Quick FactsOverview
About Poca da Tia Silvina
Poca da Tia Silvina, Portugal is a small free geothermal pool in a public garden at the Cascata e Aquario das Furnas in the centre of Furnas village on Sao Miguel, the main island of the Azores. The thermal water sits at approximately 38 to 45 degrees Celsius, which visitors generally find too hot for full-body bathing, so the pool is used primarily for foot soaking. A cold freshwater stream flows alongside the pool, allowing a traditional contrast circuit of hot foot soaks followed by cold stream dips. The pool is surrounded by subtropical vegetation in a quiet corner of the village. Furnas is the historic thermal heart of Sao Miguel and the base for most geothermal experiences on the island.
These termas are less well known than the two main developed thermal pools in Furnas, Terra Nostra Park and Poca da Dona Beija, which both charge an entry fee. Tia Silvina is free, central, and feels more like a village corner than a tourist pool, so it rewards visitors who already know Furnas and want a slower, no-cost geothermal moment. The surrounding Cascata e Aquario das Furnas garden also includes a small freshwater waterfall and a traditional small aquarium.
Poca da Tia Silvina is one of the easiest free hot springs Portugal offers to combine with other village stops in Furnas.
Location & Access
Getting to Poca da Tia Silvina
Poca da Tia Silvina is reached by a very short walk from the centre of Furnas village, inside the Cascata e Aquario das Furnas public garden on the EN1-1A road. The pool is a few minutes on foot from the main church, from Poca da Dona Beija, and from the Caldeiras das Furnas fumarole field. No hike is required and the entrance to the garden is at street level, though the paths inside include some uneven stone steps.
From Ponta Delgada, the drive to Furnas takes approximately 45 minutes east via the EN1-1A regional road. From Ribeira Grande, the drive is approximately 25 minutes southeast via the same route through the Furnas Lake area. Furnas has multiple public parking areas close to the village centre, from which the Cascata e Aquario garden is a short walk. For visitors seeking hot springs near Furnas with no entrance fee, this is the most central free option in the village.
Furnas Thermal Village
Furnas sits inside a volcanic caldera at the heart of Sao Miguel and preserves one of the highest concentrations of geothermal features in Europe, including fumaroles, hot springs, and the famous Cozido das Furnas slow-cooked stew prepared in the Caldeiras cooking holes beside the Furnas Lake. Combining Tia Silvina with Terra Nostra Park, Poca da Dona Beija, the Caldeiras, and a Cozido lunch makes a strong full-day visit.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Poca da Tia Silvina
Poca da Tia Silvina suits travellers already visiting Furnas who want a quick, free, and quiet geothermal stop between the larger paid thermal pools, rather than a destination bathing experience. The hot foot-soaking pool paired with the cold stream alongside offers a classic contrast bathing experience in miniature, well-suited to a 15 to 30 minute pause while touring the village. The garden setting with subtropical vegetation and a small waterfall and aquarium nearby adds pleasant surroundings.
Because the water is too hot for full-body soaking, visitors do not need swimsuits for foot bathing; many simply roll up their trouser legs. These termas are especially suited to families with small children, older travellers who find full-body hot soaking too intense, and visitors on a tight schedule who want a brief geothermal touch without queueing for the paid pools. These are among the free hot springs Portugal visitors to Furnas most often stumble upon without planning.
Accessibility at Poca da Tia Silvina
The garden entrance is at street level but internal paths include uneven stone steps and short slopes, so the pool is not formally wheelchair accessible. Those seeking a more accessible developed thermal pool experience should visit Poca da Dona Beija a short walk away, which offers lit, landscaped pools and well-maintained paved paths at a modest entry fee.
Safety & Etiquette
Poca da Tia Silvina Safety Tips
Poca da Tia Silvina is generally safe for foot soaking but the water is hot enough to scald, with reported temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius, so visitors should test the water carefully before entering and limit continuous foot immersion to short sessions. The water is not suitable for full-body bathing because the temperature is too high. Supervise children at all times near the pool and never allow them to enter unaccompanied. The adjacent cold stream can also be slippery underfoot, so take care when stepping between the two.
The sulphurous mineral content gives the water a mild smell that is harmless. Stay hydrated. The stone surfaces around the pool and in the garden can be slippery when wet.
Rules and Etiquette
Do not use soap, shampoo, or detergents in the thermal water. Respect other visitors using the small pool and share foot-soaking space on busier days. Pack out all trash and respect the garden plants and the small aquarium nearby. The sulphurous water can stain light fabrics and silver jewellery, so leave valuables and light-coloured items safely away from the pool.
Furnas Travel Notes
Sao Miguel has a mild oceanic subtropical climate with warm humid summers (daytime highs around 25 degrees Celsius) and mild wet winters that rarely drop below 10 degrees. Rainfall is frequent year-round in the Furnas caldera, where mist and cloud are common. The pool is accessible year-round, with autumn and winter offering the most dramatic contrast between the warm pool and cool, misty air.
