Things To Do In Ourense In A Rainy Day
With the rain you can enjoy the unique experiences that Ourense offers you. Here you have some plans and ideas to make the most of rainy days in the city.
Rain or shine, it is always a good time to visit Ourense. When your travel to Ourense coincides with rainy days, remember to pack an umbrella, appropriate footwear, swimwear and flip-flops. Yes, you read correctly: swimwear, because rainy days are an excellent opportunity to enjoy a comforting bath in Ourense’s hot springs. Here you have 10 ideas to make the best of your visit in the rain.
1. Take a comforting bath in the hot springs
One of the most pleasant experiences you can have on a rainy day is to treat yourself to a comforting bath in Ourense’s hot springs. Immersing yourself in the thermal baths while you feel the rain falling is a pleasure that you should not miss (and if it’s cold… even better!!). Once you try it, you will want to repeat. Check all the available options on this link.
2. Taste the local cuisine
There are many interesting gastronomic options throughout the city, although the highest concentration of restaurants and tapas bars is in the area known as Os Viños, made up of the narrow streets that extend around the Cathedral and the Main Square. Here small bars coexist with Michelin-star restaurants, traditional food with new trends, local recipes with international dishes… There is something for all tastes!
3. Enjoy a good coffee
Visitors are surprised by the quality of coffee in Ourense, a uniqueness that perhaps derives from the existence of excellent roasters in the city. Enjoying this drink becomes an exquisite pleasure in historic cafes, in the arcades of the monumental area or even in more modern and designer establishments.
4. Visit the Cathedral
St. Martin’s Cathedral is the most important monument in the city. A treasure for art lovers, whose beauty captivates all types of audiences alike. Enter its corners and do not miss each of the wonders that this temple will offer you. You can tour it on your own (there is an admission fee) or on a guided tour with one of the city’s official guide companies.
5. Discover the museums and art galleries
There are many different cultural options in Ourense. You can choose between temporary exhibitions in cultural centres such as the Valente Hall, Afundación or the Marcos Valcárcel Centre, or permanent collections such as the Baltar Nativity Scene, the Bagpipe Museum or the Fernández-Pacheco model train collection. Check all the possibilities on this link.
6. Visit St. Francis’ Cloister
The upper part of the city is home to one of the essential monuments of the city of Ourense: St. Francis’ Cloister, with its beautiful set of profusely decorated columns and capitals. Next to it are also the Sculpture Hall, the Provincial Historical Archive, even St. Francis’ Cemetery.
7. Walk in the rain
For adventurous visitors, walking in the rain has a special charm. Arm yourself with a raincoat, waterproof footwear, a brave face against the bad weather and choose the option that most appeals to you: hiking along the banks of rivers Miño, Lonia or Barbaña; wander through Montealegre Park; ascend to the viewpoint of the Millennium Bridge or even walk the Camino to Santiago.
8. Create the perfect photo
Rain transforms the streets of Ourense into a bucolic landscape. Pictures typical of rainy days such as the reflections in puddles, the shine of wet stone, the ballet of people walking with umbrellas, the intense greenery of the parks or the patterns of drops on shop windows turn Ourense’s monumental area into an ideal setting for photography lovers.
9. Treat yourself to local stores
Treat yourself to a special gift from Ourense. It can be a traditional souvenir, a gastronomic delight, a piece of craftsmanship, a design object, a beauty treatment, a unique piece of clothing (did you know that Ourense is home to the headquarters of designers such as Adolfo Domínguez, Roberto Verino, Purificación García or CH -Carolina Herrera?). You can find some ideas on this link.
10. Attend cultural activities
Every day Ourense offers many indoor activities for all tastes: music, theatre, cinema, conferences, sports… In our entertainment guide you can check all the events and proposals in the city.
There are so many things you should not miss on your visit to Ourense. Here we give you ten … but you will be wanting more.
Urban pools, baths in the middle of nature, exotic spas … Which kind of thermal baths do you prefer?
WARNING: At the moment, the thermal area of Outariz is the only bathing area open in Ourense. The others bathing areas are currently closed and out of service.
The presence of thermal waters, great relief for the walker’s feet, together with its strategic situation, have made Ourense a landmark in the Way to Santiago since its inception. Today it is still a must stop on the Mozarabic Way, which is followed by the walkers from southern Spain.
