Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake viewpoint) is a peaceful spot where you can truly contemplate Mother Nature’s work. It offers a great perspective over the Lake of Furnas, one of the biggest lakes in the Azores.
It is a mandatory point of passage if you are in Furnas and want some relaxing time to slow down and enjoy what nature has to offer. Many people will pass right in front of you and not stop. But if you are not rushing and need to reconnect with nature or simply watch the Azorean landscape alone, this is the spot you are looking for.
Enjoy our natural beauty at Furnas Lake Viewpoint. Here is everything there is to know about this quiet place surrounded by lush nature.
What is Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas?
This viewpoint is not as famous as the others around, like, for instance, Pico do Ferro, where you can enjoy the view from above. Most people will drive by and not even know that this is a viewpoint because, the truth is, you can see Lagoa das Furnas from the road where it is located.
From Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas, you can see almost the whole lake and the surrounding forest from the lake level, right on its shore. You can also view the fumaroles spot with some water steam coming out and the gothic chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias on the other side, hidden in the landscape due to its dull colors.
It is a relaxing place if you ignore the noise from the cars driving on the stone road right behind you from time to time. However, if you’d like, you can go closer to the lake and meditate a bit.
Plan Your Visit to Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas
How to Get to Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas
Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas is located on the side of the stone road that goes around Furnas Lake. It is situated at the QM5G+C4 intersection, facing the Cozido area and Lagoa Seca. It belongs to Povoação County, and there is a small parking lot where you can stop your car and enjoy the view.
This viewpoint is also right on the trail to walk around Furnas Lake, so if you discover this area on foot, you will pass in front of it.
Some buses go to Furnas, and a bus stop is a bit ahead of this viewpoint, so you can reach it by bus from Ponta Delgada. Otherwise, you can go directly by car with a rental car or taxi. Public transportation is always cheaper. However, you will not have so many buses during the day, and having your car always means more freedom.
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is in the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago. Here, you will notice the atypical characteristics of this climate. These result from many factors contributing to its plant exuberance and landscape value.
The climate is mild regardless of the season, and the average values do not present many changes. Temperatures vary between:
- 16 °C in spring;
- 21 °C in summer;
- 18 °C in autumn;
- 14 °C in winter.
For more info about the weather in the Azores, check the links below:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Best Time to Visit Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas
You can go to Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas at any time during the day. It is an open space on the public road. At night, you won’t be able to see anything. And occasionally, when the clouds are too dense, it can happen that you won’t see the other end of the lake. Going during lunchtime can be a great idea to have a picnic on the shore of the lake.
If you go in the morning, you can see beautiful colors around the lake. But when the sun hits its highest point, the lake transforms into a bright-green mass of water, which gives it the name Emerald Lake.
Pro Tips for Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas
If you go to the viewpoint of Furnas Lake and the weather is nice, you can go over the entire lake on foot. It is mostly flat and well-indicated. To complete the whole round, you will take about 2 hours.
If you hear some noises from the water, it is probably the wildlife. Indeed, occasionally, you can see fish jumping out of the lake. This lake has many fish like carp, roaches, perches, pikes, and many more.
What to Do Around Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas
See the Cozidos Being Taken From the Ground
If you go to the Caldeiras area right on the lakeshore, where you can see the fumaroles, you will spot some people inside the smoke zone. There, you can observe the Cozido being cooked under the ground.
Right before lunch, people gather to see the big metal pots being taken away. First, they have to remove the sand from the top of those natural ovens, then the wooden lid. Next, they carefully carry the pans thanks to metal hooks because it is very hot inside! Finally, the restaurants of Furnas town send their cars to retrieve the delicious meal, ready to serve!
Pico do Ferro Trail (PRC22 SMI): A Scenic Journey Through Furnas’ Natural Beauty
The Pico do Ferro Trail (PRC22 SMI) offers adventurers a unique experience. It offers stunning views over Lagoa das Furnas Valley and Lagoa. The trail connects the Pico do Ferro Miradouro directly to Grená Park.
The trail crosses the São Miguel Natural Park, a protected forest area. This adds to the natural beauty and biodiversity you’ll encounter along the way. This circular route, which spans 6.2 kilometers, takes about 3 hours to complete. Despite its duration, the trail is relatively easy, making it a perfect walk for family or friends.
Along the way, you’ll pass through organic pastures and lush green forests. At the end, you can observe Lagoa das Furnas and Caldeiras das Furnas. Here, they cook the famous Cozido das Furnas.
Explore Grená Park
Located on the island of São Miguel, on the northern shore of Furnas Lake, you’ll find Grená Park and all its charms. During your visit to the park, you’ll see an exhibition on the history of the property’s restoration.
Did you know
The entrance fee is 10 euros per person if you want to visit the park.
This space, with 18 hectares of forest of “untouchable nature,” is a tourist attraction. Here, you can see a watercourse, waterfalls, streams, and various types of trees and animals typical of the region.
You can also enjoy the view of the ruins of an 1858 manor house in the park.
Enjoying the Tranquility of Furnas Lake
Furnas Lake is an ex-libris of the island of São Miguel, known for its tranquil setting and permanent contact with nature. This is why it attracts thousands of visitors annually who explore the region.
Located in an ancient volcanic crater, Furnas Lake occupies a considerable part of the Furnas Volcano caldera.
Did you know
Although Furnas Lake is surrounded by constant volcanic activity, Furnas Volcano has been “dormant” since its last eruption in 1630.
In this landscape, we can still see several intra-caldera volcanic cones, domes, thermal springs with medicinal properties, mud or clear water boilers with high temperatures, geysers, and volcanic fumaroles. There are also the well-known natural kitchens where the famous Furnas stew is made.
With the large influx of tourists, entry to the lagoon costs €3 per person.
Where To Eat Near Furnas
If you need somewhere to eat near Furnas, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where To Stay Near Furnas
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Complementary Information
Useful Tools & Apps
The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores offers live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, letting you check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.
How to Get to São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is easily accessible with numerous flight routes. Lisbon and Porto are the main entry points to the continent, with direct flights to Ponta Delgada available. To find the best flight, use search engines like eDreams or Skyscanner.
These platforms allow you to compare prices and schedules from different airlines in one place. For more details on how to get to the Azores, look at our guide. Once you find the perfect flight, book it! You’ll reach one of the world’s most beautiful island groups in a few hours.
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island, part of the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago, has a unique climate shaped by various factors. This climate fosters the island’s lush vegetation and stunning landscapes. Temperatures stay mild year-round, with only slight variations.
In spring, temperatures average 16 °C, summer peaks at 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter hovers around 14 °C. For more details on the weather in the Azores, take a look at the following links:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Cultural Agenda of São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island hosts a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. The complete list of events is on the cultural agenda!
Video Lagoa das Furnas (São Miguel Island, Azores)
Conclusion
To sum it up, there is no reason you shouldn’t visit Miradouro da Lagoa das Furnas. Simply because you will pass by car or foot in front of it anyway on your way to Furnas.
Exploring the big lake of Furnas is one more opportunity to enjoy the unbelievable nature of the Azores. This lake has many faces, and when the weather is cloudy, it can even look eerie.
We hope you enjoy your holidays in the Azores and take full advantage of our beautiful viewpoints all around the islands.
Authors’ Note
I’m pleased to inform you that all the recommendations in this article are based on my experience and observations. As the author, I have personally visited each attraction mentioned, ensuring that every suggestion is grounded in first-hand knowledge and genuine enthusiasm.
FAQs
The viewpoint is located on the ER2-1ª road in the parish of Furnas, in Povoação. It is accessible by car, has on-site parking, and features ramps for individuals with reduced mobility.
At 567 meters above sea level, you can admire Lagoa das Furnas, with its fumaroles and calderas, and the picturesque parish of Furnas. On clear days, it is even possible to see the island of Santa Maria.
The site offers a parking area, accessibility ramps, benches for rest, and informational plaques about the protected landscape of Lagoa das Furnas.
Besides taking in the stunning views, visitors can explore nearby trails, such as the one leading down to Lagoa das Furnas. This path provides a unique experience, bringing you closer to nature with incredible views.
Check all our articles about each one of the most relevant points of interest in Furnas: Caldeiras das Furnas | Capela da Nossa Senhora das Vitórias | Castelo Branco Viewpoint | Lagoa das Furnas | Lagoa das Furnas Viewpoint | Mata-Jardim José do Canto | Parque Terra Nostra’s Thermal Pool | Pico do Ferro Viewpoint | Poça da Dona Beija | Ribeira Quente | Ribeira Quente Beach | Salto do Cavalo Viewpoint | Salto do Rosal | Terra Nostra Garden
