Furnas by Nightfall: Mystic Tour (Dinner included) - Hot Springs
Description
Visit the lively Furnas Lagoon. Indulge your taste buds with the traditional Cozido das Furnas. Rejuvenate your body and soul in the Furnas hot springs of Poça da Dona Beija during the golden hour, between dusk and nightfall. These thermal baths are very rich in mineral-medicinal properties and naturally provide benefits for your body and mind. The ideal way to unwind amid your holidays. Discover the true mystique of the village of Furnas at night, the Furnas fumaroles after night sets are unlike anything I've seen. The steam catches the village yellow lights, above the black cobblestone, it looks truly something out of this world. Ivo is the local that will guide you through this eerie part of São Miguel, Azores, sharing insights and local stories.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We’ll start by picking you up at your accommodation (or meeting point), where we’ll give you a warm welcome and a brief orientation. On the way to Furnas, we’ll make a short stop to enjoy the beautiful coastline of Vila Franca and take photos of the islet of Vila Franca do Campo (Princess Ring).
The “Lagoa das Furnas,” naturally nestled within a caldera (an inactive volcano), stands out as a major attraction for tourists, hikers, biologists, and birdwatchers, thanks to its diversity of endemic and exotic species of flora and fauna that roam freely throughout the area (and are not dangerous). As an area so rich in geothermal activity, the locals have devised a unique way to harness it to cook a distinctive Portuguese dish: the “Cozido das Furnas,” a mixture of meats, vegetables, and root vegetables that are slowly cooked underground for about 6 hours;
As part of the culinary experience on this tour, we’ll sample the famous stew cooked using geothermal heat—mentioned earlier—at a traditional local restaurant, as part of a full-course meal: appetizer, main course, and dessert, plus hot and cold beverages (vegetarian options and children’s meals are available). Beware! This restaurant is known for its generous portions, so be sure to come hungry!
Immerse yourself body and soul in the thermal pools of Furnas, at “Poça da Dona Beija,” one of the most popular thermal facilities in Furnas, on São Miguel. With natural waters at a temperature of around 39°C (102°F), surrounded by a setting of splendid vegetation and enriched by birdsong, this is a moment of relaxation and contemplation that will take you away from your daily routine and worries during the golden hour of the day, between twilight and nightfall. These iron-rich waters are known as an excellent treatment for the skin, but are not suitable for dyed hair. Avoid the waiting lines—we’ll handle the reservation for you. Certain medical conditions may be incompatible with the thermal baths; please consult your doctor beforehand.
Let’s wrap up our tour by admiring the impressive fumaroles and “caldeiras” in the center of town at night: a spectacle of smoke and lights created by nature awaits you—a unique experience in the Azores. We’ll add a special touch to this stop with ancient tales and legends from the region. Taste the rich mineral waters from the springs, and to cleanse your palate, we’ll sample a local homemade sweet treat, a delicacy of the Azores.
We'll finish off our tour admiring the impressive boiling water pools at Furnas during the night time: a smoke and lights show given by nature awaits you, an unique experience in Azores. Have a taste of the rich mineral waters springs and enjoy a local homemade sweet delicacy.
We’ll drive back along the north side of the island in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. During this 45-minute drive, you can take a nap and/or get recommendations on other places to visit and things to do for the rest of your stay. We’ll pass by the tea plantations, which will be closed at that time.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please wait at the entrance of your accommodation at the time specified by us when we reach out to confirm the last details of your booking (15 minutes is our maximum waiting time, after you'll be considered a no-show). We'll arrive in a grey van with our logo on its sides. Please note that pickups at Ribeira Grande will be charged an extra fee of 10€ at the end of this tour, for each booking not by person.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Entries for the "Dona Beija" hot springs (16€ per adult) only available online through their own site, book it for 20h30 (8:30pm), if not available, for 19h00 (7:00pm). Check thermal slots before you book this tour, if no availability, we can't guarantee you attend the thermals at another time.
- We book the "Dona Beija" entries for you: extra fee of 17€ charged over the listed tour price. Please confirm with us after booking if you opt for this choice. Guarantee your spot inside.
- The remaining time of the Tour (45 + 45 minutes difference) is the minimum time driving between our destinations. Don't worry we'll have plenty to see even while driving.
- Please bring swimwear and a bathing towel for the hot springs (light colored fabrics will get stained). Towel rental and other extras available at hot springs facilities.
- Any options chosen outside the menu for dinner will be charged separately.
- Certain health conditions are not safe to enter hot springs, please consult with your health physician before participating.
Reviews(110)
One of our favorite tours on the island. We saw some gorgeous views and learned a lot of interesting information along the way. The night tour is really worth it to get the views of the steam rising through the streets of Furnas. The cozida do furnas is quite good (definitely bring your appetite) and very fresh.
Greetings Mr. Jason and Mrs. Rachel, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall in São Miguel island! Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
Great experience! Amazing variety of areas seen. Ivo was an extremely knowledgeable guide. Dinner and wine were also very good. Thank you!
Greetings Mrs. Erin and Family, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall in São Miguel island! Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
Most highly recommended. Our" Furnas By Night" tour was one of the highlights of our trip. Convenient door-to-door pickup and drop-off from our rental apartment in Ponta Delgada. Safe driving, and knowledgeable and entertaining tour information along the way. We're a family of four, and our guide was very patient when we were a bit slow at times. It was a magical experience to see Furnas by night. The dinner was delicious, and the restaurant was able to handle our gluten-free needs. The hot springs were so relaxing, and beautiful to look up at the stars at night. For the amount of time and the meal included, it was excellent value for money.
Greetings Mr. Mitch and Family, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall in São Miguel island! Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
Ivo was an incredible guide! He had an amazing level of knowledge, shared a lot of fascinating facts about the island and answered all of our questions. The love he has for the island comes through so clearly in the way he talks about it. The tour itself was fantastic! Seeing the thermal baths at night was such a unique experience and the food was amazing - as the other reviewers have said, do bring an appetite!
Greetings, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall in São Miguel island! Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
Ivo was a knowledgeable and thorough guide. The itinerary was well thought out. Dinner was plentiful and the bathes were splendid.
Greetings Mr. Paul, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall in São Miguel island! Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
Great tour, Ivo was an amazing tour guide.
Greetings, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall! Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
Beautiful relaxing experience, very competent, friendly guides, with patience and humor, conveyed a lot of knowledge, pick-up, punctual, friendly
Greetings Mrs. Irina and Mrs. Kathrin, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall! Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
After the booking we was quickly informed about the pickup, and booking directly though their website the entry to the hot springs was taken care of for us. Before and during the trip Ivo was easy to contact. The start of the trip was ok, and trying dinner made in that special way, has to be tried. The hot springs was really nice, but the real magic started after the hot springs, during the evening guide. It was truly amazing to experience Furnas after the dark, with the steam/haze frmo the hot water and the "limited" amount of light from the light poles. I have absolutely nothing negative to put on Ivo or the trip overall. Ivo was really talkative, informative and almost like a living dictionary (in a good way of course). I neither have a finger to out on his driving. It felt save. Obviously I have not been visiting Furnas during the regular day, but I would still recommend people to visit Furnas during the evening/early night.
Greetings, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall! Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour with Ivo, a very knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. The cozido was delicious and the hot springs were fantastic and therapeutic. The stops along the way made the whole experience even better. This tour is a must!
Greetings, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall!. Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
A really beautiful trip with the great guide Ivo. Ivo is from here and knows the area very well because of that. We learned a lot from him. In advance, Ivo easily booked the tickets for the hot springs for us. The contact with him was quick, easy, and very friendly. On the tour, Ivo was well prepared and offered us water and umbrellas, for example. Ivo told us a lot about the sights and still gave us our own time, which was very pleasant. The food was great and everything was included. There was so much, and no wish was left unfulfilled. We had a lot of fun and great impressions that will stay with us for a long time. We will recommend Ivo and book again.
Greetings Mr. Peter, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience, I'm super grateful for the kind words and couldn't be happier to hear your positive feedback! It was a pleasure having you on board sharing good moments and stories along Furnas by nightfall!. I'm really glad you enjoyed every stop of our itinerary and all the insights in each on of them. Can't wait to have you back for more adventures! Kind regards and Safe travels, Ivo Soares WildScape Azores Tours
