Temps de Flors Festival

Temps de Flors is an annual flower festival held in the city of Girona, typically during May. First organised in 1954, the event has developed from a small floral exhibition into a city-wide installation programme. For approximately one week, historic buildings, courtyards, stairways and public monuments are decorated with large-scale floral arrangements designed by local artists, institutions and community groups.

The festival is concentrated in the Barri Vell (Old Town), where medieval streets, Romanesque churches and stone houses provide architectural settings for temporary installations. Many private courtyards and historic interiors that are normally closed to the public are opened during the event. This allows access to spaces such as cloisters, palaces and municipal buildings that are not always included in standard sightseeing routes.

Installations range from traditional floral displays to contemporary conceptual designs incorporating lighting, recycled materials and architectural elements. The emphasis is on visual transformation rather than horticultural exhibition alone. Designers often respond directly to the structure of each site, integrating colour and texture into staircases, arches and façades. The Cathedral steps, the Jewish Quarter and the riverfront areas are commonly included within the exhibition route.

Temps de Flors also generates associated cultural programming, including concerts, guided tours and extended opening hours for museums. Visitor numbers increase significantly during the festival period, and routes are generally organised to manage pedestrian flow through narrow streets. Entry to most installations is free, although some indoor spaces may require limited access control.

The event functions both as a cultural festival and as a mechanism for highlighting Girona’s historic urban fabric. By combining temporary design with permanent architecture, Temps de Flors encourages structured exploration of the city’s heritage environment. For visitors interested in urban space, seasonal events and public art within a medieval setting, the festival provides a distinctive annual perspective on Girona.