Fiesta de San Mateo
 

I'm trying to decide whether or not to stop for the day and one night on 9/21 in Logrono but can find no information on the schedule of events for this year's festival. I am traveling from Barcelona to San Sebastian. Is it worth it to stop for one night? Is the 21st the best night to stay or is any night okay during the week? Thanks.

The schedule will likely not be posted until late August.

Sept 21st is the biggest day for the festival - so it would be the day you would definately want to attend.

As for is it worth it: are you driving or depending on public transportation? I'd probably go for it but personally I love this festival - returning this year for 3 years in a row!

Thanks, CathyM. I will be taking public transportation.

Darn - I just sent you a long response and it was "lost".

If you're using public transportation and arriving from Barcelona I'd definately take the early train. The Alvia leaves Barcelona at 7:35 and arrives in Logrono at 11:32. If the schedule falls like it has in the last couple of years for Sept 21 this would be great timing:

11 - 1pm : parades with giants
12:30: offering of first mosto to the Virgin de Valvanera
11-1:30pm (or they run out): the Chuleta al sarmiento (typical grilling of lamb over wine branches)- a MUST
*then spend the lunch doing tapas along Calle Laurel - it will be very crowded and festive with penas parading down the streets

The following morning (from 9:30 until around 11) be sure to
go to the bullring for the Vaquillas - great fun watching the young men "play".

The bus ride to San Sebastian from Logrono is just over 2 hours. So, you could probably time your trip to arrive in time for evening pintxos!

The next train leaving Barcelona for Logrono doesn't arrive until after 4pm so you'll have missed all the afternoon festivities - so you'll definately want the first train.

Thank you so much (again) Cathy!! I'm actually seeing if I can reverse my itinerary and go from San Sebastian to Logrono then to Barcelona as I am then headed into Madrid from there. I definitely want to see the festivities!

If you time it right you may even be able to visit Barcelona during their biggest festival of the year, La Merce!

Hmmm, off to Google!! LOL.

Hmm, this is tempting. I am coming from France so I would have to go to Madrid first, then San Sebastian, Logrono, Barcelona, then back to Madrid on the evening of the 25th as I fly out of Madrid the morning of the 26th at 10:00 a.m. A little back-tracking but not much...

Personally I'd just be careful not to try to fit too much in a trip. My general guideline is one general area in a week at most - so for example if your trip is 2 weeks the most you'd want to visit is 2 geographic regions. Otherwise you risk either too much road time or overload on sites versus really absorbing the culture. Just my 2 cents......