May

With longer days, plenty of sunshine and frequent rain showers everything is looking pretty green by May. When the sun is out it’s really warm and if you’re pale skinned it’s probably time to use a sunhat and sunscreen.

Want to know what the weather will do on the Costa Brava? Here’s the 25 day forecast.

But unless you’re foolhardy or brave it’s not warm enough to swim yet. Average sea temperatures are just 18°C.

However, that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do on the Costa Brava during May. There are plenty of events particularly – as always – revolving around food and drink. But one of the biggest annual events is the Girona Flower Show, a week long display where spectacular arrangements of blooms take over the old town.

Forget whatever preconception of you may have of flower arranging as some truly weird and wonderful floral designs get an outing among the medieval streets and buildings. Carry on reading for a complete rundown of events.

What’s on in May

May Day holiday

Like many countries around the world, Spain celebrates 1st May as International Workers’ Day. But unlike the UK, where the first Monday in May is taken as a holiday, Spain always celebrates it on the first day of May.

In some places shops will be closed, although tourist resorts are less affected. But you may find public transport runs less frequently than usual, so check in advance if travelling on that day.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols: Ganxotapes

Almost all restaurants in Sant Feliu de Guíxols take part in the biannual Ganxotapes campaign.

During the event they compete for the best tapas and sandwiches in the town. The spring campaign runs until late May when, for a low price, you’ll be served a beer with a tapa.

Begur: Peix de Roca

Starting on the last Saturday of April and running through to the first Sunday in June in Begur you’ll find restaurants serving menus featuring Begur’s traditional peix de roca – literally rock fish. These include scorpion fish, monkfish, grouper, sea bream, corb and weever among others. As well as the special menus, you’ll also find wine tasting, concerts and other events.

Girona: Strenes Music Festival

The annual Strenes Festival showcases local talent across various venues in Girona. Running from the end of March through to early May you’ll find a mixture of musical genres at a theatres, auditoriums and clubs across the city. There are also free open air concerts at Plaça Espanya, on the steps of the cathedral, and at a couple of other locations. It’s worthwhile going to if like live music and want to get an idea of what is happening in the local scene.

Blanes: prawns

The “gateway to the Costa Brava” is also known for its prawns, which are celebrated during May. Participating restaurants offer a special prawn menu. You’ll be able to find out what’s on offer and at which restaurants from the end of April.

Pals: rice cuisine

Starting on the first Sunday of May and ending the following Sunday in Pals has an annual campaign celebrating the town’s tradition of rice cultivation.

Organised by the local council in conjunction with the town’s restaurants and rice mills, the event offers a menu with the main course based around locally grown rice. There are also guided tours, cooking course and rice markets in Pals during this time.

Girona: Flower Festival

Girona’s annual flower festival – Temps de Flor – takes place for a week each May, usually from the Saturday of the second weekend until the following Sunday. There you’ll see all kinds of flower displays throughout the old town in a riot of colours and crazy ideas. Like this for instance…

Maybe that’s your kind of thing, but I’ll try and avoid Girona during those dates. I’ve been a couple of times and suffered the worst hay fever I can ever remember!

Sant Feliu de Guíxols: Ganxó Oily Fish Gastronomy

Back in Sant Feliu de Guíxols again, the annual oily fish gastronomic campaign centred on the town’s traditional catch takes place for a month starting mid-May. Participating restaurants offer tapas made with locally caught oily fish for just €1.