Forget Japan, cherry blossom lovers can get their fix in Paris, Berlin and Prague this spring

14.03.2024 - 00:07 / euronews.com / Cherry Blossom / Saskia ODonoghue

If you’re a sakura - or cherry blossom - lover, you’ll likely have Japan and Washington DC on your travel bucket lists. But did you know there are countless places across Europe with equally impressive pink blooms to take in this spring?

If you don’t want to fly long haul but are still keen to see some cherry blossoms as the weather warms up, here are our suggestions for some of the very best destinations to catch them.

While the Netherlands in the springtime may be famous for the millions of tulips popping up, Amsterdam in particular is increasingly attracting tourists keen to see its beautiful cherry blossoms.

Sakura are very much on display at Keukenhof - the Dutch home of tulips just outside the capital - but there’s an alternative place to head to see the very best of the pink trees.

Between mid-March and early April, the suburb of Amstelveen, south of Amsterdam, comes into its own.

Known locally as Kersenbloesempark - meaning Cherry Blossom Park - 400 trees blossom and bloom, providing a sensational view.

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

It’s an unspoilt spot, with picnics under the blossom only allowed on weekdays to avoid overcrowding.

See images of the destination - and other European favourites - in our photo gallery here:

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

Head over to the French capital in late March or early April and you’ll likely be delighted by pops of pink trees everywhere.

Unsurprisingly, the Jardin des Plantes in Paris’ 5th Arrondissement is one of the best spots to see the blooms. This 60-acre botanical garden, which dates back to the 17th century, boasts some of the city’s oldest cherry trees. It’s a favourite of locals as well as tourists, too, so you’ll be in good company.

Even if you’re a regular visitor to the city, you’ll likely visit the Tuileries Garden, the iconic park between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde.

Famously manicured and typically French, its vistas are set off in even more stunning style by the cherry blossom trees which frame its many statues in the spring.

Usually, we wouldn’t say a visit to the Iron Lady is an absolute must, but the Eiffel Tower is absolutely worth the trip in the spring, as the cherry blossoms bloom.

For the ultimate photo spot for Paris in the most beautiful season, you’ll want to head to the Trocadero Gardens in the 16th arrondissement.

The Eiffel Tower looms up majestically behind the sakura and is a sight everyone should see once. Why not have a picnic under the trees for the ultimate spring day in Paris?

Out of all European nations, Denmark arguably takes cherry blossom