The 11 Spa Days in Ponta Delgada Worth the Detour

1.Azores: Shore Excursion Furnas – Crater volcano and hot springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $94Our pick

Leave your cruise ship in Ponta Delgada for Furnas, where you’ll visit Gorreana Tea Plantation, view the volcanic lake from Pico do Ferro, see steaming springs, and watch stew cook underground. Optional time at Terra Nostra or Dona Beija costs extra. Guides include Pedro, Raphael, Andrea, and others.

“When they say the Azores is equivalent to Hawaii they are correct. It was a perfect tour on a beautiful island. Our favorite was definitely the tea plantation, absolutely breath taking. We saw the hot geysers and views from the top into the green/blue lakes. Our guide Raphael was excellent. Our only disappointment is that we did not make it to the orange hot springs and botanical gardens, but the rest of the stops were great.”

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2.Full-Day Furnas Tour: Hot Springs, Traditional Lunch & Tea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $119Top rated

Spend about eight hours exploring São Miguel from Ponta Delgada with a group of up to eight. You’ll visit Vila Franca do Campo, Furnas Lake, Caldeira das Furnas, Terra Nostra, Pico do Ferro, and Gorreana Tea Factory, with volcanic Cozido lunch and tea 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.”

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3.Private Guided Tour to Furnas and thermal baths.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $108

Travel from Ponta Delgada to Furnas in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with local guides such as Tiago or Nilton. See volcanic springs, Pico do Ferro, Terra Nostra Park, and Gorreana Tea Plantation. Bring swimwear and a towel, since thermal bathing is part of the plan.

“Wonderful day in Furnas! Nilton was an excellent guide - kind and knowledgeable. He navigated the tricky roads with ease in his very comfortable car. As a lifelong resident, he shared lots of interesting information about life on Sao Miguel. He brought us to places we would not have found on our own. He and his brother are a family business - they take pride in the business and their home and it shows! Highly recommend!”

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4.Couples PRIVATE Hybrid 4X4 Tour – Furnas (Inc Hot Springs and 3 Course Lunch)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Spend about eight hours with Andy on a private São Miguel tour from Ponta Delgada. Walk around Lagoa das Furnas, see volcanic cooking pits, soak at Terra Nostra, eat a three-course cozido lunch, taste Azorean tea, and stop for North Coast views.

“One of the best coordinated and relaxing tours. Andy was great! This was a very nice, low key, personal tour experience. We were not in the mood for rushing and wanted to spend a nice private experience in Furnas. Andy knows everything about the villages and culture. He was engaging at the right level, knew how to get everywhere with ease and since he is British but has lived in Furnas for 9 years, knows the locals, can speak fluently in Portuguese. One of the best overall relaxing and interesting tours I’ve done. Oh and the food was amazing (and gluten free for my celiac Husband).”

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5.Private Tour Furnas Lake & Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle from Ponta Delgada to Gorreana Tea Plantation, Furnas Lake, Terra Nostra Garden, hot springs, and island viewpoints. Guides such as Cesar, Gary, and Helder tailor the day, making this a strong choice for families and small groups.

“Helder was amazing. He knew so much about every aspect of Azores. The willingness to customize our itinerary was perfect for our young children. He even showed up with car seats. Pineapple farm, waterfalls, crater, and a perfect small restaurant for lunch.”

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6.Half Day Furnas And Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66Best value

Join guide Samuel Rego for a 4.5-hour small-group trip from Ponta Delgada to Furnas. See volcanic steam cooking cozido, visit Gorreana Tea Plantation, soak at Terra Nostra, and stop at island viewpoints. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with pickup included near the city.

“A great morning excursion. Our driver and guide, Samual, was really good. He was fun, friendly, entertaining and knew answers to everything we asked. A very professional guide indeed. The sights we saw were truly memorable and the trip to the fumeroles in Furnas was fantastic and so interesting. I would highly recommend this outing and anything else done by our guide.”

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7.Full Day Furnas, Volcano stew and hot springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $80

Spend about eight hours exploring São Miguel’s Furnas region with guide Samuel Rego or a small group of up to eight. Visit thermal pools, fumaroles, tea fields, gardens, chapels, and viewpoints, then enjoy a traditional Azorean stew cooked by volcanic heat. Pickup from Ponta Delgada hotels is offered.

“I strongly recommend booking this trip. You'll see a lot of amazing places in one day, relax in beautiful thermals, taste local food and drink azorean liqueurs and tea. Sam is an amazing guide. Thank you for this experience.”

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8.San Miguel : Vulcanic Experience in Furnas (W/ thermal baths)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $101

Join João from Azores Hidden Tours for a six-hour Furnas outing from Ponta Delgada. Visit Europe’s first tea plantation, taste geothermal tea and water, see fumaroles, stop at coastal viewpoints, and relax for 90 minutes at Poça da Dona Beija. Pool admission costs 16 euros extra.

“Pick up at the hotel was easy, Joao took us to see a few sights in Furnas and even gave us some tea from thermal water :) we then went to the thermal baths and he took us back to the hotel. Great time!”

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9.Lagoa do Fogo Volcano and Caldeira Velha Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $76

Travel from Ponta Delgada in a small group of up to eight, visiting Cerâmica Vieira, Lagoa do Fogo viewpoints, Salto do Cabrito, Ribeira Grande, Gorreana Tea Plantation, and Caldeira Velha. Air-conditioned transport, snacks, WiFi, and powerbanks are included. Hot-spring entry and lunch cost extra.

“Beautiful day visiting park with swimming pools and on the way lookout, beautiful scenery, seaside, churches, cows, it was perfect. Nice guide everything was very good I adviseAuto-translated”

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10.Furnas – Thermal Pools – Private Jeep Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $127

Spend about seven hours exploring Furnas and the central side of São Miguel in a private 4x4 with a local guide. You’ll reach places larger tours cannot, learn about Azorean life, and have free time for thermal pools. Pickup and insurance are included; lunch and entry fees are not.

“Pedro gave us a wonderful and informative tour of Sete Cidades and some almost equally beautiful surrounding areas on May 29. We definitely experienced more than we thought we would in a four hour tour. No wasted time and unique experiences thanks to Pedro's knRead more”

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11.PRIVATE Hybrid 4X4 Tour – Full Day Furnas (Inc Hot Springs and 3 Course Lunch)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Andy leads this private eight-hour 4x4 tour from Ponta Delgada into Furnas. You’ll walk beside Lagoa das Furnas, see volcanic cooking pits, soak at Terra Nostra, eat a three-course cozido lunch, and visit Gorreana Tea Plantation and Santa Iria viewpoint.

“Had a truly wonderful experience with Andy. It was nice that all I had to do was book this adventure and the entire day was planned. It was awesome listening to Andy’s knowledge about the Azores. The lunch which is included in the tour was delicious. Andy is kind and very welcoming. I highly recommend. Will use Azores Connections again in the future.”

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