There’s nothing quite like stumbling across an Italian hill town transformed by swathes of colourful petals underfoot. From late spring to early summer, communities across Italy come together for the Infiorata—a beloved tradition where entire streets become works of floral art.
If you’re settled in Italy or just passing through, these festivals are a great way to see how towns pull together, mixing old-school teamwork with a healthy sense of one-upmanship between neighbours. It’s the kind of celebration that shows you Italian community life from the inside, not just the postcard version.
What are Infiorata festivals?
Infiorata quite literally means "decorated with flowers," but that hardly does justice to the spectacle. For a handful of days, locals and visitors watch as infioratori, artists and volunteers, painstakingly craft intricate designs. Using only petals, seeds and leaves, the designs often feature religious images, folkloric scenes, and abstract patterns. These masterpieces appear as colourful outdoor carpets. They bloom and vanish in the blink of an eye, swept away with as much communal ceremony as they appeared.
The history: where Infiorata began
The tradition kicked off in Rome’s Vatican in the 17th century but soon took on a life of its own in small towns throughout Lazio, Umbria, Sicily and beyond. Most festivals centre around Corpus Domini (Corpus Christi) in late May or June.
It’s believed that the very first floral carpets were crafted in Rome, where people would scatter petals and aromatic herbs along church aisles during significant processions. Over time, this custom spread beyond churches and onto the streets, inspired by both the vivid displays on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul in the Vatican and the baroque love of spectacle.
Each locality now gives the event its own spin, adding touches of modern art, local iconography and, sometimes, fierce inter-neighbourhood competition.
Famous Infiorata festivals across Italy
You’ll come across Infiorata festivals up and down Italy—just about every region has its own take. Still, a handful of towns really go the extra mile, with impressive floral displays and local traditions that set them apart from the rest.
Infiorata di Genzano di Roma (Lazio)
The streets of this lakeside town south of Rome are among the most famous for Infiorata. A single, sloping street becomes a tapestry of up to half a million petals, often with massive religious and baroque-inspired designs. The festive air during Infiorata di Genzano in June is infectious. You'll see medieval processions, music and a local bakery rivalry over maritozzo, a traditional custard-filled doughnut from the Lazio region.
How to get there: Genzano is easily reached by train or bus from Rome.
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Infiorata di Spello (Umbria)
Arguably the prettiest in central Italy, Spello’s winding medieval lanes get carpeted with kaleidoscopic religious and modern art around the 21st and 22nd June. The event often lasts all night, with whole families working until dawn. It is also part of a lively weekend including wine tastings and Umbrian street food.
How to get there: There are regular trains between Perugia and Foligno, stopping at Spello.
Infiorata di Noto (Sicily)
If there’s ever been an Instagram darling among Infiorata festivals, it’s Noto’s. This Sicilian baroque town transforms Via Nicolaci into a riotous avenue of petals every third weekend of May. Themes for the floral carpets range from classic mythology to pop culture. Expect plenty of gelato along the way and a summery buzz filling the air.
How to get there: The nearest city is Syracuse, with easy bus connections.
Infiorata di Bolsena (Lazio)
Bolsena, perched above its namesake lake, hosts an Infiorata famed for blending ancient ritual with everyday charm. The flower festival takes place on Sunday, 22nd, 2025, and features a procession accompanied by a marching band.
Local children often get the honour of “undoing” the art at the end, dancing through petals in a trail led by priests and musicians.
How to get there: Most easily reached by car, though trains go to nearby Orvieto.
Infiorata di Cusano Mutri (Campania)
Located in the Matese mountains, Cusano Mutri puts on a particularly striking Infiorata every June for Corpus Domini. The town’s medieval lanes become awash with patterns crafted from a mix of wild mountain flowers and hand-dyed petals. Families often go foraging in the hills for blooms ahead of time. Alongside the flower carpets, you’ll find food stalls serving Campanian classics such as ‘pizza fritta’ and local salumi.
How to get there: Travelling by car is usually the simplest option, with the town just an hour and a half from Naples.
Infiorata di Brugnato (Liguria)
Set in the green hills east of La Spezia in northern Italy, Brugnato’s Infiorata is smaller but rich in village character. Over the weekend of June 21st, you can get a real taste of community, with the scent of jasmine mingling with croxetti, a fresh pasta local to the area.
How to get there: The town sits on the La Spezia-Genoa rail line.
Infiorata di San Gemini (Umbria)
This lesser-known gem in southern Umbria puts a special focus on historic design and traditional technique. It’s known for quieter nights and a strong sense of time travel, especially as the old town glows under lanterns. The flower carpets mark the path of the procession.
How to get there: Accessible via train from Terni, with local buses.
Infiorata di Pienza (Tuscany)
Set amongst rolling Val d’Orcia hills, Pienza hosts their flower festival in May, filled with Renaissance flavour. Locals create floral carpets echoing both religious and agricultural motifs, and the local pecorino cheese is never far from celebrations.
How to get there: Best reached by car from Florence or Perugia, or by bus from Siena.
Experiencing an Infiorata as a local: tips
The best way is to turn up as early as possible—the magic happens in the making. Wander the cobbled lanes with a coffee, chat to neighbours, and watch the images evolve. Sundays are usually when everything comes together, often crowned with a procession or concert. Entry is usually free, but some towns charge a nominal fee for fundraising.
In most Infiorata towns, you’ll find pop-up stalls selling regional specialities—ricotta tarts in Umbria, lemon sorbet in Lazio, arancini in Sicily. Participation is openly encouraged, even if you’re just helping to sort petals or fetch coffee.
It’s worth double-checking dates, as timings vary with the liturgical calendar and local festivals. Remember, these are lived-in towns—honour the effort by not treading on the carpets or nipping off with a handful of petals as a souvenir.
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