Things To Do
Poça da Dona Beija
Relax in these natural hot springs featuring 5 thermal pools ranging from 82 F to 102 F. Opening hours are daily from 10 am-11 pm and includes access to locker rooms, thermal baths and showers. There is parking on site. We recommend wearing old, ideally dark-colored bathing suits, as the iron in the water can turn your bathing suit and towels orange. Admission costs 6€.
Lagoa do Fogo
There are two main viewpoints to get the best views of this lake – Miradouro da Barrossa and Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo. You can also do hikes around the lake – a shorter 30 minute trail from Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint to the bottom of the lake and back up, or a longer 4 hour round trip hike starting in Praia (a 30 minute drive) that takes you to the opposite side of the lake from the viewpoint areas.
Ponta Delgada
You can walk around the capital city and see sites like the Portas da Cidade, Igreja de São José, Forte de São Bras, and restaurants around the port.
Gorreana Tea Factory
Visit the only tea plantation in Europe! You can walk through the tea plants and enjoy the view, take a tour of the factory or relax over a cup of free tea and some sweet treats at the cafe.
Sete Cidades
This area is a city with two lagoons, Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul (one green and one blue in color). Depending on cloud coverage and how much sun is out will dictate how clear that color differential is. Make sure to go to the Miradouro da Vista do Rei for the best view when the skies are clear.
Parque Terra Nostra
This park has botanical gardens, thermal pools, and an award winning hotel. Opening hours are daily from 10:30am to 4:30pm. The botanical gardens are beautiful with several different species of plants and flowers. There are multiple thermal pools ranging from 95º-104º F. We recommend wearing old, ideally dark-colored bathing suits, as the iron in the water can turn your bathing suit and towels orange. Admission costs €8.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, common dolphins and Risso’s dolphins are species that can be seen year-round in the Azores. Here is one company that offers tours
Golf Courses
There are 2 18-hole golf courses on the island: Furnas and Batalha.
Caldeira Velha
After hiking at Lagoa do Fogo, visit the Caldeira Velha for a soak in the breath-taking thermal baths. These pools are set in a naturally green surrounding, with pools varying in temperatures. There are showers, changing rooms, and washrooms all on site. To avoid waiting times, use the website below to reserve a "bath time" at least 48 hours in advance. Opening hours: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Admission cost: 8€
Plantação Ananases A Arruda
Local pineapples are a staple in the Azores. If you’re curious about how pineapples are grown, this pineapple plantation is free to visit.
Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo
Take an 8€ ferry from the port at Vila Franca do Campo for a 10 minute ride out to this islet to enjoy the warm and clear waters, which are great for snorkeling. Or just hang out on the beach for a few hours. Get to the port EARLY to secure tickets (an hour before the shops open is recommended), as they are very difficult to get. There are washrooms with a small area for changing on the island, as well as life guards but that is it. If you plan to stay for a few hours you should bring your own food/drink and sunscreen. You can try to buy tickets online, but the website doesn't always work:
Furnas - Caldeiras
In the volcanic crater of the Furnas Valley, the volcanic heat is used for cooking Cozido, a very traditional meal in the Açores. Pots with a mix of several meats and vegetables are placed underground in geothermal holes where they spend about 6 hours slow cooking. You can visit any time of the day, but if you go around noon, you may be able to see the pots being pulled out of the ground to transport to restaurants. If you visit here, you should try the cozido at one of the local restaurants.
Our Favorite Restaurants
Cais 20 (get the lapas) a Tasca Casa do Abel Associação Agrícola Alabote Quinta Dos Sabores A Terra
Visit other Islands
There are 9 islands in the Açores archipelago, divided into 3 sections. Each one has something unique to offer. You can take quick flights between islands or in some cases you can take ferries between islands that are closer together.