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The small and charming city of Girona is picturesque at any time of the year, but it becomes even more beautiful during its annual Temps de Flors festival. Every spring, during the second week of May, people from all over Spain head to Girona’s Barri Vell (Old Town) to admire its colourful streets filled with spectacular floral displays.

Monuments and courtyards are transformed into remarkable ornamental gardens, allowing you to enjoy a wonderful blend of vibrant colours and fragrances that perfectly complement the city’s fascinating cultural and historical heritage.

This unique way of exploring the city often includes free entry and access to landmarks that would normally be closed to the public. What’s more, you can enjoy Girona’s Temps de Flors for free!

The Festival

This year, from 9th to 17th May, Girona’s most famous flower festival will celebrate its 71st anniversary, following many years of success and incredible creativity. There will be more than 100 individual flower and plant displays, with some of the most impressive exhibitions taking place on the steps of the Cathedral, the Arab Baths, the Chapel of Saint Nicholas, and Les Sarraïnes.

In addition to this, several exciting events will take place across the city as part of the festival, such as Gastroflors. Every year, a variety of restaurants in the city offer themed menus with a floral twist, where certain flowers are featured as ingredients in their dishes. So let your taste buds “bloom” by trying something new.

There will also be flower, photography, and film competitions, along with many other activities that are well worth taking part in.

Girona: The City and the Barri Vell

Girona is the perfect place if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the Catalan capital, especially as it’s only 100 km from Barcelona. With all the charm and qualities of a larger city, thanks to its rich culture and the wide range of things to do here, it would be a shame not to spend some time exploring this spectacular medieval city during your visit to Barcelona.

Temps de Flors enhances the beauty of Girona’s picturesque and charming Barri Vell, the city’s Old Town. Its rustic atmosphere is surrounded by the river, colourful houses, and winding streets that open onto delightful squares.

It truly is one of the most picturesque areas of the city, especially when it’s covered in flowers.

How to Get There

The easiest way to get to Girona from Barcelona is by train. Renfe operates both regional trains (MD) and high-speed trains (AVE) departing from Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, and El Clot-Aragó stations. The AVE takes around 38 minutes, while the regional train takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

During the Temps de Flors festival, Renfe sometimes offers discounts on return tickets, so be sure to check their website before booking. Trains run every 20–30 minutes, but it’s best to book in advance, especially on weekends.

Once you arrive in Girona, the Barri Vell is just a 15-minute walk from the train station. Simply follow the main road into the city centre, or take a local bus or a taxi if needed.

If you have a car, Girona is around 1 hour and 15 minutes from Barcelona via the AP-7 motorway, although parking near the historic centre can be more difficult during the festival.

Tips

• Avoid visiting the festival at the weekend if possible. The festival is extremely popular with both locals and tourists, and by the end of the week, the narrow streets of the Barri Vell are often crowded, which can be quite uncomfortable—especially in the warm weather.
• Be prepared to queue, especially for the most popular spots. Restaurants also get very busy at lunchtime, with waiting times of up to an hour at some of the most central places.
• If you can, stay overnight in Girona to avoid an early start, a late finish, and travelling back and forth in one day. You’ll also make the most of the displays by visiting some of them at night, especially those along the Onyar River, which look their best at that time of day.
• Pick up a free map from one of the main visitor points so you can find your way around more easily and make sure you don’t miss any of Girona’s other must-see spots.
• While exploring the Flower Festival, don’t miss the many concerts, workshops, exhibitions, and dance performances taking place throughout the city as well.
• Girona’s Old Town has many cobbled streets, stairs, and uneven paths, so it’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes and keep in mind that some areas may be less accessible for people with reduced mobility.

The Temps de Flors festival in Girona is a must-see event, combining nature, culture, and incredible history. Whether you’re a flower enthusiast, a culture lover, or simply looking for a unique and vibrant experience, this festival has something for everyone. So, if you’re visiting Barcelona during the month of May, don’t miss the chance to explore the picturesque streets of Girona. Create unforgettable memories, take plenty of photos, and immerse yourself in the beauty of one of Spain’s most charming festivals.