The October long weekend in Cantabria falls around October 12, a public holiday for Spain's National Day. Near Bareyo it's a good time for autumn-colour forest walks, hunting for the first wild mushrooms and eating seasonal shellfish. The most recent edition ran from October 10 to 12, 2026.
Cantabria gets a calendar gift this year: 12 October falls on a Monday, so a long weekend forms between Saturday and that public holiday without spending a single day of annual leave. For anyone staying near Bareyo, on the Trasmiera coast, those three days fall right at the point where summer has fully left but Cantabrian autumn hasn't yet shown its greyest face: the forests are starting to change colour, shellfish are at their best, and the beaches, with hardly anyone around, are still pleasant for a walk.
It isn't a long weekend built for the beach, although a walk on the sand is still worthwhile. It's mainly the first big autumn date on the calendar: the one that separates September's stretched-out summer from the rainy season that arrives in November. Making the most of it means looking inland as much as at the coast, and booking a little ahead, because even though it isn't peak season, it's still a weekend with more demand than an ordinary one in October.
When the October 2026 long weekend falls and what weather to expect
Monday 12 October 2026 is a national public holiday across Spain for National Day, and since it falls on a Monday it forms a natural three-day long weekend with the weekend before it: Saturday the 10th, Sunday the 11th and Monday the 12th. No annual leave needs to be booked to enjoy it, which explains why it's one of the busiest long weekends for bookings of the whole autumn in Cantabria. As for the weather, October on the Cantabrian coast usually ranges between 14 and 19 degrees, with a higher chance of a shower than in September but still far from the settled winter storms: it's worth checking the forecast a few days before travelling and bringing a light coat as well as some water.
Nature plans before autumn fully sets in
This is the weekend when Cantabrian autumn really starts to show in the landscape: the beeches and oaks inland begin turning ochre and red, and the forests near the Collados del Asón or the Miera valley make a good destination for a short drive from Bareyo. It's also a good time to go looking for the season's first wild mushrooms in the hills of Trasmiera, though it's worth going with someone who knows how to identify them or joining a guided outing. For a calmer plan, the coast between Bareyo and Ajo also offers short, well-signposted hiking routes, without the crowds of August.
Where to eat well these days
October coincides with one of the best times of year for shellfish at the Santander and Santoña fish markets, with lobster and spider crab at their most recommendable. It's also the time when many local cider houses start serving the new harvest's cider, poured the traditional way. With the long weekend falling on working days, it's worth booking a table a couple of days ahead at the most well-known places, especially for Sunday lunches.
Festivals, markets and inland plans
In the villages of Trasmiera and the surrounding area, October often brings seasonal festivals and markets, with stalls selling chestnuts, cheeses and other autumn produce; it's worth checking each town hall's calendar before planning the weekend, since exact dates vary from year to year. The official Turismo de Cantabria website compiles the season's plans every year if you want more options beyond Trasmiera. If you fancy something cultural, Santander and Santillana del Mar keep their museums and monuments on regular hours during the long weekend, without the summer queues.
What you need to know
Dates: Saturday 10, Sunday 11 and Monday 12 October 2026, a public holiday for National Day. Time off: no leave needed, Monday is already a holiday. Weather: between 14 and 19 degrees on average, with a higher chance of rain than in September. Bookings: it's worth confirming accommodation and restaurants in advance, as it's one of the busiest long weekends of the autumn. Nature: a good time for autumn forests and the first wild mushrooms, avoiding dirt tracks the day after rain. Food: lobster, spider crab and new-harvest cider, at their best.
“The October long weekend is the first weekend when Cantabria truly shows its autumn colours.”
Spending the October long weekend near Bareyo means having both the coast and the inland forests within easy reach, without the queues or bustle of August. Villa Camino and Villa Monte, the two villas at Bareyo Residences, are a short walk from Ajo-Cuberris beach and just over twenty minutes from the first autumn forests inland — the perfect starting point for a weekend like this. If you're also curious about how Cantabria changes as the season goes on, don't miss our guide to where to find wild mushrooms near Bareyo.
