Blooming Destinations: Flower Seasons and Festivals Around the World and in Türkiye

Each season has a distinct color, scent, and story. The tulip, rose, and lavender harvest seasons, breathtaking in appearance, are often celebrated in festivals. These flower routes, spanning the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Japan, offer one-of-a-kind experiences for lovers of beauty and nature.. In Türkiye, Isparta and Burdur are famous for their lavender and rose fields. Read on to find out more about flower seasons and festivals around the world, including Türkiye, where nature generously displays its unique beauty!

Cherry Blossom Season in Japan and South Korea

In late March and early April, the cherry blossoms grace Japan and South Korea. During Hanami events in cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, visitors and residents can enjoy picnics beneath pink and white blossoms alongside traditional Japanese culture. In South Korea, the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, celebrated each year in Jinhae, Gyeongsangnam-do province, presents a captivating display of cherry blossom trees that extend for almost two kilometers. The region embraces the spring season with music and dance performances, traditional Korean cuisine, and street artists.

Spring and Summer Colors in Europe

The season of tulips in the Netherlands

Each April, the Netherlands becomes a showcase for gloriously vivid tulip blooms, with the country’s tulip fields presenting visitors with an almost otherworldly spectacle. During this season, the Keukenhof Gardens near Amsterdam, renowned as the world's largest flower garden, becomes a brilliant array of colors that are truly worth experiencing – a vision of tulips, daffodils, and irises. Experience this vibrant display of colors up close by embarking on a bike tour through the Dutch countryside, where the tulip fields seem to extend into infinity.

The fragrance of summer in Provence: Lavender

From late June to July, the Provence region of France blossoms into a stunning landscape filled with bright purple lavender fields. During this time, villages such as Valensole, Gordes, and Sault greet visitors with vast expanses of purple lavender. A tranquil walk through the lavender gardens becomes an enchanting experience of dazzling scents and stunning views. Visitors can also shop for local treasures like lavender-infused soaps, essences, and honey.

Chasing the Sun in Tuscany: Sunflowers

The Tuscany region takes on a golden glow as sunflowers bloom from late June to July. Sunflower fields blanket regions such as Val d'Orcia, presenting spectacular vistas that captivate photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This region, already known for its stunning natural beauty, offers professional and amateur photographers the opportunity to take beautiful pictures, as well as to enjoy strolls in the Tuscan countryside, and to explore quaint villages to savor authentic Italian delicacies.

Tulip time in Istanbul

Each April, Istanbul enthralls with its stunning tulip gardens. Tulips carry significant meaning for Istanbul, having evolved into a cultural symbol that long ago transcended their role as mere ornamental plants during the Ottoman period. Today, this historical heritage is preserved by the tulip gardens scattered across Istanbul. The annual Istanbul Tulip Festival includes a variety of events taking place in the month of April, during which areas such as Emirgan Grove, Gülhane Park, Yıldız Park and Göztepe 60th Anniversary Park come alive with art events, and festival-related workshops.

The vibrant hues of spring and summer in Türkiye

Harvesting roses in Isparta

Isparta is an important global center for rose cultivation and, each year during May and June, the rose harvest in Isparta offers an unforgettable experience for locals and tourists alike. During this period, you can discover the traditional rose products of Isparta, where the roses, picked early in the morning, enchant onlookers with their beautiful fragrance and spectacular beauty. To experience the natural and historical sites of Isparta, be sure to visit Lake Eğirdir, the lavender gardens, and the historic Kovada National Park—just a few of the must-see attractions in Isparta. Please note that the International Isparta Rose Festival takes place annually in Isparta. You can easily reach Isparta from Istanbul with our direct flights or fly with us to Antalya or Denizli and continue to the city by road.

Lavender Gardens in Isparta and Burdur

From late June to late July, the lavender fields of Isparta and Burdur transform into a landscape from a fairytale. Kuyucak Village, linked to the Keçiborlu district, is a favorite destination for lavender aficionados during this time. Kuyucak, often referred to as Türkiye's 'Lavender Scented Village', has also emerged as a preferred tourist destination in recent years, particularly for visitors interested in lavender tourism. During this time, when the annual lavender festival takes place in Isparta, you can purchase lavender-scented souvenirs and take memorable photos. You can easily reach Isparta from Istanbul with our direct flights or fly with us to Antalya or Denizli and continue to the city by road.

The poppies on Mount Ida

In May, the poppy fields surrounding Ayvalık and the Mount Ida (Kaz Mountains) transform the landscape into a brilliant sea of red. The graceful sway of poppies presents a distinctive sight as well as the opportunity to appreciate the splendor and abundance of nature up close. During this time, nature photographers and travelers gather in the foothills of the Kaz Mountains, with the valleys and villages, particularly near Assos and Küçükkuyu, vividly showcasing nature’s vibrant hues. Hiking tours in the region are also a wonderful way to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the serene ambiance of the Aegean. You can easily reach Mount Ida from Istanbul with our direct flights to Balıkesir.