For nearly half a century, lavender cultivation has played a central role in the village’s identity and economy. What began as a hobby among local gardeners has grown into a thriving commercial activity. Today, Kuyucak accounts for more than half of all lavender production in Turkey. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, the village produces approximately 93% of Turkey’s lavender across 3,000 decares of land.

Lavender is not the only botanical treasure here—cultivators in Kuyucak have long nurtured a variety of naturally growing flowers and herbs. This tradition of cultivation has made the region a hub for aromatic plants, contributing to Turkey’s wider production of essential oils used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and wellness products.

Nestled 47 kilometres from Isparta and perched on a high hill at the edge of the Taurus Mountains, Kuyucak is home to just 260 residents. The local community—many of whom are lavender cultivators—play an active role in preserving and promoting the village’s unique heritage. Their fields paint the surrounding slopes and plains in vibrant shades of purple each June and July, when the lavender begins to flower.

As you stroll through Kuyucak’s cobblestone streets, you’re greeted by various hues of violet and purple, mingling with the soothing aroma of lavender that fills the air. This powerful combination of natural beauty, vivid colour, and aromatic essence creates an atmosphere that delights the senses and calms the mind.

By August, the harvest begins, and the lavender is gathered for the production of essential oils, teas, soaps, and more. Visitors can take part in garden tours, photo safaris, hiking and biking trails, and even learn how to extract lavender oil themselves—experiencing first-hand the magic behind one of Turkey’s most fragrant exports.

The Role of Lavender in Turkey

Lavender essential oil is highly valued in Turkey’s cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. National production has increased dramatically in recent years with an 87% rise. Although domestic production does not yet meet total demand, the growth has helped boost lavender oil exports.

In addition to its calming fragrance, lavender is used in perfumes, soaps, and wellness products. It is praised for its therapeutic benefits, including pain relief, stress reduction, and help with insomnia. Lavender is also used in herbal teas and aromatherapy, and its diuretic and anti-rheumatic properties add to its appeal.

Lavender Honey and Other Local Delights

Kuyucak is also known for its delicate lavender honey, prized for its subtle flavour, lightness, and health benefits. Low in saturated fat and rich in amino acids, minerals, and vitamin C, this honey is a favourite among consumers and nutritionists alike.

Other traditional products include lavender pillows, known for their relaxing effects—especially helpful for those suffering from sleep disorders. These are even used as cushions for babies to promote restful sleep.

Visit Kuyucak: Turkey’s Lavender-Scented Escape

Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or simply someone in search of tranquillity, Kuyucak Village offers a sensory experience like no other. Visit during lavender season and witness first-hand the stunning union of colour, fragrance, and tradition in Turkey’s Lavender Village.

Source: Daily Sabah/Culture Trip

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Located in the Lake District of the northwestern Mediterranean region, the city is known as Türkiye’s rose garden and renowned for its lavender fields. Rose breeding and the rose industry is big business in Isparta. As a pleasant result, the sweet smell of roses growing in the fields can be enjoyed from every corner of the city. Almost every type of rose-based product, including rose oil, is produced and exported from Isparta. In fact, the region shoulders 60 percent of the world’s rose oil production. Apart from roses, the city is also famous for growing cloves, lavender, thyme, apples, peaches, and cherries.

Home to many civilisations and historic attractions

Isparta has also been home to many civilizations throughout history. Traces of the civilizations that the city once hosted can still be explored today. The city also offers historic attractions such as Eğirdir, Kovada and Gölcük lakes, Kovada and Kızıldağı national parks and many other pristine sites. Yalvaç, a centre for belief tourism, and Eğirdir, where mountaineering, trekking, windsurfing, paragliding and camping are popular, also offer alternative activities for visitors.

Isparta’s rose and lavender harvest

Isparta’s famous rose harvest, which takes place from May to June, is now accompanied by the lavender harvest. To see the fields, many tourists journey to the villages of Kuşçular, Kuyucak, Ardıçlı and Aydoğmuş from both Türkiye and around the world, with the largest numbers visiting in July. Located in Türkiye’s biggest lavender-producing district, Keçiborlu, Lavender Valley boasts large fields that mirror the Provence villages of France.

Those who visit the city during the rose harvest can explore the fields and gather beautiful blooms with the locals.

They can also visit the factories where the roses are processed.

A 35-million-year history

Symbols of affection, love and spirituality, roses have been used as potent symbols throughout history, attracting the adoration of mankind in every period and indispensable for kings, sultans and rulers. In Turkish history, especially in Divan literature, they symbolize spirituality, sanctity and love. In the miniature of Mehmed the Conqueror made by Muralist Sinan, the sketch of the sultan smelling a rose shows that it is the symbol of power on the one hand and elegance on the other.

With its 35-million-year history, this flower has been the subject of legends since ancient times because of its beautiful scent and nutritional value, while poems and hymns have also been written in its name. Historians believe rose oil and rose water were first produced in India and Iran and spread from there to Anatolia, Europe, North Africa and East Asia. Rose gardens were highly valued by Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. The first known use of pressed rose water was in 3500 B.C. and later distilled in 50 B.C.

Precious species: Rosa Damascena Mill

Around 1,350 rose species have been identified around the world. Although 24 species are native to Türkiye, only Rosa Damascena Mill is used to make rose oil. Despite the wide variety, the Trigintipetala hybrid grown in Bulgaria, Türkiye, Morocco, Egypt, Iran, Syria, India and the Caucasus is preferred for making rose oil. Rosa Damascena Mill is also known as Isparta Rose, Pink Oil Rose, Oil Rose, Gum Rose and Damask Rose. This pink flower has a strong scent. Rose oil is an indispensable product in both medicine and cosmetics.

Processed as rose water, rose wax and rose oil, roses have been mentioned in virtually every medical book ever written for treating headaches, fevers, fainting, stomach aches, blood clots and other illnesses. Naturally produced rose water is used as an organic aroma in food and desserts and as a beauty cleanser thanks to its nourishing and tightening effects on the skin. Rose-based extracts are used in shampoos as well as hand and body lotions. Likewise, many products, such as rose jam and Turkish delight, have graced tables since the Ottoman era.

Source: Daily Sabah

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