Furnas Travel Guide
Volcanic lakes, steaming pools and botanic gardens
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The valley of Furnas in the eastern highlands of Sao Miguel is a true paradise; both botanically and volcanically. The town itself is home to the famous Terra Nostra botanical gardens with its geothermal outdoor pool and on the outskirts you can marvel at the deep pounding of the boiling waters and even eat corn on the cob boiled in these sulphurous waters. A couple of km out of town is the romantic and tranquil Furnas Lake where you can cook your own stew in holes in the ground.
Furnas is a pretty traditional town in the central highlands to the east of Ponta Delgada. With a small population of just 1500, it is a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the capital and has a damper cooler climate being at 350 metres above the sea.
Geologically, the Furnas basin was formed by a volcano with 2 craters which erupted between 20 and 30,000 years ago. The whole area is still very active with 10 eruptions in the last 5,000 years making it one of the most interesting volcanic sites in the archipelago. The main industries are agriculture and tourism although due to limited accommodation in town, most visitors are day trippers so in the evenings all tends to be very quiet!
Attractions in Furnas
The main attractions of the Furnas valley are the wonderful botanical gardens which now form the grounds of the Hotel Terra Nostra, the boiling pools and burping mud of the caldeiras on the outskirts of town and the volcanic Furnas Lake with its boiling shoreline and cooking holes.
Activities in Furnas
There are a variety of activities available in Furnas including walks, horse riding, mountain biking and jeep tours.
Relaxing
After a walk round the Lake, take a relaxing dip in the geothermal outdoor pool of the botanical garden and cure any aches and pains.
Getting Around
Furnas is 75 minutes drive from Ponta Delgada (and the airport) and, although there are buses, these take double the time so it is best to either drive or take a taxi.
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