When we talk about hot springs, there are a few prime destinations that come to mind. Iceland, with its social media icon, the Blue Lagoon, for one. Then there’s Hungary’s hot springs, where the Széchenyi thermal baths reign supreme in Budapest. And, of course, in America, there are many hot springs, with even an entire city in Arkansas named for and centred around theirs!
But far off Portugal’s coast, in the small island chain of the Azores… this is where you’ll find some of the loveliest hidden gems in the world of hot springs and thermal baths. The tiny village of Furnas is home to a surprising number of springs, pools, and geysers, given its size; they’re used for everything from wellness baths to cooking. It’s a little piece of heaven out in the Atlantic Ocean, and the next time you’re looking up Portugal private tours, making the trek out to the Azores is worth it for the hot springs alone–let us tell you why.
Stunningly Lush Scenery
Thanks to the abundance of hot springs, Furnas tends toward higher humidity levels, which along with the nutrient-rich volcanic soil, provide a perfect environment in which greenery can thrive. The result is that the area is gorgeously lush and jungle-like, with everything from groves of trees drooping from the weight of their green leaves to carpets of verdant moss covering the ground. It’s dreamy, beautiful and emerald-coated nearly everywhere you look, an absolute paradise.
Highly Mineralised Hot Spring Baths
The benefits of hot springs or thermal baths are numerous; they’re said to aid in relieving joint pain, improving sleep, and lowering blood pressure. Baths with extremely high mineral content–most often iron, sulphates, magnesium, calcium and zinc–are thought to impart the qualities of those minerals into bathers as well, via skin absorption.
Whether these health benefits are real or not, it’s certainly true that soaking in a hot spring often leads to a sense of improved well-being and relaxation. Visits to Poça da Dona Beija or Parque Terra Nostra and their beautiful mineral-abundant bathing facilities will certainly leave you refreshed and delighted with their experience.
Cozido das Furnas
Hot springs aren’t only for bathing; archaeologists have long thought that ancient human forebears used geothermal waters for cooking as well. Portugal has a special dish called cozido à portuguesa, a hearty and comforting boiled stew of meat and vegetables, often served as the centre of a cosy family meal.
Furnas takes the concept one step further to make cozido das furnas, a unique and delicious stew that’s actually cooked in the ground. Marinated meats, root vegetables, sausages and cruciferous greens are all neatly layered into a sturdy pot that’s then wrapped in a burlap sack and buried in one of the cooking holes.
Six to eight hours later, the steamy heat in the ground has fully cooked your stew and infused it with flavour from its volcanic surroundings. You might arrange to cook your own cozido, which can be a fun and memorable experience, but restaurants all over the island of São Miguel serve it; if you’d prefer to have someone else do the literal heavy lifting, that’s also an option.
Hot Springs Beverages
The water from some of the hot springs can, of course, be drinkable. Like mineral baths, mineral water is thought to be beneficial in terms of health and wellness, and many believe it’s even more effective than a bath due to direct ingestion.
The Chalet da Tia Mercês specialises in an almost magical tea experience, where a pot with green tea leaves is filled from a special mineral spring spigot. The tea and the mineral water react to create a fantastic tea that’s deep amethyst in hue and has a smooth flavour profile. You can enjoy their beneficial and beautiful elixir with a meal that’s largely cooked in the ground for a complete hot springs culinary experience.
Enchantment in the Azores
Going away to Furnas to indulge in their hot springs could be the total peaceful reset you both need and deserve, a tranquil escape from the larger world. Whether you prefer to soak your troubles away or enjoy a truly unique gastronomic treat, there’s a hot springs experience just waiting for you in the Azores.
