Furnas Full-Day Panoramic Minibus Tour – Geysers, Hot Springs and Volcanic Landscapes
A guided journey through the volcanic heart of São Miguel Island
The Furnas panoramic minibus tour takes you on an eight-hour exploration of São Miguel's most celebrated volcanic valley, combining natural geothermal wonders with scenic coastal viewpoints, artisan food stops, and lush Azorean countryside.
Furnas sits in the caldera of an ancient volcano and remains one of the most geologically active spots in the Atlantic. Visitors encounter steaming calderas, natural hot springs, and fumaroles rising from the lakeside, all framed by subtropical vegetation that thrives on the island's mild, humid climate.
Beyond the valley itself, the route traces the southern coast of São Miguel, pausing at ceramic workshops, ocean-view miradouros, and the pastry factory behind the island's most famous sweet. The itinerary is designed to balance natural spectacle with cultural context, giving participants a well-rounded portrait of the island.
A licensed guide accompanies the group throughout the day, providing commentary on the geology, history, and traditions of each location. Lunch is included, allowing guests to settle into the pace of the journey without logistical concerns.
Tour Highlights
Walk alongside the steaming calderas of Furnas, where volcanic heat pushes boiling water and sulphurous gas directly through the earth's surface beside the lagoon.
Visit the thermal pools of Poça Dona Beija or the historic Parque Terra Nostra, where iron-rich waters have been used for therapeutic bathing for generations.
Stop at Miradouro Pisão for a sweeping view over the southern coastline and the small islet of Vila Franca do Campo, a protected marine reserve offshore.
Discover Fábrica Queijadas da Vila, the bakery producing the traditional Queijadas da Vila pastry recipe that has remained unchanged for over a century.
Explore Chá Gorreana, the oldest working tea plantation in Europe, where visitors can walk the rows of tea plants and sample freshly produced green and black teas.
Stop at Cerâmica Vieira, one of the Azores' most established pottery studios, known for its hand-painted faience tiles and decorative pieces rooted in island tradition.
Survey the Lagoa das Furnas from multiple vantage points, including Pico do Ferro, a forested viewpoint offering an elevated perspective over the crater lake and its thermal shores.
Itinerary
The tour departs from ANC Azores Holidays in Ponta Delgada and heads east along the southern coast. Early stops include Cerâmica Vieira for a look at Azorean pottery craftsmanship and Miradouro Pisão, a clifftop viewpoint with open views over the Atlantic and Vila Franca do Campo's natural islet.
The group descends into Vila Franca do Campo to walk the Estrada Real and visit the marina. A stop at Fábrica Queijadas da Vila introduces the iconic local pastry, a soft ricotta-filled confection produced on site since the nineteenth century.
The minibus climbs into the Furnas caldera, where the road opens onto the crater lake. The group visits the lakeside calderas, observes the geothermal activity at close range, and continues into the village of Furnas, a quiet settlement built within the volcanic depression.
Time is allocated for optional thermal bathing at Poça Dona Beija or an alternative park. The tour then ascends to Pico do Ferro, a forested miradouro above the valley, offering one of the most complete aerial views of Lagoa das Furnas and the surrounding calderas.
On the northern flank of the island, Chá Gorreana provides a change of scenery: orderly rows of tea plants, a working factory open to visitors, and tasting rooms. The minibus then completes the circuit back to Ponta Delgada, concluding the full-day tour.
What Is Included
Included
- Licensed tour guide throughout the day
- Personal accident and liability insurance
- Fuel and all transport costs
- Lunch
Not Included
- Thermal bath entrance fees (Poça Dona Beija, Parque Terra Nostra or Parque Florestal)
- Personal purchases at visited shops and factories
- Gratuities for the guide
- Private tour upgrade (available on request)
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Spaces on this shared tour are limited. Secure your spot on the Furnas full-day minibus tour and discover the volcanic landscapes, artisan traditions, and thermal waters of São Miguel in a single day.
Book Now
