São Miguel Island: Full Day Furnas and Furnas Lake Tour

Traverse the stunning natural wonders of São Miguel Island's Furnas and Furnas Lake on this immersive full-day tour, where you'll savor local cuisine cooked in thermal waters.

São Miguel Island’s Full Day Furnas and Furnas Lake Tour promises an unforgettable adventure. Priced at $71.15 per person, this intimate tour explores the island’s stunning natural beauty. Travelers will discover breathtaking viewpoints, visit Europe’s oldest tea plantation, and savor a unique local cuisine cooked in thermal waters. With knowledgeable guides and picturesque landscapes, this tour offers an immersive experience in nature. But what makes this excursion truly remarkable is…

Key Points

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  • A full-day tour exploring the volcanic landscapes and natural wonders of Furnas and Furnas Lake on São Miguel Island.
  • Includes stops at the Gorreana Tea Factory, Pico do Ferro Lookout, and the opportunity to savor the Cérean boiled dish.
  • Hotel pickup within a 5km radius of Ponta Delgada and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Multilingual tour available in Portuguese, Spanish, and English for up to 14 participants.
  • Scenic viewpoints, beaches, and optional visits to hot springs along the south coast.
You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

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The São Miguel Island: Full Day Furnas and Furnas Lake Tour is a popular day trip that takes visitors on a journey through the stunning natural wonders of São Miguel, the largest of the Azores islands.

Priced from $71.15 per person, the 1-day tour is limited to 14 participants and offered in Portuguese, Spanish, and English.

Priced from $71.15 per person, the 1-day tour is limited to 14 participants and offered in Portuguese, Spanish, and English.

Pickup is included for hotels in Ponta Delgada or within a 5km radius, and travelers can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance.

The tour’s flexible payment options make it convenient for visitors.

Itinerary Highlights

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The tour begins with a pickup from Ponta Delgada, taking guests to the first stop at the Santa Iria Lookout for 30 minutes.

The itinerary continues with:

  • A visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory, Europe’s oldest tea plantation, for a 50-minute exploration.

  • A stop at the Pico do Ferro Lookout for 25 minutes, offering panoramic views.

  • An hour-long visit to the stunning Furnas Lake, a volcanic crater lake.

  • A 30-minute stop in Vila Franca do Campo.

  • A final viewpoint at Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Paz for 30 minutes.

The tour returns along the south coast, showcasing scenic viewpoints and beaches.

Experience Features

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One of the key highlights of this tour is the opportunity to visit hot springs heated by volcanic steam. Visitors can explore a tea plantation with Camellia Sinensis, the only natural tea factory in Europe since 1883. Plus, the tour includes the chance to enjoy local cuisine, such as the Cérean boiled dish cooked in Furnas’ thermal waters.

| Experience Feature | Details |

| — | — |

| Hot Springs | Visit volcanic steam-heated hot springs |

| Tea Plantation | Tour the only natural tea factory in Europe since 1883 |

| Local Cuisine | Savor the Cérean boiled dish cooked in Furnas’ thermal waters |

Optional visits to hot springs at Jardim do Nostra or Dona Beija are available, though entry fees are not included.

Important Information

Passport or ID card is required for this tour. Other important information includes:

  • Oversize luggage, baby strollers, drinks/food in the vehicle, alcohol/drugs, and electric wheelchairs aren’t allowed.

  • This tour operates rain or shine, so participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

  • Visitors have the option to visit hot springs at Jardim do Nostra or Dona Beija, but entry fees aren’t included in the tour price.

  • Participants should be prepared to walk and explore various outdoor sites during the day.

  • For the safety and comfort of all guests, the tour group size is limited to 14 participants.

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Customer Reviews

According to 6 reviews, the São Miguel Island: Full Day Furnas and Furnas Lake Tour has an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Travelers praised the informative guide and stunning views. One German visitor appreciated the balanced itinerary and knowledgeable guide, while an Australian highlighted the guide’s expertise and unique locations visited. The tour’s strengths include:

| Strengths | Feedback |

| — | — |

| Informative Guide | "Praised the informative guide and stunning views." |

| Balanced Itinerary | "Appreciated the balanced itinerary and knowledgeable guide." |

| Unique Locations | "Highlighted the guide’s expertise and unique locations visited." |

Picturesque Landscapes

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As visitors embark on the Furnas Lake Tour, they’re treated to a visual feast of picturesque landscapes.

The tour showcases:

  • Lush, verdant hills dotted with vibrant hues of wildflowers

  • Dramatic volcanic craters, including the iconic Furnas Lake, with its striking emerald-green waters

  • Winding country roads offering panoramic vistas of the island’s south coast

  • Charming rural villages, like Vila Franca do Campo, nestled among the rolling hills

  • Breathtaking lookout points, such as the Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Paz, providing sweeping views of the island’s stunning natural beauty.

Exploring Tea Plantation

The tour includes a visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory, the only natural tea plantation in Europe since 1883.

Guests will explore the lush, green tea fields and learn about the cultivation and production of the iconic Camellia Sinensis tea leaves.

The tour provides insight into the factory’s history and traditional processing techniques. Visitors can wander through the production areas and sample the freshly brewed tea.

This unique experience offers a glimpse into the rich tea-growing heritage of São Miguel Island and the dedication of the Gorreana family who’ve maintained this legacy for over a century.

Savoring Local Cuisine

After exploring the tea plantation, the tour moves on to savoring the local cuisine. Participants have the opportunity to indulge in the renowned Cérean boiled dish, cooked in the thermal waters of Furnas. This unique culinary experience offers a true taste of the island’s volcanic heritage.

The tour also highlights:

Sampling traditional stews and soups, tasting locally-sourced produce, and discovering the region’s distinctive flavors and cooking methods.

  • Sampling traditional stews and soups

  • Tasting locally-sourced produce and ingredients

  • Discovering the region’s distinctive flavors and cooking methods

  • Learning about the cultural significance of the Furnas thermal cooking process

  • Enjoying a hearty, satisfying meal in a picturesque setting.

The Sum Up

The Full Day Furnas and Furnas Lake Tour on São Miguel Island offers an immersive experience showcasing the island’s natural wonders. Visitors can explore scenic viewpoints, discover Europe’s oldest tea plantation, and savor the unique Cérean dish cooked in thermal waters. With knowledgeable guides and breathtaking landscapes, this tour provides an unforgettable adventure, making it a must-do activity for those visiting São Miguel Island.

You can check availability for your dates here: