. Recommend this nighttime experience”
Travel from Ponta Delgada to Furnas in a small-group van with a local guide such as Pedro, Rafael, or Andrea. Visit Gorreana tea plantation, view the crater lake, see boiling springs and volcanic cooking holes, and optionally bathe at Terra Nostra or Dona Beija.
“Wonderful excursion with a fabulous guide who met us immediately by displaying our names. Guide was pleasant and very knowledgeable.”
Travel from Ponta Delgada by air-conditioned minivan with a local guide such as Andrea, Rafael, or Joan. Visit Gorreana Tea Plantation, Ribeira dos Caldeirões, Furnas Lake, volcanic hot springs, and Terra Nostra. Lunch and the thermal pool require add-ons.
“Der Ausflug war wirklich sehr schön! Joan (the Guide) was so nice and we had a really nice and long day. He could explain a lot. Talked to everyone, even the one that didn’t talk much, were included in conversations. I think that’s really nice! I would book a tour again with this company. Funny Fact: I thought he forgot to pick me up and I was so worried that I called him. He picked immediately the phone up and assured me that he will be there in a moment!- he was really really nice! ☝🏼 So don’t worry, if the pick up will be few minutes later. 😁”
From Ponta Delgada’s cruise terminal, join an English-speaking iGoAzores guide for a 5 to 6-hour island outing. You’ll see Santa Iria’s cliffs, taste Gorreana tea, and visit Furnas, Terra Nostra Park, and its famous thermal pool. Guides may include Diogo, João, José Melo, Ricardo, or Vera.
“Diogo was outstanding. Went out of his way to show us everything the island had to offer. Even though the weather was bad, he found a way to get us the best experience. His knowledge of the island was amazing. Highly recommended him and this tour.”
Spend about eight hours exploring São Miguel’s volcanic Furnas Valley, from steaming fumaroles and underground cozido to Terra Nostra’s thermal pool and Gorreana tea fields. English-speaking guides such as Leandro and Tiago lead small groups of up to eight, with lunch and entry fees included.
“Apart from disappointing weather had a great day. Guide was brilliant with plenty of knowledge. Seeing the lunch we were about to eat being cooked was a great experience. The bubbling pools also something you won’t forget! Lucky enough to be in a group of only four.”
Join a small group of up to six for a 7.5-hour Furnas outing from Ponta Delgada. Visit Gorreana Tea Plantation, Furnas hot springs and fumaroles, optional Terra Nostra Garden, and Nossa Senhora da Paz with a professional guide such as Joao.
“I highly recommend this tour. Our driver and guide was a charming young man named Joao (John). He made my nervous wife very comfortable. Took us to tge hot springs, beautiful vistas, beach and off the beaten path. His knowledge of the history and customs (and language) of the Portuguese people was fascinating. Lunch of a stew cooked underground for 6 hrs in a volcanic hole, was amazing.”
A terrace, a lagoon, a bath house or a crater at dawn.
