With the arrival of good weather, the body craves asphalt outside the city and a breath of fresh air that can only be found among petals. You don’t have to travel halfway around the world to see picture-perfect landscapes; sometimes, nature puts on a show just an hour away. Now that spring is just around the corner, the fields of Catalonia are transformed into colorful carpets ranging from the intense pink of the fruit trees to the vibrant yellow of the rapeseed, offering a great weekend plan for those looking to disconnect without complications.
The magic of flowering is, by definition, fleeting. That’s part of its charm and, at the same time, the biggest challenge for the expert day-tripper: getting the timing right. It’s not the same to search for the pure white of the almond trees as it is for the electric fuchsia of the peach trees in Lleida. That’s why we’ve updated our roadmap so you know exactly where and when to set Google Maps in search of floral paradise.
1. Begues, Barcelona
Editorial credit: Claudio Olivares Medina / Flickr
There are several options for seeing the cherry trees in bloom without having to travel too far from Barcelona. The fields of Torrelles de Llobregat and Sant Climent de Llobregat are two of the best, although you can also visit the municipality of Begues. Located on a plain, it is also known for its vineyards.
2. Ribera d’Ebre, Tarragona
Editorial credit: Angela Llop / Flickr
In the south of Catalonia, in the Ribera d’Ebre region, you can enjoy fields full of fruit trees such as cherry, peach, and almond trees. Although the timing depends on each species, they generally bloom between February and April. There are maps of the region divided into areas according to the types of flowers. More specifically, an ideal place to visit them is Tivissa, a municipality in Tarragona, 145 km from Barcelona. Once there, you can complete the experience by going on a hiking trail or visiting other gems in the villages in the area.
3. Les Garrigues, Lleida
Editorial credit: El Coleccionista de Instantes / Flickr
The best place to enjoy the ephemeral landscape of the almond groves is Les Garrigues, in Lleida. The perfect plan is to drive the 4.3 km route from Arbeca to La Floresta.
4. Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, Barcelona
Editorial credit: Rafel Miro / Flickr
Just over half an hour from Barcelona is Masia Mas Sampera, located in Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana and dedicated to the organic production of lavender. Its owners allow visitors to freely explore their fields, which have more than 18,000 specimens of these flowers. This is a species with a very short lifespan, so it can only be enjoyed in July.
5. Aitona, Lleida
Editorial credit: Josema Gomez / Shutterstock
In spring, the peach orchards around Aitona become a sea of pink. The town council has established routes for visitors to explore them, some of which can be enjoyed individually and others which require a guide. Due to the tourist boom during the flowering season, which usually occurs in March, there are times when it is not possible to access the area by private vehicle. There is a wide range of activities on offer, from hot air balloon rides to bike rides. As it is a flat area, the best viewing points are mounds such as the one at the Virgen de Carrassumada chapel.
6. Pla de l’Estany, Girona
Editorial credit: Josep Curto / Shutterstock
The best place to enjoy the different shades of yellow characteristic of the rapeseed fields in April is undoubtedly the Pla de l’Estany region in Girona. Although it is a little far from Barcelona, you can take advantage of the trip to visit some charming villages in the area such as Vilert, Vilavenut, or Galliners. Although these are the best known, just half an hour from Barcelona you can enjoy some smaller ones, located near the Estany de Gallecs residential area.
7. L’Empordà, Girona
Editorial credit: Sigfrid Campama Puig / Shutterstock
There are also sunflowers in Catalonia, although to see this flower in all its glory you have to wait until June and July. One of the places where you can visit these fields is the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park.
8. Pedraforca, El Berguedà
Source: Shutterstock
Tulipmania is not just a field of flowers to visit and stroll through, it also offers various floral workshops. It is located in Saldes, at the foot of Pedraforca, and in this idyllic setting you can take a yoga class or learn the techniques for planting tulips from scratch, among other options.
You’ll find flowers all year round, as tulips are planted in spring and dahlias in autumn, so whenever you go, you can enjoy a beautiful floral landscape.
9. Niudalia Flowers Camp
Source: Niudalia
Strolling through fields covered with flowers is an idyllic experience that contrasts with the hard asphalt of Barcelona. Fortunately, spring and its mild climate allow you to enjoy these floral landscapes just a few minutes from the city. Niudalia, the largest flower farm in Catalonia, offers this unique opportunity.
Located in Capolat, in the Berguedà region, Niudalia will open in March for the second consecutive year, covering more than four hectares of fields in bloom. Visitors can stroll among more than 100,000 yellow and 20,000 red sunflowers, 100,000 tulips, and up to 43 other different species of flowers, creating an impressive natural spectacle.
