Poça da Dona Beija

Poça da Dona Beija is a landscaped complex of five outdoor thermal pools set along a small stream on the edge of Furnas, São Miguel, and is one of the most popular hot-spring stops in the Azores. Unlike the single large pool at nearby Terra Nostra Park, Dona Beija offers a sequence of pools at graduated temperatures ranging from a cooler 25C to a hot 39C, all fed by the same iron-rich volcanic springs that give the water its characteristic tea-brown colour. Surrounded by ferns, tropical planting, and small waterfalls, the setting feels more intimate and naturalistic than a conventional pool complex. Tickets cost EUR 12 per person until 5:30PM and EUR 16 from 6PM onward, with reduced pricing for children aged 2-6 and free entry under 2; tickets are sold exclusively online and on a first-come, first-served basis. The complex is open daily from 8:30AM to 11PM, with a 90-minute time limit per visit and last entry at 9:30PM, making an evening soak - especially after dark when the pools are lit - one of the most atmospheric wellness experiences on the island. Changing rooms, showers, and lockers are provided on site. Because the iron-rich water stains fabric and skin temporarily, older swimwear is recommended, and visitors should expect a light sulphurous mineral smell typical of Azorean thermal water.