Spain in Spring 2026: Cherry Blossoms vs Almond Bloom Guide

There is a specific kind of light that hits the Iberian Peninsula in early spring. It isn’t the heavy, syrupy gold of high summer, nor the crisp, silver-blue of winter. It is a diffused, buttery luminescence that seems to lower itself gently onto the landscape, illuminating things that have been sleeping for months. If you stand on a ridge in Andalusia or a valley wall in Extremadura around late February or early March, you can almost smell the change. It is a mixture of damp earth, wild thyme, and the faintest hint of ozone.

For the past decade, I have chased this light, and more importantly, the color that it catches. Specifically, two colors: the blinding, snowy white of the almond bloom and the delicate, bruised pink of the cherry blossom. It is the great annual duel of the Spanish spring. Travelers often ask me, “Which one should I see? Is it better to go to Mallorca for the almonds or the Jerte Valley for the cherries?” My answer is always the same: it is like asking a painter whether they prefer blue or green. They are different moods, different textures, different songs entirely.

As we look toward 2026, the calendar is slowly filling up. The trees are preparing their annual display, and the small villages are polishing their festivals. If you are planning a trip to Spain next spring to witness this floral phenomenon, you need to understand the rhythm of the bloom, the geography of the petals, and the soul of the places that host them. Let’s dive deep into the white and the pink.

The Almond Bloom: A Whisper of Winter’s End

There is something stoic about the almond tree. It is not a tree of lushness; it is a tree of survival. It digs its roots into dry, rocky soil and endures the fierce winds of the Mediterranean. It blooms early, often in January, defiantly pushing out blossoms while the risk of frost still lingers. This makes the almond bloom a rugged, wild affair. It is the first major signal that winter is losing its grip.

When people talk about the almond bloom in Spain, they are usually talking about the Balearic Islands or the Valencia region. It is a landscape that turns from brown and grey into a cloud of ethereal white. It is quieter than the cherry blossoms, more spread out, less of a festival and more of a natural occurrence.

Mallorca: The Island of White Mist

Mallorca in February is a revelation. Most tourists won’t arrive until May or June, seeking the beaches. But the locals know that February is the time of the flor de l’ametler. Driving inland from Palma, the Tramuntana mountains provide a dramatic, stony backdrop to valleys that look like they have been dusted with confectioner’s sugar.

The best place to witness this is the Pla de Mallorca, the flat, central plateau of the island. The drive from Palma to the town of Sineu is legendary. The roads are lined with almond trees, their branches a chaotic tangle of gnarled wood and delicate flowers. It feels almost like driving through a tunnel of white clouds.

But to truly experience it, you have to get off the main roads. Head toward the village of Biniali. The road (Ma-1103) winds through hills that are thick with almond orchards. The contrast here is striking—the dark green of olive trees, the reddish earth, and the shocking white of the blooms.

Valencia Region: The Orange and Almond Route

While Mallorca gets the island mystique, the mainland offers a different scale. The Valencia region, specifically the area around Montanejos and the Río Palancia, is a hotspot for almond lovers. The geography here is different—sharper mountains, thermal springs, and a mix of citrus and almond groves.

The drive from Valencia city towards Barracas is spectacular in late February. The roads (CV-195 and CV-191) climb into the Ports de Beseit range. The almond trees here seem to cling to the steep slopes, creating a textured tapestry of white against the jagged limestone peaks. It is a more dramatic backdrop than the rolling hills of Mallorca.

The Cherry Blossom: The Valley of the Jerte

If the almond bloom is a rugged whisper, the cherry blossom in the Jerte Valley is a symphony. It is loud, overwhelming, and visually aggressive. The Jerte Valley (Valle del Jerte) is located in Extremadura, a region often overlooked by international tourists, which makes the bloom here all the more special.

The cherry trees in Jerte are cultivated for their fruit (the famous picota cherry), so they are planted in dense, uniform rows that cover the entire valley floor and climb the steep slopes. When they bloom, usually starting in mid-March and peaking in late March or early April, they turn the valley into a blinding sea of pink.

The phenomenon is so intense that the locals have built an entire industry and festival around it: the Cerezo en Flor (Cherry Blossom Festival). Unlike the solitary appreciation of almond trees on a hillside, Jerte is a communal celebration.

The Route of the Blossoms

The best way to experience Jerte is to drive the designated routes. The local government marks specific roads and viewpoints. The drive from Jarandilla de la Vera to Jerte town is breathtaking. As you descend into the valley, the trees appear to be on fire with pink flowers. The air smells sweet, almost like honey.

One of the most iconic spots is the Viewpoint of the Cubo (Mirador del Cubo). It offers a panoramic view of the valley where the river curves, and the trees are arranged in perfect rows. It is a photographer's dream.

But you must also stop in the villages. Navaconcejo and Cabezuela del Valle are charming stone towns nestled at the foot of the Tormantos mountains. In 2026, the festival is expected to run from roughly March 15th to April 10th (dates vary slightly by weather), with the "Pregon" (opening ceremony) usually around the second weekend of March.

The Showdown: Which One is Better?

This is the question everyone asks, and the answer depends entirely on what kind of traveler you are.

Feature	Almond Bloom (Mallorca/Valencia)	Cherry Blossom (Jerte Valley)
Vibe	Solitary, rugged, raw nature. A quiet whisper of winter's end.	Communal, overwhelming, a visual symphony. A loud celebration of spring.
Best For	Hikers, photographers seeking texture, solitude seekers.	Families, festival lovers, photographers seeking geometry and scale.
Visuals	White blossoms against dry, rocky mountains or rolling hills.	Dense rows of pink blossoms covering the entire valley floor.
Timing	Late February to Mid-March (Earlier)	Mid-March to Mid-April (Later)
Atmosphere	Peaceful, driving the backroads, stopping at rural taverns.	Festive, parades, tastings, busy viewpoints.

Road Trip Itinerary: The Hybrid Approach (10 Days)

If you have the time and the mobility, the ultimate experience is a road trip that bridges the two. Starting in the south and moving north, or vice versa, allows you to catch the blooms as they move with the temperature. Almonds bloom earlier (Feb-March), cherries a little later (March-April).

Photography Tips: Capturing the Magic

Spring light in Spain is tricky. The sun is strong, but the clouds move fast.

• For Almonds (White): White flowers blow out camera sensors easily. Underexpose your shots by -0.3 or -0.7 stops to preserve the detail in the petals. Look for "Blue Hour" (just before sunset) to capture the blue tint in the shadows of the mountains against the white trees.
• For Cherries (Pink): The rows of Jerte are perfect for wide-angle landscape shots. Get low to the ground to emphasize the depth of the rows. If you use a drone (check local regulations for the festival), the patterns from above are hypnotic.
• Texture is Key: Don't just take photos of flowers. Photograph the gnarled trunks of the almond trees against the smooth petals. Photograph the red earth of Mallorca. Photograph the stone houses of Jerte.

The Logistics of 2026

Planning a trip for 2026 requires some foresight, especially for the Jerte Valley festival.

• Accommodation: In Mallorca, rural fincas book up quickly for February and March, not just for the blooms but for the cycling season. In Jerte, hotels in the valley towns (Cabezuela, Jerte, Navaconcejo) fill up months in advance during the festival. Book by January 2026 at the latest.
• Car Rental: You absolutely need a car. Public transport will not get you to the best almond groves or the remote viewpoints in Jerte. A small car is fine for the narrow village roads.
• Weather Contingency: Nature is unpredictable. A late frost can kill a bloom. A warm spell can make the flowers open too fast and drop early. Keep your dates flexible if possible. Monitor the "Cerezo en Flor" official website for Jerte and local Mallorca tourism pages for almond updates.

Quick Planner Summary

• Best Almond Dates: Late February to Mid-March (Mallorca/Valencia).
• Best Cherry Dates: Mid-March to Mid-April (Jerte Valley).
• Key Almond Locations: Pla de Mallorca (Sineu, Biniali), Montanejos (Castellón).
• Key Cherry Locations: Jerte, Cabezuela del Valle, Navaconcejo (Cáceres).
• Must-Book: Car rental, rural hotels in Jerte (March), dinner reservations at Ca na Toneta and La Escalera.
• Pack: Good walking boots (mud in Jerte), layers (cold mornings, warm afternoons), a polarizing filter for photography, and an empty stomach.

The duel of the blooms is waiting. The question is no longer which is better, but which speaks to your soul. Are you a rugged white or a lavish pink?