Ponta Delgada to Furnas and Nordeste: Private day trip
Private ride with a local driver
9hRound tripPrivate driver
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About your trip
Journey from Ponta Delgada to the volcanic wonders of Furnas, where you can witness bubbling fumaroles, soak in thermal pools, and taste the famous Cozido—a traditional stew steam-cooked by the earth. You will have three hours to explore the town and its thermal baths, followed by two hours at Lagoa das Furnas to enjoy scenic lake walks and discover a hidden Gothic chapel.
In the afternoon, continue to Nordeste for two hours to explore a landscape of waterfalls, ocean-view gardens, and dramatic coastal cliffs. Throughout this full-day adventure, your private driver handles the navigation and timing, allowing you to enjoy plenty of photo stops and local bites at your own pace before a seamless return to Ponta Delgada.
Exclusively yours: private vehicle and professional driver
Discover local insights you won't find in guidebooks
Experience the freedom to explore at your own speed
Perfectly planned for families, friends, or solo travelers
What to expect
Your day trip begins wherever you are
Meet our professional driver right where you prefer in Ponta Delgada whenever suits you best. No time wasted getting to the pickup point, grab your bag and start your trip right away.Discover more with local expertise
Your driver’s local insights will set the tone for your day trip. A hidden café here, a must-try restaurant there; insider tips you’ll love sharing later. This isn’t a guided tour but your ride will be rich with stories and discoveries along the way. And throughout the day, your driver will be available for you as needed, ready to assist, happy to help, making your trip stress-free.Explore at your own pace
Enjoy a stress-free route with total flexibility at each stop. Your driver handles the navigation and suggests attractions that match your interests to help you create a day that's uniquely yours.
Perfect for any private group
Whether you're traveling solo, as a family with kids, or as a large group, this service is tailored for your comfort and flexibility. It's the ideal option especially if you have limited time or a busy schedule.Good to know
- Two-way private car transfer
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Personalized pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking driver
- Complimentary bottled water
- Free cancellation 24 hours before departure
- Entry/Admission tickets to paid attractions Furnas, Furnas lake, Nordeste, and Miradouro da Boca da Ribeira should be purchased separately unless specified otherwise
- Meals, snacks, and gratuity are not included
From €85
per person
Select date and travelers
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your pickup time.
For a group of 1-3 travelersTotal€255
Your trip at a glance
Your trip at a glance
Start in Ponta Delgada
You choose the pickup spot.
1
Furnas
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 3 hours - admission not included
Steaming springs, gorgeous gardens, and volcanic-inspired cuisine define this geothermal journey through Furnas village.
Main attractions
- Steaming fumaroles at Caldeiras das Furnas
- Terra Nostra Park's warm mineral springs surrounded by a botanical wonderland, perfect for relaxation
- Poca da Dona Beija, featuring terraced thermal pools with stunning views
What to try
- Cozido das Furnas, a flavorful stew cooked with geothermal heat
2
Furnas lake
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 2 hours - admission not included
Wander along jaw-droppingly beautiful trails surrounding this lake, taking in the sights through clouds of volcanic steam.
Main attractions
- Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitorias, a Gothic building tucked unexpectedly into the landscape
- The lake's North Shore, where you can watch the steam rise from cooking pits for locally prepared Cozido das Furnas
- Lakeside walking trails offering mirrored views and the relaxing sounds of birdsong
Take note
- Many of the walking trails around the lake can take several hours to complete; consider focusing on just the north shore section of the "Lagoa da Furnas Walking Trail"
3
Nordeste
Feel free to explore at your own pace and discover
Stop: 1 hour - admission not included
Land meets the sea at this natural masterpiece, replete with waterfalls and cliffside gardens.
Main attractions
- Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park, where watermills and dramatic waterfalls are tucked into the foliage
- Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada, two clifftop gardens with panoramic Atlantic views
- Farol do Arnel, the oldest lighthouse on the island
What to try
- Carne a Nordeste (a slow-cooked beef dish that is melt-in-your-mouth delicious)
4
Miradouro da Boca da Ribeira (photo spot)
We’ll stop at this perfect photo spot – take a moment to capture the view!
Stop: 20 min - admission not included
Framing the dramatic confluence of sea and forest, this cliffside viewpoint makes for the perfect backdrop for your photos.
Back to Ponta Delgada
We’ll take you back to your starting point.
Duration of the stops can be changed upon request after booking
Have questions or need help?Contact our Customer Support. We are available 24/7
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Know more about your day trip
Furnas is approximately 22 miles (35 km) from Ponta Delgada, and the drive takes about 40 to 45 minutes through the scenic center and eastern side of Sao Miguel Island. The road winds through farmland, forested hills, and volcanic terrain, offering a beautiful preview of the geothermal landscape that awaits in Furnas.
The day trip is about nine hours in total and involves some walking on uneven terrain, particularly along the lakeside trails at Lagoa das Furnas and through Nordeste's parks. The Caldeiras das Furnas fumaroles area is easily walkable for most fitness levels. Those with limited mobility can still enjoy the main highlights, as most viewpoints are accessible by car with short, flat walks.
Cozido das Furnas is a traditional Portuguese stew made with meat, smoked sausages, and root vegetables, slow-cooked underground in clay pots using the heat of natural volcanic vents near the shores of Lagoa das Furnas. It is one of the most celebrated dishes in the Azores. Several restaurants in Furnas village serve it daily, and it is best reserved in advance during busy months.
Miradouro da Boca da Ribeira is a cliffside photo stop on the northeastern coast of Sao Miguel where dense forest meets sheer sea cliffs. The view frames a dramatic confluence of ocean, greenery, and volcanic rock. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and is a highlight for photographers looking for a striking, less-visited Azorean landscape.
Lagoa das Furnas is a volcanic crater lake with walking trails along its shores, cooking pits where Cozido das Furnas is prepared each morning, a hidden Gothic chapel called Nossa Senhora das Vitorias, and peaceful forested paths dotted with birdsong. The north shore trail offers the most dramatic views of the steaming fumaroles and is manageable in about two hours.
Nordeste is known for a slow-cooked beef dish called Carne a Nordeste, which is braised until tender and seasoned with local herbs. The village also has small family restaurants serving fresh Atlantic seafood and local cheeses. The clifftop gardens are ideal spots to enjoy a simple picnic with views over the ocean.
Nordeste is the remote northeastern tip of Sao Miguel and feels distinctly off the beaten path. It is known for its dramatic coastal cliffs, the Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park with its watermills and waterfalls, the Farol do Arnel lighthouse, and two clifftop gardens - Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada - with sweeping views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Wear comfortable layers and waterproof footwear, as Furnas can be misty and the lakeside trails damp. If you plan to use the thermal pools at Terra Nostra Park or Poca da Dona Beija, bring a swimsuit and a dark-colored towel, since the iron-rich water stains light fabrics. Bring a camera, sunscreen, and a small day pack for snacks and water.
Furnas is famous for its geothermal hot springs, volcanic crater lakes, and traditional cozido stew cooked underground using natural volcanic heat. The town offers unique thermal baths and botanical gardens with exotic plants.
The scenic drive takes approximately 45 minutes, passing through Sao Miguel's diverse landscapes including crater lakes, rolling hills, and traditional Azorean villages with stunning Atlantic Ocean views.
Furnas Lake offers peaceful walking trails around the crater rim, pedal boat rentals, and picnic areas with volcanic landscape views. The area features several natural hot springs and fumaroles demonstrating ongoing geothermal activity.
You'll spend 1 hour exploring Nordeste, known for its dramatic coastal cliffs, traditional architecture, and the famous Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego viewpoint offering spectacular ocean and landscape vistas.
This scenic viewpoint provides breathtaking panoramic views over Sao Miguel's northeastern coastline, featuring dramatic cliffs, lush valleys, and traditional Azorean agricultural terraces stretching to the Atlantic Ocean.
Furnas features numerous hot springs, fumaroles, and geothermal pools with temperatures reaching 100°C. The waters are therapeutic and may offer relief for conditions, such as muscle pain, arthrifits, and asthma.
The regions feature endemic Azorean birds, including the Azores bullfinch, along with diverse marine life visible from coastal viewpoints. Furnas Lake attracts various waterfowl, while the surrounding forests host unique island flora.
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