São Miguel’s natural geothermal pools and hot springs are reason enough to visit the largest island of the Azores. The island has the highest concentration of hot springs in Europe, and I’ve been lucky enough to holiday on the volcanic isle three times.
From steamy rainforest pools to oceanside thermal baths, I’ve done the difficult task of soaking in them — more than once — in the name of research, and I have my favourites. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know before you slip into one of São Miguel Island’s mineral-rich baths.
What makes São Miguel’s thermal pools special?
São Miguel’s thermal pools are connected to the island’s volcanic origins. The nine islands of the Azores archipelago sit on a tectonic boundary between the Eurasian and North American plates. Geothermal activity has shaped the landscape of these islands – and continues to bubble to the surface on São Miguel, especially around Furnas and Ribeira Grande.
São Miguel’s hot springs and pools are fed by water naturally heated underground, with the baths commonly reaching temperatures between 30°C and 40°C (86°F-104°F). The waters are rich in minerals like iron, sulphur and silica, and some are said to help with circulation, joint pain and skin conditions.
What makes them truly special is the variety of choice. You can soak in a rust-coloured thermal bath inside a botanical garden, float beneath a jungle waterfall, or feel the Atlantic crash around you in a natural ocean hot spring. Each one has its own character!
Read next… 4-day itinerary for São Miguel Island, Azores
Things to know before you go
Some quick tips for visiting hot springs on São Miguel Island.
- No nudity – Hot springs are mixed gender, and you must always wear a bathing suit.
- Pack a dark coloured bathing suit – the high iron content (especially at Terra Nostra) can stain your swimwear and towels.
- BYO everything: swimsuit, towel, flip flops, water bottle. Some places have towel rental, but it’s better to have your own.
- Expect a sulphur smell – Some pools have that “eggy” scent, but it soon disappears once you’re used to it.
- Shower before and after – Beyond hygiene reasons, a rinse is good for your skin and hair due to the high mineral content.
- Avoid wearing jewellery – some pieces in silver or gold may tarnish. Some hair colours (especially grey) may change too, so take care and avoid getting it wet.
- Book tickets at least one day ahead – especially in peak season. Mornings will be quieter than afternoons or evenings. Rainy or cool days are best!
- Check opening hours – Some springs close mid-afternoon, while others (like Poça da Dona Beija) stay open very late.
- Pay for a locker – lots of people stash their belongings near the pools, but mist and rain frequently come through, so just pay the extra €1-2 for a locker!
- Respect nature – rinse off sunscreen, don’t litter, and (for goodness sake) don’t watch TikToks on your phone with the sound on (I should have splashed his phone….)
- Don’t use if pregnant or with open wounds – check with your doctor if you should avoid thermal pools for any other reason.
No rental car? Join a small-ground tour. To access these pools, you’ll need wheels – but there are a number of guided tours that include stops at thermal springs across the island. I’ve linked a couple below, and suggested some under each hot pool (where relevant).
Best hot springs and thermal pools on São Miguel Island
From spa springs to wild natural parks to ocean pools, here’s where to dip into São Miguel’s thermal springs.
Caldeira Velha
Close your eyes. Listen to the high-pitched chorus of frogs, the soft rush of water, the layered calls of birds. At Caldeira Velha, you’ll be simmering in warm thermal waters in the middle of a rainforest, buzzing with life. On the last misty morning that I visited, the heady smell of sulphur mixed with that of petrichor as rain droplets bounced off the fuzzy layers of moss all around us.
One of my favourite thermal springs on São Miguel is easily Caldeira Velha. The rocky thermal pools set in an ancient protected rainforest are a full sensory experience. I suggest you start with the upper waterfall pool, where warm water spills over basalt rock into a wide basin. It’s cooler than the others – better for that initial refreshing dip and a cute photo under the warm waterfall. Closer to the entrance, the other two pools hover around 39°C (102°F) – ideal for soaking among Jurassic-sized tree ferns, trailing vines and thick moss, with steam rising all around you.
Tips for visiting Caldeira Velha:
- You must, must book the springs the day ahead – and it does sell out. Book the full ticket to gain access to the pools.
- You can monitor how many spaces each session has left when you book online. When I looked in July, it had sold out three days ahead!
- Go first thing in the morning for the quieter session. I believe they allow 100 people in at a time.
- You have a 90-minute session, then you have to leave.
- This is more of a nature reserve or government-run park. The facilities are therefore limited, so I recommend showing up in your swimsuit.
- You can pay €2 for a locker – show your ticket inside at the interpretation centre.
- After, explore the small interpretation centre to learn more about the island’s geothermal areas, flora and fauna.
- There are only two toilets and two showers, so finish up 5-10 minutes early if you have to get out of there fast.
- Parking is free at this car park. I did notice they have blocked the EN5-2A road between here and the car park at Rota da Água – Janela do Inferno – you have to take a shuttle bus to explore the sights in between, including Lagoa do Fogo.
Nearby: After the springs, you could swing by Salto do Cabrito, a waterfall very close by. From the car park, a round trip takes about 45 minutes on foot.
📍Address: Park here
🕚 Opening times: 9am – 6.30pm daily
🎟 Tickets: Book here – Adults €10; Children 7-14 & Seniors 65+ €5; Kids under 6 free
🌡 Water temperature: 23ºC – 38ºC (73ºF – 100ºF)
Go guided: Explore Lagoa do Fogo and trek through nature before soaking in the thermal baths at Caldeira Velha on this guided tour. ➡️ Check your dates here.
Read next… Where to eat on São Miguel Island, Azores
Poça da Dona Beija
At the centre of the Furnas Valley caldera lies a world of geothermal activity, bubbling and hissing its way to the surface. My favourite spring here is Poça da Dona Beija, where entry gains you access to a series of four open-air pools, set within manicured tropical gardens along a creek.
Each of the pools is around 38-39°C (100-102°F) – the perfect temperature to rest and relax after a day of exploring. The pools have slightly different depths, and one includes a waterfall feature that is fun to immerse yourself behind. But best of all, these pools are open until 11pm, so you can enjoy an evening soak under the stars, surrounded by ferns.
The only negative about Poça da Dona Beija is the strict rules around ticketing – you should book ahead to avoid missing out, but also be aware that there are no refunds or possibilities to change your slot.
Tips for visiting Poça da Dona Beija
- Be decisive when you book tickets – there are no refunds, and they are strict with timings.
- You can pay for a locker after you arrive.
- The gift shop offers towel rental and will even sell you a bikini (or a souvenir mug)
- Leave time to park – you’re right in Furnas town, so there is not a huge amount of parking nearby.
📍Address: Lomba Das Barracas s/n, 9675-044 Furnas – Google Maps
🕚 Opening times: 8.30am – 11pm daily
🎟 Tickets: Book here – Day price €12; after 6pm €16 – children under 6 get a slight discount
🌡 Water temperature: 39ºC (102ºF)
Visit at night with a guide: This top-rated evening guided thermal tour from Ponta Delgada to Furnas includes dinner, where you’ll try the famous cozido das Furnas cooked with thermal heat, and a relaxed after-dark dip at Poça da Dona Beija beneath starry skies. ➡️ Check your dates here.
Terra Nostra Park
This ginormous hot spring is set within the lushest botanical garden in Furnas. Parque Terra Nostra’s massive, iron-rich, orange-tinged pool is fed by a volcanic spring with a temperature that ranges between 36°C – 42°C (97°F – 108ºF). The pool was first built in the early 1780s by American merchant Thomas Hickling. He wanted to create a place of relaxation, and originally, the ‘tanque’ or tank was intended for fishing and boating.
In the 1930s, the rejuvenating iron-rich thermal pool you see today was expanded, and now it’s one of São Miguel’s most popular attractions. More recently, two smaller thermal jacuzzi baths have been built nearby. The water here has a distinctive orange hue, deeper than others, and is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron and silica.
The challenge with Parque Terra Nostra is the short opening hours. This fantastic property is also home to the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, so hotel guests have exclusive use of the pool and gardens outside the public opening hours of 10.30am – 4.30pm each day.
Honestly, it would be a dream to stay at the property, which Condé Nast Traveler called one of the world’s best ‘Green Retreats’ – so see if your dates are within your budget.
Terra Nostra Park has a higher entry fee, but it’s more than a thermal pool. Leave time to explore the expansive exotic gardens. Within you’ll find an avenue of Ginkgo Biloba trees, a bamboo grove, a giant lily pond, camelia gardens, caves and plenty of lush hidden gems and romantic wanders.
Tips for visiting Parque Terra Nostra:
- The orange, iron-rich waters might stain your swimsuit or towel – wear a darker or older one. Don’t take white towels!
- The thermal pool and gardens are free for guests of Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.
- The visiting hours are very limited: only 10.30am – 4.30pm for the public. Hotel guests have access 24 hours a day.
- Make time to explore the garden before or after swimming in the thermal pool.
📍Address: Largo Marquês da Praia e Monfort, 9675-061 Furnas – Google Maps
🕚 Opening times: 10.30am – 4.30pm daily
🎟 Tickets: Book here – Adults €17; youth or seniors €14.50 (or look at the hotel)
🌡 Water temperature: 36°C – 42°C (97°F – 108ºF)
Go guided: No rental car? Join this top-rated guided tour that includes stops at the Gorreana tea plantation, Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park, and Furnas. ➡️ Check your dates here.
Or better yet, this small-group guided tour that carves a lap of the lesser-frequented Nordeste part of the island, stopping at insane lookouts and following old roads before reaching Furnas. ➡️ Check your dates here.
Octant Furnas Spa
There’s a third thermal pool experience in Furnas on offer at the 5-star Octant Hotel. It’s the sort of space where you book a spa treatment and sip on local tea between dips while wondering how the masses are doing at the more mainstream human soup hot springs.
This beautiful hotel offers a premium and more exclusive hot spring experience, with an indoor and an outdoor thermal pool. Water from the “Quenturas” spring gushes from the earth at 59°C (138°F), which they cool closer to 30°C (86°F) for the pools, using the excess heat for hot water at the hotel.
If you’re looking for a thermal water experience that offers more than a pool, here you can enjoy a hydrotherapy circuit with Furnas thermal water. It includes a sauna, Turkish bath, aromatic showers, and the two pools – free for hotel guests, or €40 for outsiders (unless you book a massage or treatment).
Sadly, I’m yet to visit the Octant Furnas spa. If I win the lotto, there will be signs – maybe you’ll see me doing woga (that’s water yoga) at this hotel on São Miguel.
📍Address: Avenida Dr. Manuel de Arriaga, Furnas – Google Maps
🕚 Opening times: 24/7 if you stay there
🎟 Tickets: Book spa treatments with the hotel (or better yet, check your dates and stay there)
🌡 Water temperature: 36°C – 42°C (97°F – 108ºF)
Go guided: This exclusive tour takes you on a tour of the island, ending with a thermal massage at these pools. Bliss. ➡️ Check your dates here.
Read next… What to eat in the Azores Islands
Ponta da Ferraria (Hot Ocean Pool) & Termas da Ferraria
At one corner of São Miguel Island, down a very steep hairpin road, these free-to-visit natural volcanic rock pools kiss the ocean and are heated by geothermal power. At this ocean pool, hot thermal water seeps up through volcanic rock, mixing with the waves, for a one-of-a-kind hot springs experience.
A visit can be chaotic or calm, depending on the ocean. Plus Ponta da Ferraria is all about timing. Go at high tide and you won’t feel the warmth from the thermal spring. So, I recommend going within two hours either side of low tide. My last visit with rough surf meant low tide was even a little cooler, until we found the source and floated near that. It can be a bit of a washing machine experience, but there are ropes to hold onto so you don’t get smacked against the rocks.
This is one of São Miguel’s most surreal swimming spots, and definitely somewhere for your very Azorean bucket list.
At the same location, you’ll find the Termas da Ferraria, a recently renovated thermal pool set close to the car park. Access to this pool is paid, and while I prefer the free natural pool, if you have young children, I’d recommend this option. The Termas often have sunset music in the summer and a lunch buffet deal that includes pool access as well.
Tips for visiting Ponta da Ferraria:
- Drivers beware: the road down to the car park is incredibly steep, with hairpin turns that aren’t for the faint-hearted. At the bottom, you’ll find plenty of easy parking. Use first gear the whole way up and you’ll be fine
- Check the tides – each day is different and I’d say you want to be within a few hours either side of low tide. Don’t bother at high tide
- The walk from the carpark to the natural pool is mostly paved, but you will need to walk on volcanic rock – quite rough on bare feet, so bring flip-flops or water shoes
- There are change-room facilities and toilets on the path to the free ocean pool
- Near the car park is a café, and the restaurant offers a lunch buffet and thermal pool deal for around €20
Sunset tip: Nearby, Mosteiros is a coastal village with a relaxed vibe and a huge black sand beach. Around Ponta dos Mosteiros, there are also natural ocean pools in the volcanic rock, along with bars where you can knock back grilled lapas (limpets) with a sunset ale.
📍Address: Google Maps
🕚 Opening times: Natural ocean pool is always open – check the tides; Termas da Ferraria pool is open Wed – Sun 10.30am – 5.30pm
🎟 Tickets: Ocean pool is free without limited access; paid pool is on the spot
🌡 Water temperature: Paid pool is about 36°C (97°F); the free ocean one is cooler
Go guided: This top-rated off-road tour takes around the spectacular Sete Cidades volcano rim, you’ll stop for lunch and enjoy a swim at Ferraria. ➡️ Check your dates here.
This sunset tour takes you for a thermal dip at Ponta da Ferraria, and then a local dinner with a view in Mosteiros. ➡️ Check your dates here.
Termas das Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande
At a tiny destination near the second city of Ribeira Grande lie São Miguel’s two smallest thermal pools. Fed by hot springs – one at around 38°C (100°F) and the other at 40°C (104°F) – with 8-10 people, they feel full!
The Termas das Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande don’t take reservations, which is fine most of the year when this location attracts more locals than tourists. But in the summer, you might have to wait for space to free up. Due to their small size, these pools get very mixed reviews. If you like soaking in hot water, you’ll have a good time; but if you need entertainment or more than a warm bath, you’ll be done in 20 minutes.
What sounds cool is the evening experience, where, after 9pm you can enjoy the pools with sparkling wine and volcanic face masks. Thermal baths are especially gorgeous at night with the contrasts of cool evening air and warm water. This location also offers massages with oil, mud and hot stones.
Tips for visiting Termas das Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande:
- You won’t need more than an hour, unless you book spa treatments
- Don’t come expecting a huge area – there are two small pools, so it is all about soaking slowly in peace
- If you want a massage or facial, there’s a spa menu with options
- They have hot and cold showers, plus changing rooms
📍Address: Ribeira Grande – Google Maps
🕚 Opening times: 10am – 11pm daily
🎟 Tickets: No reservations – Adults €6; massage and treatments extra
🌡 Water temperature: 38°C – 40°C (100°F – 104ºF)
Map of hot spring locations
That’s my guide to São Miguel’s top hot springs. Let me know in the comments which pool is your favourite….
Keep reading
- 4-day itinerary for São Miguel Island, Azores
- Where to eat on São Miguel Island, Azores
- 9 islands of the Azores: what you need to know
- What to eat in the Azores Islands
- 3-day itinerary for Terceira Island
- Where to eat on Terceira Island, Azores
- 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced classic itinerary
- 8 best poncha bars on Madeira Island
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