Best Hot Springs in São Miguel, Azores

Best Hot Springs in São Miguel

Whereas Madeira is all about adventure and thrilling hikes, the Azores, and especially São Miguel Island, is more a place to completely relax. With incredible beaches, gorges, and waterfalls nestled in lush green pockets, it’s a beautiful and peaceful destination. However, out of all the natural gems of São Miguel, I think the best are its amazing hot springs. 

The water is rich in minerals and can reach temperatures as high as 39°C! Most of them lie within nature reserves, hidden among the island’s lush scenery, and make the perfect place to wind down after a day of exploring. 

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1. Poça da Dona Beija

Located in the heart of Furnas Village, a small, picturesque town on the central-east side of the island, lies Poça da Dona Beija. This is our favorite thing to do in São Miguel! It’s a smaller but scenic hot spring, featuring several stone pools built along a hot river. 

The thermal water bubbles up from the active Furnas Volcano, which feeds the pools through the adjacent ‘Yellow River’, in which you can also soak your tired muscles. There’s such a relaxed and earthy atmosphere here, with a thin fog that lingers between the surrounding ferns.

Note: For this hot spring in São Miguel, you need to pre-book a timeslot online (book here). There are no tickets sold on-site. We booked ours on the same day, but availability may vary depending on the season. A ticket is valid for 1,5 hours.

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2. Caldeira Velha

This has got to be the wildest and best natural hot spring on São Miguel, Azores. Nestled in the forest, close to Lagoa do Fogo, these pools also feature a waterfall you can bathe under. Descend down a short trail between the primeval laurisilva forest, complete with waterfalls and dense ferns, before reaching the hot pools. 

With rustic stone dams, wooden boardwalks, and a beautiful, steamy atmosphere, these pools make an incredible place to relax. The first baths are infinity pools, with incredible views across the rainforest. However, our favorite of these hot springs in São Miguel is the last pool that features an incredible waterfall in the background. Although it’s the coldest out of the three (max 28℃ instead of 36℃+), it’s a must-see!

Tip: Combine your visit to Caldeira Velha with Lagoa do Fogo. This incredible crater lake lies only 10 minutes from the hot springs. Book a guided tour here to Lagoa do Fogo and the Caldeira Velha pools.

Details

• Location: Caldeira Velha
• Opening times: 09:00 AM to 06:30 PM
• Getting there: 30-minute drive from Ponta Delgada, 10 minutes from Ribeira Grande. It’s about 5-10 minutes walking to the pools from the entrance.
• Amenities: Parking, three pools, dressing rooms, and an Interpretation Center to learn more about the Azores’ origin.
• Entrance fee: 5-10 EUR for a pre-booked timeslot (90 minutes). You can also buy tickets at the entrance.  
• Best time to visit: Early in the morning (09:00-10:00 AM) or later in the day for the best atmosphere.

3. Parque Terra Nostra

Located in the Furnas Protected Landscape Area, the large and luscious Terra Nostra Park and its hot springs are one of the best things to do in São Miguel. This sprawling botanical haven features footpaths lined with nearly 300 ferns, palms, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and grottoes, ultimately leading to its massive, iconic thermal pool, where you can relax. 

The main thermal pool, which somewhat looks like a large fountain basin, features natural brown, iron-rich thermal water that keeps a steady 37-40 °C. Additionally, there are two smaller, hot tub-style pools with jets, perfect for lounging.

Although we personally preferred Poça da Dona Beija for the bath itself, Terra Nostra offered a more expansive and scenic experience overall, with its public botanical gardens. Expect to spend about 2-3 hours in Terra Nostra Park. 

Details

• Location: Parque Terra Nostra
• Opening times: 10:30 AM to 04:30 PM
• Getting there: 30-40 minute drive from Ponta Delgada, or a 10-minute walk from Furnas Village. 
• Amenities: Parking, one main pool, two jacuzzis, changing rooms, showers, and a towel service.
• Entrance fee: 17 EUR for adults, 14.50 EUR for youths (6-17 years old) and people aged 65 and above. You can pre-book your tickets here or buy tickets at the entrance. There’s free 24/7 entry for hotel guests staying at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. 
• Best time to visit: Early in the morning or later in the day for the best atmosphere.

4. Termas das Caldeiras

Tucked away in a lush valley in Ribeira Grande, Termas das Caldeiras is a 19th-century thermal complex with a peaceful, local atmosphere. Surrounded by laurisilva forest and bubbling fumaroles, the spa’s central outdoor pool sits in a flower-framed courtyard. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit these hot springs on São Miguel, but we’ve heard they’re the quietest and a local favorite. 

The main caldeira holds turquoise-blue water at around 30°C, while smaller pools can reach temperatures of up to 39–40°C, depending on the day. There are three pools in total, but standard entry gives access only to the outdoor one; the other two are reserved for guests booking a massage or spa treatment.

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Details

• Location: Termas das Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande
• Opening times: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (spa opens from 09:00 AM). 
• Getting there: 30-minute drive from Ponta Delgada, 12 minutes from Ribeira Grande. 
• Amenities: Parking, an outdoor thermal pool, and a spa.
• Entrance fee: 4 EUR for adults, 2 EUR for children aged 6-12 years old.
• Best time to visit: Late in the afternoon/early evening, especially after a hike. 

What to Bring to the São Miguel Hot Springs

Although many hot springs in São Miguel come with really good amenities, we still recommend bringing a few items to make your trip to the pools as comfortable as possible. 

• Water and a small snack. Some parks don’t have cafes on-site, so bring food and drink to stay hydrated between dips. 
• Slippers or sandals, so you can easily walk from one bath to the next. 
• Old or darker-colored bathing suits. The water of the hot springs in São Miguel has a high iron level that can cause your clothes to stain. Don’t forget to bring a bag you can put your wet bathing suit in after ;)
• Comfortable clothes. After getting out of the pools, temperatures can feel much colder. Bring a warm jumper and comfortable clothes to wear. 
• Your camera, so you can take photos of the incredible scenery.
• A dry bag or waterproof pouch. Perfect for keeping your phone, camera, and valuables safe from splashes (or unexpected rain, which is common in the Azores!). Some thermal pools also offer lockers.
• A towel, in case they don’t have a towel service.
• Hair tie or swim cap. The iron-rich water can leave your hair feeling dry or slightly discolored, especially if it’s light-colored or chemically treated. Tying it up helps protect it.

Where to Stay in São Miguel

When we were on the island, we split our time between various locations, allowing us to see most of São Miguel and spend less time in the car. Some of the best spots are: 

Tip: We recommend booking your accommodation in São Miguel at least a few months in advance if you’re visiting in spring or summer and want to find something nice and relatively affordable. There’s not a massive number of accommodations on the island.

How to Get to the Hot Springs in São Miguel

To truly experience São Miguel, you’ll want a rental car. Although we did see some buses during our trip, many of the best hot springs in São Miguel lie in remote corners of the island, making them more challenging to access. A bus network does exist, but it doesn’t cover all areas and may not be ideal for visiting the more scenic spots (see the schedules here). 

Best Time to Visit

We visited in late May/early June, and it was fantastic! We had an average daily temperature of around 20 degrees, and some sunny days. The weather in the Azores fluctuates significantly due to its location, resulting in a wide range of weather patterns, including showers, fog, and high winds. Because of this, it’s best to check the live webcams to help you decide where to go each day. 

Note: Sao Miguel is known for its iconic hydrangea flowers, which usually bloom across the island from late June to early August. At times, early June can be ok for this, but we weren’t so lucky this time!