Once again, the good weather is back, heralding the arrival of summer. And with this season also comes the long-awaited holidays, always short, when we take the opportunity to travel, to rest and disconnect from our usual rhythm of life.
Today we propose a different plan to enjoy your holidays relaxing in a natural environment . Or for a weekend getaway in case you still have to wait a little longer for your holidays. Whatever the case, a visit to the Arnedillo Pools, in the town that lends them their name, will allow you to totally disconnect from stress and completely recharge yourbatteries.
The Pools of Arnedillo
Just over 60 kilometres by car from Logroño , in the Rioja municipality of Arnedillo, you will find the Arnedillo Pools. These arestone constructions on the banks of the river Cidacos, from which thermal waters with medicinal propertiesflow . Back in the times when the Romans settled in La Rioja, the waters of these hot springs were used for bathing and were appreciated for their characteristics and beneficial composition for health.
Recently restored a few years ago, there are three pools lined up parallel to the riverbed. Water flows steadily from one of the pools, which in turn irrigates the other two. While the temperature at which the water rises to the surface is 52°C, as it passes through each of the three pools it gradually drops in temperature, falling to 35-40°C.
Photo courtesy of Arnedillo Town Council
Bathing in the pools
Entrance to the pools is free and access is very easy. There are several public car parks a few metres from the site.
It is anatural pool that is permanently open, so it is possible to bathe 24 hours a day, any day of the year. In the summer season, it is perhaps best to bathe at night, when the ambient temperature has already dropped compared to that of the day and it starts to cool down. This is when the hot waters of the thermal baths are more pleasant to bathe in, in contrast to the lower temperatures outside. And all this in the open air, where you can directly enjoy the views of the starry sky .
The facilities also have showers, as well as informative signs indicating the maximum recommended length of stay in the pools.
Origin and composition of thermal waters
The thermal waters that emanate from the pools flow out at a constant temperature of 52°C, but if this seems like a high temperature, nothing could be further from the truth. By the time they reach the first pool, the waters of the Cidacos have already cooled down considerably. Before reaching the pools, the water makes a short journey into the earth. As it filters through the sandstone, its temperature rises at a rate of 3°C every 100 metres of depth. The maximum temperature of 120°C is reached at a depth of 3,500 metres when it reaches a layer of limestone rock, then it continues down another 500 metres until it reaches an impermeable layer of clay, before finally meeting another limestone wall that forces it to rise to the surface.
Throughout this journey, the waters of the river Cidacos are nourished with different minerals that are beneficial to health, especially for the skin. This water is rich in sodium, chlorine, calcium, bromide, iron, silicon, rubidium and magnesium ions.
But if you want to improve circulation, there is nothing better than alternating bathing between the pools and the cold waters of the Cidacos. The sudden changes in temperature will help to activate and improve the bloodstream.
Photo courtesy of Arnedillo Town Council
If we want to complete our baths with a thermal treatment, we only have to cross the river to find the Arnedillo Spa , where we can relax to the maximum with massages and other specialised treatments.
La Rioja is also thermal tourism, a magnificent way of welcoming the summer and recovering energy to face the final stretch of the year. And between baths, there is always time to continue enjoying this land of culture, nature, history and, of course, wine. If this is your case, we recommend you to visit Vivanco and enjoy its experiences also in this season: winery visit, museum, wine tasting...because there is nothing better than summer nights with a good glass of wine, and if this is Vivanco;even better.
