Map
7 ideas, picked for these days
Miguel Ángel García. from Ólvega., España · CC BY 2.0A weekend in Peñafiel and the Ribera del Duero, two hours from Madrid
In early October the Ribera del Duero finishes its grape harvest: depending on the year you will still see crews in the vineyards or the grapes fermenting in the wineries, and some villages, such as Valbuena de Duero, hold their harvest festival around the Pilar. Book the two wineries before the hotel.
A deer-rut weekend in Sanabria and the Sierra de la Culebra
The Sierra de la Culebra deer rut runs from mid-September to mid-October, so the Pilar long weekend catches its last days. Confirm the date with the guide, who knows whether the stags are still roaring, before paying for the two nights in Puebla de Sanabria.
A birdwatching weekend in Monfragüe, three hours from Madrid
In October the free guided walks return to Monfragüe, the heat has gone and at dusk you can hear the rut from the viewpoints. Birds of prey glide over Peña Falcón in mid-morning: book the guided 4x4 route for the last day of the long weekend.
Misburg3014 · CC BY 3.0A weekend in Covarrubias and Silos, an hour from Burgos
October is one of the best months in the Arlanza: juniper woods in low light, La Yecla without the heat and the chapel of San Olav still open, because it closes from December to February. In Silos, Gregorian vespers are sung every afternoon; book lunch at Casa Galín.
Carraovejas, castle and roast lamb
In October the Pago de Carraovejas winery has the harvest freshly in and the must in the tanks, and the vineyard begins to turn red. The long tasting runs from Wednesday to Sunday: if 12 October falls on a Monday or Tuesday, do the plan at the weekend.
El Escorial: monastery and Philip II's Chair
On 12 October Patrimonio Nacional opens most of its monuments free, among them the monastery of El Escorial, with tickets collected the same day until they run out. Arrive at opening and leave the Silla de Felipe II for the afternoon light.
Ávila: wall and Cuatro Postes
Ávila spends those days at the start of the Santa Teresa festivities, whose main day is 15 October: flower offering, concerts and the city dressed up. October is a good month for the wall walk, without the summer sun, and at night the illuminated wall can be seen from the Cuatro Postes.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Pilar and Hispanidad long weekend?
12 October is the day of the Virgen del Pilar and Spain's National Day, formerly called Hispanidad Day. It is the same holiday, across Spain.
Is the deer rut still on over the Pilar long weekend?
Its last days. It usually runs from mid-September to mid-October, and in the Culebra the guide confirms whether the stags are still roaring.
Which monuments are free on 12 October?
Those of Patrimonio Nacional, such as the monastery of El Escorial and the Royal Palace, on their open day. Tickets are collected at the ticket office the same day.
Can you see the grape harvest in the Ribera del Duero?
It depends on the year: sometimes there are grapes still to pick and sometimes it is already over. Fermentation in the wineries and the harvest festivals do coincide with these dates.