Day trip from Santiago - Ourense?

[trecile]

I'm going to have three and a half days in Santiago after I arrive, and thought that it would be fun to do a day trip. My accommodation in Santiago is already paid for, so I'm not looking for an overnight. Ourense appeals because I've never been there before and it's less than 45 minutes by train. So the question is, what to do there on a day trip?

 

[alexwalker]

I'm going to have three and a half days in Santiago after I arrive, and thought that it would be fun to do a day trip. My accommodation in Santiago is already paid for, so I'm not looking for an overnight. Ourense appeals because I've never been there before and it's less than 45 minutes by train. So the question is, what to do there on a day trip?

Ourense Thermal Baths - Turismo de Ourense

Discover the Thermal baths in Ourense (Galicia, Spain), one of the largest concentrations of thermal facilities in Europe.

www.turismodeourense.gal

 

[peregrina2000]

If you do plan to go to the thermal baths, which are fun, make sure to check to see which are open. There are frequent temporary closures. This listing, on the same website that @alexwalker posted, looks pretty up to date.

Estado actual de las Termas - Turismo de Ourense

Termas de Ourense: información sobre el estado de las termas de Ourense, consejos para el baño y otra información útil.

www.turismodeourense.gal

The Cathedral pórtico will remind you of the Pórtico de las Glorias, and it is very beautiful.

The romanesque Claustro de San Francisco was closed for years and I have never been in. It’s adjacent to the old albergue site.

I’ve had some good meals there but don’t remember names. Ourense isn’t one of my favorite cities on the Sanabrés, but it’s close and convenient to get to and will make for an enjoyable day, IMHO.

 

[MesaWalker]

The street art in Ourense is terrific - we hit it right after Halloween, so there were some great costumed figures around. I've attached some photos.

The hot springs are great fun. The Portico of Paraiso at the cathedral is really impressive. Unlike it's more august companion at the Cathedral in Santiago, the Romanesque carvings were repainted in the 16th or 17th century, so they are much more colorful if you like that type of thing. At a different, much smaller church at the top of an exterior pillar was a carving of a 14th century bagpiper.

We had great food in Ourense. So overall, we really enjoyed Ourense.

 

[peregrino_tom]

The Millenium Bridge. Pull up a pic on the internet. The saggy loop (in the shape of a Pringle (a more-ish chip/cracker/crisp here in the UK)) is actually a pedestrian walkway. It's a fascinating integration of the freedom and expression of walking into a modern architectural structure designed to ferry cars. But I'd avoid if you get vertigo...

 

[Grousedoctor]

It may be more than one can do in a day, but the Monasterio de Santo Estevo (now a Parador) looks to be well worth a visit although a bit outside town.

Ribeira Sacra. Monasterio de Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil

Monasterio de Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil

turismo.ribeirasacra.org

 

[ginniek]

The Millenium Bridge. Pull up a pic on the internet. The saggy loop (in the shape of a Pringle (a more-ish chip/cracker/crisp here in the UK)) is actually a pedestrian walkway. It's a fascinating integration of the freedom and expression of walking into a modern architectural structure designed to ferry cars. But I'd avoid if you get vertigo...

And then contrast it with the nearby Historic Bridge (Ponte Vella or Ponte Romana), which may be more than 1000 years old (but I've also read that it is a medieval bridge (so relatively new) built on Roman ruins. It is now a dedicated pedestrian bridge. And the new bridge may or may not have been designed by Spanish futurist architect Santiago Calatrava; apparently he will not take credit for it.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

The Millenium Bridge. Pull up a pic on the internet. The saggy loop (in the shape of a Pringle (a more-ish chip/cracker/crisp here in the UK)) is actually a pedestrian walkway. It's a fascinating integration of the freedom and expression of walking into a modern architectural structure designed to ferry cars. But I'd avoid if you get vertigo...

Walking the Millenium Bridge was one of my very favorite things to do. I occasionally have vertigo in high places, but the fencing kept my fear at bay knowing there was no way I would fall off. It was almost like an amusement ride powered by yourself.
I agree with @peregrina2000; Ourense was not a favorite city on my list, despite its popularity.

And then contrast it with the nearby Historic Bridge (Ponte Vella or Ponte Romana), which may be more than 1000 years old (but I've also read that it is a medieval bridge (so relatively new) built on Roman ruins. It is now a dedicated pedestrian bridge.

Yes, this ancient bridge is not far from the Millenium Bridge and provided some nice views of the other.

 

[DerMc]

I'm going to have three and a half days in Santiago after I arrive, and thought that it would be fun to do a day trip. My accommodation in Santiago is already paid for, so I'm not looking for an overnight. Ourense appeals because I've never been there before and it's less than 45 minutes by train. So the question is, what to do there on a day trip?

Lovely old train outside Ourense station https://www.google.ie/maps/@42.3496...JQ5nQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu

 

[Undermanager]

Hop on one of the many commuter trains to O Coruña, less than half an hour away and a few Euros. Plenty there to keep you amused for a day. Do a day trip on local busses to Finisterra. Or go on an organised day tour to Muxia, Finisterra and the sites.

 

[trecile]

Hop on one of the many commuter trains to O Coruña, less than half an hour away and a few Euros. Plenty there to keep you amused for a day. Do a day trip on local busses to Finisterra. Or go on an organised day tour to Muxia, Finisterra and the sites.

I love A Coruña and that would have been my first choice, but I want to go somewhere new to me, which also eliminates Finisterre and Muxía.

I'm welcome to other suggestions of places that I can get to in less than an hour by train or bus.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

Hi Ribadavia in the heart of the wine producing area of Ribeiro, which has lots of historic monuments worth visiting, is a must. You need to take a short bus ride to get there. If you tell me when your visiting I might be able to give you a lift back to Ourense.

 

[peregrina2000]

Betanzos and Pontedeume are both nice towns on the Inglés, which I don’t think you’ve walked. Both on the water and with a nice historic core. One place I liked a lot years and years ago was Viveiro, but that’s too far, I think.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I really loved Combarro Spain on the Espiritual Variant, but it's a bit farther, too. It's a very interesting and unique village on the water with great seafood restaurants. A quick search brought up a bus at an hour, forty minute ride, but I didn't look for specific details.

 

[trecile]

My other ideas are Pontevedra, or taking a bus to Sigüeiro and walking the final stage if the Inglés to see what it's like to enter Santiago from that direction.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

My other ideas are Pontevedra, or taking a bus to Sigüeiro and walking the final stage if the Inglés to see what it's like to enter Santiago from that direction.

Yes, Pontevedra is easier to get to than Combarro, although not too far from each other. I didn't realize you had not been there before.

 

[trecile]

Yes, Pontevedra is easier to get to than Combarro, although not too far from each other. I didn't realize you had not been there before.

I have been to Pontevedra when I walked from Porto, but I really didn't spend any time there.

 

[peregrina2000]

I didn’t mention Pontevedra because I knew you had walked through there. There would be plenty to do for a day trip if you haven’t spent much time walking around. it’s a very pretty place .

 

[LTfit]

So glad you started this thread @trecile as I have the same "predicament". I've reserved 3 nights in San Martin Pinario and really don't need 3 days in Santiago. And since I haven't paid, I can always cancel one night. I've never been to A Coruña so that was my first thought. Glad to hear that it's a favorite of yours.

Do you have a suggestion regarding a reasonably priced lodging in A Coruña?

And many thanks to all who have contributed about Orense! This will be my third time there and haven't seen some of the sights you all have mentioned.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Pontevedra definitely. Actually far more historically rich and interesting than SdC (IMHO)

 

[Lawton]

I'm going to have three and a half days in Santiago after I arrive, and thought that it would be fun to do a day trip. My accommodation in Santiago is already paid for, so I'm not looking for an overnight. Ourense appeals because I've never been there before and it's less than 45 minutes by train. So the question is, what to do there on a day trip?

30 Minute train ride to A Coruna. Beautiful sea side town just north of Santiago.