From Paraná, Brazil, to the world: the Lavender Route blossoms into a new hub for international tourism

The Lavender Route is a tourist route in Paraná created in 2022 by the Paraná Rural Development Institute (IDR-Paraná) to encourage lavender cultivation and rural tourism in the state.

The route has become a tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors and injecting millions of reais into the region's economy. Currently, 13 properties participate in the route, and since its creation, they have welcomed more than 200,000 visitors and generated more than 13 million reais in gross revenue during the project's first three years, according to IDR-Paraná.

Want to learn more about this fascinating route and what you can visit along the way? Here's what you need to know.

The Lavender Route (PR)

The route passes through six cities in Paraná: Araucária, Carambeí, Londrina, Palmeira, Toledo and Umuarama.

The rural properties with lavender fields offer visitors a variety of attractions, including essential oils, cosmetics, handicrafts, colonial-style cafés and other artisanal products made from the flower. Some also offer experiences such as picnics among the lavender fields and photo sessions.

Keep in mind that there is an entrance fee to visit the properties. The best time to visit is from August to October, during the main lavender blooming season.

Here's a closer look at some of the main stops along the route:

Het Dorp Dutch Village

It was one of the first properties to join the route. Located in Carambeí, in Paraná's Campos Gerais region, the site offers visitors an immersive sensory experience.

In addition to its lavender fields, the property features a Lavender Museum, a Dutch-style café and a cheese shop. Visitors can try lavender cheese and Italian-style lavender soda, for example.

Visitors can also enjoy a picnic, relax in a hammock, visit the chicken coop and playground, tour the robotic milking station and browse a shop selling artisanal products.

Santa Lavanda

Santa Lavanda is located in Londrina and offers educational programs and activities, including visits to the lavender fields, explanations about different species and activities related to lavender cultivation and care.

Live music and snacks at sunset are also part of the experience.

Visitors can also book photo sessions and walk through a sensory garden filled with aromatic plants and spices. The property also sells flower seedlings, essential oils, floral water and artisanal products.

Recanto das Lavandas

This property is located in Araucária, in the Curitiba metropolitan area, and offers guided tours, picnics in the lavender fields and photo sessions.

There is also a rural restaurant, a café and a brewery, where visitors can even try draft beer and lavender ice cream.

Alfazenda

Alfazenda is located in Toledo and gives visitors the opportunity to learn about lavender cultivation and essential oil extraction, while also selling products made on site. The shop offers handicrafts, fresh and dried flowers, essential oils, honey and more.

Vale dos Sonhos Lavender Farm

Located in the Witmarsum Colony in the municipality of Palmeira, the property offers a sensory experience with tastings, a shop, a bistro specializing in lavender-based products and cosmetics.

The property features lakes and a barn, offers guided tours and photo sessions, and sells products such as lavender ice cream, jellies and chocolate.