For centuries, pilgrims have crossed the northern landscapes of Spain, also known as Green Spain, following the Camino de Santiago toward the shrine of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela. Today, as walking tourism evolves, a growing number of walkers are embracing the idea of the Wellness Camino, combining the challenge of the route with restorative stops in the region’s thermal baths and spas.
Northern Spain’s relationship with thermal water runs deep. The Romans were the first to harness the area’s natural hot springs, building bathhouses around mineral-rich waters said to relieve rheumatism, respiratory problems and fatigue. Over the centuries, these balnearios became more than places of healing, they evolved into social spaces where communities gathered to relax and connect.
Across Green Spain, this ancient tradition has now been revived and elevated to new, more modern heights. Regional spa networks such as Balnearios de Galicia and Balnearios del Norte de España now offer routes designed for modern pilgrims, blending hydrotherapy, thermal circuits and holistic treatments with the rhythm of the Camino. For walkers looking to add recovery days or simply balance exertion with downtime, the Wellness Camino offers a slower, more restorative way to experience Green Spain.
For anyone walking the Camino Portugués who wants to take part in the Wellness Camino, Caldas de Reis is the most natural introduction. The trail passes straight through this spa town, whose name literally translates to ‘Hot Waters of the Kings’ where for centuries, pilgrims have arrived here to rest aching legs and immerse themselves in its mineral springs.
The town’s springs, rich in magnesium and calcium, are believed to soothe tired muscles and joints, exactly what you’ll be needing after a long day on foot. Pilgrims stop to dip their feet in the Fonte das Burgas, or check into the Caldas de Reis Spa for a hydrotherapy session. The restored Roman baths and outdoor pools beside the river combine that sense of history and relaxation that defines the modern Wellness Camino.
Further east, on the Camino Sanabrés (a branch of the Vía de la Plata route), Ourense offers a more urban take on Galicia’s spa heritage and a perfect recovery stop before the final 60 miles to Santiago. Known as the City of Water, Ourense is home to more than 300 mineral springs, some reaching 158°F (70°C), which are rich in minerals thought to aid circulation and recovery.
For modern walkers, it’s easy to build a rest day here into the journey. Along the banks of the River Miño, the Thermal Promenade links a series of open-air baths – A Chavasqueira, Muíño da Veiga, Outariz, Burga de Canedo,and O Tinteiro – popular with both locals and travelers. The Outariz and Burga de Canedo complex, the largest in the city, offers multiple pools of varying temperatures, making it ideal for easing tired muscles.
If you’re looking to end your pilgrimage with something indulgent, the Gran Hotel de la Toja makes a fitting final chapter to a Wellness Camino. Located on La Toja Island, off the Galician coast near O Grove and about an hour from Caldas de Reis, this historic spa hotel offers a luxurious way to rest and reflect after completing the trail.
The hotel’s spa dates back more than a century and remains one of Spain’s classic balnearios. Facilities include a heated pool, Turkish bath, Finnish sauna and seawater hydromassage tubs, while treatments use La Toja’s famed mineral waters, muds and salts. The ‘Take Care of Your Legs’ ritual, combining a thermal bath with a leg and foot massage, feels purpose-built for weary pilgrims.
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