15 Breathtaking Flower Fields Around the World That You Have to Frolic In
Feast your eyes on everything from bluebells in Devon to tulips in Australia!
Just in case you needed even more reason to travel the world, here’s one more to spark your wanderlust: these amazing fields of blooming flowers around the world are a sight to behold.
You may have heard of some of these before, but some are hidden gems that locals are sharing with all of us – I bet you didn’t know that these destinations are home to some of the best flower fields in the world. Read on for some of the most beautiful flower fields around the world that you have to visit!
1. Bluebells in Devon, England
When it comes to springtime in England, there are few flowers more beautiful than the bluebell. Often associated with ancient woodlands and the English Countryside, the blooms smell absolutely incredible and perfume the air for plenty of space around them. One of the quirkiest places to spot bluebells, however, is high up in Dartmoor.
The National Park draws plenty of both national and international visitors on an annual basis who are keen to see the barren landscape, so it’s surprising to learn that around May time each year, you can find millions of bluebells growing high up on the moorland. You’ll find the blue blooms surrounding the miles below Hound Tor, stretching far into the distance.
Contributed by Sophie from Solo Sophie.
2. Lilies in Nantou, Taiwan
The Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan is a major tourist attraction for anyone visiting Formosa and is located 5-6 hours away from Taipei. The lake is peaceful and incredibly picturesque, but many people don’t realize that just a stone’s throw away is a flower field full of golden orange lilies.
The private farm is operated by local farmers who charge a small fee of NTD 100 (US$3) to wander around their fields of lilies. The best time to visit is in August and September.
Headed to Taiwan? Click here for more Taiwan destination guides and tips!
3. Lavender fields in Provence, France
This wouldn’t be an article about the best flower fields around the world if it didn’t include the fragrant lavender fields in Provence. Rolling hills of purple flowers as far as your eyes can see. Lavender in the Provence comes in 2 species: the ones that grow at lower altitude give more oil per flower and bloom from end of May till start of July. When you go to higher altitudes, the lavender is called ‘real lavender’ and it blooms from June till mid August.
To harvest lavender, you need a string of scorching hot days, so the lavender can dry in the field. As you wander through the lavender fields, the air is buzzing from the bees and thick with the aromatic smell of these lovely purple flowers. Walking along the tick lavender bushes, grouped in rows, gives you an immense sense of joy as it shows nature at her prettiest.
Contributed by Naomi from Probe Around the Globe.
4. The Kaas Plateau in India
In the Western Ghats hill range of India, there lies a valley of flowers protected by UNESCO. Kaas Pathar or Kaas Plateau is where the wildflowers bloom post monsoon in the months of August, September and October. Pink, white, blue and yellow are the ruling colours all across the plateau during this time.
Kaas Pathar is approximately an hour away by car from the township of Satara, which is 260 kilometres away from the financial capital of India, Mumbai. Satara is well connected with Mumbai by roadways and railways. There are ample bus services of varying comfort levels and prices for the Mumbai-Satara route.
No more than 3000 travelers per day are allowed in the plateau, and each slot is capped at 750 people; each day is divided into 4 slots: 7 AM – 10 AM, 10 AM – 1 PM, 1 PM – 4 PM and 4 PM – 7 PM. Visitors need to choose one slot and purchase an entry ticket online in advance for guaranteed entry. Staying or camping in Kaas is not allowed but several accommodation options are available in Satara.
Contributed by Tania from Azure Sky Follows.
5. Mayfield Lavender Farm in the United Kingdom
Mayfield Lavender Farm is a family run 25-acre lavender farm. Its peak season is in July when all the flowers are in bloom. The best time to see the flowers is in the summer from June to August. You will have to pay £1.00 per adult to enter the farm, and the farm is located 15 miles from Central London.
You can drive to the farm and there is free parking on site, or you can get there via public transport (bus number 166 conveniently stops at the gate). You can buy Lavender products in the shop and there is also a cafe on site which sells ice creams and lavender cream tea. The farm can get extremely busy during the weekends, so aim to visit during a weekday if you have the chance.
Contributed by Eniko from Travel Hacker Girl.
6. Shikisai no Oka in Hokkaido, Japan
Hokkaido is famed for its snow sports during the winter, and it was such a surprise to discover this northern Japanese island to be heaving with visitors during the summer – all looking to see the flower fields! While there are many flower fields in Hokkaido (lavender fields and sunflower fields among them) the most colorful and spectacular field is in Biei at a farm known as Shikisai no Oka.
Lesser known among tourists, but the most spectacular, you won’t miss out on these colorful fields as long as you visit during the summer! If you end up visiting during other seasons, it also has seasonal blossoms from spring through to fall. Entry is free but the farm asks for a 200 Yen (US$1.7) donation for maintenance. Shikisai no Oka is 2.5-hour drive from Hokkaido’s main city of Sapporo. While Sapporo may seem as far away from Tokyo as you can get, this city is less than a 2 hr flight from Tokyo and is the perfect escape from a sweltering summer.
Contributed by MG from The Wandering Suitcase.
7. Tulips in Canberra, Australia
The capital of Australia, Canberra, is an inland city between Sydney and Melbourne. It hosts the biggest celebration of Spring called the Floriade Spring Festival from mid September to mid October. And best of all, it’s free! On the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the floral display has more than a million bulbs and annuals covering 8000 square metres. There are music and cultural performances, markets, food and wine, carnival rides and much more.
For photography, such a large space gives so many options for capturing the festival displays. Shooting in different light conditions, playing with colour, subject, perspective and focus point. Canberra is an easy 3 hour drive from Sydney.
Contributed by Lisa from Posh Passport.
Heading down under? Click here for more Australia destination guides and tips!
8. Shibazakura Field in Greater Tokyo, Japan
The Shibazakura Festival is located in the Fuji Five Lakes of the Greater Tokyo area. It is most popular for its amazing backdrop of Mt. Fuji on a clear day which is a feast to see. Shibazakura literally means lawn sakura, as it resembles mini sakura (cherry blossoms) that grows on the ground. The colourful fields of 800,000 pink, white and purple blooms produce a breathtaking hues of scented carpet in a 2.4 hectare festival around mid April to late May every year. In 2022, the festival will take place from April 16th to May 29th.
Since it only opens for a limited time each year, extreme numbers of tourists and locals flock to the area. The location is rather far from the city and needs strategic planning to go to. From Kawaguchiko Station, one can join a 2000 Yen package tour from Shibazakura Liner, which includes a two-way shuttle bus ticket to the Fuji Shibazakura Festival’s venue as well as the admission fee. The journey takes about 2 hours from Central Tokyo.
Contributed by Valerie from Weekend Haven.
9. Bluebells in Hallerbos, Belgium
Lots of people travel to the Netherlands in the spring, in order to see the famous tulips fields and the Keukenhof gardens. However, if you like flowers, there’s another flower experience you shouldn’t miss right around the corner, in Belgium.
For about two weeks in Spring, the woods of Halle, a town right beside Brussels, get covered in bluebells. In order to know exactly when the flowers bloom, you need to stay tuned to Hallerbos’ official website. The bloom season varies depending on how warm it is.
Contributed by Marjorie from Not My Birthplace.
10. Sunflower fields in Andalucia, Spain
Every summer, the sunflower fields in southern Spain bloom as far as the eye can see. Worried that you’ll miss them? Don’t fret – the fields of gold roll on for miles and miles! We drove past field after field between Ronda and Seville, and because we were on a highway it wasn’t always safe to stop and take photos.
Make sure you pay attention to oncoming traffic and cars behind you, and try to find little pathways that branch off from the main road. There is no entrance fee but avoid trespassing and never trample on the flowers! Also beware of the thousands of bees, all you can hear is buzzing. The best time to see sunflowers in southern Spain is in late June, July and August. Read on for some of the best places to visit in southern Spain.
11. Lupines in Iceland
The best thing about summer in Iceland is, well, everything. A close second is the fact that you get to jump out of your car and run into endless fields of Lupine flowers almost anywhere on the island. Sprinkled all over the country and native to Alaska, Lupine flowers were brought into the country at the end of the 19th century to reverse soil erosion.
Some of the best places to see this purple blanket of warmth would be right off the Ring Road (route 1) traveling southeast direction Vík. If you have any love for taking in the sights while simultaneously driving, or even better if you are riding shotgun, these fields cannot be missed. Green landscapes transform suddenly and as far the eye can see, purple Lupine reigns supreme. Some other notable spots to encounter vast fields are in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and on Vestmannaeyjar/ Westman Islands (Iceland’s own islands).
Contributed by Ariana from QU-EEN.
12. Tulips in the Bollenstreek, the Netherlands
The Bollenstreek (translated: Region of the bulbs), is a region located at the west side of Amsterdam. The region is not only famous for its vast and beautiful flower fields, but also for the the flower gardens of Keukenhof, which welcomes visitors from all over the world. The best time to visit the flower fields is at the beginning of May (during the Dutch springtime) when the fields are covered with beautiful tulips in many colours; other flowers like Crocus, Daffodils and Hyacinths bloom from late March to early April.
You can visit the flower fields by foot, by bike or by car. If you plan to visit the flowers fields by foot, the best way to get there is to take the train to the flower village of Hillegom. Farmers are used to visitors but please be respectful and never touch or grab the flowers.
You can also combine your visit to Keukenhof Gardens which is located in Lisse, with a visit to the flower fields by bike, but it might be exhausting. For only €10 a day you can rent a bike and it includes a cycling route map.
By car you can follow the Anwb route and combine you trip with a visit to the dunes in Katwijk and Noordwijk. If you love flowers and want to avoid the crowds of Keukenhof Gardens, then the Bollenstreek is the best option for you. Access is free and as there a few people around, you don’t have to wait to take the perfect picture.
Contributed by Angela from Angela’s Corner.
13. Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens, the Netherlands
Europe’s favorite garden, Keukenhof, is a brilliant exhibit of over 800 different varieties of tulips (yes, 800!) and it is open to the public every spring. Some of the world’s rarest and most unique tulips are on display at this massive garden, including the glamorous gold-tinted variety.
In addition to its well-manicured gardens, Keukenhof also offers visitors special events, inspirational artwork, and family-friendly activities. In 2022, Keukenhof is open from March 24th to May 15th. Make sure to check out the official website for ticket prices and more details.
Contributed by Candi from Travel Candi.
14. Lupines at Lake Tekapo in New Zealand
Lake Tekapo is one of the largest alpine lakes on the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin at the center of New Zealand’s South Island. The hour long drive from Mount Cook might be out of the way, but it is totally worth the trip. The blue turquoise lake framed by snow-capped mountains is the setting of every photographer’s dream. The beauty of the lake is further enhanced by an explosion of wild lupines every year from mid-November to December.
From Queenstown, you can take Highway 8 all the way North until you get to the shores of Lake Tekapo. There is a parking lot by the Church of the Good Shepherd that sits atop a hill overlooking the field of flowers. The small church was built in 1935 for the pioneer families and is still used as a place of worship today. This is probably one of the most popular spots for visitors in New Zealand, so don’t be surprised to find busloads of tourists being dropped off for a quick photo.
Contributed by Caitlin from Life After 9 to 5.
15. Rapeseed fields in Xinghua, China
When I was traveling through Southeast Asia back in March and April of this year, I came across a story that National Geographic ran on the yellow rapeseed fields in Xinghua, China, which only bloom once a year in April. I Googled Xinghua and realized that it’s in the same province as my hometown where I was planning on visiting the following week, so I knew I had to go.
The flowers were beautiful, and the boat ride through the flowers serene, but more than that, the people were kind and humble – very different from most people I’ve met in the big cities in China. Big cities in China can be a bit overwhelming for foreigners, but the countryside is a beautiful place that I would highly recommend visiting when in China. You can reach Xinghua by car from Nanjing (2.5 hour car ride) or Changzhou (2 hour car ride).
Contributed by Diana from MVMT Blog.
How to be a responsible visitor at flower fields
It may be tempting to walk through dense fields of flowers or even pick a few, but the impact of your behaviour could be far-reaching. Over the years, visitor behavior at popular flower fields has been called out for being potentially irresponsible or even destructive.
It’s not simply a matter of aesthetics. “The flowers are an integral part of the ecosystem and the natural community,” says Dennis Stephen, regional interpretive specialist for the Colorado Desert District of California State Parks. When wildflowers are crushed, “those flowers aren’t able to contribute to the overall ecosystem, which includes the caterpillars that feed on the flowers, the hawks that feed on the caterpillars . . . So, there’s a ripple effect.”
Source
So how do you visit a flower field without wreaking havoc? Easy. There are a few rules to follow, whether you are visiting a private flower farm or field of wild flowers.
- Stick to any marked trails
- Don’t pick any flowers unless you are visiting a private farm that allows you to do so
- Definitely don’t roll around in any flower fields or trample through them
- Park safely and out of the way, so you are not obstructing any traffic or creating any potentially dangerous road situation
- Consider visiting lesser-known flower fields to distribute the tourist load (e.g. Off the tourist trail: Alternative ways to enjoy tulips in the Amsterdam Area)
- Can’t get up close and personal to take a good shot of the flowers? Bring along a zoom lens to capture the flowers from afar
How gorgeous are these beautiful blooms? Have you visited any of these flower fields around the world? Leave a comment and tell me about it below!
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I love flowers and the pictures shared here are unique, stunning and natural.
I wish i could travel to all those places. Great article and interesting.
Thanks for sharing!
WOW. Omg. I’m having trouble choosing a favourite. Lavender! But that photo of Tokyo… BUT SUNFLOWERS THO. Love this post! One of my faves!
I know – I have a total soft spot for sunflowers as well!
Oh my goodness these are all so incredible! I don’t think I could pick a favorite. And now I want it to be spring!
Not long to go now! Just have to make it through winter first haha
Keukenhof was incredible. And now I have so many more floral destinations to check out! Thanks for putting together this amazing collection to inspire me 🙂
Thank you for checking out this list, Sarah!
My goodness, I need to have a flower fields bucket list! I would love to visit all of these but the sunflowers and tulips caught my eye. And, those flowers around Mount Fuji are lovely.
We are hoping to see the flowering moss in person next year!
They’re so beautiful! I’d love to see the tulips in Amsterdam!
Me too! I’m hoping to make a trip to Amsterdam during spring one year – the fields look spectacular!
I love the lupin fields! We get those in Sweden, too, and despite the fact that they are a weed, I still love to see the hills patched of purple and pink! I did a lovely photoshoot in a lupin field last summer and I loved having this natural resource as background to my model!!
I bet your photos were breathtaking!
All of these look so beautiful but I think my favorite are the bluebonnets in Texas. The blue bells are similar but not quite the same
I’ll have to look those up for next time!