Map
7 ideas, picked for these days
Camster · CC BY-SA 3.0An autumn weekend in the Sierra de Aracena: chestnut groves, acorn-fed pigs and ham
Every December long weekend Aracena celebrates its Artisan Cheese Market, with dairies from the sierra and other areas. The pigs are still in the montanera under the holm oaks, and the cave is open on the 6th and 8th: it only closes on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Epiphany.
Aracena: the Gruta and ham in Jabugo
The Gruta de las Maravillas is open every day of the long weekend, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:30 to 18:00, with a daily capacity: on long weekends the passes run out. Buy a timed ticket on the Aracena Tourism website, which does not take phone bookings.
Mérida: theatre, museum and Alcazaba
The Mérida Monumental Site is open on 6 and 8 December with its normal hours; in winter it only closes on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Epiphany. With the short day, theatre and amphitheatre first thing, and the aqueduct at the end of the afternoon.
Zafra: squares, convent and spa
The El Raposo spa's thermal circuit runs all year, with the pool at 32.8 °C and saunas: on the cold days of the long weekend it is the best end to the afternoon. You book a day and time by phone, and it is wise to do so a week ahead.
Évora: temple, cathedral and bones
In Portugal 8 December is also a holiday, that of the Immaculate Conception, and 1 December, the Restoration: Évora fills with Portuguese on their long weekend. Remember that it is one hour earlier there and that in December the light goes early.
A birdwatching weekend in Monfragüe, three hours from Madrid
The Villarreal de San Carlos visitor centre is open every day of the long weekend, from 9:30 to 18:00 in winter; it only closes on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. In winter the park is quiet and good for black vulture and imperial eagle.
Redrain · CC BY-SA 4.0A weekend in Doñana and El Rocío, an hour from Seville
From October to April the Doñana marsh has water and winter birds, and December is at the best of the season. The official 4x4 from El Acebuche is booked online, and on a long weekend the first-hour places go first.