Every July, the village of Brihuega in Castilla-La Mancha hosts a lavender festival. The area has become quite popular and the visitors usually wear white when they visit the multitude of fields, for those Instagram moments.
This 800 mile (1287 km) road trip had a pitstop in Zaragoza for a visit to the Aljaferia Palace. The palace was originally built in the 11th century, but reconstructed and restored in the 20th century. The building is a splendid example of Mudéjar architecture and is currently used as the regional parliament building.
You can't go to Zaragoza and not visit El Pilar, or officially, Catedral-basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza. The architecture is of Baroque style, and the present building was predominantly built between 1681 and 1872.
Brihuega is located in the beautiful region of La Alcarria in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha. The lavender harvest and festival starts in the month of July with several events revolving around music, culture, and the local gastronomy.
There are lavender fields all over the region but the best ones are located in two areas that are about a 20 minute drive from the village. Abundant parking is available at the Monumento de La Batalla de Brihuega which offers almost infinite viewing angles and shades of purple.
As you approach the lavender fields, your senses go into overdrive. The aroma is intoxicating and the sound of bees pollinating is intense. The fields near Malacuera are on rolling hills that make for interesting lines.
The last hour of the evening and into sunset and dusk really brings out unimaginable colors. As this moment is the most popular time to visit the fields, you have to add at least 40 minutes to the trip to arrive at the Battle Monument on time. But thanks to modern photography, you can capture a remarkable array of hues and tones, making it worth the extra effort.
