CALDEIRA VELHA INTERPRETATION CENTER

It's a delightful site, with lush vegetation, tropical in places, where you can enjoy the delights of a soothing bath: a small pool below a naturally warm waterfall, two others slightly higher up... You can soak as if in a large bathtub filled with sulphur water and always at the right temperature (around 38°C), in a halo of steam when the weather is cool, but always in a friendly, family atmosphere. The area is clearly volcanically active. You'd think you were in the jungle!

Admission to the park is €5. To bathe in the springs, however, you'll need to book in advance on the website, and purchase the full ticket for €10. Access to the bathing area is limited to just 100 people per hour-and-a-half slot, to limit the impact on tourists (the pools are small). In summer, don't expect to be able to enjoy the springs without booking at least two weeks in advance. Changing rooms (few in number) and two showers on site. We advise you to come in your bathing suit to make the most of the limited time on site!

The center also has a small museum area, where you can learn about the volcanic origins of the Azores and, in particular, the formation of Lagoa do Fogo. There's also some information on the Caldera Velha site itself in terms of biodiversity, geodiversity and geothermal energy. Not to be missed!