Termas de Outariz, Spain

Quick Facts

Experience

Public Pools & Parks

Access Level

Easy to reach (no hike)

Safety Level

Generally safe

What to Wear

Swimsuit required

Family Friendly

Yes

Entry Fee

Paid

Wheelchair Access

Address

Rua do Fondo do Lugar, S/N, 32001 Outariz, Ourense, Spain

Overview

About Termas de Outariz

Termas de Outariz, Spain is a managed thermal spa on the Minho River at Rua do Fondo do Lugar S/N, Outariz, Ourense, about 5 kilometres from the city centre. Inspired by Japanese onsen culture, it has 14 pools (11 outdoor, 3 indoor) and capacity for 180 visitors. Hyperthermal water emerges at 55-60 degrees Celsius, alkaline, with fluoride, silicates, and bicarbonates.

The 14 pools are arranged in two circuits. The Zen Circuit has nine pools with calm waters, wooden fittings, and oval stones, designed for relaxation and meditation inspired by traditional Japanese bathing. The Celtic Circuit has five stone pools built in the style of pre-Roman Galician settlements, with more active water: streams, bubbles, and waterfalls suited to relieving muscle tension. The water is beneficial for arthritis, rheumatism, and stress.

An upper-level area includes a bar and sushi restaurant in a gazebo overlooking the river, a Japanese tea room, a children's play area, and a private bathing area for events. A comprehensive treatment menu covers aromatic foam, chocolate, and Cleopatra baths; Zen body and relaxation massages; facial treatments; and body wraps. Photography inside the facility is prohibited. Entry is approximately 6.95 euros per person.

Location & Access

Getting to Termas de Outariz

Termas de Outariz is at Rua do Fondo do Lugar S/N, 32001 Outariz, Ourense, on the Thermal Promenade of the Minho River. The area is pedestrian-only; vehicles cannot drive to the entrance. The nearest car park is the Outariz/Reza parking area on the opposite bank of the Minho, approximately 600 metres to 1 kilometre away. From central Ourense, drive toward the Reza/Outariz car park, cross the river, and follow the promenade west; approximately 15 minutes on foot from the parking area.

From Ourense city centre, Bus 5 and the Thermal Train serve the area; the Thermal Train last stop is Outariz. Ourense is on the high-speed rail line from Madrid (approximately 2.5 hours) and Vigo (approximately 35 minutes). From Vigo by car, drive northeast on the A-52; approximately 100 kilometres. From Santiago de Compostela, drive southeast on the A-52; approximately 100 kilometres. Porto Airport is approximately 130 kilometres south.

Book treatments and private bathing sessions at the facility directly; walk-in entry for the pool circuits is permitted subject to capacity. The 180-person limit means the complex can reach capacity on summer weekends and public holidays; arriving before 11:00 is advisable on busy days. Hours vary by day of the week; Tuesday is the regular closing day. Confirm current hours at ourense.gal before visiting.

Suitability & Accessibility

Who Termas de Outariz Suits

Termas de Outariz suits visitors who want a structured, culturally distinctive thermal spa experience at an affordable price, rather than a large resort hotel. The Japanese-Celtic design concept is unusual in Spain and gives the facility a different atmosphere from standard balneario resorts. Couples seeking a few hours of relaxation alongside a visit to Ourense, local residents using the termas as a regular wellness stop, and travellers on the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago stopping in Ourense all find the setting practical and the price accessible.

Ourense is one of the most thermally active cities in Europe, with multiple free and paid thermal areas along the Minho riverbank. Termas de Outariz complements the free outdoor areas nearby with a more managed, treatment-oriented experience. The aguas termales of Ourense draw visitors specifically to the city. The old town, with the Romanesque cathedral, the Ponte Romana, and the As Burgas hot fountain complex, is worth exploring alongside the thermal visit.

Wheelchair access to Termas de Outariz has not been fully confirmed. The pedestrian promenade to the facility involves a walk from the car park, and the thermal circuits include multi-level outdoor and indoor areas. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the facility or the Ourense Municipal Tourist Office before visiting to confirm current access arrangements.

Safety & Etiquette

Termas de Outariz Safety Tips

Termas de Outariz is managed with staff present during all opening hours. The source emerges at 55-60 degrees but pools are regulated; do not access the spring outflow directly. Limit soaking to 20-30 minutes and rest between rounds. The Celtic Circuit has active jets, streams, and bubbles; adjust to each pool before using massage jets at full strength. Contraindications include cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, venous insufficiency, open wounds, and pregnancy; these are officially posted at the facility.

Photography and mobile phone use inside the thermal circuits are prohibited; this rule is enforced and violations can result in removal from the facility. Store valuables in the lockers provided. A swimsuit and flip-flops are mandatory throughout; grip footwear is especially important on wet stone surfaces in the Celtic Circuit. Children must be supervised at all times in the pool areas. The 180-person capacity limit means entry may be paused during peak periods; arrival during quieter morning hours avoids the longest waits at entry.

Book beauty treatments and massage sessions in advance; the treatment area has limited capacity and walk-in appointments are not always available. The private bathing area for groups or events requires advance reservation through the facility. Tuesday is the regular weekly closing day; arrive on any other day but confirm current hours at ourense.gal before making a specific journey. The car park at Outariz/Reza fills on summer weekends; public transport via Bus 5 or the Thermal Train avoids the parking difficulty on busy days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Termas de Outariz?

Termas de Outariz is a managed Japanese-inspired thermal spa on the Minho River at Rua do Fondo do Lugar S/N, Outariz, Ourense, Galicia. It has 14 pools (11 outdoor, 3 indoor) divided into the Zen Circuit (9 pools, calm, relaxation) and the Celtic Circuit (5 stone pools, active water, muscle tension relief). Hyperthermal water emerges at 55-60 degrees Celsius; the water contains fluoride, silicates, and bicarbonates and is beneficial for arthritis, rheumatism, and stress. Capacity is 180 people. Entry is approximately 6.95 euros. A sushi bar, Japanese tea room, treatments, and a children's play area are on the upper level. Closed Tuesdays.

What is the difference between the Zen and Celtic circuits at Termas de Outariz?

The Zen Circuit at Termas de Outariz has nine pools designed for relaxation and meditation, inspired by Japanese onsen bathing culture. The pools use wood fittings and oval stones and the water is calm. It suits guests looking for quiet soaking and mental relaxation. The Celtic Circuit has five pools built in the style of pre-Roman Galician settlements, using stone construction. The water is more active, with streams, bubbles, waterfalls, and gravity jets; it is especially suited to relieving muscle tension and contractures. Both circuits use the same hyperthermal mineral water and can be used in the same visit.

How do I get to Termas de Outariz from Ourense city centre?

The Termas de Outariz area is pedestrian-only; you cannot drive directly to the entrance. Drive to the Outariz/Reza car park on the opposite bank of the Minho, approximately 600 metres to 1 kilometre from the facility. Alternatively, take Bus 5 from Ourense city centre, which stops at the Reza/Outariz parking area, or use the Thermal Train, whose last stop is at Outariz. The walk along the promenade from the car park to the facility takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Is Termas de Outariz the same as the free thermal pools at Outariz?

No. Termas de Outariz is the managed paid thermal station with 14 pools, Japanese and Celtic circuits, treatments, and a sushi bar; entry is approximately 6.95 euros. Separately, there is a free outdoor recreational thermal area at Outariz and Burga de Canedo on the same promenade, with a smaller number of outdoor hot pools and cold pools in a landscaped park setting. The free area has no treatments, no sushi bar, and no changing rooms with lockers; access is subject to capacity and has a minimum age of 10. The paid Termas de Outariz facility is a distinct and more complete experience.

What else is there to do near Termas de Outariz in Ourense?

Ourense old town, approximately 5 kilometres east, has the 12th-century Romanesque Ourense Cathedral, the Portico del Paraiso (a painted stone portal considered one of the finest in Galicia), and the ancient Ponte Romana over the Minho. The As Burgas thermal fountain in the old town centre has three free-flowing hot spring outlets at over 65 degrees and is one of the most photographed spots in the city. The Minho Thermal Promenade extends along the river with multiple free thermal areas including the Muino da Veiga old mill site and A Chavasqueira. The Ribeira Sacra wine region, with its dramatic canyon vineyards on the Sil River, is approximately 40 kilometres southeast.