What to see and do in Caldas de Reis

Caldas de Reis is a small corner of the province of Pontevedra famous for its thermal baths, on the Portuguese Way. Its thermal waters, the driving force behind the town's development, are complemented by the Church of Santa María, with its 12th-century portal, the Botanical Garden and carballeira, spanning 23,000 square metres of camellias and centuries-old oaks, and the Fervenza de Segade, a spot of waterfalls and pools by the River Umia.

The history of Caldas de Reis goes back to several centuries, being numerous cultures that have inhabited this corner of Galicia. People like the Cilenos, the Galaicos or the Celts already inhabited these lands before the arrival of the Romans. From this period is the famous Tesouro de Caldas de Reis found in 1940 and that according to studies is preserved from the Bronze Age. But it was not until the arrival of the Romans that this town experienced its true commercial and cultural explosion. Today the main attractions of the city date from this period.

Would you like to walk this part of the Camino with your accommodation booked for every stage? These organised trips pass through Caldas de Reis: Portuguese Way from Tui (6 stages), Portuguese Way from Tui (5 stages), Portuguese Way in short stages and Portuguese Way VIP in luxury hotels.

Church of Santa Maria

Built after the original was destroyed in the period of Almanzor, throughout its history, this church has undergone several modifications. It features a beautiful cover of the twelfth century, and the chapels of San Diego and Del Carmen dating from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Botanical Garden and "carballeira"

This beautiful place, dating back to the 14th century, is connected to the thermal culture of Caldas de Reis. It showcases different species of plants from the 5 continents. Besides, it highlights its collection of Camellias and its beautiful oak trees located parallel to the river. It offers 23,000 square meters to enjoy pure nature!

Segade Fervenza

We continue moving through the beautiful rural scenery, a beautiful place where the Umia River is located, and where we can enjoy waterfalls and ponds full of water. On our way, we will find La Fábrica de Luz, a hydroelectric power station built in 1900, in which only remains are left. And as it is a river area, we will come across several water mills.

Segade Bridge

This Roman bridge, characterized by its single arch, is located in the town of Segade, about two kilometers from Caldas de Reis. The bridge is in perfect state of preservation, mainly thanks to the remodeling it underwent in the 18th century. This bridge was originally built as part of the road linking Tui with Caldas de Reis.

Religious Heritage

In addition to everything mentioned above, Caldas de Reis also stands out for the large number of churches with great cultural and historical value that can be visited. It is worth mentioning the Church of Santa Maria de Bemil, the Church of Santo André de Cesar, and the Church of San Estevo de Saiar. All of them are of Romanesque origin and have been remodeled, preserving their ancient beauty to uphold the great historical value they bring to the village.
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