Dive into Nature’s Spa: The Magic of Ponta da Ferraria

Despite being smaller than other islands in the Azores like São Miguel or Pico, there is a fairly decent number of beaches and natural pools in Faial, one white sandy beach, a handful of black sand stretches and a bunch of natural or semi-natural pools (sheltered by lava rocks and/or some artificial work done over the years) that should be enough for almost every traveller’s relax, sunbathing and swimming needs.

Here is a list of (almost) all the beaches and natural pools in Faial:

Beaches

1 – Porto Pim

Perhaps the only proper white sandy beach in the whole Azores Islands, Porto Pim is naturally sheltered from currents and winds by the adjacent Monte Queimado and Monte da Guia which is connected to the main island by a curved isthmus that forms a bay which is only open to the ocean by southwest, making it calm and perfect for beginners or unexperienced swimmers.

2 – Praia do Almoxarife

Another long stretch of sand (black) just 5 minutes outside Horta, Praia do Almoxarife is a favourite amongst locals and is a surf spot too; it has a couple of good restaurants and a cozy beach bar next to it. There is also a public camping (free). On a clear day you can see Pico Mountain in all its magnificent beauty.

3 – Praia do Norte

Situated on the north side of Faial, hence the name, Praia do Norte is a wild stretch of black sandy beach sheltered from south by tall cliffs. It is a major surf spot, and bathing here can be a bit tricky because of the big waves that batters the beach. Expert swimmers should be ok with it but it is one of those places where the currents require to be extra careful. Even if you don’t feel like trying the ocean, the landscape is spectacular and makes it a very enjoyable walk.

4 – Praia da Conceiçao (also known as Praia da Alagoa)

A small but cute black sandy beach next to the ferry terminal, often overlooked by tourists because of its position in the corner of Horta Bay. It’s a nice spot, surrounded by the trees of the Alagoa Park, where families go on weekends to relax and have barbecue together. In the same area, practically next to the beach you will find the municipal swimming pool, which can be a good alternative if the weather and/or the sea is rough. Later in the afternoon you can also enjoy some food at a bunch of food-trucks that station inside the park, especially at “La Piovra” where you can get real Italian Pizza!

5 – Feteira

The freguesia (civil parish) of Feteira has two main spots for swim and sunbathing, one close to the small port and the other a couple of km towards Horta.

The one closest to the village is well sheltered and easy to reach, good also for beginners. It has a small but cozy beach and has a restaurant (Salguerinha) and a bar (Café Vista do Porto) next to it.

The other spot, Poça da Rainha,  which actually falls into the Natural Pools category, is on the right side of the road when driving toward Horta about halfway betwwen Feteria and Angustias. You will notice on summer’s days the cars on the parking lot next to it. From there a long stairs leads to the pools. It is a favourite amongst locals and usually kind of packed on weekends.

Natural Pools

1 – Varadouro

An ancient lava flows created a series of natural pools in Varadouro, perhaps the most famous of all the natural pool spots in Faial, due to the fact that it has facilities like showers, bathroom, lifeguards (in summer), a nice bar and a couple of restaurants nearby. Varadouro is a nice village, where villas are being built here and there as it has become a favourite amongst expats and wealthy locals. Still, the place retains a relaxed atmosphere, especially during week days, while on summer’s weekend can be a bit packed. Definitely worth the hassle, though!

2 – Castelo Branco

From the parish of Castelo Branco, a small paved road leads to this well organised bathing facility, where a copule of big, semi-natural pools reinforced with cement create a nice spot for bathing in full safety. Due to this, it is a favourite amongst local and expats families. Lifeguards are on duty here during all summer

3 – Porto do Comprido

Once a fishing port for whalers, Porto do Comprido has a couple of easy natural sheltered pools, in a spectacular location next to Capelinhos Volcano, in Capelo, on the south west coast of Faial. There are basic facilities, like stairs and a couple of fresh water showers. It is a fantastic spot to spend sunny days, as it is often overlooked by tourists who come here for the Volcano itself, and by locals who find it easier to go in other locations closer to Horta.

4 – Porto da Eira

Porto da Eira is located in Cedros, and together with Porto do Salão and Boca da Ribeira is one of the three options for swimming in the more rugged north coast of Faial. Coming down from the regional road, you’ll find the sign leading through a small paved road to a large parking lot with a restaurant/bar (closed at the moment of writing due to Covid disruption). Then, a steep but fascinating staircase cut through the lava rocks leads to a series of pools where you can enjoy the sensation of swimming in the Ocean in safety. Again, all these natural pools except Varadouro and Castelo Branco are unattended and you need to be careful and cautious as the swells can be dangerous in windy days.

5 – Porto do Salão

Located in Salão, on the north coast of Faial, it has a free camping, and a long staircase leading to the ancient fishing port, with rocks creating a set of swimming pools. Like Porto da Eira, you need to check the ocean condition as it can be rough sometimes. Otherwise it is a pleasant swimming spot with views on São Jorge and Graciosa Islands.

6 – Boca da Ribeira (Riberinha)

Located in the parish of Riberinha, Boca da Ribeira is yet another small fishing port that offers a couple of beautiful natural pools and basi facilities (open air showers, bathrooms, picnic tables)

The location is spectacular, from here you can see the cliffs overlooking the east coast of Faial and of course Pico right in front of you. Enough to spend a nice day of relax.

We hope you enjoyed reading about the beaches and natural pools in Faial, now it’s time to make the decision and come visit the Azores!

The island of São Miguel is well known for tea in the Azores. It is also home to thermal springs whose mineral-rich waters give tea an intense purple color.

At the request of a cup of “special tea” at the Chalet da Tia Mercês, Paula Aguiar, the owner, fills a transparent jug from a tap protruding from a wall of the tea house. The peculiarity is that the water being thermal comes out naturally at 60 degrees centigrade, sufficient for the preparation of this particular tea.

At the beginning, the pitcher filling routine does not reveal anything strange, but in a short time the clear water begins to turn gray, then take on the tones of lavender and finally an intense purple hue. Green tea, macerating in volcanic water, loses its natural color to also take on the same curious shade.

Reacting with green tea rich in antioxidants, the iron and non-oxidized acid content in the exceptional volcanic water causes the mixture to refract light in a different wavelength, like a prism. The minerals in the water also ensure that the tea does not become bitter, even if left to macerate for a long time.

Purple tea, however, is just one of the many wonders that this unusual group of islands has to offer.

São Miguel is one of the nine islands of the Azores archipelago. Belonging to Portugal, this group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean is located about 1500 km west of Lisbon and 3600 km from the United States. All nine islands have volcanic origins and have thermal springs, however São Miguel has some of the most extraordinary of them.

The small town of Furnas, in the eastern part of the island of São Miguel, has prehistoric hot springs and fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, multi-colored geothermal fields and rippling streams against the backdrop of green mountains with lush vegetation. Just 40 minutes from the bustling capital Ponta Delgada, visitors can venture into the volcanic valley of Furnas and feel transported to another planet.The central part of the village hosts about thirty thermal reservoirs of different temperatures and chemical compositions, most of them with mineral and iron-rich water. Many of the hot springs, reminiscent of Yellowstone, are nestled in basins with high levels of sodium bicarbonate, boron, fluorine and traces of carbon dioxide.

For centuries, locals have used water from different hot springs for various activities such as cooking, cleaning and creating herbal infusions. Other springs, on the other hand, are marked by danger signs and are fenced with rocks: some are really too hot, and the gases that come out are harmful.

Beginning in the late 1700s, the premises began to pump water directly from the sources into special bathrooms. In 1866, a wealthy businessman built one of these bath houses inside a small summer house overlooking the surrounding fumaroles.

Today, that house has become the Chalet da Tia Mercês, the home of the “purple tea”. In the back of the shop there are still two stone carved bathtubs, originally used respectively by the family of the owner of the house and another available for anyone who needs a bathroom.

The room is now full of various types of products: locally grown tea (the only two tea plantations left in Europe are both in São Miguel), São Jorge coffee, cheeses from various islands, Portuguese pastries and muffins, spirits and wines.

Nobody knows exactly when the discovery of purple tea was made, but this bizarre drink is best enjoyed together with one of Aguiar’s artisan bakery products: the chocolate and banana pudding cake that is cooked underground in one of the nearby volcanic fumaroles!

Cambodia? Thailand? No, Europe!  The Azores hot springs paradise is less than 5 hours flight from Europe/4 hours from USA. About 1500 km off the coast of Portugal, in the middle of the North Atlantic, lie the nine volcanic islands that form the Azores.

These volcanic islands are geologically quite young; the most recent island, Pico, emerged from the ocean less than 300,000 years ago.

Yet the constant roar of volcanic activity is part of what makes these emerald-colored islands – which we could strangely define as a sort of tropical Ireland – such an exciting destination.

The same forces of nature that led to the most recent major volcanic event (a strong 1957 eruption on the island of Faial that forced many Azorians to emigrate to the United States and other parts of the world) make the Azores one of the best destinations European for mineral and geothermal thermal springs.

Few people realize how close these islands are. Azores Airlines offers direct flights from Boston, the United States and recently Ryanair and Easy Jet have opened direct flights from Lisbon, Paris, London and other European capitals. Although there are currently no direct flights from Italy, a small stopover in Lisbon allows to reach Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores in a short time, making sure that wellness-oriented tourism in this region has grown steadily in recent years.THERMAL BATHSThe most remote spa resort in Europe, Furnas (despite the happy resemblance to the word “furnace”, it translates more accurately into “caves”). it is located in the basin of the easternmost volcanic crater of São Miguel, and has been a destination for travelers since the late 1700s. Although the last real eruption occurred in 1630, the ubiquitous volcanic activity is part of everyday life and is still the main attraction for wellness tourists.

The highlight of the Furnas Valley is the Terra Nostra Garden (Parque Terra Nostra), a 30-acre botanical park in the center of the city where the steam rises between palm trees and eucalyptus trees, with pools of mineral water hidden apparently around every corner. Originally the summer estate of an 18th-century British merchant, the vast garden is now home to thousands of endemic and non-endemic flora species – including a collection of ferns of around 300 distinct varieties. Its center – a massive puddle of iron-rich golden water, intended to confer a variety of health benefits – has welcomed swimmers since 1780.

The park is also home to a large historic hotel, built in 1935 to accommodate a new wave of European spa tourists and still considered one of the best in the islands. A recent renovation has brought it back to its original and refined Art Deco style (with clearly modern facilities, of course). Guests of the garden hotel of the same name have access to the park and its swimming pools at all hours. A midnight dip in the majestic thermal pool, surrounded by the steam and sounds of the forest, is a singular experience.

The famous restaurant in the park offers a varied menu typical of the Azores, but the highlight is the preparation of the cozido das Furnas, a regional specialty of roots, green leafy vegetables and a dozen different cuts of meat (including offal and sausage), literally buried and cooked slowly in the volcanic earth of the caldera for eight hours.

To Furnas it seems that the Earth, with its therapeutic waters and its unpredictable power, can feed the traveler both literally and figuratively.

HOW TO GET THERE

Just 45 km by car from the capital Ponta Delgada, it can be reached in less than an hour. It is worth spending a few days here and taking an engaging guided tour of the whole valley. There are various local tour operators, Azores Getaways, for example, can guide you on an excursion to Furnas, while telling you firsthand about the close relationship that the Azores have their natural environment.

WHERE TO STAY

The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, widely considered one of the best in the Azores, is a good base for reaching the other thermal complexes in the city, such as Poça da Dona Beija or the central das Furnas, with various mineral water fountains, geysers and bubbling holes each with its own mythical past.

WHAT TO EAT

Most restaurants serve their variations of the cozido, but be sure to book at least 24 hours in advance, so that you have time to prepare and bury the stew. Another must: the specialty of Furnas bolo lêvedo, a grilled bread that is sweet, soft and delicious. Locals also use hot springs to cook, doing everything from coffee with mineral water to hard-boiled eggs and sausages, to the curious Azorean purple tea.

Fitness and health-related activities are at the heart of wellness in the Azores. There are various natural springs of carbonated water, waterfalls and ferrous water pools.

In all the islands there are natural pools between the rocks that allow invigorating baths in sea water protected by ocean waves.

On many of the islands there are beautiful beaches of light sand and above all of black volcanic sand suitable for relaxing sun and sea baths.

Among the many places suitable for those looking for health and well-being paths in total immersion in nature we point out the Terme di Ferraria and the ferrous water pools of Furnas, in São Miguel, the Terme di Carapacho in Graciosa, the natural pools in Velas, Fajã do Ouvidor, Fajã Grande and Topo  in São Jorge, the natural pools of Santa Cruz, on the beaches near Lajes das Flores, or on the stony one of Fajã Grande, or in the pools of the feet of the waterfalls, as in Poço do Bacalhau and Ribeira Grande in Flores , the white beaches of Santa Maria, the lava beach of Praia do Almoxarife or the white sand beach of Porto Pim in Faial.

Despite their particular conformation and geological origin, there are a good number of beaches and natural pools in the Azores for lovers of sea and sun bathing, numerous thermal hot water, and, in some islands, the possibility of bathing in volcanic lakes, streams and mountain pools at the foot of waterfalls.

List of places where you can take a bath in the Azores

Santa Maria has a jagged coastline that offers large coves with calm and crystalline waters such as the bays of Cré, Raposo and Tagarete but it is also the archipelago’s seaside resort par excellence. It has several natural beaches and swimming pools, with excellent infrastructure for summer activities.

The beaches of Santa Maria are the clearest of the Azores islands, such as Praia Formosa, the stony beaches of Figueiral and Baia de Lobos, and the beaches of Prainha and Sul.

The volcanic nature of the island has also shaped the natural pools of Maia and Anjos, which have been associated with excellent beach infrastructures.

The natural hot water pools on São Miguel are numerous and excellent: Caldeira Velha, with transparent water flowing along the ocher veins in the black rock, the Terra Nostra Park, a botanical garden without equal where colored ferrous water flows yellowish.

Poça da Beija, with crystal-clear pools and invigorating mud, the historic thermal building of Caldeiras di Ribeira Grande, dating back to 1811 surrounded by steaming trees and fields, the “hydropolis” of Furnas with dozens of thermal springs, fumaroles and bicarbonate waters natural effervescent, which make this location a Mecca of global thermalism.

On the southern coast there are very popular beaches such as Pópulo, Vinha da Areia and Ribeira Quente. For those who prefer more intimacy in contact with nature, the beaches of Amora, Viola, Lombo Gordo or Mosteiros should be mentioned.

Finally, dug between the rocks and black rocks full of crystal clear water, there are maritime pools and natural pools in various parts of the island, such as Capelas, Calhetas and Lagoa. In Ponta da Ferraria, nature heats the sea water with volcanic thermal waters that allow thalassotherapy in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, in a unique natural environment.

On Terceira there are many natural pools, more or less equipped with bathing facilities: Salgueiros, Silveira, Negrito, Quatro Ribeiras, Biscoitos and Porto Martins, to name a few, are equipped with excellent bathing infrastructure.

The Pools of Varadouro, Faial – Azores

On the island of Graciosa we mention Carapacho, Praia, Barro Vermelho and Calheta which are as many invitations to sunbath and sea. In Carapacho, the presence of thermal waters around 40 ° C offers relaxing and therapeutic baths in waters with beneficial properties. In the same resort, in the recently renovated natural pools, you can enjoy a bath in sea water heated by thermal water, thus undergoing a relaxing and exotic natural thalassotherapy.

On São Jorge there are natural swimming pools in Velas, Fajã do Ouvidor, Fajã Grande and Topo.

Natural Pool in Topo, São Jorge – Azores

The island of Pico, with many enchanting bays and inlets, has various bathing areas, often obtained from the naturally indented coast. Numerous natural pools, located on the lava rocks, invite you to bathe in the crystal clear waters of the sea. The only proper beach is in Prainha, on the north coast.

Faial is the island, among those of the “triangle” that offers the largest number of volcanic sand beaches: Porto Pim, Praia do Almoxarife and Praia do Norte invite to refreshing sea baths. In the Varadouro area, the bay houses a natural swimming pool between the caves and the rocky points of black lava. Other natural pools are found in Castelo Branco, near the Airport and at Porto do Comprido in the Capelinhos area.

Praia do Almoxarife in Faial, Azores

On the island of Flores you can swim in the natural pools of Santa Cruz, on the beaches close to Lajes das Flores, or on the stony one of Fajã Grande, or even in the pools at the foot of the waterfalls, such as in Poço do Bacalhau and Ribeira Grande .

In Corvo you can swim on the Praia da Areia beach and in Porto da Casa.