Many people living in Canada travel to Turkey during the summer.
And if you’re planning to go in June, we’d like to recommend something that may not be in most travel guides:
Visit the rose gardens in Isparta.
You may have heard of Turkey’s beaches, its historical landmarks, and big cities like Istanbul and Izmir. But there is a quieter, more peaceful side of Turkey waiting to be discovered—and it’s full of roses.
Isparta is a small city located in the southwest of Turkey. It’s not far from Antalya or Pamukkale, and many people pass nearby without realizing what’s there.
Isparta is often called the rose capital of Turkey. Every year in June, the area’s rose fields come into bloom. The air fills with the gentle scent of Rosa Damascena, one of the most valued rose species in the world. These roses are used to make rose oil, rose water, and many natural skin care products.
But more than the products, it’s the experience that makes Isparta special.
The rose season in Isparta is short—just about four weeks. The roses bloom only once a year, usually starting in late May and continuing through June.
Harvesting starts very early in the morning, just after sunrise. This is when the flowers are most fragrant. Farmers and workers head into the fields while the petals are still cool from the night air. They pick the roses by hand, carefully placing them into large baskets.
If you visit during this time, you can walk into the fields and see this process for yourself. Some farms offer guided tours. Others let you pick roses yourself for a small fee. In either case, the smell and sight of the fields is something you won’t forget.
For many visitors from Canada, life is busy and often full of screens, noise, and fast-paced routines. Spending a few hours in a quiet rose field can be a simple but powerful way to reconnect with nature.
The smell of the roses is soft and pleasant. There are no artificial scents here—just the true aroma of fresh flowers. And it’s not just roses. Isparta is home to many other plants that grow naturally in the region.
Near the edges of the rose fields, you’ll often see wild thyme, sage, oregano, clover, St. John’s wort, lavender, and even grapevines. These grow without needing much care. In fact, some of them appear naturally every spring.
Because of this, many aromatherapists and plant researchers from Europe—especially the Netherlands—have visited Isparta over the years. They come to learn, observe, and sometimes even collect plant samples.
Before Isparta had tour companies or travel agents promoting rose tourism, we believed in its potential. We opened a tourism agency and became the official ticketing partner of Turkish Airlines in the region. For 16 years, we provided travel services, and for 12 of those years, we were the only agency operating in Isparta.
We developed the first rose tour projects, hosting groups from the Netherlands who were passionate about aromatherapy. Their reaction was always the same: surprise, joy, and deep appreciation for the nature around them.
They didn’t expect to find so many different herbs and plants in the same region. They often said that Isparta felt like a natural pharmacy, and they weren’t wrong.
Our own rose garden is also full of surprises. Around the edges, we have wild herbs growing on their own—without any planting or planning. Nature is generous here.
If you’re visiting Turkey from Canada in June, chances are you’ll be arriving just before the end of the school year. That also happens to be the perfect time to see the roses in full bloom.
If your trip includes popular destinations like Antalya, Fethiye, or Pamukkale, then you’re already close. Isparta is only a short drive away and can be done as a day trip or a one-night stay.
You don’t need to spend days here—just one morning is enough to experience the beauty of the rose fields. You’ll have time to walk among the flowers, take photos, and maybe even bring home a bottle of rose water.
And if you miss the rose season, don’t worry. Lavender season begins just after the roses fade. Visiting the lavender fields is another peaceful and scenic option, especially in July.
Many visitors say that the most memorable part of visiting a rose garden is not what they buy, but what they feel.
You’ll remember the cool air of the early morning.
You’ll remember the way the roses look when the sun hits their petals.
And you’ll remember the calm.
You may also notice something unusual:
After hours in the garden, even the workers begin to smell like roses. Their clothes and skin carry the scent—not from perfume, but from real flowers.
It’s a small detail, but it says something powerful:
Nature leaves its mark.
Living in Canada, we are lucky to be close to so much natural beauty. But sometimes, seeing a different kind of nature helps us appreciate the world in new ways.
Isparta is quiet. It’s slow. It’s gentle.
It invites you to breathe deeply, walk slowly, and enjoy simple things—like the smell of a flower or the touch of morning sunlight on your skin.
So if you're heading to Turkey this June, make time for a visit to the rose gardens of Isparta.
It may not be the most famous stop on your trip, but it might just be the most meaningful.
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