The Azores (Açores) are a chain of nine volcanic islands scattered across the mid-Atlantic, roughly 1,400 km west of mainland Portugal. Known for crater lakes, dramatic sea cliffs, thermal springs, and green pastureland, the archipelago offers whale watching, hiking, and diving in a landscape often compared to Ireland and Hawaii combined. Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel, is the archipelago's largest city and main gateway.
Top spas
Curated picks for treatments and day spas.
Terra Nostra Park Thermal Pool
The Azores' largest and most famous thermal pool, a rust-orange, iron-rich pool at a steady 35-40C set within a 12-hectare award-winning botanical garden in the volcanic Furnas valley.
Signature treatment: Large iron-rich thermal bathing pool inside a historic botanical garden
Poça da Dona Beija
A landscaped set of five outdoor iron-rich thermal pools along a small river in Furnas, ranging from 25C to 39C, popular for evening soaks under the stars.
Signature treatment: Multiple graduated-temperature outdoor thermal pools open until 11PM
Caldeira Velha
A forested nature reserve where warm mineral water cascades over a waterfall into natural volcanic pools at the base of Lagoa do Fogo's slopes, entered via timed 90-minute tickets.
Signature treatment: Warm waterfall cascading into natural volcanic bathing pools within a forest reserve
Ponta da Ferraria Natural Pool
A free natural volcanic pool where hot spring water meets the cold Atlantic directly in the ocean, usable only within about two hours either side of low tide.
Signature treatment: Volcanic hot spring mixing with ocean water at the westernmost tip of São Miguel
Termas da Ferraria
A small dedicated spa building near Ponta da Ferraria offering a controlled outdoor thermal pool and massage treatments, a calmer alternative to the tide-dependent natural pool nearby.
Signature treatment: Outdoor thermal pool with massage and spa treatments, open limited hours
Octant Furnas Thermal Spa
A resort hotel wellness centre in the Furnas valley, home to Europe's largest concentration of thermal waters, with indoor and outdoor pools fed by natural hot springs plus hydrotherapy and massage treatments.
Signature treatment: Indoor and outdoor hot-spring-fed pools with hydrotherapy treatments
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel Spa
The hotel adjoining Terra Nostra Park, giving guests round-the-clock access to the iron-rich thermal pool and botanical garden alongside an in-house treatment menu.
Signature treatment: 24-hour private access to the Terra Nostra thermal pool for hotel guests
Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa Wellness Centre
A north-coast resort with an infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic and a full wellness centre, pairing ocean views with spa treatments away from the Furnas thermal valley.
Signature treatment: Atlantic-facing infinity pool and wellness centre outside the Furnas thermal district
Sensi Azores Nature & Spa Hotel
A nature-focused spa hotel on São Miguel emphasising relaxation amid the island's green landscape, with a spa menu built around massage, sauna, and island-inspired treatments.
Signature treatment: Nature-immersed spa experience combining massage with São Miguel's green interior landscape
Hotel do Caracol Wellness Centre
A wellness centre in Terceira's UNESCO-listed capital, with a heated pool, sauna, spa treatments, and fitness facilities inside a modern hotel overlooking Angra's marina.
Signature treatment: Heated indoor pool and full-service spa in the historic centre of Angra do Heroismo
Boutique Hotel Teatro Wellness
A modern wellness experience inside a converted historic theatre in Angra do Heroismo, with a sauna, hot tub, and hammam offering a contemporary counterpoint to the UNESCO old town outside.
Signature treatment: Sauna, hot tub, and hammam inside a converted 19th-century theatre building
Xhale Azores
A multi-day nature-immersion wellness retreat on Terceira blending mindfulness, movement, and the island's volcanic landscape and culture into a structured program.
Signature treatment: Multi-day mindfulness and nature-immersion retreat program on Terceira
Wellness travel tips
Get the most from your wellness experience.
Book treatments in advance — popular slots fill up quickly during peak season.
Hydrate well before and after treatments, especially massages and saunas.
Communicate any allergies or skin sensitivities before treatments begin.