Furnas is a village in the Azores archipelago on the island of São Miguel, and was home to 1,450 people in 2011. It is famous for its geothermal activity. Hot springs and geysers are prevalent, and traditional meals are cooked via thermal energy in pots buried in the ground.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]From Ponta Delgada take bus C318 or C110 for €4.65 (Jan 2024). It takes about 1 hr 20 min. There are multiple bus stops in the village.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Furnas
The village can be easily explored on foot.
See
[edit]- 1 Plant growing on dead tree.
- 2 Lagoa da Fogo (Fire Lake). A caldera lake high up in the mountain, part of a nature reserve, known for its dramatic views and white sand beach. There is a hiking trail around the lake.
- 3 Lagoa das Furnas. An active caldera with steam vents, mud pots, geysers, and hot springs. Locals cook food in earth ovens available in picnic areas. There is a café that sells stew cooked in the fumeroles for €25. Entry to area €3.
- 4 Casa Invertida, Av. Victor Manuel Rodrigues. A house that is upside down.
Do
[edit]- 1 Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da Caldeira Velha. Nature preserve near Lagoa da Fogo including hot springs and shower facilities.
- 2 Poça da Dona Beija, Lomba Das Barracas 1. Hot springs facility featuring thermal pools, tropical landscaping, showers & a gift shop. €8.
- 3 Terra Nosta Botanical Garden (Parque Terra Nostra), Largo Marquês da Praia e Monfort. A 200-year-old park featuring local flora and fauna, as well as outdoor mineral baths. €10.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Tony's Snack-Bar, Rua Padre Afonso Arruda de Quental.
- 2 Café Atlântida, R. Pᵃ José Jacinto Botelho 64.
- 3 Snack Bar 2020, R. de Santana.
- 4 Summer Breeze, Largo da estrela 18.
- 5 Queijaria Furnense, R. Caminho Novo 3.
Mid-range
[edit]- 6 Restaurante Vale Das Furnas (Parque De Campismo), Sítio das Queimadas.
- 7 À Terra Furnas, Avenida Dr. Manuel de Arriaga.
- 8 Restaurante Tony´s, Rua Largo Teatro.
Splurge
[edit]- 9 Restaurante Terra Nostra (Terra Nostra Garden Hotel), Rua Padre José Jacinto Botelho 5.
- 10 Casino Terra Nostra (Terra Nostra Garden Hotel), Rua Padre José Jacinto Botelho 32.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Ponta Delgada, Sete Cidades and the other towns of São Miguel