There are many beautiful lavender fields around the world. Some of them are very well known ones in Provence; others are in significantly more hidden and lesser known locations, so that you can visit them without any of the crowds and just enjoy the beautiful scent, the photogenic setting and the countryside atmosphere.
I have asked a bunch of other bloggers to share with me – and you – their favorite lavender fields and decided to collate them in a guide, so that wherever you are traveling, you can have a chance of visiting one. Let me start with one I have recently visited in my very own Sardinia.
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The Most Beautiful Lavender Fields Around The World
La Lavanda di Elvio
Located in Riola Sardo, La Lavanda di Elvio is the first lavender field of Sardinia. It was founded in 2003 and became incredibly popular in 2015, when it was discovered by the local Instagram community. Since then, more lavender fields opened up in Sardinia. Yet, this remains the most popular – not to mention the most beautiful.
The field can be easily visited on a day trip from Cagliari, but you need to book in advance by calling or sending an email. You will need a car to get there, and the overall drive is around one hour and 15 minutes. There is a €5 admission fee, which will also cover the cost of a short tour during which the owners give you insights about the history of the field and the secrets of the production of lavender, and of the plant’s benefits. The tour usually ends in the cellar located in the center of Riola Sardo, where you can also buy some lavender based products.
The best time to visit is in June, when the lavender is in full bloom. Visit in the late afternoon for the chance of taking incredible sunset photos. In the future, Lavanda di Elvio plans to also offer the chance of having a picnic prepared by carefully selected local products in the farm, and to host private events.
For more things to do in Sardinia, check out my post “A Local’s Guide To The Things To Do In Sardinia.”
Luberon lavender fields, Provence, France
*Contributed by Nadine Maffre of Le Long Weekend
- Gorges of Verdon and fields of lavender tour from Nice – this excellent tour lasts 10 full hours and is available in a multitude of languages. It costs €110 which seems a lot, but given all that is included it’s actually great value for money. Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the tour.
- Luberon Valley & Sault Lavender Road Half-Day Tour – perfect if you want to see the fields mentioned above. It departs from Avignon.
- 1 day lavender tour from Avignon – another great option for a full-day guided tour.
Valensole, Provence, France
The Valensole Plateau is one of the most popular lavender fields in France due to the abundance of lavender fields in the area. The entire plateau is almost 800 square km and it’s just dedicated to growing the lavender. The town itself is pretty interesting with its medieval architecture and there are lots of shops dedicated to lavender products such as essential oils, perfumes, soaps, and lavender flavored snacks.
To find the lavender fields, follow the D6 Highway from Manosque to Valensole and you’ll spot one of the popular local lavender producers, Lavandes Angelvin. You can also follow the D8 road from Puimoisson towards Valensole. The lavender fields won’t be hard to spot either way as they are mostly on the main highway. If you have a car, don’t be afraid to venture out of the main highways as there are smaller roads that can lead you to smaller fields but they are also not crowded.
The best time to visit Valensole is between June to July to enjoy the full bloom of these lovely fields. For the best time, I recommend going hours before the sunset for better lighting to get better pictures.
You don’t need to join a tour if you have a car but if you can’t drive, there are several lavender field tours coming from Aix-en-Provence. Most of these tours can cost you between 50-65 euros depending on the number of locations the tour company will visit. If you’re opting to drive, you don’t need to pay anything to join a lavender field tour from local farms like Lavandes Angelvin. But you need to book the farm tour in advance.
Chemin de Lavandes, Sault, Provence, France
*Contributed by Supriya of Fun Travelog
If there was a capital of lavender fields around the world, it would most likely be the region of Provence in southern France. The village of Sault, located on a high ridge in the Vaucluse department of Provence is a gateway to the 5.5km “Chemin de Lavandes” lavender loop, full of beautiful fields and narrow roads.
Snowshill Lavender Farm, Cotswolds, England
*Contributed by Suzanne of Meandering Wild and Rose Munday of Where Goes Rose
The lavender fields at Snowshill stretch across the English countryside and is one of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds. Close to Broadway in the Vale of Evesham, around 2 hours drive from London, they are a fantastic break while exploring the area. Signposted clearly from the main A44 towards Stow-on-the-Wold they are easy to reach by car but using public transport requires a taxi from nearby Moreton-in-Marsh.
The fields are best visited early in the morning just after they open or later in the day when you can avoid the larger tour groups and main visitors. Open from June through to September the best time to visit is in early July when the blooms are at their best just before the harvest starts.
You are free to wander the fields once you have paid the £4 ($5 USD) entry fee in the shop. You can spend several hours wandering around, taking photos and soaking up the atmosphere and scent of the flowers.
As well as the lavender fields there is a beautiful English wildflower meadow to walk through with well placed paths that allow you to feel that you are in the meadow. You should also make time to sample the lavender cakes and gifts in the small farm shop and café that will allow you to take a piece of the Cotswolds home.
Hitchin Lavender, Hertfordshire, England
*Contributed by Jacquie Hale of Flashpacking Family
Hitchin Lavender is located in Ickleford close to the lovely market town of Hitchin, in Hertfordshire and about 40 miles north of London. This is definitely one of the most scenic lavender fields int he world. If you’re visiting from London, you could get the Thameslink train from St Pancras International in the direction of Cambridge which takes around 40 minutes, but then you would need to take a taxi to the lavender fields. It’s best to drive as there’s plenty of parking on site.
The entry price is £6 (under 5’s are free) (around $7.50) and tickets must be bought in advance. There are 30 acres of lavender to stroll through on the gentle slopes of the Chiltern Hills. You are allowed to bring picnics if you want to make it a longer day out but if you don’t want to bring a picnic, there are a couple of cafés. There is also a gift shop selling produce made from their lavender and other lovely lavender-themed gifts.
The best time to visit the lavender fields is between late-June to mid-July when they should be in full bloom.
Lordington Lavender, Sussex, England
*Contributed by Sophie and Adam of We Dream of Travel
Lordington Lavender field, in Sussex, is open for one week only every year. However, if you can visit during its opening days or evenings, you will be rewarded with the ultimate sensory feast. A four-acre sea of purple awaits you filled with the intoxicating fragrance of lavender and the gentle humming of bees. The lavender grown here is Mailette, a French Provencal variety, and Lordington truly does feel like a small slice of Provence in the heart of the British countryside.
There is an entrance fee of £6 ($7.50 USD= per person, payable in cash at the entrance. Additionally, many lavender products are on sale, as well as snacks and refreshments.
The fields are only open to visitors for one week per year, which makes them all the more special to visit! The dates for 2021 are currently expected to be 12th-19th July, however, check their website to confirm this nearer the time.
Lordington Lavender is most easily reached by car – it’s at about two hours drive from London. The car park is free and from here it’s a short walk to get to the field. There is also a regular tractor shuttle service to ferry people to and from the field. However, the walk is very easy and provides beautiful views over the field along the way.
Castle Farm, Kent, England
*Contributed by Angela Price of WhereAngieWanders.com
Castle Farm, established in 1892, is the United Kingdom’s largest producer of lavender and is located in the Kent countryside near to the picturesque village of Shoreham. Castle Farm is accessed from the main A225 that runs nearby.
In the summer months, from June to September, you can visit Castle Farm and spend time exploring the scented lavender fields on a 45-minute lavender walk for which there is a small fee. You will have some spectacular photo opportunities during the walk including the “Lavender Bench” from where you will catch one of the best views over some of the 100,000 lavender plants at the farm.
Another option you can book for is a “Lavender Picnic” where you can BYO picnic but pay a small fee to have a 2-hour access to one of the smaller lavender fields.
Of course, if you just want to admire the lavender fields from a distance then you will only need to pay the parking fee to enter the Castle Farm area.
Before you leave make sure to pop into the Hop Shop to purchase a lavender based product or try the lavender ice-cream or lavender scones at the cafe, they really are delicious.
Bridestowe Lavender, Tasmania
Wanaka Lavender Farm, Wanaka, New Zealand
*Contributed by Leah Officer of Officer Travels
Located on the outskirts of Wanaka (just an hour away from Queenstown), the Wanaka Lavender Farm is a popular activity for locals and tourists alike. Being so close to town you can leave the car behind and walk or cycle there, with the surrounding mountains giving you awesome views on route. If you’d rather drive, there’s ample parking next to their cafe on-site cafe.
This family-run business is open all-year-round, selling beautiful homemade products (from their homegrown lavender and honey!) however, the best time to see the lavender in full bloom is between December and February; New Zealand’s summer. Ticket prices are $5-10 per person, with under 5’s going free. This gives you access to the whole farm and with your sticker, you can come and go as you please!
Once you’re inside you’ll be free to roam the 20-hectare property and various seasonal flower beds. They’ve cottoned on to the insta-craze here, so on some of the rows, you’ll even find perfectly placed props to give your photos an edge… Don’t forget to nip and say hi to the resident farm animals too!
Mount Cook Alpine Lavender, New Zealand
*Contributed by Lee-Ann McKenzie of Be Free With Lee
The best time to visit these lavender fields is from 1 December to 31 March yearly and if you visit any time during this period you will witness the lavender in bloom.
What you will love most about the field apart from walking through picture-perfect lavender rows is the gorgeous wooden seats and purple tractor to take photos on. The farm has a lavender shop where you can purchase many lavender goodies like oils, tea and massage rubs. There even is a lavender ice cream truck!
*Contributed by Helga Dosa of SheGoWandering
The field Lavanda Montana is located at the feet of the mountains of the Carpathians, near a village called Csekefalva (Romanian name: Chechis) populated mostly by Hungarian Seclers.
The field is owned by a local family. The parents as well as their daughters are passionate about their lavenders, and they have been working on their beautiful purple lavender fields for 8 years already. The entrance fee is 4 euros and you get a bouquet of lavender for it as well.
You can visit Lavanda Montana if you’re planning a trip around Transylvania (the closest bigger city with airport is Marosvasarhely, or Targu Mures in Romanian), but it’s worth going during the lavender festival season! At this time you can get your own bouquet of lavenders, as well as their products made from the flowers. The essential oils, lavender water, and hand-made goodies such as soaps, lavender syrup, and creams made by the family.
The landscape around the field of Lavanda Montana is breathtaking! The fact that it’s in a little village will assure you a really authentic and traditional experience while breathing in the calming perfume, and admiring the beautiful field covered in purple.
Old Lavender Field, Tihany, Hungary
Yes, really. Hungary. In particular, a tiny village called Tihany – home of the “Old Lavender Field,” which you will find at H-8237 Tihany, Major utca 67 at the Inner Lake (Belső-tó). You can either drive yourself to the lavender field or take a bus which stops about a 5-minute walk away. The nearest railway station is in Balatofüred.
On the hills here, close to Lake Balaton, 50 year old lavender bursts into color in June, to give you the most beautiful photo opportunities. The lavender also attracts 1000s of butterflies, which add to the magical aura of the place and cause it to become ‘butterfly valley’.
Peak time is between mid-June and August- before the lavender is harvested. Admission is 1200 Hungarian Forint, which is less than $4 USD. You are also welcome to pick your own lavender to take home with you.
There is also a visitor centre, where you can buy lavender products as souvenirs or gifts.
The Lavender Fields of Bulgaria
*Contributed by Anda Bartos of Travel for a While
There is even a lavender festival at the end of June in the small village of Karlovo in central Bulgaria. It can be a good idea for a day trip from Plovdiv. Don’t forget to buy some of those lavender-based cosmetics too.
Ogród Pełen Lawendy, Poland
*Contributed by Karolina Klesta of Travel Poland Tours
The lavender fields of Ogród Pełen Lawendy in Poland are one of the most beautiful in the world. A calming landscape for the eyes with the soft colors of blue, green, and lavender, is worth taking a day trip from Krakow just to visit these lush fields during summer months. Here you can take in the soothing scent of lavender in full bloom.
Located in the village of Ostrow, the lavender fields of Ogród Pełen Lawendy is definitely a place worth visiting. Apart from taking beautiful, Insta-worthy photos, you can also do some shopping in the fields. Some of the products to purchase are lavender oil, cream, and pillows to take the scent of the lavender fields home with you.
The admission to Ogród Pełen Lawendy is just 7 PLN per person, which is about $2.
The lavender fields of Hvar, Croatia
*Contributed by Jenifer Byington of The Evolista
When visiting the island of Hvar, Croatia, one of the first things you’ll notice is lavender everything! From lavender sachets to lavender ice cream, it’s obvious that lavender is grown on Hvar. It’s actually world famous. Hvar used to be responsible for 8% of the world’s lavender oil production but many people emigrated off the island and the lavender dwindled.
That said, there is still plenty of lavender all over the island. You can hike from Hvar town to the 14th century town of Velo Grablje or Brusje where they have summer tours of the fields. You will notice multiple people pulled over to the side of the road taking photos of the fragrant bushes during the height of the season. Or take a car or taxi to get to the lavender fields in Zastrazisce, Gdinj and Bogomolje.
The best time to see the lavender blooming is June and July, peaking in late July. There is an annual lavender festival in late June. It’s one of the perfect things to enjoy on your Croatia Island Hopping vacation.
123 Farm, Cherry Valley, California (USA)
*Contributed by Jeanine Romo of Le Wild Explorer
There are a few lavender fields in Southern California and if you love the fragrant smell of lavender then 123 Farm is not to be missed. 123 Farm is the largest certified organic lavender farm in Southern California with over 20 acres of lavender. They’re located about an hour and a half east of Downtown Los Angeles in Cherry Valley, and one hour north of San Diego.
123 Farm mainly grows Provence and Vera which typically begins to bloom in mid-June. They open the fields to the public around early June and continue into late July.
You’ll need to book your visit in advance online if you’d like to visit the fields. Entrance is $8 for adults and $4 for children over five years of age. And you are welcome to buy their lavender products during their normal operating hours of Wednesday-Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, without a reservation.
Their lavender products include essential oils, lip balms, culinary lavender, honey, vinaigrettes, and more. They also have a variety of food and beverages that are sold on-site. You can also enjoy an alcoholic beverage like a lavender margarita or a lavender whiskey sour. But if you prefer a non-alcoholic drink opt for their refreshing lavender lemonade.
Make sure to read my posts:
Pageo Lavender Farm, Turlock, California (USA)
*Contributed by Constance of The Adventures of Panda Bear
Located a 2 to 2.5 hour drive away from San Francisco, Pageo Lavender Farm in Turlock, California is a beautiful lavender farm in California’s Central Valley. The farm offers lavender themed lunches, u-pick lavender, and a cute gift shop perfect for lavender scented keepsakes.
Aside from the lavender fields, you’ll also find areas around the property where they process and dry lavender. The farm offers an amazing photo opportunity as well, with a rustic silo amongst rows of lavender. Because of this it also happens to be a wedding venue.
Visiting the farm is free, however if you’re interested in a lavender lunch, it must be ordered 24 hours in advance and at a cost of $20 per person. The lunch includes a sandwich or a salad, iced tea or water, and a chocolate lavender shortbread cookie for dessert. The best way to get to Pageo Lavender Farm during the summer is by car as it is located in a more rural area of the state.
Enjoy a relaxing day in Pageo’s lavender fields nestled in the farmlands of California’s Central Valley this summer!
Make sure to read my post “A Great Itinerary For 3 Days In San Francisco.”
Lavender Oaks, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (USA)
*Contributed by Annick Lenoir-Peek of The Common Traveler
Lavender fans on the East Coast of the United States rejoice! You’ll find your lavender field dreams fulfilled at Lavender Oaks in Chapel Hill in North Carolina. Open from mid-May through August, you’ll want to enjoy the blooms at their peak around mid-June. Lavender Oaks is one of the best lavender fields in North Carolina. Located near Raleigh, the farm is easily accessible due to its proximity to major highways and an airport.
But don’t come empty-handed! Bring your scissors and a bag to clip your own lavender stems as you stroll through the lanes of plants at your own leisure. Enjoy the blooms, use them in cooking, dry them to enjoy their scent for a long time, or use them in other creative ways. Admission costs $5 per person.
Lavender Oaks hosts group tours and special events. At Lavender and Lunch, you’ll enjoy a tour, learn about lavender, and enjoy a lunch with dishes featuring lavender.
As a venue frequently hosting private events, Lavender Oaks is usually open to the public every day except Saturday and Monday. Lavender Oaks is closed for summer 2020 but will offer even more tours and Lavender and Lunch opportunities in 2021.
Ali’i Kula Lavender, Maui (USA)
*Contributed by Noel Morata of This Hawaii Life
You wouldn’t expect it but you can actually find lavender fields in Hawaii of all places. A commercial grower on the island of Maui actually grows fresh lavender in a beautiful field called Ali’i Kula Lavender, which has gorgeous views overlooking the entire island. He also produces various lavender related products.
Cape Cod Lavender Fields, Massachusetts (USA)
*Contributed by Valentina Djordjevic of Valentina’s Destinations
Cape Cod is the sunny vacation destination within the state of Massachusetts. Cape Cod’s lavender fields are a hidden gem unbeknownst to most travelers. This is a family owned and operated business, and visiting is free. There are over 7,000 lavender plants grown on 12 acres of land. Their peak bloom can be seen late June or early July.
Guests may also visit the lavender farm store to stock up on homemade goodies. The Lavender Farm Store has an excellent selection of unique lavender infused products. Everything from catnip and lotion, soaps to candles, scrubs or balms. These items make the perfect gift or souvenir! You may also buy lavender plants in season and receive gardening tips.
The Cape Cod Lavender Farm is a unique Massachusetts destination and one of the best places to visit for families.
Surrounding the lavender fields is over 70 acres of conserved land and woodland hiking trails. Also, an “enchanted garden.”
Seafoam Lavender Garden, River John, Nova Scotia (Canada)
*Contributed by Jackie Gately of Enjoy Travel Life
If you are exploring Nova Scotia’s scenic Sunrise Trail (Highway 6) in River John, turn into Seafoam Lavender Garden to stretch your legs and relax among fragrant rows of purple lavender. These modest lavender gardens perfectly suit the region’s unassuming, pastoral charm along the Northumberland Strait. Set with a backdrop of rolling hills, perennial beds, and a small gazing pond, the scene is idyllic.
Seafoam Lavender Garden is open from Mother’s Day weekend in May until early October. If you’d like to pick your own lavender bouquets, aim for mid-July when the bloom is at a peak – you can also visit for the Lavender Festival traditionally held in July. Although, you’ll find the grounds are lovely throughout the season. Admission is free.
After you’ve meandered throughout the property, stop next at the farm shop. It showcases a variety of handmade Canadian lavender gifts, including aromatherapy, skincare, culinary and other products. (We recommend getting some lavender shortbread for the road.) It might even inspire you to bring home a lavender plant or two to start your own lavender garden.
Tomita Farm, Furano, Japan
*Contributed by Tanja Warwick of Ryokou Girl
Hokkaido, Japan is known for its snowy peaks and ski resorts but in the summer months, the white landscapes melt away to reveal a brilliant vista of color making it one of the best spots in the country for viewing lavender fields. The city of Furano in Hokkaido is just a two-hour drive from Sapporo by car or tour bus and is the most popular place for lavender viewing. The ideal time to visit is from late June when the flowers are in full bloom, until mid-August.
Tomita Farm in Furano is probably the most visited lavender field in the region, the snow-capped Tokachi mountain range watches over the farm’s rolling hills of red, pink, yellow, orange, blue, and of course, purple, maintained in immaculate rows.
The popular farm is free to visit; cafes and shops are also available with a wide range of lavender-related products for sale. For a one-of-a-kind experience you can take a 15-minute ride through the elegant purple fields on the ‘Lavender Bus’ for only 200-yen (less than $2 USD), just don’t forget to leave enough cash for some lavender ice cream afterward!
Check out my post “Visiting Japan Off The Beaten Path: The Gorgeous Shikoku.”
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