Where to admire the most beautiful cherry blossoms in Europe in spring?

Discover the fascinating history of cherry blossoms in European cities.

If you love sakura – or cherry blossoms – then Japan and Washington DC are probably on your travel bucket list. But did you know that there are countless places in Europe where pink flowers are just as impressive?

If you don’t feel like a long-haul flight but still want to admire the cherry blossoms once the weather warms up, here are our suggestions for some of the best destinations to view them.

Visit Kersenbloesempark – or Cherry Blossom Park – in Amsterdam

If the Netherlands is famous for its millions of tulips in spring, Amsterdam attracts more and more tourists eager to admire its beautiful cherry blossoms.

Sakura trees are very present here Keukenhof – the Dutch home of tulips just outside the capital – but there’s another place you can go to see the best of the pink trees.

Between mid-March and early April the suburbs of Amstelveen, south ofAmsterdamis in full swing.

Known locally as Kersenbloesempark (Cherry Blossom Park), 400 trees bloom and blossom and offer sensational views.

The trees were donated to Amstelveen by the Japanese Women’s Club in 2000 and each one now has a Japanese or Dutch female name.

It is a preserved place where picnics under the flowers are only allowed on weekdays to avoid overcrowding.

You can find pictures of this destination – and other popular European places – in our photo gallery here:

See the Eiffel Tower through the branches of the cherry trees in Paris

Paris it has a different identity every season, but spring is a particularly good time to visit.

If you visit the French capital at the end of March or the beginning of April, you will probably be charmed by the pink trees growing everywhere.

Unsurprisingly, the Jardin des Plantes, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, is one of the best places to see flowers. Dating back to the 17th century, this 60-acre botanical garden has some of the oldest cherry trees in the city. It’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, so you’ll be in good company.

Even if you are a regular visitor to the city, you will probably visit the Jardin des Tuileries, a symbolic park located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde.

Known for its meticulous maintenance and quintessentially French character, it is further enhanced by the cherry blossoms that frame its numerous sculptures in spring.

In general, we wouldn’t say that a visit to the Iron Lady is a an absolute mustbut the Eiffel Tower is definitely worth a visit in the spring when the cherry blossoms are blooming.

If you want to find the perfect place to photograph Paris in its most beautiful season, you must go to the Trocadéro gardens in the 16th arrondissement.

The Eiffel Tower rises majestically behind the cherry blossoms and is a sight that everyone should see at least once. Why not have a picnic under the trees for an unforgettable spring day in Paris?

Imagine you are in Japan thanks to the sakura festival in Copenhagen

Of all European nations, Denmark takes cherry blossom season probably the most seriously.

Every year, it hosts a two-day Sakura festival in Copenhagenand the 2024 edition will be no exception to this rule.

On April 20 and 21, visitors can head to Langelinie Park – home of the city’s famous Little Mermaid sculpture – to see around 200 cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

The trees were donated by Denmark’s Japanese Honorary Consul and line the path leading to the Gefion Fountain. They are so widespread in Copenhagen in the spring that the pink flowers can even be seen on a boat as part of a tour of the city’s canals.

Visitors can participate in tea ceremonies, participate in haiku and origami workshops, and enjoy popular sushi, mochi, and sakura.

Cherry blossom celebration in Stockholm

If you stay in Scandinavia, it could be worse than visiting Stockholmwhich is home to some of the most beautiful sakura trees in Europe.

This year’s annual Cherry Blossom Day will be held on April 28 and will focus on the beautiful flowers that cover the 15th-century Kungsträdgården – or King’s Garden.

Sweden and Japan have a special relationship, the trees were donated by Japan in 1998 to King Carl XVI Gustaf.

The nation has embraced the Asian country’s culture, and this year’s Cherry Blossom Day will include martial arts demonstrations, workshops focusing on Japanese culture and plenty of food to sample.

Discover historic Berlin in a flower-decorated setting

If you appreciate Sakura while adding a touch of history, Berlin is an ideal destination in spring.

The Berlin Wall fell 35 years ago when Japan gifted the German capital with its now iconic cherry blossoms.

Sakura is often seen as a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, and the fact that many of them were planted near where the Berlin Wall once stood is a perfect illustration of this.

Berlin is home to a variety of cherry trees, which means you can often see them from late March to early May, depending on the region you visit.

The Mauerpark – or “wall park” – in the Prenzlauer Berg district is an interesting option for a spring visit.

The park and its surroundings, formerly divided by a wall, have around two kilometers of flowers that you can walk or cycle under.

The park “Gardens of the World”, located in Marzahn, includes an entire Japanese garden with almost 80 cherry trees. A cherry blossom festival is held here every year, although the dates for this year have not yet been announced.

In any case, this park is worth a detour, as it is the perfect place to find some peace and quiet from the bustle of the German capital.

Bucolic flower alleys in Prague

Prague it is known for being one of the most affordable destinations in Europe, but it is also one of the most beautiful, especially in spring.

For views like from a fairy tale, go to Petřín.

There are so many trees in the park that you can see pink clouds behind the Vltava River in the Czech capital.

Head up the hill early in the morning to admire the flowers in the soft light and take photos of the nature alongside the impressive architecture.

If you continue walking along the Vltava, you will arrive at the island of Kampa. It is one of the most picturesque places in Prague and there are flowers blooming with the river in the background.

Prague Castle is also a must and has become one of the most iconic places to admire the cherry blossoms.

The 9th-century building is surrounded by gardens, and an early morning visit will help you avoid the crowds and enjoy the unique light.

If you have more time in the Czech Republic, we recommend that you also visit neighboring Karlovy Vary. Famous for its hot springs and pastel-colored buildings, the town is especially lively when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

Later in the season, discover pink clouds in Edinburgh

While most flowers fall and cover the sidewalks with pink petals at the end of April, it will be completely different here. Edinburgh.

Because of the cooler temperatures, the cherry blossoms here are a little later than in the rest of Europe.

Even in early May, a visit to the Scottish capital will allow you to discover the city in shades of pink, with the first stop at Meadows Park, a public space with beautiful paths lined with cherry trees and views of the iconic Arthur’s Seat.

Next, turn into Princes Street Gardens right in the city centre. There you will see Edinburgh Castle framed by cherry trees.

Last but not least is the Kyoto Friendship Garden, which is little known even to locals but is actually said to be one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in the UK.

Located in the grounds of Lauriston Castle, it was donated by the City of Kyoto to Edinburgh following the partnership between the two cities in 1994 to celebrate the connection between the two cities.