Ourense’s Old Bridge

New Travel tip: Ourense!

This city is a smallish provincial capital in the region of Galicia. Like Lugo  (another smallish Galician city with a full perimeter of Roman walls)  most people blow right by Ourense on their way to better known (and fabulous) Santiago de Compostela or the Rías Bajas (south Galicia coast).

Why go? Well, the compare-contrast between Ourense and Santiago Cathedrals is really interesting, there’s a beautiful Roman bridge, a good tapa scene AND Ourense has several thermal springs that have been used at least since Roman times if not before. What they’ve got is not quite a spa, but prices aren’t spa prices either.

The most spa-like is probably Outariz http://www.termasoutariz.com/ but there are at least three thermal pools absolutely free, where you can loll in hot water for up to X time (usually recommended max of 60 minutes). Several are along the Miño river, so you could even do a hot-cold-hot bath if you want. Cute “thermal train” from the Plaza Mayor takes visitors down to pools along the river.

For walkers: Pretty riverside walks, both banks, and themed walks in the city, info at tourism office and signs in the streets.

Very nice as an add-on to a Galicia trip!

Info on the city’s hot pools:  https://www.termasourense.com/

Where / getting there: Southeast of Santiago de Compostela and almost straight east of Pontevedra.  Ourense is only 45 minutes by train from Santiago so could even be a day trip from there.