Terceira

Algar do Carvão

Algar do Carvão is a volcanic chimney in the centre of Terceira.

Algar do Carvão's mouth seen from inside, with ferns and moss
Ferns and moss ring the mouth of Algar do Carvão

Algar do Carvão facts

Location
Central Terceira
Type
Volcanic chimney
Known for
Silica stalactites
Depth
90 m to the lagoon

Getting there: About 12 km by road from Angra do Heroísmo. A ticket costs €10.

Ribeira das Nove · weather now

15.4°C

Observed , Azores time · IPMA

Visiting Algar do Carvão on your own

Visits stop from late October or November 2026 for visitor centre works. Reopening is expected in the middle or end of the first quarter of 2027.

Algar do Carvão cave

a descent into the volcanic chimney to see stalactites and the lagoon

Hours
Outside the closure: January to March and October to December, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 14:30 to 17:00; April and May, daily 14:30 to 17:00; June to September, daily 14:00 to 18:00. Closed 1 January, Carnival Tuesday, Easter Day, 1 December and 24, 25 and 31 December
Tickets
€10 per person; under 12 free with a paying adult; free admission limited to 50 people per day
Booking
no booking needed; tickets sold on arrival only; free admission groups must request approval at least 48 hours ahead

Checked on the cave page of Os Montanheiros, the association that runs it.

Inside Algar do Carvão

Plants and moss cover the chimney's mouth. Silica stalactites hang inside the cave. The lagoon can almost dry up in years with little rain.

Chimney mouth
Plants and moss around the opening
Silica stalactites
Mineral formations on the cave vaults
Underground lagoon
Rainwater pool below the rock vault
The clear lagoon beneath the rock vault at Algar do Carvão
The clear lagoon beneath the rock vault at Algar do Carvão

Questions about Algar do Carvão

Is it worth visiting Algar do Carvão?

Yes, I'd visit Algar do Carvão if you enjoy geology. You can walk inside a volcanic chimney. Staff explain how the cave formed at no extra cost, which would make the visit worthwhile for me.

What can you see inside Algar do Carvão?

You can see opal stalactites and stalagmites inside Algar do Carvão. An underground lake collects rainwater that seeps into the cave. That same water also forms the mineral deposits you see inside the cave.

Is Algar do Carvão suitable for children?

Algar do Carvão can suit children who manage stairs confidently. The route has 338 steps and can be slippery. I would avoid it with babies or children who need to be carried.

Is Algar do Carvão accessible for people with reduced mobility?

No. There is no step-free route into Algar do Carvão. Access depends on stairs, with 338 steps on the route. The cave has no lifts or ramps for visitors who need them.

Are there toilets at Algar do Carvão?

No. Algar do Carvão has no toilets as of 12 October 2026. Use a toilet before travelling to the cave. There is no sheltered waiting area either, so bring a waterproof.

Places near Algar do Carvão

All places on Terceira →
The Serra do Cume viewpoint over walled fields

Serra do Cume

Serra do Cume is a viewpoint over fields divided by walls.

25 minutes by car from Algar do Carvão

 Swimmers in the lava rock pools at Biscoitos

Biscoitos

Biscoitos has lava rock pools where you can swim.

17 minutes by car from Algar do Carvão

 Angra do Heroísmo and Monte Brasil seen from above

Angra do Heroísmo

Angra do Heroísmo is Terceira's main town.

16 minutes by car from Algar do Carvão

Roman Antonov, editor

I live in Portugal and I love these islands. The weather and walk status update automatically. I check tour prices when I reread the collection. I check opening hours and tickets on official pages.