Hot Springs in Portugal

Are there hot springs in Portugal?

Yes. Portugal's best-known hot springs are on São Miguel in the Azores, at Terra Nostra and Poça da Dona Beija in Furnas and the sea pool of Ponta da Ferraria, and the mainland has historic spa towns such as Chaves and São Pedro do Sul.

The Azores pools are iron-rich and orange-brown, warm enough to use all year. On the mainland, the termas are mostly medical spas, many with Roman roots, that also offer wellness pools to day visitors.

Best hot springs in Portugal

The hot springs most visitors plan a trip around.

• Thermal pool

  Terra Nostra Thermal Pool

  Furnas, Azores

  A large iron-rich hot pool in a botanical garden; wear dark swimwear.

• Thermal pools

  Poça da Dona Beija

  Furnas, Azores

  Several hot pools in Furnas, open into the evening; book online.

• Natural

  Ponta da Ferraria

  Ponta Delgada, Azores

  An ocean rock pool warmed by hot springs; best near low tide.

• Natural

  Caldeira Velha

  Ribeira Grande, Azores

  Warm pools and a hot waterfall in the forest; book a time slot.

• Spa

  Termas de Chaves

  Chaves, Norte

  A spa in a Roman town with a historic bathhouse and outdoor pools.

• Spa

  Termas de São Pedro do Sul

  São Pedro do Sul, Centro

  One of Portugal's biggest spa towns, near Viseu.

• Spa

  Termas de Monchique

  Monchique, Algarve

  The Algarve's spa in the hills, with pools and hotels.

Hot springs in Portugal map

The map shows all 24 hot springs we cover in Portugal. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.

Famous hot springs in Portugal

All 24 hot springs we list in Portugal, A to Z.

• Spa

  Aquadome, Termas de Unhais da Serra, Portugal

  Mountain spa in the Serra da Estrela with sulphurous water and wellness areas.

• Spa

  Caldas da Cavaca, Portugal

  Spa on a large estate with sulphurous water and a hotel.

• Natural

  Caldeira Velha, Portugal

  Warm iron-rich pools and a hot waterfall in the forest on São Miguel; book a time slot.

• Bathhouse

  Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande, Portugal

  1811 bathhouse with sulphurous stone pools beside steaming vents.

• Thermal pools

  Poça da Dona Beija, Portugal

  Iron-rich hot pools in Furnas, open late into the evening; book online.

• Foot bath

  Poça da Tia Silvina, Portugal

  Free hot foot-soaking pool beside a cold stream in Furnas.

• Natural

  Ponta da Ferraria, Portugal

  Ocean rock pool where hot springs warm the sea; best near low tide.

• Spa

  Termas da Felgueira, Portugal

  Long-established spa with warm sulphurous water, near Nelas.

• Spa

  Termas da Sulfúrea, Portugal

  Sulphurous spa with indoor pools and Roman remains.

• Spa

  Termas das Caldas da Rainha, Portugal

  Thermal hospital founded in 1485 by Queen Leonor, with a museum.

• Spa

  Termas de Caldelas, Portugal

  Spa near Braga using waters known since Roman times, with a pool and a hotel.

• Spa

  Termas de Chaves, Portugal

  Spa in a Roman town, with a historic bathhouse and the outdoor Aquae Salutem pools; book ahead.

• Spa

  Termas de Longroiva, Portugal

  Spa with hot sulphurous water, a neoclassical building and an outdoor pool.

• Spa

  Termas de Monção, Portugal

  Spa hotel near the Spanish border, with a thermal circuit and pool.

• Spa

  Termas de Monchique, Portugal

  The Algarve's thermal resort in the Monchique hills, with alkaline water, pools and hotels.

• Spa

  Termas de Monfortinho, Portugal

  Spa near the Spanish border, known for skin treatments; book ahead.

• Spa

  Termas de S. Jorge, Portugal

  Sulphurous spa on the Uíma River, near Porto.

• Spa

  Termas de S. Vicente, Portugal

  Spa with alkaline sulphurous water, a pool, a sauna and a Turkish bath.

• Spa

  Termas de São Pedro do Sul, Portugal

  One of Portugal's biggest spa towns, near Viseu, with Roman bath ruins.

• Spa

  Termas de Vizela, Portugal

  Spa town with many springs, some hot, and a thermal circuit.

• Spa

  Termas do Carapacho, Portugal

  Coastal spa on Graciosa island with a warm indoor pool and a sea pool outside.

• Spa

  Termas do Cró, Portugal

  Rural spa with a heated pool of sulphurous water and a hotel.

• Spa

  Termas do Gerês, Portugal

  Spa in the village of Gerês, inside Peneda-Gerês National Park.

• Thermal pool

  Terra Nostra Thermal Pool, Portugal

  Large iron-rich hot pool in a botanical garden; it stains light swimwear.

Portugal hot springs: questions and answers

Plan your Portugal hot springs trip

Timing your trip

All year. The Azores are mild in every season, and evening soaks in Furnas are popular. Some mainland termas close for part of the winter.

What you will pay

Azores pools charge entry, and Poça da Dona Beija and Caldeira Velha ask you to book. Ponta da Ferraria and Poça da Tia Silvina are free. Mainland termas sell treatments and wellness passes.

Reaching the springs

Furnas is about 45 minutes from Ponta Delgada on São Miguel. Chaves and Gerês are in the far north, São Pedro do Sul is near Viseu, and Monchique is a short drive from the Algarve coast.

Hot spring dos and don'ts in Portugal

Portuguese hot springs are relaxed, with a few practical tips.

• Book aheadPoça da Dona Beija and Caldeira Velha sell timed slots.
• Remove jewelleryMineral water can tarnish metal.
• Wear dark swimwear in the AzoresIron-rich water stains light fabrics.
• Watch the tide at Ponta da FerrariaThe pool is warmest and safest near low tide.

Pictures of hot springs in Portugal

Photos of Terra Nostra Thermal Pool, Poça da Dona Beija, Ponta da Ferraria, Caldeira Velha, Termas de Chaves and Termas de São Pedro do Sul, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.

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