Parque Terra Nostra: How To Visit One Of The Best Azores Hot Springs
You may have seen pictures or heard about it before, but you can’t miss one of the best Azores hot springs. Parque Terra Nostra is where it’s at! Get ready to walk, soak, eat, and rest.
Take a stroll around the extensive tropical gardens and explore the grounds. Then, don’t miss the hot springs on site, where you can soak in the thermal waters of the Azores. With restaurants and accommodations on site, read on to see why you can’t miss this epic Azores destination right in the heart of Furnas!
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Things to Know
- Parking may be a bit tricky around the Furnas area, but there are plenty of spots along the streets, as well as a few parking lots that you can park in. Check out the parking location here, which is just a short walk to Terra Nostra.
- Purchase your tickets at the entrance or online before you go.
- The general ticket for adults is €17 and €14.50 for children and seniors. You can pay with a card or cash.
- Admission includes access to the entire garden, its permanent and temporary collections, and use of the thermal pool and jacuzzis.
- Outside food and drink are not permitted.
- Changing rooms and restrooms are located inside the grounds, and it’s recommended to bring an old swimsuit as it may get stained by the water.
- Terra Nostra is open daily except for Christmas Day.
- Opening hours are from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Take a look at DiscoverCars if you’re planning to rent a car in the Azores! We used them to book with AutAtlantis, and everything went smoothly with no issues. If you really want the freedom to explore the island, having your own rental car makes a huge difference.
Looking for more fun things to do in the Azores? Check out our full 9-day itinerary right here so you don’t miss a thing.
Parque Terra Nostra
History
Parque Terra Nostra is a gorgeous botanical garden tucked away in the Furnas Valley on São Miguel Island in the Azores. It’s been around since the 1700s, and over the years, it’s grown into an incredibly lush, tropical destination.
The star of the park is the big geothermal pool with warm, mineral-rich water, surrounded by vibrant greenery. It’s the kind of spot where you can just float, relax, and take it all in.
That being said, the rest of the park is just as impressive. You can wander through winding paths lined with rare plants, tranquil ponds, grottoes, and one of the largest collections of camellias you’ll ever see.
Map of Parque Terra Nostra
Before arriving, familiarize yourself with a map of the layout of the gardens. There are plenty of walking paths, exotic plants, and amazing things to see and do here at the park.
Check out the interactive map online here!
Visit The Thermal Waters & Azores Hot Springs
Furnas is famous for its thermal waters, and it’s actually one of the biggest hydro-therapeutic areas in the world. The geothermal water here has long been believed to have soothing, restorative benefits and is said to be great for skincare.
The Azores hot spring that feeds the Parque Terra Nostra pool is rich in magnesium, iron, and calcium. Historically acclaimed for medicinal properties and health benefits, temperatures in the pools range from 99ºF to 104ºF.
When you arrive at the gardens, one of the first things you’ll see is the large geothermal water pool with its rusty colored water, along with Botania Hall as a scenic backdrop.
Head to the changing rooms and shower off before bathing in the hot springs. This is a customary thing to do, so please don’t enter the water before! North of the large pool, you’ll also find the 2 thermal water jacuzzis built in 2015 and 2016.
If you can get to Terra Nostra early, you’ll likely be able to enjoy the thermal waters with fewer crowds. Enjoy some time soaking it all in, and then get ready to explore the gardens on foot.
Explore the Gardens
You can’t go wrong here while exploring the extensive gardens and exotic plants. Pick a trail and start walking! Below are some of the highlights of our walk around the gardens.
🌳 If you are looking for more fun in Furnas, don’t miss an easy hike around Furnas Lake.
Fern Collection
Ferns have long been touted as a symbol of humility. In the 19th century, collecting these plants was popular, and they were used for decoration in homes and gardens.
Grottoes
Inspired by the formality of English gardens, the caves within Terra Nostra Garden give off a sense of romance, and the grottoes date back to the late 1800s.
Volcanic Water Lake
Collection of Zoomorphic Sculptures
See what animals you can spot in the zoomorphic sculptures! These were created in 1999 by head gardener Fernando Costa.
💤 Get the ultimate Terra Nostra experience and book a stay at the amazing Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.
Viscondes da Praia Memorial
Located on a beautiful avenue of palm trees lies the Viscondes da Praia Memorial. This monument was built in 1896.
Flower Garden
Serpentine Canal
Flowing through the garden, the canal is prominent along the lower and upper trails and was added in 1872, making it one of the garden’s most popular features.
There are plenty of other areas within Parque Terra Nostra that we missed, so be sure to plan out an entire day if you want to see it all. We only spent the afternoon here because we went on a hike around Furnas Lake in the morning.
🥾 Looking for some great hikes on the island? Check out our picks for the 7 best hikes!
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel was the first hotel in the Azores, and it’s also one of the earliest hotels in the country. Opening in 1935, Terra Nostra Garden Hotel lent its name to the surrounding garden, which has been its primary source of inspiration from the beginning.
If you are looking for the ultimate Terra Nostra experience, then you should definitely book your stay here in one of the 86 rooms on the grounds. The best perk? 24‑hour access to the Thermal Pool and the Garden. Yep, you read that right!
Enjoy the gardens and thermal pools after hours, in the moonlight, or whenever you choose. Now that sounds like the ultimate experience.
Did you know that you can stay in Botania Hall? As part of the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, it has two large suites on the upper floor and a main hall, bar, and kitchen on the lower floor.
🛎️ Want access to the gardens after hours?! Take a moonlight soak in one of the best Azores Hot Springs and stay at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.
Terra Nostra Restaurants & Dining
While exploring Parque Terra Nostra, there are a few different places where you can get a bite to eat. Check out the options below:
The Gardener Van&Go
Take a little break during your visit and swing by The Gardener Van&Go Food Truck. Whether you’re in the mood for coffee, a fresh and colorful juice, or a salad made with the island’s best ingredients, they’ve got you covered.
You’ll spot it right between the Volcanic Water Lake and the Blue Water Lily Lake on the garden grounds.
The Gardener Bar & Terrace
Delicious sandwiches and beautiful cocktails await on the terrace overlooking the garden. This is a great place to stop for lunch while visiting the gardens. Head here if you are looking for a light and refreshing meal infused with authentic Azorean flavors.
TN Restaurant
Looking for some fine dining? This is your spot! With sweeping views of the lush botanical gardens, TN Restaurant specializes in Cozido das Furnas, a traditional Azorean stew of meats (like beef, pork, and chicken) and vegetables that are slow-cooked by volcanic steam in underground pots.
In addition to this signature dish, the menu features other local fare with a “farm-to-table” approach using Azorean ingredients. Don’t miss a taste of the extensive wines as well!
Things To Do Nearby
If you are looking for some other things to do near Furnas, don’t miss these two miradouros (viewpoints) up in the mountains.
Miradouro do Pico do Ferro
Head to this viewpoint for a birds-eye view of Furnas Lake. This is just a short drive from downtown Furnas
When you reach this viewpoint, it’s a short walk up a steep road to get an amazing view of Furnas Lake and the town of Furnas. You might even spot some friendly kitties here, too.
Miradouro do Salto do Cavalo
Head to Miradouro do Salto do Cavalo for an outstanding view of São Miguel. This is probably one of the best viewpoints on the island. On your journey to this great spot, you’ll likely see some cows on the side of the road enjoying themselves in their mountain pastures. Be sure to stop and say hi to them!
Where to Stay
We decided to use Ponta Delgada as a home base for our entire trip, but here are some awesome places to stay in Furnas if you want to be closer to the action.
- Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is an elegant historic hotel that opened in 1935, nestled inside the lush Terra Nostra Garden on São Miguel Island. Guests enjoy Art-Deco style rooms, tropical garden views, and exclusive access to mineral-rich volcanic hot-spring pools and thermal baths right in the garden.
- Octant Hotels Furnas is a modern spa-hotel set in the lush volcanic valley of Furnas on São Miguel Island, where guests can relax in indoor and outdoor thermal pools fed by natural hot springs 24 hours a day. This location also has an on-site restaurant.
- Furnas Lake Forest Living offers modern, Scandinavian-styled villas and studios nestled in a reclaimed forest just 150 meters from Lagoa das Furnas, creating a tranquil, nature-immersed escape.
- Quinta da Mó is a tranquil, lush retreat built around a restored 19th-century watermill. Stay in cozy one-bedroom cottages or a larger converted mill-house. Enjoy a hot tub and relax on a riverside terrace.
Final Thoughts
While visiting Sao Miguel, Terra Nostra is a destination that you really can’t miss. The grounds, the scenery, and the overall ambiance are unique to Furnas. We really enjoyed our time here exploring the gardens and getting lost on the winding paths.
The amazing grottoes and hundreds of exotic plants made us feel transported to a jungle-like retreat. Our favorite spot here was near the Viscondes da Praia Memorial. With the rows of palm trees and greenery, it was so cool!
You could really spend an entire day here, and we wish we had done that. We ended up hiking around Furnas Lake first, so we only had an afternoon here. We pretty much ran out of time to get in the water – plus it was super crowded and too hot and humid anyway. We will have to get back here during cooler weather to get the ultimate experience in the water!
🛌🏽 Book your stay at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel now!
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