When: Last week of October

Where: Consuegra, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Why You Should Go: Since 1969, the tiny town of Consuegra in Castilla-La Mancha has hosted Spain’s most colorful festival dedicated to all things saffron. Situated on a high plateau in the shadow of Don Quixote’s windmills and blanketed in soft purple crocus flowers, Consuegra is considered to cultivate the highest quality saffron in the world. Held every year at the end of October, the festival kicks-off the region’s harvest season and celebrates the culinary and cultural merits of the world’s most expensive spice. Festivalgoers can look forward to three days of activities, including musical acts and dancing, a flurry of traditional costume and fanfare, cooking contests featuring saffron, and vendors serving up local dishes prepared with the prized ingredient. The festivities culminate with a special contest where participants compete to see who can remove saffron threads from mounds of crocus flowers the fastest.

Want To Go? Experience the pageantry of Consuegra’s famous saffron festival with our special “Festival Encounters.” During your stay in Madrid, we can incorporate a visit to this regional festival as an exciting part of your private food & wine tour through Central Spain. Learn More >

[Photo Credit]: Turismo Castilla-La Mancha