festivals
Flower Festivals in Spain: 20 Blooms and Celebrations by Season
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Spain transforms with colour throughout the year. Here's when and where to find the most beautiful blooms.
Spain's flower festivals run from January through to autumn, with blooms and floral celebrations scattered across every region. Much of inland Spain is dry, and in some areas approaching desert conditions, which makes these seasonal bursts of colour feel even more special.
This guide covers natural blooms and their festivals, plus flower-themed celebrations that fill entire towns with colour. We have not visited all of these yet, but that is part of the adventure.
Natural Blooms in Spain by Season
Spain is full of natural blooms, from almond trees and wildflowers to golden hillsides that transform walking trails. Many of these locations can be explored independently along public paths, while others may need guided access.
Winter Blooms (January to February)
Almond Blossom
When: Late January to mid-February | Where: Guadalest Valley, Costa Blanca, Alicante | Access: Freely accessible

The Guadalest Valley is especially beautiful in mid-February, when almond blossoms cover the landscape in soft pink and white. You can explore most of the area independently, making it a perfect day trip from Alicante or the Costa Blanca.
Heather Bloom (Winter Phase)
When: January to March | Where: Galicia, Asturias, Leon | Access: Freely accessible

Many of these areas can be enjoyed along established hiking trails, including stretches of the Camino de Santiago.
Spring Blooms (March to May)
Fruit Tree Blossom
When: Late February to mid-March | Where: Aitona, Lleida, Catalonia | Access: Free and guided options

Aitona offers both self-guided routes and guided tours through its spectacular peach orchards during blossom season. The pink carpet of petals is extraordinary.
Orange Blossom
When: Late March to April | Where: Seville, Andalusia | Access: Freely accessible

Orange trees bloom across Seville's streets and parks, including Parque de Maria Luisa. The sweet scent fills the air throughout the city.
This is also when you will find the famous Feria de Abril.
Wildflower Meadows
When: March to April | Where: Cabo de Gata Nijar Natural Park, Almeria | Access: Freely accessible and guided tours

Spring brings a diverse range of wildflowers across the natural park's desert-like landscapes. The contrast between arid terrain and colourful blooms is striking.
Cider Apple Blossom
When: May | Where: Asturias | Access: Organised events

Apple Tree Bloom Week in Asturias includes free cultural activities celebrating the blossom season. The orchards turn white and pink across the green valleys.
Jacaranda Trees
When: May to June | Where: Seville, Andalusia | Access: Freely accessible

Jacarandas bloom in late May, especially in Maria Luisa Park, the Murillo Gardens, and many Andalusian towns. The purple canopies create some of the most photographed streets in Spain.
You can spot them throughout Seville and in towns along the Costa del Sol.
Poppy Fields
When: May to June | Where: Castilla La Mancha countryside | Access: Restricted in some areas

Certain poppy fields are cultivated for pharmaceutical production and are on private estates, so access is limited. Wild poppies appear along roadsides throughout central Spain.
Summer Blooms (June to August)
Sunflower Fields
When: July to August | Where: Valladolid and Palencia, Castilla y Leon | Access: Mostly roadside accessible

Many sunflower fields can be viewed from public roads, but some are on private land, so boundaries should be respected. The endless golden fields are quintessentially Spanish.
If you are visiting Andalusia in summer, you will see them along the motorway between Seville and Cordoba.
Lavender and Heather
When: August to September | Where: Sierra de Aracena, Andalusia | Access: Freely accessible

The hillsides are covered in purple heather during this period. The Brihuega lavender fields in Guadalajara are also spectacular in July and are often called the Spanish Provence.
Autumn Blooms (October to November)
Saffron Crocus
When: October to November | Where: Provinces of Castilla La Mancha | Access: Some private areas

Saffron crocus is widely cultivated in Castilla La Mancha. Some fields can be seen from public roads, while others are on private land. The harvest of the precious saffron threads is a centuries-old tradition.
Spain's national flower is the red carnation. You will often see it at festivals, celebrations, and religious events throughout the country.
What Is Celebrated During La Floracion in Cieza?

La Floracion de Cieza celebrates the peach blossom season that transforms over 25,000 hectares of fruit orchards in Murcia into a sea of pink and white. It runs from mid-February to March and is one of Spain's most spectacular natural bloom festivals.
The celebration includes guided walking tours through the orchards, rafting on the Segura River, photography competitions, classical music concerts, and gastronomic fairs featuring local produce. Millions of peach, plum, apricot, nectarine, and almond blossoms bloom simultaneously across the valley.
Cherry Blossom Season in Spain

Cherry blossom season in Spain runs from mid-March to mid-April. The Jerte Valley in Extremadura is the best place to see it, with over two million cherry trees blooming simultaneously.
The Fiesta del Cerezo en Flor celebrates the bloom with cultural events, hiking routes, and community celebrations. It is Spain's answer to Japan's cherry blossom season, but without the crowds.
Fiesta de la Floracion del Ciruelo (Plum Blossom)
When: First Sunday of April | Where: Nalda, La Rioja

The festival features local food, traditional markets, and celebrations in the Iregua valley. A more intimate alternative to the larger blossom festivals.
Los Escobazos (Flowering Broom Festival)
When: End of May to June | Where: Sierra de Gredos, Avila

The festival includes guided tours and cultural activities linked to the flowering broom. The yellow blooms cover the mountainsides.
Flower-Focused Festivals
These celebrations fill whole towns with colour, whether through decorated patios, floral carpets, or neighbourhood celebrations.
Patios de Cordoba
When: Mid-May (usually first two weeks) | Where: Cordoba

This UNESCO-listed event is Spain's most famous flower festival. Visitors can enter private courtyards filled with flowers such as geraniums, bougainvillaea, and jasmine. Residents compete for the best-decorated patio, and the tradition dates back centuries.
Book accommodation well in advance, because hotels fill up months ahead. Visit courtyards early morning or late evening to avoid crowds. Some patios have long queues, so prioritise the competition winners first. Entry to most patios is free.
If you are already visiting Cordoba, this is the best time to go.
Feria de los Patios de Alcazar
When: April to May | Where: Jerez de la Frontera

The festival includes floral patios, flamenco, traditional costume, and local sherry wine. Free entry with optional guided tours. A less crowded alternative to Cordoba.
Santa Cruz Festival of Flowers
When: Early May | Where: Madrid, Barrio de Santa Cruz

The neighbourhood streets are decorated with floral displays, with free public events and optional guided tours. A lovely way to experience a traditional Madrid neighbourhood.
Temps de Flors (Flower Carpet Festival)
When: Mid-May | Where: Girona, Catalonia

The festival is known for elaborate floral carpets and creative installations throughout the old town. Courtyards, monuments, and hidden corners are decorated with imaginative displays. Free entry with guided tour options.
El Rocio Pilgrimage
When: Pentecost weekend (May or June) | Where: Huelva, Andalusia

While not a flower festival, floral decoration plays an important role in this major religious pilgrimage. Decorated wagons, traditional dress, and flowers create a spectacular atmosphere.
Feria de Abril
When: Late April (two weeks after Easter) | Where: Seville

Flowers appear throughout this major spring fair alongside flamenco, music, horse parades, and local food. The casetas (marquees) are decorated with flowers, and women wear flowers in their hair with traditional dress.
Read our full guide to things to do in Seville if you are planning a trip around the Feria.
What Is the Best Month for Flower Festivals in Spain?
May is the best month for flower festivals in Spain. The Patios de Cordoba, Temps de Flors in Girona, jacaranda blooms in Seville, and the Santa Cruz festival in Madrid all take place in May.
That said, Spain has blooms in every season. Here is a quick overview by month.
| Month | What's Blooming | Best Locations |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Almond blossom, heather | Guadalest, Galicia |
| March | Cherry blossom, fruit trees | Jerte Valley, Aitona |
| April | Orange blossom, wildflowers | Seville, Cabo de Gata |
| May | Jacaranda, patios festivals | Seville, Cordoba, Girona |
| June | Poppies, broom | Castilla La Mancha, Gredos |
| July to August | Sunflowers, lavender | Castilla y Leon, Brihuega |
| October to November | Saffron crocus | Castilla La Mancha |
The best time to experience Spain's flower festivals is between April and June, when many regions reach peak bloom and temperatures are ideal for outdoor events. If you are planning a trip to Spain, aim for this window.
Tips for Visiting Flower Festivals in Spain
Check exact dates before you travel. Bloom times vary each year depending on weather, so check local tourism websites before booking.
For Cordoba's Patios festival, book accommodation well in advance. Hotels fill up months ahead, and it is the most popular flower festival in the country.
Respect private land. Many bloom locations are on agricultural land, so stay on marked paths and don't wander into orchards uninvited.
Visit early or late in the day. Popular festivals get crowded around midday. Early morning also gives you better light for photography.
Combine flower festivals with other attractions. Many bloom locations are near other destinations worth visiting. Seville, Granada, and Malaga are all within easy reach of spring blooms in Andalusia. If you are driving, read our guide to driving in Spain first.

Hola! I'm the researcher, walker, and co-founder behind Spain on Foot. I help travellers experience Spain authentically, through in-depth guides, locals-only knowledge, and cultural stories you won't find in guidebooks. You can reach me at heidi@spainonfoot.com