In the centre of the village of Furnas you will find Poca da Dona Beija –  geothermally heated pools set in stunning surroundings that offer a unique natural experience like no other!  Find out more about Poca da Dona Beija here Poça da Dona Beija | Paraíso Termal dos Açores (pocadonabeija.com)

With one of the highest waterfalls on Sao Miguel Island Grená Wildlife Park in Furnas features one of the most stunning walking trails on the island. There are several trails ranging from 500m to 5.4km and hammocks are available to hire to relax and enjoy the views enroute. Bikes and kayaks are also available and there is a tea shop at the entrance for refreshments. There is an entrance fee to the park (approx. 10 euros as at Nov 2021). More information here:  www.parquegrena.pt

Staying in Furnas you will have the opportunity to explore this stunning region of the Azores in more detail by foot. A stroll through the village will take you past small restaurants serving food cooked geothermally underground and family run shops including one where you can buy cheese made with volcanic water. You will also find baths where you can swim in geothermally heated pools together with many steaming fumeroles and geysers in the village including one which the locals call their foot spa!  The botanical gardens and geothermal pools of the Terra Nostra park are simply stunning and we highly recommend a visit to our guests. You can also learn about the mineral waters of Furnas and sample the different waters around the village.  Venturing outside Furnas you will find Lagoa das Furnas and adjacent Grena Wildlife Park which again we highly recommend to our guests. 

The Azores are world renowned for birdwatching. The islands take their name from the “Azor” buzzard bird. The rare Azores Bullfinch is endemic to Sao Miguel Island and one of the world’s largest colonies of Cory’s Shearwater call the islands home. This tour gives you the chance to visit a number of birdwatching sites.

These stunning botanical gardens and large geothermal pools with brownish iron-rich water at a temperature of around 40°C. was built in the 18th and 19th centuries. We highly recommend that our guests visit Parque Terra Nostra which is open to day visitors (10h30 – 16h30) or to guests of the Hotel Terra Nostra 24hrs a day. More information about the parque can be found here: Terra Nostra Garden | Thermal Water Pool (parqueterranostra.com)

If you are visiting Furnas village, we recommend a lunch time meal (13h00-14h30) at Hotel Terra Nostra where you can try the local “Cozido” meat stew cooked underground at nearby Lagoa das Furnas (there are other meat/fish/veg options). This is a superb, high quality restaurant and it is essential to book in advance. You will get free access to the spectacular Terra Nostra gardens if you spend more than 30 euros pp in the restaurant until 16h30 after which time it is open to hotel residents only (entrance is usually approx. 15 euros pp).   Call the hotel to make a lunchtime meal reservation: 00 351 296 549 090