Map
7 ideas, picked for these days
A thermal night in Caldes de Montbui, half an hour from Barcelona
On the December long weekend Caldes holds its Mercat de Nadal in the old town, with broth and carn d'olla made with thermal water at midday. On those days there is no guided visit to the Roman baths circuit; Thermalia opens on the 8th in the morning only.
Vic: square, cured meats and inn
Vic's Medieval Market fills the historic centre on the Immaculate Conception long weekend, with nearly four hundred stalls and shows in the streets. The plan's main square is the heart of the market: arrive before ten or start with the cathedral.
Two nights at the Parador de Cardona, inside the castle, with the Salt Mountain and Solsona
From 5 December Cardona castle offers a new guided Medieval Christmas visit, an hour and a half with booking. The castle and the Salt Mountain are closed on Mondays that are not public holidays: if your long weekend includes one, plan the mine for another day.
A night in the Montsec from Barcelona: the Parc Astronòmic, a Starlight masia and the Congost de Mont-rebei
The Montsec Astronomical Park opens on the nights of the long weekend with Christmas sessions for families, but on 8 December there are no sessions: go up the night before. Places sell out weeks ahead, and the La Masieta car park, for Mont-rebei, is open until mid-December.
Montserrat: horse, table and rack railway
On 6 and 8 December the Escolania sings at the eleven o'clock conventual Mass and at afternoon vespers; on the 7th, only the midday Salve. This plan goes up by rack railway after lunch, in time for vespers.
Palau de la Música, tapas and chocolate
For those who stay: since late November the city has its lights on and the Santa Llúcia Fair open in front of the cathedral, ten minutes from the Palau. The guided visit to the Palau de la Música continues on 6 and 8 December.
La Molina: a day on the slopes and a grill at Pista Llarga
La Molina opens its season when the snow allows, and in early December it may have few pistes or none: check the opening status the night before. If it opens, you get there on the R3 train and the lift pass is bought online before leaving.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What can you do from Barcelona over the December long weekend without a car?
Vic and its Medieval Market on the R3, Montserrat with the R5 and the rack railway, Caldes de Montbui by bus and, if there is snow, La Molina on the R3. Check the line's engineering works beforehand.
When is the Vic Medieval Market?
It is held every year on the Immaculate Conception long weekend, around 8 December. The exact dates are published by Vic Town Council in autumn.
Do the ski pistes open on the long weekend?
It depends on the snow. La Molina and Masella open when there is enough snow; check the opening status the night before and have a plan without skiing.