It is hard to pick which is most beautiful or evocative of charming Spain in May. For visitors it may be the like jacaranda and almond trees, but also the tulips, peonies, poppies, alliums, lavender, lilac, roses, and Spanish broom.
May is known as Spain’s “month of flowers,” with festivals celebrating floral displays, patron saints, and Andalusian traditions.
In May 2025, Spain offers visitors a sensory feast of culinary delights and cultural celebrations. Expect vibrant festivals like Córdoba’s Patio Festival and Jerez Horse Fair, where flamenco, flowers, and regional dishes create an immersive experience. New culinary developments, such as Catalonia’s gastronomic initiatives, Alicante’s food events, and Madrid’s experimental dining, reflect Spain’s evolving food scene.
Music and cultural festivals like Tomavistas and Primavera Sound add modern flair, while sustainable practices enhance the appeal for eco-conscious travelers. Plan ahead for reservations and consider smaller destinations like Girona or Cáceres to balance crowds.
Spain in May takes on a new and fresh appearance, a vibrant destination for culinary enthusiasts and festival-goers, offering a rich blend of gastronomic experiences, cultural events, and new developments. With spring in full bloom, visitors can expect mild weather, colorful festivals, and a thriving food scene rooted in regional diversity and innovation.
- Weather and Ambiance: May offers pleasant temperatures (15-25°C/59-77°F), ideal for outdoor dining, festivals, and exploring cities like Seville, Barcelona, or Toledo. Spring blooms enhance the visual appeal of patios and plazas.
- Cultural Immersion: Expect vibrant street life, with locals gathering in plazas for festivals, music, and dance. Flamenco performances in Andalusia and traditional chotis dancing in Madrid are highlights.
- Tourist Infrastructure: Major cities are well-equipped with English-speaking guides, modern transport (e.g., high-speed AVE trains), and apps for restaurant bookings. Popular spots like Barcelona and Madrid can be crowded, so reservations are advised.
- Sustainability and Overtourism Awareness: Many destinations promote eco-friendly tourism, with farm-to-table dining and green initiatives.
The culinary scene:
- Catalonia: As the 2025 World Region of Gastronomy, Catalonia introduces new culinary initiatives like “A Stroll in the Pyrenees,” combining hiking with tastings of local meats, cheeses, and wines. Rural boutique hotels enhance the slow food experience, emphasizing sustainability. Expect new farm-to-table restaurants in Barcelona and Girona, showcasing Catalan ingredients like calçots and botifarra sausage.
- Alicante as Spanish Capital of Gastronomy: Alicante, continuing its 2024 designation into 2025, hosts special culinary events in May, including rice dish festivals (e.g., paella) and wine tastings. New pop-up dining experiences highlight Alicante’s seafood and Mediterranean flavors.
- Madrid’: The capital’s dining scene expands with new restaurants earning praise for experimental menus, some blending Japanese influences with Spanish ingredients, as noted in X posts about Europe’s top newcomers.
- Córdoba and Oviedo see new openings focusing on regional heritage, such as Andalusian-Moorish fusion or Asturian cider pairings.
- Sustainable Culinary Trends include Vegan and plant-based innovations, like Calabizo’s pumpkin-based chorizo, gain popularity in Barcelona and Madrid, catering to eco-conscious diners. Restaurants are adopting carbon-neutral practices, with menus offering local, low-impact ingredients.
Festivals and events
- Córdoba Patio Festival (May 6–19): A UNESCO-recognized event where homeowners open their flower-filled courtyards to the public, showcasing Roman, Moorish, and Andalusian designs. Visitors stroll historic neighborhoods, enjoying vibrant patios adorned with geraniums, tiles, and fountains. Live flamenco and tapas stalls enhance the festive atmosphere. Local eateries serve seasonal dishes like flamenquín (breaded pork rolls) and rabo de toro (oxtail stew), often paired with Montilla-Moriles wines. New for 2025, expect expanded guided tours and digital maps for navigating patios, plus new sustainability-focused categories in the courtyard competition.
- Jerez Horse Fair (Feria del Caballo, May 17–24): A celebration of Andalusian equestrian culture at Parque González Hontoria, featuring horse shows, livestock exhibitions, and over 200 public casetas (tents) with live music, flamenco, and fino sherry tastings. Visitors can mingle with locals and enjoy tapas like tortilla de camarones (shrimp fritters). Casetas offer regional specialties, including pescaíto frito (fried fish) and sherry-based cocktails. New for 2025, expect enhanced accessibility for international visitors, with English-language guides and app-based caseta directories.
- Fiestas de San Isidro (May 15 and surrounding days): Madrid’s patron saint festival features a pilgrimage to Pradera de San Isidro for picnics, concerts, and traditional chotis dancing in historic costumes. Food stalls serve limonada (spiked lemonade) and rosquillas (doughnuts). Expect closures on May 15. Local taverns highlight Madrid’s culinary diversity, from callos madrileños (tripe stew) to modern fusion dishes. New for 2025, the festival includes a new gastronomic fair in Plaza Mayor, showcasing Madrid’s role as Europe’s Culinary Capital with pop-up stalls from top chefs.
- Cruces de Mayo (May 3 and surrounding days): Primarily in Andalusia (Córdoba, Granada), towns decorate crosses with flowers, accompanied by flamenco dancing and street parties. Córdoba’s event is especially grand, with crosses displayed in plazas. Food stalls offer local sweets like pestiños (honey-fried pastries) and wines from the region. New for 2025, Granada introduces a new “Cruces Gastronómicas” event, pairing floral displays with tastings of Andalusian tapas.
- Feria de Córdoba (May 24–31): A lively fair at El Arenal fairground with casetas hosting flamenco, dancing, and parties. The event kicks off with midnight fireworks and is more accessible to visitors than Seville’s April Fair. Expect traditional Andalusian attire and horse-drawn carriages. Casetas serve regional dishes like salmorejo, flamenquín, and sherry-based rebujito cocktails. New for 2025, the fair includes a dedicated international food zone, featuring fusion dishes inspired by Alicante’s gastronomy capital status.
- Girona Temps de Flors (mid-May): Girona transforms into a floral wonderland, with public spaces, patios, and monuments adorned with artistic flower displays. Visitors explore the historic city while enjoying street performances and local food stalls. Stalls highlight Catalan cuisine, including xuixo (custard-filled pastries) and local wines. New for 2025, expect new eco-friendly floral installations and a focus on Catalonia’s gastronomic heritage, with pop-up dining events.
- WOMAD Festival (Cáceres, mid-May): A global music, arts, and dance festival in the UNESCO-listed city of Cáceres, featuring international artists, workshops, and food stalls. It’s a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity. Food stalls offer global cuisines, from Spanish tapas to African and Asian dishes, reflecting the festival’s ethos. New for 2025, WOMAD introduces a new “Taste the World” food market, spotlighting Extremadura’s local products like jamón and pimentón.
- Lleida Snail Festival (late May): A unique three-day event in Lleida’s Camps Elisis Park, celebrating snail dishes with tastings, cooking competitions, and live music. It attracts foodies seeking Catalonia’s quirky culinary traditions. Expect snails prepared in various styles, from a la llauna (grilled) to stews, paired with local wines. New for 2025, the festival adds a sustainability focus, promoting local snail farming and eco-conscious cooking demos.
- Tomavistas 2025 (Madrid, May 29–31): A music festival at Caja Mágica featuring artists like Bombay Bicycle Club and Caribou. New for 2025, it includes a food truck zone with Madrid’s top chefs offering fusion dishes.
- Primavera Sound (Barcelona, May 29–June 1): A renowned music festival at Parc del Fòrum with acts like Charli XCX and LCD Soundsystem. New gastronomic pop-ups highlight Catalonia’s 2025 culinary status.
- PHotoESPAÑA 2025 (Madrid, May–July): A photography festival with exhibitions across the city, including a new food photography segment at Espacio Cultural Serrería Belga, tying into Madrid’s culinary capital activities.
Sporting Events:
- Madrid Open Tennis Tournament (May 6–12): A world-class tennis event attracting global stars, with food stalls offering upscale tapas and international cuisine.
- Spanish Grand Prix (Circuit de Catalunya, May 30–June 1): A Formula 1 race near Barcelona, with new VIP dining experiences featuring Catalan chefs.
