Irish tourists warned as Spanish town makes plea to stop tourists
A town in Spain has made an interesting plea to stop too many tourists from visiting.
Known for its picturesque lavender fields that see influencers and tourists alike flock to get the perfect photos in the purple fields, Brihuega in Central Spain has become increasingly popular over the last few years.
But much like many areas of Spain, the town has become inundated with tourists and it’s putting pressure on their resources — with Brihuega’s mayor Luis Vuego, asking people not to visit on weekends.
Brihuega in Spain has made an interesting plea to stop too many tourists from visiting: visit on weekdays. Pic: Rafael Martin/Europa Press via Getty Images
‘I recommend visiting us from Monday to Thursday, please,’ Mr Vuego said. ‘It’s more difficult on weekends due to the large number of people who come.’
Mr Vuego said that the town ‘collapsed’ over the weekend, and while they receive over €8million in just a few short weeks when the flowers are in bloom, over 140,000 visitors to the town over such a short period of time means that a lot of pressure is put on its infrastructure.
‘We work hard, we have a security committee, but it’s still a large turnout,’ he told ABC Newspaper. ‘That’s why I insist: please come from Monday to Thursday.’
Known for its stunning lavender fields that bloom in July, the mayor of Brihuega has asked tourists to only visit Monday-Thursday to alleviate some of the pressure that the town is under due to overtourism. Pic: Rafael Martin/Europa Press via Getty Images
Despite the influx of overtourism, Mr Vuego added that he doesn’t want tourists to stop coming altogether, with a five-star hotel recently opening in the city alongside a park and ride to the fields which will open by next year.
The town, which is situated in the Tajuna Valley just an hour outside of Madrid, is also known for its ‘amazing heritage and scenic landscapes’ according to the Spanish Tourism board, with attractions including the Arab caves of Brihuega, Plaza del Coso and its medieval streets.
It’s also known for its horse riding and bull running, hosting one of the oldest bull running events in the country.
BRIHUEGA, GUADALAJARA CASTILE-L, SPAIN – JULY 10: Lavender flowers on July 10, 2025, in Brihuega, Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Every July, thousands of hectares of lavender and lavandin, a local hybrid, bloom in the municipality of Brihuega, known as the ‘Garden of the Alcarria’. Flowering reaches its zenith between late June and July. (Photo By Rafael Martin/Europa Press via Getty Images)
The town also has a dedicated train service while the lavender is in bloom, with the aptly named Lavender Train connecting Madrid to Brihuega during the month of July.
