As Burgas

As Burgas are natural hot springs sitting right in the historic center of Ourense, in Galicia. Few places in Europe let you find near-boiling geothermal water surfacing in the middle of an old town rather than out in the mountains or along a remote coastline.

What will you see?

The site is built around three main outlets: Burga do Medio, which carries a trace of gas, Burga de Arriba and Burga de Abaixo. Water rises through granite bedrock on the western edge of the old town at close to boiling point, with a flow of roughly 300 liters per minute. The mineral composition is often likened to the waters of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, one of the reasons people have sought this spot out for centuries — not just to relax, but for the perceived health benefits of the water itself.

Around the historic outlets, developed thermal pools and bathing areas now let visitors step into warm water with stone walls of the old town as a backdrop. That combination is genuinely uncommon: a thermal bathing experience that unfolds not on the outskirts of a city, but a few steps from the cathedral and the main squares of Ourense.

How do you get there?

As Burgas sits inside the historic center of Ourense, so on foot is the simplest way in from almost any point in the old town — a walk from the central squares takes only a few minutes. The city has rail and bus links to Santiago de Compostela, Vigo and Madrid, with the Ourense-Empalme station a reasonable distance from downtown. Drivers can use parking within the old town and continue on foot from there.

When should you visit?

The springs keep set hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, Saturday only from 17:00 to 20:00, and closed on public holidays. It's worth building a visit around that schedule, especially if the trip falls on a weekend. Bathing works well in almost any season — in winter, the contrast between Galicia's cool air and the warm water is especially noticeable, while summer makes it easier to pair a visit with an unhurried walk through the old town.

The Ourense region is known for hot springs for good reason — it's one of the few places in Spain where geothermal activity shows up so directly within the urban fabric. As Burgas is the most symbolic and most accessible of these sites, which makes it worth building into a city itinerary rather than treating as an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for As Burgas? Access to the historic outlets and the adjoining thermal areas is governed by opening hours and local site rules, so it's worth calling +34 988 25 01 03 ahead of a visit to confirm current conditions.

Is the water safe to bathe in right where it surfaces? The water emerges from granite at close to boiling point, so direct contact with the raw source isn't possible — bathing happens in developed pools where the temperature is brought down to a safe level.

How much time should you set aside for a visit? Just seeing the springs takes only a few minutes, but if bathing in the thermal area is part of the plan, allow at least an hour and check the opening windows in advance.

Is As Burgas suitable for a family visit? Yes — its location in the city center and short distance from Ourense's other landmarks make it easy to combine with a walk through the old town, including with strollers or older visitors.