3. Furnas Village
The village of Furnas is one of the most visited places on São Miguel Island. While this village is known for its volcanic phenomena, such as the hot springs, fumaroles and geysers, or the magnificent Lagoa das Furnas, it also has other important tourist attractions that are well worth a visit.
And indeed, the village of Furnas is also famous for its hot springs, like those of Terra Nostra Park and its incredible botanical garden, or the Poça da Dona Beija, another thermal area with natural pools. In the highlighted places in this area, you can find more information about these two must-visit spots.
Furnas is a quite touristy village due to all the attractions surrounding it, but it also invites you to stroll through its streets and stop at the restaurants to try the typical "Cozido das Furnas," a very special stew made in the calderas, using the heat emitted by nature itself. If you want to try this typical dish at one of the village's restaurants, don't forget to book in advance. Some of the highly recommended restaurants to eat this stew are Caldeiras & Vulcoes or Tony's.
And if you're not a fan of stew but love cheese, you can't miss Queijaria Furnense. Can you imagine tasting cheese made in the calderas? Delicious! And if we keep talking about gastronomy, we can't forget to mention one of the best culinary experiences on São Miguel Island: Tia Mercês Geothermal Brunch, a place where you can try a wide variety of products cooked in the calderas.
Lastly, if you take some time to wander around the village of Furnas, you'll likely come across the Upside-Down House, located here, an original electric power station transformed into a house but upside down. This upside-down house is quite unique, and it's worth at least stopping by to take some fun photos.
Finally, parking in Furnas is easy; you won't have trouble finding parking. There are several free parking lots like this one scattered throughout the village.
MORE PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Day Trips from Ponta Delgada:
Another way to explore the Furnas area is through day trips departing from Ponta Delgada. These are a great option if you don't have a private vehicle, don't want to worry about transportation, or simply want to enjoy the insights of a local guide throughout the visit. Here are our favorites: