HOT SPRINGS · PORTUGAL
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 12 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.”
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 :)”
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.”
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.”
Travel from Ponta Delgada with a private English-speaking guide such as Tiago or Nilton to Furnas, Pico do Ferro, Terra Nostra, and Gorreana Tea Plantation. You will see volcanic springs, sample tea, and have time for a thermal bath, with pickup from your hotel, port, or airport.
“Our tour guide, Tiago was amazing; he was so kind and accommodating. We enjoyed our time in the thermal baths and highly recommend this tour to others.”
Andy leads a private eight-hour São Miguel tour from Ponta Delgada to Furnas, combining a volcanic lake walk, Terra Nostra hot springs, underground cozido lunch, tea tasting, and North Coast views. Pickup is available at selected hotels and cruise ports.
“Our guide, Andy, was very personable and gave us lots of Azorean history, culture and traditions throughout the day. He drove us up into the mountain (volcano) and dropped us off to have an hour leisurely walk enjoying the beautiful lake. Showed us several thermal activity sites, one in particular where local restaurants cook their food for the day. We went to Terra Nostra for the gorgeous gardens and to enjoy the warm mineral bath and then off to lunch at a great local restaurant Tony’s for a 3 course amazing lunch! One of the best excursions we have experienced - definitely would use him again while visiting the Azores!!”
Spend two hours walking Caldas da Rainha with local guide Ivo, visiting the world’s oldest continually operating thermal hospital, Nossa Senhora do Pópulo Church, the daily market, D. Carlos I Park, and colorful ceramic street art. Meet at the Tourism Office. Comfortable shoes are essential.
“Sunday 19th May 2024 - 2.30pm We met our guide Ivo, who was very knowledgeable, informative and passionate about Caldas De Rainha. Very enjoyable. We thoroughly recommend. Kind Regards Paul & Claire 😀”
Explore Caldas da Rainha with a local guide such as Susana, Suzanne, or Ana. Your private 1 to 6 hour walk can include tiled streets, Praça da Fruta, Parque Dom Carlos I, local shops, churches, food tips, and lesser-known corners. The focus is relaxed local life, not formal lectures.
“Susana was an incredibly knowledgeable and delightful guide for our three hour walking tour through Caldas da Rainha. We wanted to see the rarely discovered sites of this wonderful city and Susana exceeded our expectations with every step Do not miss an opportunity to walk through the streets and shops and markets and churches of Caldas da Rainha with Susana as your gifted guide. We look forward to seeing more of the city with her in the days to come.”
A terrace, a lagoon, a bath house or a crater at dawn.
