Ourense, the thermal capital of Galicia, is a city full of history, river landscapes, traditional flavors and corners with an unmistakable charm. Although it is usually less visited than other Galician cities such as Santiago de Compostela or A Coruña, Ourense has become a hidden gem for those looking for a destination full of authenticity, without crowds and with an offer of activities for a complete weekend. Its old town, its hot springs and its cozy atmosphere make this city an ideal destination to enjoy for two or three days.
Since Roman times, Ourense has been famous for its thermal waters, such as those that flow in the city center, in As Burgas, which ancient inhabitants already considered a medicinal treasure. In addition, Ourense stands out for its well-preserved old town, its cobbled streets, its centuries-old monuments and its first-class Galician cuisine. If you are planning a weekend getaway, here is a complete proposal to get to know Ourense from Friday to Sunday and give your body a well-deserved rest.
Friday afternoon
As soon as you arrive in Ourense, you can start by entering the old town, which is the historic heart and where many of the most important monuments are located. We recommend starting the tour in the Plaza Mayor, a peculiar place due to its inclination and surrounded by beautiful arcades and the Ourense City Council building. There is the church of Santa María Madre, simple and beautiful, and a few meters away, passing through the Plaza de las Damas, you will find the Cathedral of San Martiño, one of the jewels of the city with more than eight centuries of transformations that have left a potpourri of architectural styles. It is worth entering to admire the famous Portico of Paradise, with its original polychromes.
When you leave, go to the church of Santa Eufemia, which with its imposing façade is an excellent example of Galician baroque. With this you already have enough to get a good idea of the religious art that the city of Ourense treasures.
- Dinner and tapas in Os Viños
Since you are in the center, the alleys that surround the cathedral (Unión, Hornos, Lepanto, Hierro, San Miguel, Eironciño…) are known as Os Viños, the perfect tapas area for a first contact with Galician gastronomy. With a high concentration of bars with a long tradition, it is best to try bites at the bar in short stops, in order to stop by several places and enjoy different specialties. Between skewers and skewers, there will surely be some octopus, some empanadas, various cheeses and other Galician delicacies. Don’t forget that the local wines, such as those from the Ribeira Sacra or Monterrei, perfectly complement the flavors of Ourense’s gastronomy.
Saturday in full
- Hot springs and archaeological walk
Start Saturday with one of the most representative experiences of Ourense: its hot springs. In the center you can opt for the As Burgas hot springs, thermal springs of Roman origin and a symbol of the city. There, a sheet of almost 200 m2 of open-air thermal water offers us a unique bath, surrounded by the history of the city. They are free of charge and although the water reaches 60ºC, it cools down to 38 or 40ºC to become the perfect bath at any time of the year.
If you want a more natural environment, the banks of the Miño River constitute the great green artery of the city. There, the Miño thermal route covers about 4 kilometers of pedestrian path along the banks of the river and connects up to seven thermal spaces. Surrounded by nature, these hot springs offer a calm and relaxing environment.
If you have time, you can continue the morning visiting the Santomé Archaeological Complex, a few minutes from the city. An interesting site where we can visit various vestiges of Celtic and Roman constructions in a lush forest of oaks and cork oaks. The ideal place to gain perspective on Ourense and its first towns.
- Flavors of the Plaza de Abastos
Saturday can be a good day to go see the Plaza de Abastos de Ourense. Although its original classicist-style building has been in the process of being renovated for several years, the market is installed in a temporary facility in the Alameda gardens. Here, between stalls, you will be able to see first-hand the renowned quality of Galician gastronomy just before sitting down to taste it in a restaurant around the Cathedral, the Plaza Mayor and Calle de San Miguel. Also, if you want to take home some cheese or wine, this is the time to get it.
- Bridges and shopping streets
Ourense is a city of bridges, so in the afternoon we suggest you visit its Roman Bridge, also known as Puente Viejo or Puente Mayor. It was the first passage over the Miño, according to tradition it dates back to the times of Trajan but it was rebuilt in the 13th century and consolidated in the 17th century. It had an important strategic function as it was the only one for many kilometers to save the river, but today it is perfect to enjoy beautiful views of the city and the river environment. In contrast, the Millennium Bridge stands out for being the most modern of all.
After the bridge, you can go to the most commercial area of the city, which is made up of streets such as Paseo, Santo Domingo, Paz and surrounding areas. Ourense has traditionally been a land of great designers and, if you like fashion, it can be a good opportunity to find small boutiques of young designers with daring and innovative ideas. It is also a good place to rest on the terrace of a café and watch the comings and goings of the city’s inhabitants.
- Dinner in the historic center
For dinner, there’s nothing like returning to the old town, where you can explore beyond Galician tapas. Back in the Os Viños area, in addition to tapas bars, you will also find restaurants where you can sit down for dinner without rushing to taste a more substantial dish. Lamprey and eels from the Miño River enjoy an important place on the Ouresan table, as well as pork and beef, turnip tops that accompany lacón and also Galician stew.
Sunday, last day
- Park of San Lázaro and San Francisco
On Sunday morning, spend some time walking through San Lázaro Park, one of the oldest parks in Ourense and a pleasant space for a morning walk. Next door, and practically hidden between modern buildings, is the Franciscan church, moved to this place in 1929, but built in the 16th century in the upper area of the city as part of the convent of San Francisco, whose cloister must be your next stop.
The cloister of San Francisco, the only testimony of that convent, is one of the essential visits in Ourense. With its 63 arches adorned with mythological, animal and plant motifs, it is a true Gothic treasure that you cannot ignore.
- Last visit to the old town
After the cloister of San Francisco, although in Ourense you will find good restaurants spread throughout the city, it may be interesting to return to the old town to say goodbye to the city with a last bite of its more traditional cuisine. On Sunday, many restaurants in the center offer special menus in which you can taste the most authentic Galician flavors. And to finish with something sweet before returning home, Ourense pastries are characterized by bica, a traditional sponge cake made with butter, almonds and stuffed canes, without forgetting the brown glacé, so typical of the city.
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