Parque Terra Nostra is a renowned botanical garden and geothermal hot spring park located in the Furnas Valley on São Miguel Island in the Azores. Dating back to 1775, this 12.5-hectare garden is over two centuries old and is celebrated for its exotic plant collections, natural thermal pools, and romantic landscape design. It offers visitors a truly unique experience combining lush subtropical gardens with the chance to bathe in iron-rich hot spring waters.

At the center of Terra Nostra stands its iconic Thermal Water Pool – a large oval bathing pool fed by a volcanic hot spring. The spring’s iron and mineral content give the water a murky orange-brown tint, but it is wonderfully warm (~37°C) and reputed for its therapeutic properties. Bathers can soak surrounded by jungle-like greenery; towering tree ferns (some over 100 years old) and camellia bushes ring the pool, and steam often wafts off the surface on cooler days, creating an enchanting atmosphere. A small ornamental island with palms sits in the middle of the pool, and there are steps and changing facilities for visitor access (the pool is open to park guests during opening hours).

Radiating out from the pool, the gardens feature a magnificent collection of plants from around the world. Winding paths lead through avenues of ancient cycads and ginkgo trees, shady groves of bamboo, and extensive camellia gardens – Terra Nostra boasts over 600 varieties of camellias which burst into bloom in winter and early spring, earning the park international acclaim among camellia enthusiasts. There are also sections devoted to tropical fruit trees, a fern gully with geothermal steam vents heating the soil, and a Victoria amazonica water lily pond (where giant lily pads float in summertime).

One notable area is the Serpentine Canal, a curving waterway crossed by rustic bridges and flanked by flower beds, which exemplifies the 19th-century romantic garden style. Nearby, a charming Greek-inspired pavilion (the Casa do Parque) painted in warm yellow serves as an architectural accent and historical museum of the garden. Stone grottoes, fountains, and statuary are tucked among the vegetation, adding to the old-world charm. Throughout the park, labels identify rare species like Norfolk Island pines, African tulip trees, and New Zealand kauri, reflecting the garden’s long tradition of plant acclimatization experiments.

Parque Terra Nostra is open to the public for a fee (free for guests of the adjacent Terra Nostra Hotel) and is meticulously maintained. Visitors typically wander the garden’s circuit, then enjoy a relaxing soak in the thermal pool or in two smaller iron-rich jacuzzis nearby. The experience of strolling under towering palms and conifers, hearing birdsong echo off volcanic hills, and then sinking into naturally heated waters amidst lush scenery is unforgettable. Recognized as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, Terra Nostra is a hidden paradise where the natural geothermal wonders of the Azores meet exquisite horticultural artistry.