Ourense

What to do in Ourense

Plans, activities and things to see in Ourense

25 Plans and activities · 12 What to see · 18 Destinations & areas

Ourense

Discover Ourense

Ourense has more thermal springs per square kilometre than any other European province: water rises at 65 °C in the city centre and along the banks of the Miño, where the natural As Burgas pools allow free bathing with the river in the background. This hydrothermal heritage extends to Arnoia, Lobios and Laias with spas in various formats. The Sil Canyon to the east forms Galicia's deepest gorges: 300 m walls of granite and slate covered with terraced vineyards, accessible by tourist boat from O Barco de Valdeorras or on foot along the Camiño Real do Sil corniche path. The Trevinca massif reaches 2,127 m, Galicia's highest point; the route from Prada da Cañada is the most direct and takes six hours return. The Manzaneda ski resort (1,780 m) has runs until late March in normal years.

Highlights

  • • As Burgas thermal pools: free bathing in 65°C springs in the city
  • • Sil Canyon: boat trip or corniche path through terraced vineyards
  • • Trevinca (2,127m): Galicia's highest summit
  • • Ribeiro wine route: cycling through vineyards along the Avia valley
  • • Manzaneda ski resort at 1,780m with snow until March

Best time to visit

September–October for the Sil Canyon during terrace vineyard harvest with calm water. December–February for skiing at Manzaneda. Thermal springs are enjoyable year-round, with the most pleasure on cold days.

Practical tips

Ourense city is the only Spanish city with free thermal baths in the urban centre: combine sightseeing and thermal bathing in the same day. For the Sil Canyon, tourist boats depart from Porto de Doade and Souto; book several days ahead in high season (July–August).

Plans and activities en Ourense

Las mejores experiencias y planes disponibles en Ourense

25

What to see en Ourense

Rincones, lugares y puntos de interés que no te puedes perder

Destinations & areas

Zonas y destinos turísticos en Ourense

Frequently asked questions sobre Ourense

The As Burgas pools in the city centre and the Miño riverside pools (Outariz, Chavasqueira) are free and open access. The province's private spas (Arnoia, Laias) charge entry fees. The Miño thermal pools can be used year-round.
The boat gives the view from below (300m walls above your head) in 1.5 hours without effort. The Camiño Real do Sil corniche path shows the terraced vineyards from above and passes the Santo Estevo and San Pedro de Rocas monasteries. Ideally combine both on separate days.
Manzaneda is Galicia's only ski resort with 17 runs and 16 km of skiable terrain. Season passes are noticeably cheaper than the Pyrenees. The season depends on snowfall: typically open December to March, with exceptional years reaching April.