Girona Temps de Flors 2026 Guide

The Basílica de Sant Feliu, decorated for Temps de Flors.

Girona Temps de Flors: Experience Girona’s Most Beautiful Festival

If there is one moment of the year when my city transforms completely, it is during Girona Temps de Flors. As a local Girona guide, I can honestly say there is no experience quite as magical as walking through the Barri Vell while ancient stone streets, staircases, courtyards, and monuments become covered in thousands of flowers and artistic floral installations.

In 2026, Girona celebrates the 71st edition of this internationally famous festival, one of the most beloved spring events in Catalonia.

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What Is Girona Temps de Flors?

Girona Temps de Flors is a city-wide floral exhibition that fills Girona’s historic center with color, fragrance, art, and creativity. The festival celebrates the arrival of spring while showcasing the beauty of Girona’s historic architecture and cultural heritage.

For nine days each May — this year from May 9 to May 17, 2026 — visitors can explore floral displays inside monuments, gardens, churches, courtyards, and hidden spaces that are normally closed to the public during the rest of the year.

The result is an extraordinary fusion of history, art, and nature.

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From Small Flower Show to International Festival

Temps de Flors began in 1954 as a modest flower exhibition inside Girona City Hall. Originally called the “Provincial Flower Exhibition Contest,” the event steadily grew into one of the city’s most important cultural festivals.

Over the decades, the exhibition expanded from City Hall to Sant Pere de Galligants, later to Sant Domènec, and eventually throughout the entire Barri Vell.

Several key figures helped transform the festival into the international event it is today, including Rosa Maria Labayen, David Marca, and Josep Tarrés, whose passion and vision helped shape the identity of Temps de Flors for future generations.

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Floral Art Throughout Girona’s Historic Center

One of the most special aspects of the festival is the collaborative spirit behind it. The floral installations are created by professional floral artists, designers, students, neighborhood associations, and hundreds of volunteers who donate their time and creativity to the event.

In 2026, visitors can explore up to 114 different floral spaces across the city.

Some of the most famous locations include:

• Girona Cathedral

• Arab Baths of Girona

• Sant Pere de Galligants

• Hidden private courtyards normally closed to the public

• Historic staircases and medieval streets throughout the Barri Vell

Girona Cathedral, decorated for Temps de Flors

Many of these private spaces only become accessible thanks to the generosity of local residents and organizations such as the Association of Friends of Old Girona.

The festival itself is organized by the Girona City Council with support from sponsors, local cultural associations, and volunteer groups.

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The Official Poster for 2026

The official poster for the 71st edition was created by Berta Bermúdez i Caparrós, an art student from Institut Santiago Sobrequés.

The design features a young woman surrounded by flowers, symbolizing spring, renewal, beauty, and the artistic spirit of the festival itself. The poster captures the elegance and creativity that define Girona during Temps de Flors.

The official poster for Temps de Flors 2026

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Keyt’s Tips for Visiting Temps de Flors

• Book a Guided Tour

  During the festival, Girona becomes extremely busy. A private or small-group guided tour can help you navigate the crowds more efficiently while discovering the hidden stories behind the floral installations and historic sites. As an official local guide, I can also help you prioritize the most worthwhile spaces so you avoid spending valuable time waiting in unnecessary lines.

• Visit at Night

  Some of the indoor installations remain open late into the evening, especially on Saturdays, when certain spaces stay open until midnight. At night, the atmosphere changes completely. The lighting creates a mysterious and almost dreamlike experience that many visitors miss.

• Visit During the Week If Possible

  The final weekend is usually the busiest period of the festival. If your schedule allows, weekday visits are calmer and more enjoyable. Also note that some installations begin dismantling on the final evening starting around 7 PM.

La Pujada de Sant Domènec, with Sant Martí Sacosta church at the top. Temps de Flors is one of the very few times that this church is open to the public.

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Why Temps de Flors Is So Special

Temps de Flors represents the creative heart of Girona. It is a celebration of community, art, history, and spring itself.

As a Girona guide, one of my favorite things is watching visitors experience the contrast between the city’s medieval stone architecture and the temporary fragility of the flowers. The city feels completely transformed — alive in a different way. It is the kind of event that people return to year after year.

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Discover Girona Temps de Flors with a Local Guide

Would you like a personalized route through Girona Temps de Flors 2026?

Join me to discover the hidden patios, floral installations, legends, and history behind Girona’s most beautiful festival.

Email: gironalocalguide@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +34 626 17 89 39

The Eiffel Bridge, decorated for Temps de Flors

Girona Cathedral: Visitor Guide

Girona Cathedral decorated for the Temps de Flors festival in May.

Discover Girona Cathedral in the Heart of the Old Town

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Girona is the defining landmark of the city’s historic center, the Barri Vell. Rising above the skyline, it is far more than a beautiful monument—it is a story written in stone, shaped over centuries and filled with architectural innovation, legends, and one remarkable world record.

Standing at the base of its grand staircase for the first time is a moment most visitors don’t forget.

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A World Record: The Widest Gothic Nave in the World

One of the most extraordinary features of Girona Cathedral is its Gothic nave, measuring 22.98 meters wide—the widest Gothic nave in the world.

Across all architectural styles, only St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican surpasses it.

This vast interior exists thanks to a bold decision made in 1417, when builders chose to construct a single nave instead of three. The result is a space that feels both immense and harmonious—unusual for Gothic architecture, and unforgettable in person.

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The Iconic Girona Cathedral Stairs

Before entering the cathedral, visitors are greeted by its famous monumental staircase:

• 90 steps, divided into three sections

• One of the most distinctive Baroque staircases in Europe

• A well-known filming location, including Game of Thrones

Climbing the steps has become a ritual for visitors. At the top, the Baroque façade, decorated with sculptures of saints such as Saint Narcís and Saint James, creates a striking visual backdrop.

Tip: When you reach the top, turn around—the view over Girona’s Old Town is one of the best in the city.

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A Cathedral Built Over Centuries

Girona Cathedral is unique because it blends multiple architectural periods into a single structure:

• Romanesque Origins (11th Century)

  The Charlemagne Tower still stands, along with a rare trapezoidal cloister designed to adapt to the original Roman walls.

• Gothic Expansion (14th–17th Centuries)

  Construction began in 1312, culminating in the bold decision in 1417 to build the single, record-breaking nave.

• Baroque Façade (from 1680)

  The dramatic façade, designed like a monumental altarpiece, dominates the entrance from above the staircase.

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What to See Inside Girona Cathedral

Inside, the 50-meter-long nave leads to the Cathedral Treasury Museum, home to some of Girona’s most important historical and artistic treasures:

• The Tapestry of Creation (11th–12th century)
  A Romanesque masterpiece depicting the origins of the universe

• The Beatus of Girona (10th century)
  A richly illustrated manuscript of the Apocalypse

• The Gothic Altarpiece
  A masterpiece of gilded silver and enamel above the main altar

• Charlemagne’s Chair
  An 11th-century marble episcopal seat surrounded by legend

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Legends and Curiosities

Girona is known for its legends, and the cathedral is no exception:

• The Stone Witch (La Bruixa de Pedra)

  A unique gargoyle in human form, said to be a woman turned to stone after throwing rocks at the cathedral. It is the only human-shaped gargoyle on the building.

• The “Angel” That Isn’t an Angel

  The figure atop the bell tower is commonly called an angel—but it actually represents Faith.

• The Chair Legend

  It is said that if a couple sits together, they will marry within a year. If a man sits alone, he will never marry. A detail that tends to make visitors pause before sitting!

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Experience the Cathedral Beyond the Surface

Seeing the Cathedral is one thing—but understanding why it was built this way, what the details mean, and how it connects to Girona’s history brings it to life in a completely different way.

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Tips for Visiting Girona Cathedral

• Best time to visit -
  During Girona Temps de Flors, when the staircase is beautifully decorated

• Best photo spot -
  From the top of the stairs, looking out over the Old Town

• Look for details -
  Try to spot the Stone Witch gargoyle—many visitors miss it

• Visit timing -
  Early morning or late afternoon offers a quieter, more atmospheric experience

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Why Girona Cathedral Is a Must-Visit

To understand Girona, you need to experience its cathedral. It’s not just about its scale or beauty—it’s about the layers of history, the bold architectural choices, and the stories hidden in its details. From its record-breaking Gothic nave to its legends and sweeping views, Girona Cathedral is one of the most unforgettable places to visit in Catalonia.

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Ready to Explore Girona?

If you want more than just photos—and prefer to experience the city with context, stories, and local insight -

Book Old Town Tour

Xuixos of Girona: History, Tradition, & Where to Try Them Today

A wide variety of xuixos are available for you to try in Girona!

What is a xuixo?

The xuixo (pronounced “shoo-shoo”) is one of Girona’s most iconic pastries. It’s made from a light brioche-style dough filled with pastry cream, then deep-fried and rolled in sugar.

The result is:

• Crisp, golden exterior

• Soft, airy dough

• Creamy, rich filling

When done well, it’s surprisingly delicate—not heavy—despite being fried.

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Where does the xuixo come from?

The xuixo is deeply tied to Girona’s identity, and like many great foods, its origin sits somewhere between history and legend.

One popular story says that in the early 20th century, a French pastry chef took refuge in Girona and shared a recipe with a local baker. The name “xuixo” is often said to come from the sound it makes when frying (“shui-shui”), though some link it to the French word choux.

Today, the xuixo is so emblematic of the region that it holds Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status.

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The classic xuixo (and why it works)

The traditional version is all about balance:

• Light, well-proofed dough → doesn’t absorb excess oil

• Smooth pastry cream → rich but not overly sweet

• Perfect frying → golden and dry, not greasy

A great xuixo should feel refined—almost elegant—rather than heavy.

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Where to try xuixos in Girona today

Girona has many excellent pastry shops, but there’s also a new wave of creativity around the xuixo.

One of the most talked-about spots right now is Can Castelló, where the classic xuixo is being reimagined with modern fillings.

⭐ Can Castelló

A standout: cheesecake-filled xuixos, made using artisan cheesecake with real cheese, from famed cheesecake bakery Jon Cake.

This version is especially interesting:

• Traditional fried, sugar-coated exterior

• Dense, creamy cheesecake interior

• A more indulgent, contemporary flavor profile

Xuixos with JonCake cheesecake filling in front, and chocolate in back.

It’s a perfect example of how Girona’s food scene blends tradition with innovation.

A Rose Xuixo, made for Girona’s Temps de Flors

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Tradition vs. innovation

The xuixo is quietly evolving:

Traditionalists → insist on classic pastry cream

Modern pastry chefs → experiment with chocolate, ratafia, and cheesecake

Girona embraces both. You can have a perfectly classic xuixo in the morning—and a reinvented one in the afternoon.

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Local tips

• Try it freshly made, ideally still slightly warm

• Pair it with coffee rather than eating it on the go

• Don’t judge it by a mediocre one—quality varies a lot

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Final thought

The xuixo isn’t just a pastry—it’s a small piece of Girona’s identity.

From its legendary origins to modern interpretations like the cheesecake version at Can Castelló, it continues to evolve while staying unmistakably local.

If you’re visiting Girona, trying a good xuixo isn’t optional—it’s essential.

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👉 Give El Xuixo de Can Castelló a try at Carrer de l'Argenteria, 7. 17004 Girona

• Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 8:30pm.

• Saturday: 10:00am - 9:00pm.

• Sunday: 10:00am - 8:00pm