As Burgas

What it is

As Burgas are the hot springs of Ourense's old town, the origin of the city and its symbol. The water comes out of the ground at over 60 °C, right in the street: in winter, the steam rising from the spouts can be seen from afar. You can visit at any hour and for free. They are the logical first stop before going down to the river and following the Miño thermal promenade.

Why it matters

Thermal bathing in Ourense is more than two thousand years old, and it began here. The first settlement, Auria, grew up around these springs. Before the Romans, the inhabitants of the nearby hillforts (castros) already used them. Excavations uncovered a sanctuary pool from the 1st century AD and votive altars dedicated to an indigenous deity, Revve Anabaraego: As Burgas were a centre of pilgrimage. Next to the sanctuary, the Romans built baths, a balnea. The remains of both can be seen in the gardens of the Interpretation Centre.

In the Middle Ages the Church protected the springs, which served pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. From the 14th century bread ovens were installed here and, in the 15th, tanners, tripe sellers and washerwomen, who took advantage of the hot water. The monumental fountains you see today date from the 17th and 19th centuries. In 2007 As Burgas were declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Site of Cultural Interest), as a historic site.

What you see

• The fountains. The stone spouts from which the hot water flows. At the Burga de Arriba the water gushes out at 64.2 °C; approach with care before touching it.
• The Roman remains. In the gardens of the Interpretation Centre, the sanctuary pool and the baths.
• The Interpretation Centre. It explains the history of the place and the properties of the water. Check its opening hours with the municipal tourist office (988 366 064), because the Concello's website does not publish them.

The thermal pool, closed

Next to the fountains there is an outdoor thermal pool of almost 200 m², with the water cooled to 38–40 °C, changing rooms, lockers, a steam sauna and a sunbathing terrace, free of charge when it was operating. In November 2026 it is temporarily closed, according to the Concello's thermal baths status page, updated on 1 November. No reopening date has been published. To bathe in the city, see which areas of the Miño promenade are open: in November 2026, the paid baths at A Chavasqueira and Outariz, and in part the Burga de Canedo.

Getting there

As Burgas are on Rúa das Burgas, in the old town, a few minutes' walk from the Praza Maior. The centre is explored on foot; park outside the old town. If you arrive by high-speed train, the Ourense-Empalme station is about 2 km from the Praza Maior: half an hour on foot or a short taxi ride.

How long

The fountains can be seen in a quarter of an hour. With the Interpretation Centre and the Roman remains, allow an hour. It fits well at the beginning or end of a walk round the old town.

When to go

Any day of the year. On cold winter mornings, the steam over the fountains is the loveliest part of the visit.

With children

It is a short, urban visit that surprises children with the steam. Watch the little ones: the water from the spouts burns. If you go with a pushchair or wheelchair, ask at the tourist office about access to the Interpretation Centre and the gardens.

Continue your plan

From As Burgas go down towards the Miño and cross the Roman bridge, which leads to the thermal promenade. If you have a day to spare, in under an hour by car you are at the Sil canyon.