Fumarolas Lagoa das Furnas — Local services in Povoação

The fumarolas at Lagoa das Furnas are one of the most fascinating and unique natural attractions in São Miguel, offering a striking glimpse into the island's volcanic activity. Located along the shores of the picturesque Furnas Lake, this geothermal area is a mesmerizing display of steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and the distinct smell of sulfur wafting through the air.

Visiting the fumarolas feels like stepping into another world. The landscape is rugged and raw, with the geothermal activity constantly reminding you of the island’s volcanic origins. It’s not just about seeing the steam rise from the ground, but also hearing the bubbling sounds and feeling the heat radiating from the earth—an immersive, sensory experience.

One of the most unique aspects of the area is the traditional cooking method called "cozido." Locals and restaurants prepare a hearty stew by burying pots of meat and vegetables in the hot ground, where it slow-cooks for several hours using the natural geothermal heat. You can often see these pots being unearthed, and tasting this dish afterward in a local restaurant adds a special cultural touch to the visit.

While the fumarolas are fascinating, the sulfur smell can be quite strong and off-putting for some visitors, so it’s something to be prepared for. The site is well-marked with safety barriers and signs, but it’s important to stay on the designated paths, as the ground can...

So...the first question you are asked there is if you are a local or not. Why? Because if you're not local, you have to pay 3€ per person to visit the area. It would be (kinda)ok to pay, if (and only if) you got something from it. You pay those 3€ just to see something that does not require any maintenence or any special expenses to be kept. Those 3€ include nothing to the tourist. It is ridiculous, really. No tour, no guide, no signs with the story of the place, no nothing. Why do they charge this? I have no clue. If you want to have a walk inside the park (through the woods), you have to pay extra 7€ per person. Just to walk, again with no advantage to the tourist. It is not worth it, really. You pay tourism taxes when you enter the Azores, and still after that, it seems like you have to pay for everything you do. The only thing you will see there is the place where they cook the famous cozido das furnas. Anything else is just landscape. The sightseeing is beautiful, and the place is quiet and welcoming. However, you can have the same experience by stopping the car before you get in the zone, therefore avoiding the payment. This is just a way to make money and nothing else. If they keep going this way, many people will not return because it is just not worth paying again. Who wants everything at once, ends up loosing...

Located on the northern side of Lagoa das Furnas, the underground cooking pits area, Fumarolas Lagoa das Furnas, is surely worth your time. Even though there are other underground cooking pits spots in the area, we really liked Fumarolas Lagoa das Furnas. The pits are divided into those used by private citizens and restaurants; those reserved by restaurants display the the restaurant's name. The area around the pits are accessed by wooden-planks walkways, but some of them are off limits. The locals usually put huge cauldrons in the specially dug pits (if a pit is deep enough one can place two pots atop of each other). After six hours, around lunch time, the pots are lifted with special metal rods, or long-handed "hay" hooks. Two people required for the job. The stuff being prepared is usually the so-called "Cozido das Furnas", a peasant heavy stew of pork, beef, chicken, chorizo blood sausages, etc. One can sample it after 12 pm at one of many local restaurants where the pots are being delivered by vans. Highly...