Ourense was the first big city on my road trip through Galicia, and what a nice surprise 🥰 If you are planning a trip to Galicia, you should definitely visit Ourense. Firstly, its historical centre is quite cute. Secondly, its hot springs make Ourense a particularly special destination.

There’s no mistaking it! The weather forecasts in Galicia are not always the most optimistic, this region being well known for being rainy. However, don’t let the rain stop you from visiting one of the most amazing regions in Spain 😉.

In any case, May to September is the time with the least rainfall and the most sought after by tourists to visit Galicia and, more specifically, Ourense.

Although Ourense has more points of interest than you are probably thinking, you can easily walk through the city and one day is enough to get to know the main attractions.

However, and especially if you want to take advantage of some of the city’s thermal baths, the ideal time to get to know Ourense is 2 days!

I chose a very simple hotel for my stay in Ourense – Hotel Altiana. Despite being only 2 stars and being located in an older building, the rooms were recently renovated, and the price is unbeatable! I also had breakfast in the small cafeteria which is part of the hotel. Another plus of this hotel is its central location!

Anyway, I’ll share other suggestions for accommodation that seemed interesting when I was searching for accommodation in Ourense:

• Villa Trabazos Abellas: flat equipped for those who want more home-cooked meals and very centrally located
• Barceló Ourense: incredible quality at a very reasonable price. They often offer promotions that make it worth opting for this more luxurious hotel
• Hotel Princess: despite a more outdated décor, the hotel’s conditions are quite good, and the central location is also worth mentioning
• Hotel Alda Estación Ourense: quite a modern and friendly hotel, located opposite Ourense train station (less central location)

Before I start the list with what you can visit in Ourense, I’ll share with you a map with the city’s main points of interest.

The Roman Bridge, also known as the Old Bridge, is a bridge that crosses the Miño River. The first version of this bridge is said to originate from the Roman Empire, having been rebuilt again in the 13th century.

For several years, the bridge was of strategic importance, as it was the only bridge crossing the banks of the River Miño over several kilometres.

Nowadays, the bridge is only pedestrian, and it is actually a good first visiting card of Ourense, with the colourful buildings and the various hills as a backdrop.

Inaugurated in 2001, the Millennium Bridge has a much more futuristic construction and is a symbol of modernity in the city of Ourense. It can be seen from the Roman Bridge!

The Iron Square (Praza do Ferro) is probably one of the most beautiful squares in Ourense. Its name comes from the fact that this used to be a market of agricultural tools, ironware and pot for many years.

With its triangular shape, in the centre of the square we find a fountain that once belonged to the São Esteban de Ribas de Sil monastery. It is also next to this square that we can find the beginning of “Os Viños” area – a great place to eat tapas in the city.

Built in the 17th century, the Santa Eufémia Church is the second largest in the city. The church is a true work of art as far as Baroque style in Galicia is concerned, and its interior can be visited free of charge.

It is then time to move on to the largest church in the city. It was only built between the 12th and 13th century, yet the construction rests on a temple dating from the year 550.

Although the entrance to visit the inside of the Cathedral is located in Wheat Square (Praza do Trigo), it is in St. Martin’s Square (Praza de San Martín) that we get the best views of the Cathedral 😉

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: Ourense Cathedral can be visited from Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm and from 10 am to 4.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The entrance fee is 6€ (includes audio guide). You can find the most up-to-date timetables and prices here.

Located in the Plaza Mayor, the Santa Maria Nai Church is at the top of a stone staircase, which gives it a perfect setting. Rebuilt in the 18th century in a mostly Baroque style, this church is believed to have been built on top of the old Cathedral.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The church can only be visited during mass times, but the visit is free.

After visiting Santa Maria Nai Church, it’s time to explore the Main Square (Plaza Mayor) – one of the most special places in the historic centre.

As one of the few European squares with a slightly sloping floor, here we find the Town Hall (Casa Consistorial), the Former Bishop’s Palace and some 18th and 19th century houses, such as the house of Fermín García.

The Former Bishop’s Palace is currently the Archaeological Museum of Ourense, and admission is free!

Wheat Square (Praza do Trigo) has always been associated with various markets. It once functioned as a ceramics, goldsmith and cereals market, the latter having given the square its most recent name.

From here we can see one of the façades of the Ourense Cathedral, but also several noble houses, as well as the Fonte Nova.

Designed to be a cloister, Magdalene Square owes its name to a chapel that once existed there. It was once a cemetery and was also used for a fruit and vegetable market. In its centre, we find a Baroque-style calvary.

Ourense is well known for the therapeutic qualities of its water. There are several thermal complexes in the city that are well worth enjoying at the end of a day of sightseeing:

• Outariz Thermal Baths: 5,7€ for 2 hours; open every day (except Tuesday)
• Muiño de Veiga Thermal Baths: thermal complex by the banks of the river Miño and totally free of charge
• A Chavasqueira Thermal Baths: with a distinctly Japanese inspiration, entrance costs 4€ 
• Tinteiro Thermal Baths: one of the most popular hot springs in Ourense!

I especially recommend the Outariz Thermal Baths and Muiño de Veiga Thermal Baths! To get there, you just have to park your car here. In a few meters we find Muiño de Veiga Thermal Baths and further ahead the Outariz ones.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Please note that some of these spas were closed due to the pandemic, so it is recommended to check before visiting whether they are actually open!

You can also combine a visit to some of these thermal complexes with a walk along a beautiful green corridor by the river Miño. The route is about 5 km long and is one of the main green spaces of the city.

It is called Miño Thermal Route, and it is sought by the locals for the practice of physical exercise, among others. 

As Burgas is one of the most emblematic places in the spa town of Ourense – indeed, Ourense is known as being “the city of the Burgas”. During the Roman Empire there was a thermal complex here and even today these hot springs are still used.

These waters are used to fill two thermal pools, which are of public access and free of charge. Additionally, there is the Thermal Interpretation Centre that intends to tell the history of this place in 5 distinct rooms.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The swimming pools are equipped with changing rooms and lockers. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm. You can find the most up-to-date information here. The Interpretation Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm. On Saturdays, it is only available from 5 pm to 9 pm.

The Galicia region has much more to visit, so I strongly recommend you to stay a few more days in Ourense to enjoy some places nearby:

If you’re not tired of spas yet, the Prexigueiro Thermal Baths are another excellent option to visit near Ourense. Entry costs around 6€, and you can explore the outdoor spa complex for 90 minutes.

Ribadavia is a very nice Galician pueblo that was once the capital of the old Kingdom of Galicia. Its Jewish quarter and the Sarmento Castle stand out, as well as the narrow streets and alleys that tell us stories of other times.

Given the proximity of this region to the Ribeira Sacra area, there are plenty of absolutely fantastic viewpoints for that perfect photo. Here are some suggestions:

• O bambán do solpor (30 min)
• Vilouxe (50 min)
• Balcón de Madrid (50 min)

Another pleasant pueblo to visit in the Galicia region is Monforte de Lemos. Climb up to San Vicente de Pino Monastery for the best views of the town, but also be sure to admire the imposing Nuestra Señora de la Antigua Episcopal College.

I’ve only tried one restaurant in Ourense – Mesón O Comellón (€€). It’s a good tapas restaurant, with terrace service for days with good weather. I tried a good “polvo à galega” (octopus), some “huveos rotos” and a tomato and ham bruschetta – all very tasty 😉.

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