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Algar do Carvão

Algar do Carvão: Our most recommended tours and activities

Terceira: Algar do Carvão Lava Caves Tour

1. Terceira: Algar do Carvão Lava Caves Tour

Get back to nature and visit the extraordinary lava tube of Algar do Carvão inside the caldera of the Guilherme Moniz volcano, 12 kilometers from Angra do Heroísmo. Travel back in time to when a basalt eruption tore a pre-existing lava flow to begin the process that would lead to the formation of a Strombolian volcano with 2 cones. Observe different geological features, including ferrous deposits and silicate stalactites, and appreciate formations that date back to the origins of the cave. Discover a small pond of rare beauty, and gaze in awe as smoke emerges from the ground. Encounter the unique flora and fauna, including birds that seek refuge inside the cave, and diverse plant life that includes species of molds, arthropods, and other groups.

Terceira: Half-Day Island Tour with Cheese Tasting

2. Terceira: Half-Day Island Tour with Cheese Tasting

Meet your driver at your accommodation in Angra do Heroísmo, Praia da Vitoria, or Lajes, and start your half-day tour in an air-conditioned minivan. Explore Algar do Carvão, an empty volcano and its caves with remarkable unique mineralogical characteristics. The 90-meter-deep volcanic chimney formed approximately 3,200 years ago after the magma drained from the main chimney receding to the magma chamber. Next up is Furnas do Enxofre. Walk around a fumaroles field and see sulfur gas coming out from the ground. Contemplate the beautiful natural swimming pool at Biscoitos, surrounded by black lava and with a few colorful fishing boats anchored alongside. Stop for a photo opportunity in Miradouro do Raminho and see 3 islands. Finish a wonderful day with a handmade delicious cheese tasting.

From Angra do Heroísmo: Terceira Island Full-Day Tour

3. From Angra do Heroísmo: Terceira Island Full-Day Tour

Start the tour by visiting Monte Brasil, where you can see the Fortress of São João Baptista, built by the Spanish after their arrival in 1583. Enjoy fantastic views of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Angra do Heroísmo. Proceed along the southeast of Terceira Island towards the villages of Ribeirinha, Feteira, and São Sebastião. See beautiful natural landmarks such as Ilhéus das Cabras and Baía da Salga, culminating in a visit to the island's oldest church. Next, stop at Serra do Cume, a viewpoint located in Terceira's largest "caldeira". Observe the vast expanse of agricultural fields spread out the island. Then, enjoy some free time for lunch in the charming town of Praia da Vitória. In the afternoon continue along the northern coast of the island and visit the Biscoitos Natural Swimming Pools. Have an optional visit to Algar do Carvão, an empty volcanic chimney, that should take about 30-40 minutes (ticket not included). In the return to your hotel, don't miss more outstanding beauty of the central part of the island. Among other things, you can see the brave bulls in their natural habitat.

From Angra: 3-Hour Volcano Tour

4. From Angra: 3-Hour Volcano Tour

Discover the volcanos and volcanic caves of Terceira Island on this geology lover's guided tour. Visit Algar do Carvão, Furnas do Enxofre and Gruta do Natal with an expert guide. Meet your guide and driver for pick-up at your hotel and head to the first stop on the tour — the inactive Algar do Carvão. Visit it from the inside and discover its small lake and fascinating geological formations. Next head to Furnas do Enxofre, a small strip of land with 20 fumaroles expelling white vapor into the air. You'll also see native flora like the Azores juniper and the Azores blueberry. Top off your tour with a visit to Gruta do Natal (Christmas Cave), a system of caves known as a lava tube, full of spectacular volcanic formations.

Algar do Carvão: Terceira Caves Tour

5. Algar do Carvão: Terceira Caves Tour

Have you ever imagined visiting the womb of the earth? Well, by choosing this tour, that is precisely what you will do, discovering the most emblematic Volcanic Cavities on Terceira Island. We leave Angra do Heroísmo towards Lagoa das Patas, we visit the leisure park, the lagoon and the stream, in the company of the ducks. Then we go to Gruta do Natal, we visit the lava tube where it is necessary to wear a helmet. We head further inland where we stop to visit the sulfur caves. A short 10-minute walk through nature, admiring the earth's breathing. As the best is always for last, it's time to visit the Regional Natural Monument of Algar do Carvão, undoubtedly the ex-libris of Terceira Island. Glimpse, feel and experience nature in its purest state!

Terceira Island : Island Highlights Day Tour with Lunch

6. Terceira Island : Island Highlights Day Tour with Lunch

This is the best way to discover Terceira Island in one day. Embark with us on a full trip around to the Island in a different way. (mini bus/mini van). We start at 9 am in the city of Angra do Heroísmo, with a visit to Monte Brasil. Then we cross the city towards the East passing by the Pátio da Alfândega, the monument to the bull and the bullring. Continuing along the coast, we head towards Vila de São Sebastião, passing by Ribeirinha, Feteira (serretinha), Porto Judeu (view of the Ilhéu das Cabras) and Baia da Salga. In São Sebastião we visit the oldest church on the island and a small chapel for the devotion of the Holy Spirit that we call Império. We continue towards the city of Praia da Vitória passing by the Serra do Cume viewpoint, Fontinhas, Santa Cruz, until we reach the Serra do Facho viewpoint. After visiting the city, we stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Full menu of typical food from the island, with the main dish being the delicious Alcatra. (beef stew) After the divine lunch we have the only optional of the day. If you wish, we can visit the Algar do Carvão geosite, which is located in the central area of Terceira Island and corresponds to a volcanic chimney 80 m deep. The visit is made on foot using stairs. We head north to visit the small town of Biscoitos to see vineyards and how grapes are produced in the Azores and of course, also the natural pools. Depending on the weather we can give 15 minutes for a dip. From here we start the return to Angra do Heroísmo, along the coast passing by Altares, Raminho, Serreta, Doze Ribeiras, Santa Bárbara, Cinco Ribeiras, São Bartolomeu and São Mateus. Throughout the day, we stop whenever you want to make the experience even more enjoyable. The route may change depending on weather conditions or traffic changes.

Half-Day Van Tour on the Center of the Terceira Island

7. Half-Day Van Tour on the Center of the Terceira Island

The Tour starts by the Afternoon where you´ll be Picked up from your hotel and then you´ll go to the center of Terceira Island. On this tour you´re going to see a lot of secret spots known by the locals. You´ll visit an inside of a Lava Tube with 700m of extention. The Tour ends at Algar do Carvão, wich is Vulcano that you can actualy visit the inside.

Terceira : Full Day Jeep Tour

8. Terceira : Full Day Jeep Tour

On this full day in adventure, we start with the pickup from the client to the accommodation and end with the drop-off on it. A day full of emotions guaranteed by our local guide and by visiting the places that most identify our island, whether at the level of culture and history, but also at the level of unique nature. The guide will accompany the client always throughout the route. Our tour starts at Monte Brasil that it's a extinct volcano surrounded by 4 km of walls of the "Fortaleza de São João Baptista". A incredible panoramic view of the city of Angra do Heroísmo. Monte Brasil is an extinct volcano that emerged from the sea to join the city of Angra do Heroísmo. Today, it is a protected landscape and the city’s natural park. After by the famous Vaquinha cheese, the oldest cheese on our island (cheese tasting included). The remaining points pass through the beautiful lagoon of Falca, Forest Reserve is in the interior of Terceira Island and gets its name from a beautiful artificial lake, fed by the water flowing from the Serra de Santa Bárbara range, by Furnas do Enxofre, Biscoitos Natural lava Rock Pools (where you can dive) and Serra do Cume, with a spectacular view of the so-called Patchwork, the division of agricultural fields in Caldeira dos 5 Picos! At its highest point, the Serra do Cume rises to 545 meters high.

Terceira - Private Group - Full Day Guided Bus Tour

9. Terceira - Private Group - Full Day Guided Bus Tour

Discover the most famous and fascinating sights of the island of Terceira on a full-day bus tour. Sit back and travel comfortably with your group and travel the interior of the island with a professional guide. Get picked up from your accommodation and embark on an adventure towards the first spot of the tour. Visit the famous Monte Brasil, an inactive volcano close to the city. Enjoy fantastic views of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Angra do Heroísmo.  Head towards the southeast coast of the island towards some famous villages. See beautiful natural landmarks like the churches, holy spirit chapels, and other natural formations.  Next, stop at Serra do Cume, a viewpoint located in Terceira's largest caldera. Observe the vast expanse of agricultural fields spread out the island. Get mesmerized by the most breathtaking panoramic views of Terceira Island.  The final stop in the morning is the city of Praia da Vitória. Spend some time on this spot and explore the sandy beaches and many viewpoints. Take a short lunch break before leaving for the next stop.  Continue along the northern coast to visit the Algar do Carvão, an empty volcanic chimney, and the Gruta do Natal a lava tube. Stroll through the interior of the area for some fantastic views. Finally, take a tour of the village of São Mateus, the main fishing port of the island. Finish a wonderful day at one of the most beautiful islands of Portugal. 

Top sights near Algar do Carvão

Other Sightseeing Options in Algar do Carvão

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What people are saying about Algar do Carvão

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 156 reviews

We were very happy with the places we visited, the pace of visits, our dear knowledgeable guide Anna who willing to show all the beauties of the island.. This was a really jigh quality experience and only in one day, we were able to see 75% of the island.. We thank to dear Anna and the tour company

We practically had a private tour with Nuno over the whole island. He showed us a lot and told us about the island, but was always open to suggestions if we wanted to see anything. All in all very successful and really recommendable!

Great tour of the volcanoes! Our tour guide was knowledgeable and fun. She took her time and make sure we didn't feel rushed. She even took extra time for us to see certain sights. Thank you so much!

António is a top tour guide, who also has nice photo spots at the different locations. He has a lot of knowledge about the island and the locations. Highly recommended!

Rui was a wonderful tour guide and the caves were beautiful.