ourense thermal springs

A reluctant visitor at first, I was bowled over by the experience. The pools are of varying temperatures and each is set in a different outdoor formation. Some have waterfalls, others have acoustic elements or 'caves'. The cold pools seemed a bit off putting at first but once you have tried it for the first time I guarantee you will enjoy hot pools all the more. The outdoor setting with views overlooking the river adds to the experience. There is a cafe and restaurant attached.

We came here in a cold November evening. What we saw was the steam coming out of outdoor hot spring pools, some changing rooms (but we didn't need them in the dark, anyway) and just a few people, probably locals. Couldn't believe it was for free. And although the view of Miño river during the day must be really nice, you will appreciate it best in a cold evening/night for being so hot and private. Just relax: if you behave yourself, nobody cares about you.

I learned about this place from a friend, never heard of it before. But still I was surprised to stumble upon such a hidden gem! Not very obvious attraction when you think about Galicia.We went there in September and were very lucky to have a nice warm and dry day (the next day it rained heavily...). It's not too far from the centre, you can walk but I recommend taking a local transport - especially a cheap tourists' train - I was reluctant first but it was fun and it dropped us off at the right place (there are a few spots with the pools).So this outdoor thermal complex consists of many small pools (with cold and hot water) which you can freely enjoy surrounded by a neighbourhood of river and hills as long as you want! There are some facilities - a changing room and a spot with refreshments. I haven't tried the indoor spas - there was no need to pay for it as we were very pleased with the free of charge ones! Perhaps if we had stayed longer we would have gone for it, but it was just a 1 day stay in Ourense - a perfect day.

It is amazing being able to be in an outdoors spa in the river shore of the Miño so close to the city. We went there in November and rent bikes so we went all through the shore.there are free pools and others you have to pay but it is cheap (4 Euros aprox) but really worth it ,clean and open even at night.There are pools with different temperatures(27/35 degrees) and you can go to the river to get some cold water.

We had an excellent time here when we visited as part of our short stay in Ourense. There are several thermal pools to chose from, of which two are spas where you pay to enter and for any treatments. We had decided to visit the free ones, which are all outdoors, because they reminded us more of the ones we've been to in Iceland.There is a little tourist train that you can catch from various points in Ourense (costs all of 83 cents) and it drops you off at several pools. There is a high and a low season timetable - and it wasn't quite clear which we were in. However, you just ask the driver. We went to the last pool on the route - Termas de Outariz. It had a little changing room and several pools of varying temperature. There was a small cafe and toilets at the next set of pools, which were close by.There weren't many other people there - possibly due to the slight rain! We had a great time lying about in the pools, doing nothing apart from getting hot and then cooling down. It's a very pleasant way to spend the time. And it's all free - most marvellous.We decided to walk back, rather than wait for the tourist train, and it's a pleasant walk back, across the Millennium bridge.

Visited Ourense on a day trip from Santiago de Compostella by train. Arrived at main station and walked to the thermal springs along the river. Walking takes about an hour tho there is an infrequent tourist train.There are 3 different sets of pools - we loved the second group. No real facilities - only a hut nearby on a path, but we changed on a bench using a towel and it was fine. Pools are a dream, warm and hot, next to a flowing river with mountains and birds all around you. You can walk further along to another set by the big bridge. We didn't go in them but they look lovely, surrounded with colourful bushes and there is a loo, bar and changing huts. Once you've dried off go into town (on foot about 1 hour) and head for the hot springs - there are some signposts. They've built a blissful outdoor thermal baths where you can bathe for about 3.30 euros. Open til late and unmissable at dusk when the lights go on. There's a small section where you can swim mini-lengths. Full facilities like a normal swimming pool. It's all a bit unknown to visitors and for us one of the most enjoyable things we've ever done.

You can sunbathe by the river and take a dip in the hot spring pools. These are distributed all along the river and make an interesting visit and an escape from the city. Take a bottle of water and a towel. Some areas have changing facilities and lockers. They are all free to use but you must shower off all suntan lotion before getting in. All are attended by staff who regularly check the water temperature and quality.

Located just out of the city, these hot springs are one of the best you can experience ever. Free, well maintained, you will see that locals come out in force to enjoy a soak followed by a swim in the river. A real experience.

Great for relaxation, even in winter because the water is very hot!There are 3 different places you can go, for free: chavasqueira, muiño de veiga and outariz. you can get there by car , walking (there is a beautifull pathway along the river) or by a litle train that leaves from the Praza Maior. That is alone a good reason to visit Ourense.

We went on a rainy day and it was incredible to be outside in the rain yet warm and cosy in the spas! We went to one of the spas where you pay to get in and it was really good value.

a lot of thermals pools to walk around all of then is almost 3 km.

A range of pools next to the river ranging from warm to too hot to stand. you can dry off on the lawns by the river and its free. There is a bar but the food is nothing special.

I felt compelled to write after reading a somewhat negative review on this site. Granted the author was talking about the free springs just next to the bridge (Burga do canedo). We did go there and although it was lovely, with cafe area etc, we preferred the free springs (Muiño da Veiga) just up the river (towards the city). There is a pathway on both sides of the river which links all the hot springs /spas and you can walk or cycle. They have spent a lot of time and money landscaping the whole area and although growth isn't fully established yet, I'm sure it will be stunning in a few years time. At the Muíño da Veiga location, there isn't a cafe, but there are plenty of picnic tables as well as a park for children.We live nearby (35 minutes away) and this was our first time here, it definitely won't be our last- it was the most relaxing experience I have ever had. Granted, we had a beautiful warm October afternoon, but it wasn't too hot and so we were able to enjoy the 43 degree water (there are cooler pools). We found the staff to be unobtrusive in both venues, People were eating on the grassy areas (and smoking) and there was no problem. We heard Italian, Portuguese and German languages and we heard one of the Spanish staff talking in a high level of English to one couple (I think they were German too) explaining which pool was hot etc. They were very pleasant. We did see some children there and I didn't see anybody looking askance, indeed Spain is famous for its liberal attitude to children and I find it very odd that anyone would ever have a problem taking children anywhere in this country. Children under 3 are not allowed in the pools- perfectly acceptable I think, but they are allowed around the area so it shouldn't ruin a family day out as long as there is an adult to take care of small children while the rest of the family takes a dip.We will probably be there on a very regular basis from now on and our only criticism is the same as our criticism of probably 90% of Spain (tourist attraction or not)- the road signs are pitiful! We have lived here for 8 years now and are very used to driving around somewhere 6 times before finally locating it, but it is part of the fun for us and we have the time. If you are on holiday here, you might want to invest in Sat Nav or make sure you ask for very detailed directions first! Either way, it is definitely worth the effort.

We went to the free thermal springs of Orense “Burga de Canedo” with our three children aged between 6 and 8. We went there by car; the parking lot is on the opposite side of the river and you have to walk over a bridge to get to the thermal springs. They open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. When you arrive there you are first confronted with a sign that explains (in Galician!) to you everything that is forbidden: drinking, eating, not using the showers, chewing gum, diving, children under 3, going barefoot, taking photos (yes! We could not even take pictures of our own family with nobody else in them), talking loudly, being more than 30 minutes in the same pool, smoking, playing ball…. Then once you are in a pool (like a bath, between 38 and 40 ºC) you find out you are being watched by employees in fluorescent jackets every second. They are walking around the pools with unfriendly faces, several of them, to make sure you do nothing that is forbidden. They seemed to dislike children as they had an especially close look at them at all times. To make a long story short, we walked out of this place after only 30 minutes as there was no fun in being treated like a possible nuisance and not feeling welcome at all.

The old centre of Ourense is a lovely - unlike the hideous modern part of town. Its well worth a visit. The spas on the banks of the River Mino are especially welcome on the cloudy days which are inevitable in august. The setting is spectacular. The pools are all surrounded by grass where you can lay your beach towel. You can take a picnic or have lunch in the cafe. They municipal spa is free and consequently busy but its spacious so theres plenty of room. Its a day of rest and relaxation, as there's nothing else to do except bathe and sunbathe. be careful with the train - it stops for lunch for about 3 hours. be sure to check the times.