Best of Furnas

The lush valley of Furnas is the epicenter of geothermal activity on São Miguel Island. Boiling calderas, steaming fumaroles, and geysers are just outside the small village of Furnas, which lies amid one massive dormant volcano. It’s an easy day trip from Ponta Delgada (a 45-minute drive to the southwest) and other coastal towns on the island, though you can stay in some excellent hotels, including several with thermal-fed swimming pools.  

Furnas is a great destination for those wanting to combine outdoor activities with a bit of relaxation. You can hike along the forested shores of the crater lake of Lagoa de Furnas or go mountain biking through the village and up to the top of Lombo dos Milhos for sweeping views over the valley. Furnas’ rich soil contributes to its abundant greenery, which you can see firsthand on a stroll through Parque Terra Nostra, a biologically diverse botanical garden. The best cap to the day is a soak in the park’s geothermal outdoor pool - it’s especially rejuvenating on cool, misty afternoons.