Ourense, the thermal capital of Galicia, is a city full of history, river landscapes, traditional flavors and corners of incomparable charm. Although it is generally less visited than other Galician cities like Santiago de Compostela or La 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 full 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 the ancient inhabitants already considered a medicinal treasure. In addition, Ourense stands out for its well-preserved old town, cobbled streets, century-old monuments and first-class Galician cuisine. If you are planning a weekend, here is a complete proposal 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 most of the most important monuments are located. We recommend that you start the visit with the Plaza Mayor, a particular place due to its inclination and surrounded by beautiful arcades and the building of the City Hall of Ourense. 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. who left a potpourri of architectural styles. It is worth entering to admire the famous Portico of Paradise, with its original polychromies.
On your way out, head 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 cherishes.
- Dinner and tapas at Os Viños
Since you are in the center, the alleys surrounding the cathedral (Unión, Hornos, Lepanto, Hierro, San Miguel, Eironciño…) are known as Os Viños, the perfect tapas neighborhood for a first contact with the Galician gastronomy. With a high concentration of bars with a long tradition, it is best to enjoy bar bites during short stops, in order to stop at several locations and taste different specialties. Between skewers and skewers there will surely be octopus, empanadas, various cheeses and other Galician delicacies. Don’t forget that local wines, such as those from Ribeira Sacra or Monterrei, perfectly complement the flavors of Orense gastronomy.
Full Saturday
- 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 hot springs of As Burgas, thermal springs of Roman origin and symbol of the city. There, a pool of nearly 200 m2 of open-air thermal water offers us a unique bath, immersed in the history of the city. They are free 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 city’s great green artery. There, the Miño thermal route runs around 4 kilometers of pedestrian path along the banks of the river and connects up to seven thermal areas. Surrounded by nature, these hot springs offer a calm and relaxing environment.
If you have time, you can continue the morning by visiting the Santomé archaeological complex, a few minutes from the city. An interesting site where you can visit various remains of Celtic and Roman constructions in a lush forest of oaks and cork oaks. The ideal place to get a perspective on Orense and its early cities.
- Flavors of Plaza de Abastos
Saturday can be a good day to go see the Plaza de Abastos de Ourense. Although its original classical-style building has been under renovation for several years, the market is housed in a temporary facility in the Alameda Gardens. Here, between the stands, you can see for yourself the renowned quality of Galician gastronomy just before sitting down to taste it in a restaurant around the Cathedral, Plaza Mayor and Calle de San Miguel. Also, if you want to take home some cheese or wine, now is the time to get some.
- Bridges and shopping streets
Orense is a city of bridges, so in the afternoon we suggest you visit its Roman bridge, also known as Puente Viejo or Puente Mayor. This was the first crossing of the Miño, according to tradition it dates back to the time of Trajan but it was rebuilt in the 13th century and consolidated in the 17th century. It had an important strategic function because it was the only one for many kilometers to save the river, but today it is perfect for enjoying beautiful views of the city and the river environment. On the other hand, the Millennium Bridge stands out as being the most modern of all.
After the bridge you can go to the most commercial area of the city, consisting of streets such as Paseo, Santo Domingo, Paz and surrounding areas. Ourense is traditionally a land of great designers and, if you like fashion, this can be a good opportunity to find small boutiques of young designers with bold and innovative ideas. It is also a good place to relax on the terrace of a café and observe 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 neighborhood, in addition to the tapas bars, you will also find restaurants where you can sit down to dine without rushing to enjoy a more substantial dish. Lamprey and eels from the Miño River occupy an important place on the Ouresan table, as do pork and beef, the turnips that accompany the lacón and also the Galician stew.
Sunday, last day
- San Lázaro Park and San Francisco
On Sunday morning, take a stroll through San Lázaro Park, one of the oldest parks in Orense and a pleasant space for a morning walk. Next to it, and practically hidden between modern buildings, is the Franciscan church, moved to this location in 1929, but built in the 16th century in the upper part 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 this convent, is one of the essential visits to Orense. With its 63 arches decorated with mythological, animal and plant motifs, it is a true unmissable Gothic treasure.
- 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 Sundays, 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 going home, Orense pastries are characterized by bica, a traditional sponge cake made with butter, almonds and stuffed canes, without forgetting the brown glaze, so typical of the city.
