Sant Jordi: the most beautiful celebration in Catalonia

April 23rd is no ordinary day in Catalonia. It’s Sant Jordi, and the streets fill with books, roses, authors, readers, live music, and thousands of stories waiting to be shared. It’s a day that blends culture, tradition, and romance like no other.

Like every great folk celebration, Sant Jordi begins with a legend: the tale of a knight who saved a princess from a dragon, and from the dragon’s blood, a rose bush bloomed. Since then, giving a rose has become a symbol of love, and giving a book, a gesture of affection, friendship, or admiration.

In Catalonia, the day is celebrated with the exchange of roses and books, filling the streets with a unique energy.

It’s not an official holiday, but it’s one of the most cherished days of the year for those who live it.

Barcelona celebrates Sant Jordi with great enthusiasm. Book and flower stands line the city center, especially in:

📍 Passeig de Gràcia

📍 Rambla de Catalunya

📍 Rambla del Raval

📍 Plaça Universitat

📍 Passeig de Sant Joan

You’ll find author signings, open-air readings, children’s activities, live music… and the perfect excuse to gift (or treat yourself to) a book while strolling through the heart of the city.

Sant Jordi is arguably the most special celebration of the year for many Catalans, and it’s lived fully in every corner of the region. Smaller towns and villages celebrate it too, with a more relaxed but equally magical atmosphere.

Florists set up street stalls, schools host cultural activities, and in every square, you’ll see someone holding a rose.

A day to celebrate love, culture, and the little things Sant Jordi is a simple, yet deeply meaningful celebration. An invitation to pause, walk, gift, read, and share. There are no fireworks or parades — just pages, petals, and people.

And you, how and where will you celebrate Sant Jordi?

Maybe with a walk among books, a coffee in good company, a rose just because… or a story that begins today.

Feliç Diada de Sant Jordi. 🌹📚