Travel to see Spring Flowers
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It’s the first thing I noticed as I drove from the Barcelona airport towards Costa Brava, a sea of red set against the green hillsides. I was quite tired from the overnight flight, but as my blurry red-eye flight vision processed what I was seeing, I realized that it was fields of red poppies, reminding me it was spring in Spain! I adore spring in Spain – all of the flowers start popping out their heads, and it brings back fond memories of walking the Camino de Santiago in spring a few years ago.
Spring seemed to get a late start everywhere – including Europe. But now, as I drove through the countryside, it was clear that it was in full bloom. I know that typically, the Netherlands gets the big billing for spring flowers in Europe. However, as usual, I like the lesser known places to travel – so Catalonia, Spain, was the perfect place for me to be to see Spring flowers without the massive crowds. Plus, I was able to explore a new area to me – the Girona Pyrenees.
Catalonia food and where to find it in the Pyrenees
You can go to see flowers in a botanical garden, but I prefer to simply encounter them in nature. I spent the last week surrounded by flowers; hunting for them, eating them, photographing them, and even learning to appreciate them as art. It started in the Pyrenees, where hiking led me to new varieties of high-altitude blooms that were just starting to break through the winter ground and show their colorful face. Then, I found myself down on my hands and knees hunting for wild orchids in Garrotxa.
The blooms also showed up on my plate in fresh salads in Ripoll, a sweet fresh taste promoting the idea of ‘eating in season.’ Hearty orange blooms were spotted on the rugged coastal rocks of Cap de Creus, adding color to the otherwise rocky coast. And finally, in Girona, blooms served as artists’ muses at the Girona Flower Festival. The old medieval city had artistic displays of flowers in every little alley and church. It was spectacular to wander around the cobblestone streets of old, seeing such a modern contrast of flowers as art.
This is a perfect time of year to be in Spain’s Costa Brava and Pyrenees region. The crowds are minimal, the temperature is just right, and the flowers are blooming!
Disclosure: I was a guest of Costa Brava tourism during my time in the area, however all opinions are my own.
Beautiful flowers. I love Spring!
I am enjoying the spring flowers here in Spain. The cactus in the garden of my new home is blooming and looks fabulous! Great pictures.
Love the intense colors of all the flowers! Spring is such a lovely time to be traveling in Spain 🙂
What month were you there? I will be traveling to Spain during the last week of May and all of June this year. Poppies are quite special to me and I would LOVE to be able to see some while there!
This was the beginning of May last year. Not sure if there will be much in bloom yet in late May! I will be there too again in April/May/June – so hopping to see more beautiful flowers!
Planning to go to Spain next year for two weeks. Want to go when the most flowers are in bloom. Read here you went back. Suggestion as to what weeks to go?
I’ve been in Northern Spain/Costa Brava in May twice and both times the poppies were out in full force. I would guess that mid May is probably best. You may want to check this website too and see what they have to say – http://en.costabrava.org/
Hope that helps!
Sherry,
I am 66 and want to walk part of the Camino from St. Jean Pied… I have a friend who has done the entire Camino over three years, this is not my plan. I may have to take a taxi around the Roncesvalles Pass. But, I really want to see fields of poppies. My friend walked mid-June and saw many. I am thinking of end of May to start. Do you think I would see some then? Thanks.
Carol
Yes you should see poppies in May. I walked the whole month of may and they were certainly around, but more at the end of the month. Good luck with your walk! You will love it! If you love flowers then you should also check out the flower festival in Girona in May!
Great photos!
I’m planning on going to Andalusia/Catalonia this May, and was hoping to spend some time in a flower field like the poppy field you have up there. Where were your photos taken? Also totally gonna check out the Girona flower fest, great tip.
The poppy fields are all over in May in Catalonia. I found some near Besalu and also on a hike outside of Girona. But if you just drive I think you’ll find plenty! And yes – try to go to the flower festival – it’s incredible!
Where can I find that poppy flower fields?