You will find alongside the riverbed some small constructions meant to create spaces for residents walking around the village of Furnas to rest and submerge their feet in the thermal waters and be rejuvenated.

If you want somewhere that feels secret, the best approach in Furnas is to walk around and follow locals or the many paths from the park and the church through the village. Look for steam rising near the river, and you will often find small geothermal corners that are not signposted like big attractions.

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The relationship between the people of Furnas and its thermal waters goes back for generations. Long before the area became famous as a destination for wellness and tourism, local residents used the warm mineral waters for everyday traditions and relaxation, and for therapeutic benefits. The geothermal landscape is a reminder that Furnas is not simply a place to visit, but a village built around the natural activity of the Furnas Volcano. The area contains fumaroles, hot springs, mineral waters, and other volcanic features created by the underground heat that continues to shape the landscape today.

One of the most interesting things about exploring Furnas is discovering how closely daily life has always been connected to the volcano. The same underground heat that warms the springs is also used in the famous traditional dish Cozido das Furnas, where pots of meat and vegetables are slowly cooked in volcanic soil near the fumaroles. This connection between food, culture, and geology makes Furnas one of the most unique villages in the Azores.


Although places such as the formal thermal baths are now well known, the smaller corners along streams and paths reveal another side of Furnas: a quieter landscape where locals have enjoyed the benefits of the volcanic waters for decades. These hidden geothermal spots show that some of the most memorable experiences in the Azores are often found away from the main attractions.

Have you found any secret hot springs around Furnas? Have you been to any of the formal thermal baths around the island?

A small note: I slightly adjusted the wording around "secret hot springs" in the added section because many of these places are not truly secret—they are often local-use thermal areas or lesser-known geothermal corners rather than undiscovered springs. That keeps the article accurate while still preserving the sense of discovery that works well for travel readers.