Dates of Temps de Flors 2026
The 71st edition of Temps de Flors runs from Saturday 9 May to Sunday 17 May 2026, 9 days. The festival has been held every year since 1955 and is the most visited cultural event in Catalonia outside Barcelona.
Programme highlights
Over 130 floral installations across the Old Town, plus 30 hidden courtyards open exclusively for the festival. The 2026 edition focuses on sustainability, with most installations using local seasonal flowers, recycled materials and live plants that are replanted afterwards.
Headline locations to see:
- Cathedral steps: a giant floral cascade down the 90 Baroque steps. The most photographed installation every year.
- Arab Baths courtyard: floral arrangements reflected in the central pool. Magical at sunset.
- Sant Pere de Galligants cloister: the Romanesque cloister filled with hanging flower curtains.
- Jewish Quarter alleys: small installations in every doorway and stair, the most intimate part of the route.
- Hidden patios on Carrer Ballesteries: medieval interior gardens normally closed to the public.
Tickets and entry fees
All installations are free. The Cathedral, the Museum of Jewish History and the Arab Baths charge their normal entrance fees during the festival but are not required to enjoy Temps de Flors.
Opening hours
Daily 10:00 to 22:00 from 9 to 17 May. Most installations are best at 10:00 (no crowds, fresh flowers) or 20:30 (golden hour). Avoid 12:00 to 18:00 on Saturday and Sunday when day-trippers from Barcelona arrive in waves.
How to avoid the crowds
Three tips that work every year:
- Visit on a weekday. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday have a third of the weekend foot traffic.
- Arrive at 10:00 or after 19:00. Coach tours stay between 11:00 and 16:00.
- Sleep over. The night light shows on the Cathedral steps run until 22:00 and most day-trippers are gone by then.
Where to eat during Temps de Flors
Reservations are essential. Top picks within the festival route: El Celler de Can Roca (3 Michelin stars, book months ahead), Boira on Placa de la Independencia, Massana in the new town for fine dining, and La Fabrica for a quick brunch between installations.
Where to stay
Hotels in the Old Town sell out 6 to 8 weeks in advance for Temps de Flors. The Hotel Historic and the Hotel Llegendes de Girona are inside the festival route. For value, look at hotels near the train station or Airbnbs in the Eixample neighbourhood.
How to get to Girona for the festival
Direct AVE trains from Barcelona Sants (38 minutes), regional R11 trains (1h20) or buses from Barcelona Nord (1h15). On weekends Renfe adds extra trains for the festival but they fill up fast.
Frequently asked questions
Saturday 9 May to Sunday 17 May 2026. The festival runs for 9 days every year in mid-May.
Yes, all 130+ floral installations are free. Only paid attractions like the Cathedral, the Museum of Jewish History and the Arab Baths charge their normal entry fees, and they are optional for the festival route.
Daily 10:00 to 22:00 from 9 to 17 May 2026. Best times to avoid crowds are 10:00 to 11:00 and after 19:00. The night light show on the Cathedral steps runs until 22:00.
Very crowded on Saturday and Sunday between 12:00 and 18:00, when over 50,000 day-trippers arrive from Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Weekdays are much quieter, with around a third of the foot traffic.
A relaxed visit of the main 30 installations takes 3 to 4 hours. To cover all 130+ installations and the hidden courtyards allow a full day or two half days.
Yes, book 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Hotels inside the Old Town sell out completely. For value try hotels near the train station or Airbnbs in the Eixample neighbourhood.
