Every year in early May, something magical happens to Girona. The old town — already one of the most beautiful medieval quarters in Spain — is transformed by Temps de Flors (Festival of Flowers), a week-long celebration that fills courtyards, churches, staircases, and hidden corners with spectacular floral installations.
It started in 1954 as a modest flower exhibition in the Sant Domenec church. Seventy years later, it's grown into one of Catalonia's biggest cultural events, attracting over 250,000 visitors across the festival week. The entire Barri Vell becomes an open-air gallery of flower art.
What to Expect
The installations range from the intimate to the monumental. Private courtyards that are closed to the public all year round throw open their doors for the festival, revealing hidden gardens and patios draped in cascades of flowers. Churches and public buildings become immersive art spaces. Even the River Onyar gets into the act, with floral displays along the bridges and riverbanks.
Each installation is designed by a different artist, garden designer, or community group. The variety is staggering — from minimalist arrangements using a single species to elaborate, multi-room installations that tell a story through flowers, light, and sound. Some are achingly beautiful; others are playful and witty. All of them are temporary, which gives the whole event a bittersweet, fleeting quality.
The Hidden Courtyards
The real joy of Temps de Flors is the discovery. The festival map will guide you to the major installations, but the best moments come from wandering off the marked route and stumbling into a courtyard you didn't know existed. Girona's old town is full of these hidden spaces — medieval patios tucked behind unassuming doorways, cloisters open only during the festival, staircases leading to rooftop terraces with views you'd never normally see.
The festival transforms Girona from a city you visit into a city that reveals itself to you.
Practical Tips
- When: Usually the second or third week of May. Check the exact dates each year as they shift slightly.
- Best time to visit: Early morning (before 10am) or late afternoon (after 6pm) to avoid the biggest crowds. Weekdays are significantly quieter than weekends.
- Duration: Allow at least half a day, ideally a full day. There are typically 100+ installations spread across the old town.
- Cost: Free. The entire festival is open to the public at no charge.
- Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes. You'll be walking on cobblestones, climbing stairs, and covering a lot of ground.
If you're planning a trip to Girona and can time it for Temps de Flors, do it. It's the city at its absolute best — vibrant, generous, surprising, and impossibly beautiful.