Bathing in warm volcanic water is one of the great pleasures of the Azores, in any weather and any season. Most of the hot springs are on São Miguel: an iron-orange pool in a botanical garden, small stone pools open late into the evening, warm streams under a waterfall in a fern forest, and a hot spring that flows straight into the Atlantic. This guide compares every hot spring you can bathe in, with practical tips on booking, timing and what to bring.
The short answer
- Best overall: Terra Nostra Park in Furnas: a big, warm pool in a famous garden.
- Best in the evening: Poça da Dona Beija in Furnas, open until late.
- Most natural setting: Caldeira Velha, warm pools in a fern forest near Lagoa do Fogo.
- Most unusual: Ponta da Ferraria, a hot spring in the ocean; go at low tide.
- Outside São Miguel: the thermal spa at Carapacho on Graciosa.
At a glance
The best hot springs in the Azores
Tap any photo to see the place on the interactive map, with directions from where you are.
Side by side
Azores hot springs compared
| Hot spring | Where | Water | Setting | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Nostra Park | Furnas, São Miguel | Very warm, iron-rich | Large pool in a botanical garden | Entry fee includes the garden; busy at midday |
| Poça da Dona Beija | Furnas, São Miguel | Hot | Small stone pools in a stream garden | Open late; tickets sold online only |
| Caldeira Velha | Near Ribeira Grande, São Miguel | Warm to hot; waterfall pool cooler | Fern forest with a waterfall | Limited visitor numbers; book ahead |
| Ponta da Ferraria | West coast, São Miguel | Mixes with the sea; depends on the tide | Rock pool in the ocean | Free; best at low tide; spa building above |
| Termas das Caldeiras | Ribeira Grande, São Miguel | Warm | Small historic spa among fumaroles | Quieter than Furnas |
| Carapacho | South coast, Graciosa | Warm | Thermal spa by the sea | Spa treatments; natural sea pools below |
Prices and opening hours change, so check each site before you go. Most charge a small entry fee; Ferraria’s ocean pool is free.
Furnas · São Miguel
Terra Nostra Park
The most famous hot spring in the Azores is a large, iron-rich pool the colour of strong tea, in the middle of a historic botanical garden in Furnas. The water is warm enough to relax in for a long time, and there are smaller, hotter pools nearby. Your ticket also covers the garden, with its giant trees, ferns, camellias and paths to explore before or after your bath.
- Best time: early in the morning or late in the afternoon; it gets crowded in the middle of the day.
- Facilities: changing rooms, lockers and showers.
- Map: Terra Nostra Park
Furnas · São Miguel
Poça da Dona Beija
A set of small stone pools along a warm stream, surrounded by plants and lit up at night. It is smaller and more intimate than Terra Nostra, and the water is hotter. Because it stays open into the evening, it is the perfect end to a day in Furnas.
- Tickets: sold online only, often for set time slots, so book ahead in summer.
- Best time: after dark, when the day visitors have gone.
- Map: Poça da Dona Beija
Ribeira Grande · São Miguel
Caldeira Velha
A protected nature park on the slopes of the volcano below Lagoa do Fogo, where hot springs feed pools in a forest of tree ferns. The upper pool sits under a small waterfall and is the coolest; the lower pools are much warmer. A small interpretation centre explains the geology.
- Booking: visitor numbers are limited, so reserve a slot online, especially in summer.
- Combine with: Lagoa do Fogo, a 15-minute drive up the same road, and the tea plantations on the north coast.
- Map: Caldeira Velha
West coast · São Miguel
Ponta da Ferraria
At the foot of the cliffs on the west coast, a hot spring rises into a natural rock pool open to the ocean. The water temperature depends entirely on the tide: at low tide the spring water dominates and the pool is warm; at high tide the sea rushes in and it is cool. Ropes stretched across the pool help you hold your position against the waves.
- Timing: go around low tide; local tide tables and apps show the best bathing times.
- Safety: stay out when the sea is rough; waves come straight into the pool.
- Cost: the ocean pool is free; the spa building above it has indoor thermal pools for a fee.
- Combine with: Sete Cidades, about 20 minutes away, and sunset at Mosteiros.
- Map: Ponta da Ferraria
Off the beaten path
More hot springs in the Azores
- Termas das Caldeiras (Ribeira Grande, São Miguel): a small, old-fashioned spa in a valley of steaming fumaroles near Ribeira Grande, much quieter than Furnas.
- Ribeira Quente (São Miguel): on the beach below Furnas, hot springs warm parts of the sea.
- Carapacho (Graciosa): a thermal spa on the southern tip of Graciosa, with natural sea pools below it.
Some hot springs are for looking, not bathing: the boiling fumaroles of the Caldeiras das Furnas and of Furnas Lake, where the local cozido stew is cooked in the ground, reach close to 100 °C.
Know before you go
Tips for bathing in Azores hot springs
- Wear a dark, old swimsuit. Iron-rich water stains light fabrics orange, often for good.
- Take off silver jewellery. The minerals can tarnish it.
- Bring a towel and flip-flops, and shower after your bath.
- Don’t stay in too long. Twenty to thirty minutes in the hottest pools is plenty; drink water and take breaks.
- Take care with health conditions. If you are pregnant or have heart or blood pressure problems, check with a doctor before using very hot pools.
- Book ahead in summer for Poça da Dona Beija and Caldeira Velha.
- Go when it rains. Hot springs are the best rainy-day plan in the Azores.
Plan your day with the São Miguel map, or read the full São Miguel guide.
Questions
Azores hot springs: FAQ
Which is the best hot spring in the Azores?
Terra Nostra Park in Furnas for the classic experience, Poça da Dona Beija for an evening soak, Caldeira Velha for nature and Ponta da Ferraria for bathing in the ocean.
Which Azores island has hot springs?
Mostly São Miguel, especially around Furnas and Ribeira Grande. Graciosa has a thermal spa at Carapacho.
Are the hot springs in the Azores free?
Most charge a small entry fee. The ocean pool at Ponta da Ferraria is free.
Do you need to book hot springs in the Azores?
For Poça da Dona Beija (tickets are sold online) and Caldeira Velha (limited visitor numbers), yes, especially in summer. Terra Nostra usually doesn’t need booking.
Why is the water orange?
It is rich in iron, which colours the water and can stain light swimwear.
When is the best time to visit Ponta da Ferraria?
Around low tide, when the hot spring water isn’t diluted by the sea, and only when the sea is calm.
Can you visit hot springs in winter?
Yes. Winter is one of the best times, and the pools are a perfect plan for rainy days.