Less than two hours from Madrid, nestled among vineyards and golden fields, lies Olmedo (Valladolid), home to a 12th-century Mudejar convent converted intoa spa hotel, which now serves as a thermal retreat where time seems to slow down and where the waters have been weaving their own legend for centuries.
The Olmedo Spa is housed in the former convent of Sancti Spiritus, a building with thick walls, brick arches, and quiet cloisters that today is a four-star hotel filled with light and amenities. Walking through its corridors is like moving between two eras: that of the nuns who once lived in the convent and that of the travelers who arrive in bathrobes and flip-flops in search of tranquility. The rooms are distributed between the historic wing and two buildings of contemporary architecture, integrated with respect and without ostentation. Many open onto well-tended gardens, with cypress trees, rosebushes, and perfect nooks for reading, chatting, or simply doing nothing.
The heart of the complex is the grand cloister, now transformed into a spa where exposed brick, vaults, and stone coexist with glass and hot water. It is here that one understands why so many compare Olmedo to an Italian landscape: the light streaming through the windows, the elongated shadows at sunset, and the green sea of vineyards and fields surrounding the village create a quintessentially Castilian scene.
Thermal waters with a Roman history
The thermal waters of Olmedo have been known since Roman times and have been used for centuries for their supposed healing properties. They emerge from the Sancti Spiritus spring and are classified as mineral-medicinal, with high mineral content and rich in salts—a quality evident in the silky feel they leave on the skin and the sensation of buoyancy. Spa doctors recommend them especially for combating stress, muscle conditions, joint problems, and certain skin conditions.
That’s why people don’t come here just to “take a bath”: the idea is to follow a small ritual. First, a slow stroll through the different water areas; then, rest on heated loungers or in a relaxation room; and, very importantly, don’t shower right after leaving so the minerals can continue to work on your skin.
Thermal pools and a contrast circuit
The spa is organized around a large thermal pool, featuringhydromassage areas, neck jets, jets for the back and legs, bubble beds, and small integrated Jacuzzis. The water is maintained at a comfortable temperature, designed so you can stay in for long periods without feeling extreme cold or heat. From the indoor pool, you can step outside, where an open-air thermal pool allows you to bathe while breathing in the fresh air of the Tierra de Pinares, even in the middle of winter.
Next to this main pool, the contrast circuit multiplies the sensations: foot baths to stimulate circulation in the legs, showers with different jets and temperatures, cooler pools to tone the body, and steam or dry heat rooms that complete the experience. The design constantly plays with the convent’s Mudejar legacy and its courtyards, galleries, and semi-covered nooks that invite you to move at a leisurely pace, almost as if you were wandering through a small village within the spa itself.
Tourism and wines in the heart of the Rueda D.O.
The spa is nestled in the heart of the Rueda Designation of Origin, a land of fresh, aromatic white wines, made primarily from the Verdejo grape. The hotel’s restaurant serves market-fresh cuisine that combines traditional Castilian dishes—roasts, legumes, hearty stews—with lighter options designed for those seeking to maintain the healthy spirit of their getaway.
Part of the charm of this spa lies in its surroundings. Olmedo is a small Castilian town with quiet streets, brick churches, and squares where village life is still evident: people greeting one another, terraces serving simple tapas, and classic shops. In addition to the spa, the most famous attraction is the Mudéjar Theme Park, an open-air space featuring scale models of Mudéjar monuments from Castile and León that usually fascinates both adults and children alike.