Map
7 ideas, picked for these days
A weekend in Carcassonne: the Cité, the Canal du Midi and a Cathar castle
In June the Cité has the longest afternoons of the year and not yet the heat or the groups of July and August. 24 June is not a holiday in France: midweek, the citadel is seen with fewer people than on any French long weekend.
A weekend in the Ripollès: Romanesque monasteries and the Núria rack railway
At the end of June the Núria valley no longer has snow and the lake and meadows are green. The Rack Railway has its summer timetable and is bought online; the Ter greenway, in the morning shade, goes well after the verbena.
A getaway to Besalú and the volcanic Garrotxa, with a balloon flight
In June the balloon takes off with the first light, before seven, and the Garrotxa is at its most intense green. Sleep in Besalú on Sant Joan night if you want to fly: on the morning of the 24th the sky is usually calm.
Pals: rice fields, Gothic quarter and beach
June is the last month when Pals beach can be parked at without getting up early: in July and August the coast fills. The rice fields are already tall and green; book the little train, which has limited places.
Montseny: Gothic castle and chestnuts
Montsoriu castle closes in July and does not reopen until the first weekend of September, so June holidays are the last passes before summer. Book it: the door closes when the visit starts.
Penedès: cava and a table among the vines
In June the Penedès vines are in full green and wineries with tables serve outside. On spring Sundays those tables fill: book with days to spare, and better by train so nobody drives.
A weekend in the medieval Empordà, based in Peratallada
From May to August the Empordà balloon goes up every day at 6:30, on Sant Joan morning too. June is the month of mild nights in the Peratallada courtyard, before the coast's visitors arrive.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Sant Joan a holiday in Girona?
Yes, 24 June is a holiday across Catalonia. The big celebration is the night of the 23rd, the verbena.
Can you go to Carcassonne for Sant Joan?
Yes: there it is a working day and the Cité has fewer people than on a French long weekend.