Map
7 ideas, picked for these days
Two nights at the Cava & Hotel Mastinell, in Vilafranca, with the cava cellars of Sant Sadurní by train
The Diada falls in the middle of the Penedès harvest, when the cellars work day and night with the grapes coming in. The hotel serves its gastronomic menu on the eve of the holiday: book the table for 10 September along with the room.
A weekend in the medieval Empordà, based in Peratallada
In September the stone villages of the Baix Empordà empty of summer people and the sea is still warm. From September to February the balloon goes up only at weekends: if the 11th falls midweek, it flies on Saturday.
Peralada: Dalí, winery and mill
In September the Empordà vineyards are in harvest, and the Perelada winery shows the grapes coming in. The Dalí Theatre-Museum moves off summer hours: buy a timed ticket and start there first thing.
A weekend in Siurana and the Priorat: cliff, reservoir and vineyards
In September the Priorat garnacha is harvested and the kayak on the reservoir opens on autumn weekends. The 4x4 route among vineyards goes out with a single vehicle: book it before the room.
Besalú: bridge, Jewish quarter and basalt
After the Besalú Medieval festival, at the end of August, the village returns to calm and in September it is strolled without the heat. The fortified bridge and the Jewish quarter are seen on foot, and Castellfollit is fifteen minutes away.
Penedès: cava and a table among the vines
On harvest Sundays the Penedès wineries with tables fill, and a holiday in September is like a Sunday. Book the visit and lunch with days to spare, and go by train: that way nobody drives after the tasting.
Montserrat: horse, table and rack railway
September opens the good season for horse riding at the foot of Montserrat, without August's heat. The Escolania sings again after its summer holidays; the rack railway from Monistrol goes up in a quarter of an hour.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the Diada a holiday in Girona?
Yes, 11 September is a holiday across Catalonia.
Can you see the grape harvest?
Yes: in September the Empordà, Penedès and Priorat wineries are in full harvest. Book the timed visit.