# August long weekend from Tarragona: getaways for the Assumption, 15 August Four getaways with a night away and three day trips from Tarragona for 15 August, the Assumption, four days before Sant Magí: high-mountain lakes in Andorra, the unspoilt Irta coast from the sea, the water of the Matarraña, the nights of Prades and cool cellars underground. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/tarragona/getaways/august-long-weekend · Revisado: 2026-11-13 Origen: Tarragona - [Two summer nights in Andorra: Caldea, the Tristaina lakes and the villages of La Massana](https://www.geocalia.com/en/andorra/andorra-la-vella/itineraries/andorra-summer-baths-and-lakes.md) (2 nights, Andorra la Vella and Escaldes): July and August are the months for this getaway, with the Tristaina lakes at over 2,200 metres and free of snow. In August there is a storm almost every afternoon: start the lake circuit early and leave Caldea for the afternoon. - [Peñíscola: film route, castle and boat](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/peniscola/itineraries/film-route-and-boat-to-irta.md) (Day itinerary, Peñíscola): In July and August the hour-and-a-half boat along the Irta coast goes out, the only way to see it whole from the sea. The sierra track requires booking in the GVA Parcs Naturals app in summer: the boat saves you the car. - [A weekend in the Matarraña: Valderrobres, Beceite and the Puertos, under two hours from Zaragoza](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/aragon/valderrobres-and-matarrana/itineraries/matarranya-valderrobres-beceite-weekend.md) (2 nights, Valderrobres and the Matarraña): In summer the Matarraña swaps the Ports by 4x4 for the Pena reservoir, and the Parrizal is a walk beside water and in shade. The summer ticket has an hourly quota: buy it beforehand and go in early. - [A getaway to Prades: the red town, the forest and a night of stars](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/prades/itineraries/prades-night-of-stars-from-tarragona.md) (1 night, Prades): At a thousand metres, Prades cools at night, and in mid-August the Perseids join the telescope session. Book the astronomical park session and check the moon: with a full moon few shooting stars are seen. - [Codorníu: cellars by train and lunch in the tower](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/penedes/itineraries/codorniu-cava-cellars-by-train-sant-sadurni.md) (Day itinerary, Penedès): The Codorníu cellars are underground and are toured by train at a cool temperature, the plan for the August midday. They also open in summer; book the visit and lunch at the tower. - [Berguedà by motorbike: Coll de la Creueta and a mountain table](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/berga/itineraries/bergueda-motorbike-route.md) (Day itinerary, Berga): In August the Coll de la Creueta, at 1,921 metres, is among the nearest cool roads, although with more traffic than in June or September. Set off very early and come down before the afternoon storms. - [Two nights at Terra Dominicata, the winery hotel beside the Escaladei charterhouse, with tastings across the Priorat](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/priorat/itineraries/two-nights-between-charterhouse-and-vineyards-priorat.md) (2 nights, Priorat): In August the Priorat is lived in the morning and at night: vineyards first thing, a spa among olive trees at midday and a long dinner with the region's wines. The charterhouse is closed on non-holiday Mondays; on 15 August it opens even if it falls on a Monday. ## Two holidays in one week The Assumption, 15 August, is a holiday across Spain, and in Tarragona it has company: four days later, on the 19th, is Sant Magí, the city's other local festival, with events around the city. Some years the two holidays are so close that with two days' leave you join up almost a week. It is the only moment of the summer when a getaway of three or four nights works without touching your long holidays. The rest of the time, the 15th on a Friday or Monday gives three days, and midweek a single day: Prades or the Penedès. ## Escaping the full coast In August the Tarragona coast is at its peak, and the Costa Daurada is no place for the long weekend of someone who lives here. The getaway goes up or inland. The Tristaina lakes, in Ordino, are at over 2,200 metres and three hours away: two nights in Escaldes, a Saturday of lakes and a Sunday of Caldea. Closer, Prades, at a thousand metres, has the cool nights the coast lacks. ## Irta from the sea, the Matarraña from the water To the south, the Sierra de Irta is the nearest undeveloped coast, and in July and August the Peñíscola film route ends with an hour and a half by boat along its coves. By land, the track requires booking in summer. To the west, via the Ebro and the Terra Alta, the Matarraña is the freshwater summer: the Parrizal walkways follow the river between rock walls, with shade until midday, and the Pena reservoir is the afternoon plan. ## Shooting stars at Prades The Perseids peak around 12 or 13 August and are seen on the following days too. In Prades, far from the Camp's lights, the telescope session and the meteor shower with the naked eye fit into the same night. Check the moon before booking. ## What to avoid The AP-7 southwards on Friday afternoon; the Trona ledge at Siurana at midday, with no shade; the Parrizal after twelve; and Peñíscola at midday, with the old town full and parking impossible. Many villages in the Priorat and the Terra Alta are in main festival in mid-August: good for seeing it, bad for sleeping. ## Dry heat and afternoon storms In the Camp de Tarragona, August is humid and hot; in the Priorat, dry and hotter still at midday. In the Pyrenees, the afternoon storm is almost daily: walk in the morning. Always carry water, in the car too. ## An easy lake and a cheap boat for the children The first Tristaina lake is an easy forty minutes. The Parrizal is flat and under-sixes go free. The Peñíscola boat costs less for children. The Codorníu cellars, with the underground train, are the plan for the hot hours, and under-eights go free. Escaladei, on the other hand, is for over-14s only. ## August bookings The Irta boat, the Parrizal ticket and the Prades session sell out on the long weekend: book them a week ahead. The Matarraña and Prades rooms, longer. Andorra has beds, but hotels with thermal water fill. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Is Sant Magí a holiday in Tarragona? Yes, 19 August is a local holiday in the city of Tarragona, four days after the Assumption. ### Where is it cool near Tarragona in August? In Prades, at a thousand metres, at the Coll de la Creueta and at the Andorran lakes.