Plans for Easter

A Different Thermal Experience

This Easter you shouldn’t miss enjoying a warm bath in one of Ourense’s thermal facilities. A walk along river Miño’s thermal shores will allow you to enjoy kilometres of lush nature while you discover the thermal circuits of Outariz and A Chavasqueira, which these days extend their schedules. The beautiful sunsets on the river mixed with the steam of the mineral-medicinal waters will make you disconnect 100%.

If you prefer to get up close to the history of thermalism in Ourense, do not forget to visit As Burgas and take a picture next to the pipes through which the water flows at more than 60ºC. In the thermal pool you can take a bath practically in the same way and in the same place as the ancient Roman settlers of Aquis Auriensis.

On the 20th, there will also be a thermal yoga session starting at 11.30 in As Burgas: a practice to combat stress and mobilize the body that will make you recharge your batteries.

Guided Tours: The City Uncovered

To get the most out of your stay in Ourense, you should participate in a guided tour by accredited professionals. From April 18th to 21st, there will be group visits departing from the Municipal Tourist Office at 12:00 pm. With a duration of 2 hours, the tour will go through the most emblematic areas of monumental Ourense: As Burgas, Main Square, the cathedral, churches, manor houses, squares and charming corners. More info on the website of Genuine Galicia – Special Easter Week La visit is priced at € 12 (€ 9 without access to the Cathedral) and does not require prior registration.

• More info on the website Genuine Galicia – Especial Semana Santa
• Visit is priced at € 12 (€ 9 without access to the Cathedral) and does not require prior registration.

Discover St. Martin’s Cathedral

With its towers rising above Ourense’s old town, the Cathedral is the main monument of the city. This Easter the basilica offers, for the first time, the opportunity to visit its bell tower and enjoy the breathtaking views. An ideal complement to the regular audio-guide visit, in which you will discover the beauty of the Gate of Paradise, the rich Baroque of the Chapel of the Holy Christ and the Main Altar and the curious pieces tha tholds the collection of treasures of the Cathedral.

• More information on the website http://www.catedraldeourense.com
• Visits to the bell towe limited to groups. Check availability at the Cathedral, by phone (+34 608 505 531) or by email courense@artisplendore.com

Plans with Children

Travelling to Ourense as a family will be easier than ever this Easter, with special proposals so that children can enjoy to the fullest. The Municipal Tourist Office will offer you unique routes through the Historic Centre and river Miño’s thermal shores by the hand of Martiño and Calpurnia, our friendly mascots.

An interesting plan is to dedicate one day to the world of trains with a visit to the Carrileiros Railway Park, where kids can ride on model trains. To complete the experience, nothing better than approaching the Fernández Pacheco Collection of miniature trains and taking the Thermal Train at the Main Square. You will enjoy a pleasant ride through the city that ends in the thermal space of Outariz and Burga de Canedo, ready for a bath.

• Carrileiros Railway Park: Open on the 18th, 19th y 21st from 11.30 to 13.30 h – Location

Tradition and Devotion: Calendar of Processions

Ourense inaugurates its Holy Week on Palm Sunday, with a multitudinous blessing at St. Lazarus’ Park followed by a procession to the Cathedral. The main processions start on Holy Thursday, when the traditional processional floats are taken on parade: the Holy Supper, the Nazarene Jesus, the Holy Christ anf the Christ of Forgiveness.

The last procession will be held on Easter Sunday, in which the image of Holy Mary Mother of God is carried to St. Martin’s Cathedral. During the return procession, after the mass and at the foot of the stairway to the Main Square, the curious Ceremony of the Affront takes place. In it, the cathedral’s council of canons denies the passage to the member of the city council: a symbolic gesture that evokes the past of brawls and confrontations between the civil and the ecclesiastical powers that has marked the history of the city.

Trips from Ourense

If you come with time, do not hesitate to make a trip to discover the surroundings of the city. Ourense is located a few kilometres away from charming Galician villages such as Allariz, Ribadavia or Celanova, and very close to the Ribeira Sacra, with the canyons of the rivers Miño and Sil. Sailing on a camataran or a hiking trail are some of the best options to discover this natural space of exceptional beauty, candidate for UNESCO’s World Heritage.

• Easter in the Ribeira Sacra – https://turismo.ribeirasacra.org/
• Trip to Ribeira Sacra (with departure and return to Ourense city)
  • Route: Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas / catamaran sail through the Sil Canyon / Cabezoás Viewpoint / lunch in Parada de Sil (optional contracting) / Monastery of Santa Cristina / Matacás Viewpoint / Visit to a Ribeira Sacra winery + wine tasting
  • Price: € 70 € per person – More info on https://www.excursionribeirasacra.com, by phone (+34 689 139 38) or by e-mail enquiries@verdantexperiences.com