Map
8 ideas, picked for these days
A night in the bubble at Hotel Aire de Bardenas, with the Bardena Blanca by 4x4 and Tudela
May is one of the last good months for sleeping in the desert: in June the heat bears down from mid-morning. The park is toured from 8:00 to an hour before dusk, and the bubble, the 4x4 and the hotel dinner are booked beforehand.
A weekend in Ordesa, 1 h 20 from Huesca
The Torla bus to the Pradera runs on the May long weekend too, on the dates Ordesa Bus publishes each year. With the thaw, the Cola de Caballo and the Estrecho waterfalls run with a lot of water. The valley admits 1,800 people at a time: go up early.
Irati: Cubo Waterfall and Ochagavía
In May the Irati beech wood puts out its new leaf, of an almost yellow green, and it is one of its two best seasons along with autumn. The 10 km to the Cubo Waterfall barely climb and the water comes down strongly after the winter.
The Bardenas by 4x4 and lunch in Tudela
Spring is the Bardenas season: it is good for walking among the rocky outcrops and there is no summer dust. In the Ribera it is asparagus season, so the vegetable lunch in Tudela has produce of the day. The guided 4x4 is booked.
A weekend on the French Basque Coast, 30 minutes from San Sebastián
In May the La Rhune train and the cliff boat are running, as they stop from November to March. 1 May is also a holiday in France, so Saint-Jean-de-Luz fills with French visitors: book the hotel and the timed train.
A weekend in Aínsa: Añisclo, a canyon descent and the square at dusk, an hour and a half from Huesca
From April to June the Bellós river runs with water and the Añisclo canyon is green as far as La Ripareta. In the morning the canyon's narrow road is quiet. For the guided Guara canyon, book a place before the long weekend.
San Millán: Yuso, winery and Cañas
Spring with the vineyard budding between Badarán and San Millán, and a lunch inside the monastery itself. Watch the day: Yuso is closed on Mondays, so if the long weekend falls on a Monday, do the visit on Saturday or Sunday.
A weekend in the Matarraña: Valderrobres, Beceite and the Puertos, under two hours from Zaragoza
The Parrizal de Beceite walkways carry water in spring, and in May it is not yet the heat that fills the pools in summer. The Parrizal ticket has places by time slot: buy it beforehand, like the 4x4 to the Ports.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Ordesa worth it on the May long weekend?
Yes, if you like waterfalls: the thaw fills them. The Torla bus runs and there may be snow up high, so the classic path to the Cola de Caballo is the safe option.
What do I do if it rains?
On the French coast, the Biarritz aquarium; in Navarre, the Olite Royal Palace, 40 minutes away, which is visited under cover and through its towers.
Is it already hot in the Bardenas?
In May it does not yet bear down as in summer, but the sun is strong and there is no shade. Bring water and a cap, and leave the longer things for the morning.
What is open in France on 1 May?
The La Rhune train and the boats operate, but many shops and some restaurants close that day. Book lunch.