Map
8 ideas, picked for these days
A getaway to Rupit and the Collsacabra cliffs
The first autumn rains bring water back to the Salt de Sallent after summer, and the cliffs as far as Tavertet are walked in the cool. The route is one-way: arrange the return with the Rupit tourist office before setting out.
A weekend in Carcassonne: the Cité, the Canal du Midi and a Cathar castle
The Canal du Midi boat sails until the end of October, so the Pilar is one of the last long weekends to make the full trip. In France 12 October is an ordinary day: the Cité is open and has fewer people than in summer.
A getaway to Besalú and the volcanic Garrotxa, with a balloon flight
In October the Garrotxa forests begin to change colour and the balloon flight goes up in clean, cool air. Vol de Coloms flies all year and charges more at weekends: book the balloon before the bed.
Berga: viewpoints and a mountain table
Berga celebrates its mushroom festival in early October, with the mushroom-pickers' competition, and Berguedà menus fill with rovellones and ceps. Check the year's date on the Town Hall website: it sometimes falls on the same long weekend.
Vic: square, cured meats and inn
From October, the Vic tourist office again runs its themed guided visit of the month at 11:30, and the Plaça Major recovers its sunny terraces. If it rains on the long weekend, the museum and Sert's cathedral are under cover.
Penedès: cava and a table among the vines
In October the harvest is over, the vines begin to turn gold and the cellars return to calm. Almost all work by appointment and close on some holidays, so book the visit and the winery table before the long weekend.
Prades: red town and Roca Foradada
Prades's red stone lights up in October's low light, and the walk to the Roca Foradada is done without August's heat. The tourist office opens on holidays in the morning and lends you the key of the l'Abellera hermitage.
Montseny: easy beech forest and grill
At the Pilar the Santa Fe beech wood is still green with the first yellows, and the car park does not yet fill as it does at the end of the month. If you want the copper of the leaves, wait for November; if you want space, go now.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is 12 October a holiday in Catalonia?
Yes. The Pilar, Spain's National Day, is a holiday in Catalonia every year; it makes a long weekend when it falls next to a weekend.
Are there mushrooms on the Pilar long weekend?
If it has rained at the end of September, yes. Berga holds its mushroom festival in early October: check the date on the Town Hall website.
Does the Canal du Midi boat run in October?
Yes, the season runs from April to October. Outside it, the getaway's Sunday is swapped for the Lastours castles.
Which getaway works best without a car?
Almost all need a car. The exception is the Penedès: the Rodalies R4 links Manresa and Sant Sadurní without a change, although it takes nearly two hours.