🌹 Barcelona International New Roses Competition 2025
đź“Ť Event Overview
The 25th edition of the Barcelona International New Roses Competition will be held from Friday, May 9 to Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the Roserar de Cervantes in Parc de Cervantes, Barcelona. This annual event showcases new rose varieties from breeders worldwide and coincides with the first major rose bloom of spring. A prestigious international jury awards prizes to the best new roses, and the public can also participate in selecting their favorite. Admission is free, and the event features a rich program of activities, including guided tours, workshops, exhibitions, and live music, making it a festive, nature-filled celebration for visitors.
🌿 Location & Access
Parc de Cervantes i Roserar is located at Avinguda Diagonal 716, 08034 Barcelona, in the Pedralbes neighborhood at the western end of the city. The park spans about 9 hectares of gentle slopes and lawns, featuring a renowned rose garden with over 2,000 species (around 10,000 rose bushes) that burst into bloom between May and July. At peak bloom, you can see roughly 150,000 roses flowering at once.
🚇 Getting There
Metro: Line L3 (Green) to Zona Università ria station – the park is a 5-10 minute walk from there along Avinguda Diagonal.
Tram: Lines T1, T2, T3 stop at Palau Reial on Avinguda Diagonal, a short walk from Parc de Cervantes.
Bus: Line 67 from Plaça de Catalunya (city center) has a stop nearby on Avinguda Diagonal. Several other city bus routes (e.g., H6 or 7 along Diagonal) also pass close to the park.
If you prefer to drive, street parking in the area is limited; using public transit is recommended.
đź“… Schedule & Activities
Friday, 9 May 2025 (Opening Day)
4:30 PM – 8:00 PM: “Public’s Rose” voting. Visitors can vote for their favorite rose, helping decide the People’s Choice award.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Guided tour of the rose garden led by Teresa Garcerán (master gardener).
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Nature walk: “The birds in the Rose Garden… to the sound of their birdsong,” led by zoologist Pere Alzina.
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Guided tour of the rose garden led by Thaler (rose expert).
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Live music concert in the garden’s activity marquee – featuring Cobla Sant Jordi – Ciutat de Barcelona, a traditional Catalan ensemble.
Saturday, 10 May 2025
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM: Public’s Rose voting continues all day.
Guided tours: Offered both in the morning and late afternoon (several time slots between 10:30–12:30 and again 5:00–7:30 PM), led by experts (Thaler and Teresa Garcerán).
Family workshops:
Flower-themed face painting: 10:30 AM–1:30 PM & 4:30–7:30 PM.
Planting workshop: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM & 5:00–7:00 PM.
Theater show: “La Rosa de Sant Jordi” – performed at around 12:00 noon and again at 6:00 PM.
Culinary demo: Showcooking with roses at 11:00 AM – chef Ada Parellada demonstrates cooking with roses.
Floral art demo: Floral design workshop at 12:30 PM – the Escola de Disseny Floral presents “Color & Roses.”
Evening concert: Live jazz music at 6:30 PM – performance by the Laura Milazzo Quartet in the marquee.
Sunday, 11 May 2025
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Final hours of Public’s Rose voting.
Guided tours & walks:
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: “The birds in the Rose Garden… to the sound of their birdsong,” led by Pere Alzina.
11:30 AM & 12:00 PM: Guided rose garden tours led by Teresa Garcerán and Thaler.
Family workshops:
Face-painting and planting workshops: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM.
Q&A session: “Rosebushes: questions and answers” at 11:00 AM, hosted by master gardener Jordi Catalan Julià .
Floral demonstration: “Roses in our hands” at 12:00 PM by expert florist Dan Collado.
Awards Ceremony: 1:30 PM – announcement of competition winners, including the coveted Barcelona Prize and the Public’s Rose.
Bonus: Traditional Catalan “Gegants” (giant figures) and costumed characters with music roam the park from 11:30 AM–2:00 PM.
🏆 Competition Details
The competition features 27 rose breeders from countries including Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, USA, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Holland, Poland, and Switzerland. Categories include hybrid, floribunda, landscape, groundcover, miniature, and creeping roses. The expert jury comprises 60 internationally renowned specialists who assess vitality, fragrance, resistance, and type. Additionally, ten master perfume-makers evaluate the varieties for fragrance quality.
🌹 About the Roserar de Cervantes
The Cervantes Rose Garden is open year-round, but May is its peak bloom. It features:
Over 10,000 rose bushes.
More than 2,000 varieties.
Quiet pathways, benches, and grassy areas for picnics.
Beautiful views of Collserola.
More info: Visit Barcelona's official tourism site
🧠Visitor Tips
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon for comfortable weather and optimal lighting.
Crowds: Friday evening may be less crowded; weekends are busier with families.
Comfort: Wear comfortable shoes and casual attire suitable for walking on grass and paved paths.
Facilities: Limited amenities; bring water and snacks. Picnicking is allowed—please dispose of trash properly.
Joining activities: Activities and tours are free, but guided tours have limited spots. Register at the information marquee upon arrival.
Other highlights: Don't miss the “Perfumed Garden” near the main entrance, dedicated to aromatic roses. Nearby, the Pedralbes Royal Palace Gardens are a 5-minute walk away and offer another peaceful green space to explore
