Europe's Best Kept Secret - Portugal Furnas #travelvlog #transatlanticcruise #azores
Whether you’re stopping in São Miguel on a cruise or exploring the island on your own, Furnas is one of the most unique and unforgettable places in the Azores — a living volcanic valley where the ground breathes, steam rises through the trees, and the earth literally cooks your lunch. In this travel guide, I’ll take you through our full day in Furnas, from bubbling fumaroles and geothermal cooking to iron-rich thermal pools and peaceful historic spots most visitors miss. The Hawaii of the Europe 💡 Why Visit Furnas It’s one of the most active geothermal areas in the Azores, filled with hot springs, fumaroles, and thermal pools. You can watch locals cook Cozido das Furnas - Anthony Bourdain visit and was a reason i really wanted to go— a traditional stew of meats and vegetables buried in the ground and naturally steamed for six hours. Sample corn boiled in the vents, sip natural mineral water bubbling straight from the earth, and stroll through a botanical garden that feels timeless. Visit the old water mill of Furnas, a quiet reminder of how this community lived before tourism — powered by the flow of the stream, not electricity. 🧭 Day Trip & Cruise Stop Tips 🕒 Getting There: Furnas is about 45 minutes from Ponta Delgada by car or guided tour. 🚗 How to Visit: Book a private tour to customize your stops, or join an affordable group tour with set times for the vents, gardens, and lunch. 🚙 Car Rental: If you’re staying several days on São Miguel, renting a car gives you flexibility for stops like Furnas, Sete Cidades, and Ribeira Grande. 🍲 Where to Eat: Try Restaurante Tony’s for Cozido (€18–22 / $19–24 USD). It fills up fast — ask your guide to reserve. ♨️ Thermal Baths: Terra Nostra Garden: Iconic orange pool in a botanical park (38–40 °C / 100–104 °F). Poça da Dona Beija: Open-air pools with night swims — book early! 🚕 Getting Home: If you’re staying in Ponta Delgada and coming just for a soak (day or night), arrange transport ahead of time — taxis and shuttles are limited after dark. 🔗 Helpful Links 🌋 Furnas Private Tour → https://www.viator.com/tours/Sao-Miguel/Private-Tour-Furnas/d50209-5570373P3?pid=P00188613&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=Furnas 🌋 Furnas Group Tour → https://www.viator.com/tours/Sao-Miguel/Full-Day-Furnas-Valley-Tour-Including-Lunch/d50209-7425P2?pid=P00188613&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=Furnas ♨️ Poça da Dona Beija Tickets → Night Swim with Round Trip Transport from Ponta Delgada - https://www.viator.com/tours/Sao-Miguel/Furnas-and-Tea-Plantation-Private-Tour-in-Sao-Miguel/d50209-405399P2?pid=P00188613&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=Furnas Night Swim - https://www.viator.com/tours/Sao-Miguel/Furnas-Night-Time-Experience-with-Thermal-Baths-and-Dinner/d50209-65063P1?pid=P00188613&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=Furnas 🌺 Terra Nostra Garden & Tour Info → https://www.viator.com/tours/Ponta-Delgada/Private-hot-springs-tour/d22380-379547P3?pid=P00188613&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=Furnas 🍲 Restaurante Tony’s → https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1190881-d2365912-Reviews-Restaurante_Tonys-Furnas_Povoacao_Sao_Miguel_Azores.html 🏡 Hotels near Furnas → https://www.expedia.com/shop/joboken/azores 🚗 Car Rentals on São Miguel → https://www.expedia.com/Car-Rentals-In-Sao-Miguel-Island.d6051142.Car-Rental-Guide?locale=en_US&siteid=1&semcid=US.MULTILOBC.GOOGLE.DT-c-EN.CAR&semdtl=a117293193908.b1144442347971.g1kwd-676891940626.e1c.m1Cj0KCQiAq7HIBhDoARIsAOATDxCRIhd7wDBh5DBaNCwpYidg7UuwwIvSm6oI2zVWksCIeytsQc_l8F8aAl71EALw_wcB.r1bcbdd4a90fb2055a262d5a7655a71cd7348f6ce1eec972792b25c038cacd8443.c1.j19003632.k1.d1720980125326.h1e.i1.l1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1car%20rental%20sao%20miguel%20island.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17293193908&gbraid=0AAAAACTxZ9arBu3_C6anjeI0cTTRYHrlT&gclid=Cj0KCQiAq7HIBhDoARIsAOATDxCRIhd7wDBh5DBaNCwpYidg7UuwwIvSm6oI2zVWksCIeytsQc_l8F8aAl71EALw_wcB 🌍 About This Channel I’m Jo — your mid-range travel guide, exploring destinations that balance comfort, culture, and adventure. From volcanic valleys to luxury cruises, I share real travel experiences that help you plan smarter and travel better. #Azores #Furnas #SaoMiguel #AzoresTravel #HotSprings #CozidoDasFurnas #AzoresCruise #TravelGuide #TerraNostraGarden #PocadaDonaBeija #portugaltravel