Temps de Flors – The Festival of Flowers in Girona, Spain

Temps de Flors – The Festival of Flowers in Girona, Spain

Since 1954 the city of Girona has hosted the Temps de Flors (Time of Flowers). The huge exhibition has made the city a canvas for artistic expression. Surrounded by the city’s historical and architectural heritage you will discover over 150 displays of flowers.  The week-long festival fills the city with the aromas of thousands of flowers and decorates it with bright colorful displays. The flower festival is one of the busiest times of the year in Girona.

Girona Flower Festival

Starting the second weekend of May you encounter not only the beauty of this magnificent city (which I will write about separately), but also streets, squares, and private terraces filled with beautiful displays. The ‘official route’ will bring you through the city’s historic center and medieval Jewish quarter.
However, there are numerous other displays to discover throughout the area at this flower festival in Spain. You will enter gardens and courtyards of buildings and private homes of great cultural interest that are closed the rest of the year to the general public. Maps are available at the tourist office and guided tours are available.

1 – Spend the night in Girona

Temps de Flors – The Festival of Flowers in Girona, Spain

If it is possible, spend one night in Girona. This allows you to walk through the city and enjoy the displays early in the morning before it becomes too crowded and hot. Then you can also walk through the city in the evening and at night. Again, the crowds will be fewer, the temperatures cooler. Also, the night emphasizes the displays that are lit up. Girona is a romantic city to walk through at night and the festival adds to the astonishing ambiance.

2 – Book a hotel early

Girona Flower Festival

As this is a very popular festival the hotels in Girona book up two to three months in advance, so some planning needs to be done here. If you are unable to book a hotel in Girona, there are several nearby towns that have regular service to the city. I live in Barcelona, so I took the train to Girona for the day and came back. Depending on the train scheduled stops it can take from 40 to 90 minutes one-way. My return train ticket cost under 20 Euro.

 

3 – Go on a weekday

Girona Flower Festival

If it is possible, go to Girona for this flower festival in Spain on a weekday. The Temps de Flors is a very popular festival with the locals of Girona, surrounding towns, and international tourists. The narrow cobblestone streets become extremely crowded on weekends and result in lines to view some of the displays.

4 – Relax and enjoy the city

Girona Flower Festival
You are there to enjoy the day and all (or at least a lot) of beautiful and quirky displays throughout the city. The city also has beautiful museums and other things to see. I escaped the crowds for a while with a walk along the old city wall with breathtaking views of the city. Also eat during off times, early or late. Bring water with you and a couple of snacks if you are not staying in the city. This will allow you to go to a restaurant when they are less busy. Additionally, some sites and attractions that are free to enter during the festival.

Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

 

5 – Watch a live a Capella music concert

Girona Flower Festival

The International A Capella music festival coincides with the Temps de Flors. A wide range of shows and groups are available to see.

 

 

 

IMG_0874Girona Flower Festival

 

 

 

A day full of beautiful displays.

Some are spectacular, hidden in fascinating corners, ancient Arabic, baths, and underground caves. Meanwhile, others are minimalist. From flowering bicycles, shop window displays, to grand and lavish this flower festival in Spain will not disappoint anyone. I have been told every year becomes bigger, more creative, and more colorful. This year the event will run from the 13th to the 21st of May 2017.

Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

 Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

 Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

Girona Flower FestivalGirona Flower Festival

 

 

 

 

 

Additional websites for more information on the flower festival in Spain

Girona Tourism

Renfe train schedule

Official website Girona Temps de Flors


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