# Pilar long weekend from Girona: getaways for 12 October, the National Day Four getaways with a night away and three day trips from Girona for 12 October, the Pilar and National Day: the Penedès and Priorat after the harvest, the Cité in the canal's last month, Rupit, Montsoriu with chestnuts, Ullastret and Montserrat from above. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/girona/getaways/pilar-long-weekend · Revisado: 2026-11-13 Origen: Girona - [Two nights at the Cava & Hotel Mastinell, in Vilafranca, with the cava cellars of Sant Sadurní by train](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/penedes/itineraries/two-nights-in-a-cava-winery-by-train-penedes.md) (2 nights, Penedès): In early October the Penedès harvest has just ended and the cellars show the new musts. The hotel serves its menu on the eve of holidays, so on 11 October too: book a table with the room. - [A weekend in Siurana and the Priorat: cliff, reservoir and vineyards](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/siurana/itineraries/siurana-priorat-weekend-vineyards-reservoir.md) (2 nights, Siurana): After the harvest, the Priorat vines begin to change colour, and the reservoir kayak opens on autumn weekends. The 4x4 route is a single vehicle per departure: on the long weekend, book it before the room. - [A weekend in Carcassonne: the Cité, the Canal du Midi and a Cathar castle](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/occitanie/carcassonne/itineraries/weekend-cite-from-girona.md) (2 nights, Carcassonne): October is the last month of the Canal du Midi boat, which sails until the end of the month. 12 October is not a holiday in France, so the Cité has fewer people than in spring and sleeping inside works out better. - [A getaway to Rupit and the Collsacabra cliffs](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/rupit/itineraries/rupit-collsacabra-cliffs-one-night.md) (1 night, Rupit): With the first autumn rains the Salt de Sallent runs with water again and the Collsacabra oaks begin to turn gold. For the crossing to Tavertet, arrange the return with the tourist office before setting out. - [Montseny: Gothic castle and chestnuts](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montseny/itineraries/montsoriu-castle-and-chestnut-lunch-from-girona.md) (Day itinerary, Montseny): In October Viladrau already cooks with its chestnut and Montsoriu castle opens its weekend and holiday guided passes. The door closes when the visit starts: arrive with margin and book castle and lunch. - [Peratallada and the Iberian city of Ullastret](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/peratallada/itineraries/peratallada-and-ullastret-iberian-city-from-girona.md) (Day itinerary, Peratallada): In October the Iberian city of Ullastret is toured without summer's heat, and under-16s go in free. The Peratallada Medieval Fair falls in early October; by the Pilar the village is already quiet. - [Montserrat: cable car and Sant Jeroni](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/montserrat/itineraries/montserrat-cable-car-and-sant-jeroni-from-manresa.md) (Day itinerary, Montserrat): The Sant Jeroni circuit is in season, from October to May, with clean air for seeing the Pyrenees from the summit. The Aeri leaves from the lower station; check the autumn timetable, which changes with the season. ## A holiday that in Girona tastes of harvest 12 October, the Pilar and National Day, arrives at the best moment of the year for wine. In the Penedès and the Priorat the harvest has just ended, the wineries have full tanks and the vines begin to change colour. That is why this long weekend, which some call Hispanidad and others simply the October long weekend, looks south from Girona: two nights in a Vilafranca cellar, an hour and a half away, or Siurana and the Priorat, three hours away, with crag, reservoir and vineyards by off-road vehicle. If the holiday falls on a Monday or Friday it is three days, enough for two nights away. If it falls midweek, the long weekend depends on each company's calendar; with a single day, what counts is what is close: the Montseny, Ullastret or Montserrat. ## France in October, when the French leave 12 October is not a holiday across the border, and you notice. The Cité of Carcassonne has in October its last month of Canal du Midi boat trips and far fewer people than in May. Days shorten: the rampart walk at dusk, with the 52 towers lit, is done before dinner. ## Autumn begins in the Montseny and the Collsacabra In the second week of October autumn is still young. The Santa Fe beech wood begins to change in mid-month, and the Pilar may catch it green; if you want the copper, leave the Montseny for the November long weekend. What is ready is the chestnut: in Viladrau they cook it across the menu and Montsoriu castle opens its guided visits on holidays. Water returns too. With the first rains, the Salt de Sallent at Rupit recovers the flow it loses in summer. ## Timed tastings and a regulated valley In the Penedès and the Priorat, timed winery visits and tables at restaurants among the vines fill on harvest and autumn weekends: book them with days to spare. In Siurana, the off-road vehicle goes out with a single car. In the Montseny, on weekends and holidays from mid-October to December access to Santa Fe is regulated, with parking in Fogars de Montclús and a Bus Parc if there is no room up there. ## Mild days, nights that already cool October is usually mild in the Empordà and the Penedès, with short-sleeve days at midday. In the Collsacabra, Montserrat and the Montseny the nights already call for a coat, and mist can cover the viewpoints in the morning. A strong autumn storm may fall: if it rains, the Penedès cellars are under cover. ## Iberian silos and must for children The Iberian city of Ullastret is easily toured with children, among walls and silos dug into the rock, and under-16s go in free. Montsoriu castle calls for about 40 minutes' climb through the forest, for children from about six. In the wineries, children usually taste must. ## Leaving Girona without fighting the AP-7 The AP-7 southwards gets heavy the afternoon before the holiday, with those leaving Barcelona for the Ebro and Aragon: if you are going to the Priorat, leave early. For the Penedès, the train avoids driving after the tasting. The return on the last day along the AP-7 northwards is lighter than the entry into Barcelona. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Will there be autumn leaves in the Montseny for the Pilar? Few. The Santa Fe beech wood changes from mid-October to mid-November, depending on the year. ### Can you do the Priorat in a day from Girona? It is three hours each way: better with at least one night. ### Does Carcassonne have more people on the Pilar long weekend? Not especially: 12 October is not a holiday in France.