Rose Harvest Festival in Isparta: Petals, Perfume & Pink Lakes

What is the Isparta Rose Harvest Festival?

Each year from May to late June, the calm city of Isparta in southwest Turkey becomes full of pink flowers and fresh rose smell. This is when the Rose Harvest Festival takes place. Isparta is often called the City of Roses. It is famous for growing the Damask rose, a flower used in perfume, cosmetics and natural rose oil products.

The festival is a special time. Visitors can join the early rose picking in the fields. There are also tours of small distilleries and local events. These include music, food and traditional crafts. This event brings local culture and farming together.

When and Where Does It Take Place?

The blooming season starts in mid-May and continues until the end of June. Main festival events usually happen between May 30 and June 3. The best places to join the festival are Guneykent, Gulkoy and Yesilyurt. These villages are close to Isparta and have big rose fields. They are also easy to reach by car or with a local tour.

Guneykent is often called the Valley of Roses. This area is known for its long rows of pink roses and old methods of rose oil making. Visitors can walk in the rose fields and see how flowers are picked and turned into oil using fire, steam and time.

What Happens During the Festival?

Early Morning Rose Picking

Rose picking starts very early in the morning, usually around 5:00 AM. This is the best time to collect petals because they are fresh and full of oil. Local farmers walk into the fields with baskets. Visitors can join them and learn how to gently collect the flowers by hand. It is a calm and quiet experience. The smell is soft and sweet. Many say it is one of the best parts of the trip.

Rose Oil Workshops

After the harvest, petals are taken to small local workshops. Here, people use the steam method to make rose oil. This process is slow and careful. It takes about 4 tons of rose petals to make 1 kilogram of pure oil. In some places, visitors can watch the full process. Some even try a smaller version with help from locals.

Cultural Shows and Activities

The festival is not only about roses. There are also local events. These include folk music, dances, and handmade goods. Local women wear traditional clothes and sell food, crafts and rose-based products. These events help show the local lifestyle and give tourists a warm welcome.

Rose Sweets and Products

Shops and small stands offer many rose-based foods. These include rose jam, rose sherbet, Turkish delight with rose, and even rose tea. There are also natural soaps, creams and perfumes made in the village. These products are often handmade and great for gifts.

Is It Good for Photos?

Yes. The rose fields look best in the early morning. The light is soft and golden. The rows of pink flowers create amazing backgrounds for photos. Many visitors bring cameras or phones to take pictures. Locals also wear colorful clothes which add more charm to the scene.

Why Is Isparta’s Rose Oil So Special?

The Damask rose grows very well in Isparta. The land and the weather are just right for it. This makes the oil more pure and strong in smell. The oil is used in famous perfumes around the world. It is also used in skincare for its soft and clean effect on the skin.

What makes Isparta different is the way the oil is made. The rose petals are steamed in traditional copper pots. No chemicals are used. This keeps the oil natural and rich. Isparta is one of the biggest rose oil producers in the world.

What Else Can You Do Nearby?

Besides the festival, there are other places worth visiting around Isparta:

• Lake Egirdir is peaceful and colorful. It is good for walking and relaxing.
• Kuyucak Village is known for its lavender fields. They bloom in July.
• Isparta Museum has old tools and local history. It also tells the story of rose farming.
• Golcuk Nature Park is a quiet lake inside a green forest. It is great for a picnic or nature walk.

Planning Your Trip?

To enjoy the Rose Harvest Festival in Turkey, try to visit between May 20 and June 5. This is when most roses bloom. Book your hotel or guesthouse early. Many visitors come at this time and places fill fast. You can stay in Isparta city or in small villages like Guneykent. Some tour agencies offer full packages. These tours include rose picking, oil workshops and village meals. This makes travel easy and more fun.

Want to walk in pink rose fields and see how the world’s finest rose oil is made? Interested in tasting fresh rose jam or learning the old ways of perfume making?

Contact us today to plan your perfect visit to the Rose Harvest Festival in Isparta. Your trip to the heart of Turkey’s rose valley is just one click away.