# Thermal Sunday in Ourense: a Soak at Outariz and a Michelin-Starred Menu at Nova

You cross the Roman bridge, soak for two hours at the Outariz hot springs by the Miño and have the eight-course tasting menu at Nova, which holds a Michelin star. An hour from Santiago, Lugo or Pontevedra.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/galicia/ourense/itineraries/ourense-thermal-baths-outariz-and-nova-tasting-menu · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 09:00 · Salida: 1 h 15 by car (via the AP-53 or the A-52 depending on where you set out from; park in the centre)
- 10:15 · Roman Bridge (370 m above the Miño; 20 min on foot)
  - 6 min by car, 4,2 km
- 10:45 · Outariz (Termas de Outariz · €6.95 for 2 h · no booking, first come first served) · Termas Outariz, From €6.95 per person
  - 8 min by car, 5,3 km
- 13:30 · Nova (Nova · menus from €65 to €105 · Michelin star · book well ahead) · Nova, €€€€
  - 6 min on foot
- 16:15 · As Burgas (the springs at over 60 ºC and the Roman remains; 20 min)
- 17:00 · Vuelta (In Santiago, Lugo or Pontevedra around 18:15)

Ourense is an hour and a quarter by car from Santiago, Lugo and Pontevedra, and it is the Galician Sunday that does not depend on the weather. You cross the Roman bridge, take a two-hour soak at the Outariz hot springs, at the end of the Miño thermal promenade, and go up to the centre for lunch at Nova, the city's Michelin-starred restaurant. Before heading home, the As Burgas fountains, where water gushes out at more than 60 degrees in the middle of the old town.

## The Day, Hour by Hour

9:00 · Departure. From Santiago, the AP-53 via Lalín; from Pontevedra, the A-52 via Vigo or the N-541; from Lugo, the N-540. In every case, an hour and a quarter. Park in a public car park in the centre.

10:15 · Roman bridge. The first crossing over the Miño and the symbol of the city: 370 metres with a central arch 38 metres high. You cross it on foot in a few minutes and it leads to the thermal promenade.

10:45 · Outariz hot springs. At the end of the thermal promenade, on the right bank of the river. If you prefer not to walk the four kilometres of the path, drive to the free Outariz-Reza car park and cross by the footbridge. The paid hot springs have two circuits, Celta and Zen, with pools at different temperatures; general admission costs €6.95 and covers two hours, changing room included. You cannot book: you enter in order of arrival, so Sunday morning is a better time than the afternoon. They close on Tuesdays.

13:30 · Lunch at Nova. On Rúa Valle Inclán, a few minutes' walk from the cathedral. There is no à la carte menu: three tasting menus that change every week. In winter it is open on Sundays at midday, from 13:30 to 15:00. It is a small dining room: book days ahead.

16:15 · As Burgas. The monumental fountains of the old town, with the remains of the Roman baths beside them. You can see them free of charge; the pool is temporarily closed.

17:00 · Return. You are home around a quarter past six.

## What to Order at Nova

If it is your first time, the Raíces menu, eight courses, €65. The Nova has ten courses for €80 and the Cima, thirteen with Galician cheeses, €105. The cooking starts from stews and home produce with seasonal ingredients from around Ourense and the coast. All the menus have wine pairings from Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras and Monterrei: if you are driving, ask for single glasses.

## If You Prefer Tapas, with Children or in Summer

If you do not fancy a long menu, swap Nova for the Os Viños tapas route, the streets of bars in the old town between Praza do Ferro and the cathedral, with a pincho in every bar. With children, the paid hot springs admit ages 5 and over, and from 5 to 8 you must prove the age; the soak should not last more than 10 or 15 minutes. In summer, hot water tires you out and Nova closes on Sundays: it is an autumn, winter and spring plan.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
An hour and a quarter from Santiago, Lugo or Pontevedra. For the hot springs, the free Outariz-Reza car park, on the other side of the river.

### Without a car
From Santiago there is a direct train to Ourense, about 40 minutes. In the city, city bus line 5 takes you to the Outariz-Reza car park from San Lázaro park. Check the Sunday timetables.

## Consejos

### Bathe in the morning
On Sunday afternoon the whole city goes. First thing you get in without a queue.

### Bring your hot-spring kit
Swimsuit, flip-flops, a large towel or bathrobe. Shower beforehand and do not stay more than half an hour at a stretch in the hot water.

### Book Nova before you set off
At weekends it fills up and the dining room is small.

## Cuándo no ir

A Sunday in July or August: Nova closes and at midday hot water with heat outside is unappealing.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take from Santiago?
An hour and a quarter by car and about 40 minutes by direct train.

### Do I need to book the hot springs?
You cannot. You enter in order of arrival, with limited capacity.

### How much does it cost to eat at Nova?
From €65 to €105 per person depending on the menu, without drinks.

### Are the free hot springs open?
As of November 2026, the free pools at A Chavasqueira and Muíño da Veiga are closed until spring 2027. The paid hot springs at Outariz and A Chavasqueira are open all year.

### What if it rains?
Even better. Fewer people, and the contrast with the hot water is part of the charm.