Vila do Gerês grew as a spa town around its hot springs (caldas), which are now owned by Empresa das Águas do Gerês (Av. Manuel Francisco da Costa, 133}253 39 11 13wwww.aguasdogeres.pt). The spa and healing waters are located in the pink building in the center of town, and they offer so many spa treatment options your head will spin faster than their jacuzzi water (~Thermal spring open daily 7:30am-noon and 3:30-6pm. Spa open M-Sa 8am-noon and 4-6pm. Pool and massages open M-F 8am-1pm and 4-7pm). The Parque das Termas, owned by the same company and located across the street from the tourist office, has swimming pools for those who prefer their water a little less therapeutic and a little more child-friendly. (}253 39 11 13`Park entrance €1, under 12 €0.50. Pool M-F €4, Sa-Su €6.~Park open daily 9am-7pm; Pool open daily July-Sept M-F 10am-7pm, May-Jun Sa-Su 9am-6pm.) Parque das Termas also has tennis (` €3 per hr.) and canoeing (` €3 per 30min.).
Hiking
The Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês is renowned throughout Portugal as one of the country’s best hiking destinations. Kilometers of trail stretch through the park and across the border into Spain’s Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés park, with panoramic vistas and pre-Roman ruins along the way. The less challenging—though no less fulfilling—trails are in the southern part of the park near Vila do Gerês, while the Serra da Peneda in the north has trails for serious trekkers. These southern trails showcase petroglyphs, waterfalls, and tiny villages. The Trilha da Preguiça (Lazy Trail, 5.5km) begins 3km north of Vila do Gerês and follows the Gerês River; the longer Trilho dos Currais (10km) runs just north of Vidoeiro, 1km north of Vila do Gerês. The tourist and park offices are the best resources for recommending trails and giving directions.
Unwinding
Vila do Gerês grew as a spa town around its hot springs (caldas), which are now owned by Empresa das Águas do Gerês (Av. Manuel Francisco da Costa, 133}253 39 11 13wwww.aguasdogeres.pt). The spa and healing waters are located in the pink building in the center of town, and they offer so many spa treatment options your head will spin faster than their jacuzzi water (~Thermal spring open daily 7:30am-noon and 3:30-6pm. Spa open M-Sa 8am-noon and 4-6pm. Pool and massages open M-F 8am-1pm and 4-7pm). The Parque das Termas, owned by the same company and located across the street from the tourist office, has swimming pools for those who prefer their water a little less therapeutic and a little more child-friendly. (}253 39 11 13`Park entrance €1, under 12 €0.50. Pool M-F €4, Sa-Su €6.~Park open daily 9am-7pm; Pool open daily July-Sept M-F 10am-7pm, May-Jun Sa-Su 9am-6pm.) Parque das Termas also has tennis (` €3 per hr.) and canoeing (` €3 per 30min.).