Scenic view of the medieval stone bridge over the Cabe River in Monforte de Lemos, Spain. The historic bridge features multiple arches covered in moss, reflecting in the calm waters. In the foreground, a red bench sits on a grassy area with fallen leaves, while leafless trees frame the scene. The background showcases traditional Galician buildings with white and red facades under a cloudy sky.

Exploring Authentic Galicia: Discovering Lugo and Ourense

Spain has always been a long-time passion of mine. Whenever I have the chance, I cross the border to soak up some Iberian vibes. This time, I ventured to Galicia – a region further away from the south of Portugal, where I’m originally from. It took me some time to decide to visit, but I finally made it.
 
We decided to go after New Year’s. The weather was cold and rainy – a challenging combination when traveling with a puppy that doesn’t enjoy staying alone in a hotel room. Against all odds, the trip turned out to be unexpectedly delightful.
Spanish people, being the social creatures they are, didn’t let the weather stop them. Even with temperatures as low as 2 degrees Celsius at night, terraces were bustling with people enjoying beers and glasses of wine. I can’t help but admire this mentality of normalizing the cold and bad weather. “Yes, it’s cold, but we can handle it,” seems to be the attitude. Socializing is more important than staying at home, complaining about the weather – even with air conditioning.
I couldn’t agree more. I particularly enjoy how the Spanish embrace life this way. Thanks to this cultural quirk, we were able to dine peacefully on a terrace with our dog, and it was such an amazing experience.
A street in Ourense, Spain, leads towards the Ourense Cathedral. The street is paved with light-colored stones and lined with old buildings. On the left, a restaurant named "O TRÉBON" has outdoor seating. In the distance, the large stone facade of the cathedral is visible, with its intricate carvings and a large rose window. The sky is overcast, and the light is soft. A display case filled with Roscón de Reyes, a traditional Spanish sweet bread eaten during the Christmas season. The cakes are round with a hole in the center and decorated with candied fruit and powdered sugar. The cakes are displayed on golden platters on a blue tablecloth with gold snowflake designs Julião, the fox terrier, sitting on a wet stone-paved street in Ourense at night, looking up attentively while on a pink leash. A street in Lugo, Spain, with old stone buildings on either side. The street is paved with large, light-colored stones and is narrow, with barely enough room for a car to pass. There are a few people walking on the street, and some tables and chairs are set up outside a restaurant. The buildings are tall and narrow, with balconies and windows overlooking the street. The sky is overcast and the light is dim
During our trip, we visited Lugo and Ourense. Lugo, unfortunately, didn’t leave a lasting impression on me, and I don’t think I’ll be returning anytime soon. Ourense, however, completely captivated me. What a stunning historic town!
While driving from Lugo to Ourense, we passed through the Ribeira Sacra wine route. The vineyards here are arranged in terraced steps, much like the Douro region in Portugal. We stopped in a quaint little town along the way called Monforte de Lemos – an absolute slice of heaven that I’m sure I’ll visit again.
cenic view of Monforte de Lemos, Spain, featuring a historic stone bridge with multiple arches crossing the calm waters of the Cabe River. A red bench sits on a grassy riverbank covered with fallen leaves, while leafless trees frame the cloudy sky. Traditional Galician buildings with white and red facades line the background. Scenic view of Monforte de Lemos, Spain, featuring a historic stone bridge with multiple arches crossing the calm waters of the Cabe River. A red bench sits on a grassy riverbank covered with fallen leaves, while leafless trees frame the cloudy sky. Traditional Galician buildings with white and red facades line the background.
Ourense isn’t a particularly touristy town, but it’s famous for its hot springs. I was so excited to try them, but sadly, the one right across from our hotel was under maintenance. Yet, this turned out to be another reason to plan a return trip.
This journey to Galicia was a mix of simplicity, discovery, and heartwarming moments that made even the cold feel cozy. I can’t wait to return and explore more of this fascinating region.

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