Spring unfolds differently in Europe than anywhere else in the world. Palm-sized roses, beautiful weather, and friendly atmosphere seem to captivate the entire continent. If you’re dreaming of spring in Europe, here are some of the best places to visit to inspire you.
With sunny daffodils, twisting wisteria and tulips blooming for miles, spring in Europe is one of the best times to visit. As Europe begins to thaw from winter, the most brilliant flowers and beautiful landscapes begin to appear. We’ve mapped out the best places to visit in Europe in spring. 7 places offering the most beautiful scenery in Europe. You will feel as if you have stepped into a painting.
In Europe, the effects of winter seem to last for quite some time, so when the buds finally start sprouting and the birds start chirping (sometimes in the early morning), you know that spring has arrived in Europe.
Why is it spring in Europe?
Not too hot or too cold, just like Goldilocks likes. It’s a lot less crowded than the summer months (although watch out for the Easter holidays) and the flowers are blooming like never before. Having lived in Europe for the past three years, this season is my favorite. Combine the beauty of the landscape and the temperature to create a recipe for the perfect vacation.
Of course, there are many places across the continent that boast beautiful flowers or beautiful scenery. But I picked the cleanest locations that showcase the best the continent has to offer.
We’ve selected 7 places in Europe where you can actually see spring unfolding. From the best places to see flowers, to the best options for the weather, to the best times for each location.
What are the best places to visit in Europe in spring?
tulips in netherlands
The mecca of all spring destinations in Europe, the Netherlands not only has miles of tulips in every color imaginable, but it’s also home to the world’s largest flower garden, Keukenhof. The vibrant, bold blooms only come for two months each year, and visitors flock to see the magnificent patchwork quilt of flowers. The flower fields of the Netherlands seem perfect for a leisurely spring day. Ride or drive through the fields and stop at a cafe to buy some bulbs or flowers to take home.
Check out our full guide to tulips and Keukenhof here.
Best time to visit: Mid-April is when the tulips are at their best. The season runs from mid-March to May, but it’s best to keep it closer to April.
While you’re in the area, stop by Amsterdam! It’s low season in this busy city.
Cherry blossom trees in Bonn, Germany
Every year, the cherry blossom trees in Bonn, Germany are in full bloom, creating an almost heart-shaped frame on the streets. If you want to experience Japanese cherry blossoms, there are many places in Germany with pretty, fluffy cherry blossoms. Across Germany, cities such as Berlin, Heidelberg and Schwetzingen offer delightful places to view trees.
Best time to visit: Cherry blossoms often bloom in early spring, usually lasting about a month from mid-March to April.
Here is my blog post (and lots of images!) about beautiful Heidelberg in spring.
Daffodils in southern England
One of my favorite things about visiting England is the friendly people. That’s fitting, because daffodils seem to be pouring out of all those charming cities and towns. Daffodils are such happy, bright flowers and are a perfect juxtaposition to the vanilla colored buildings of the Cotswolds and Cornwall in southern England.
To fully experience the spirit of spring, we recommend taking a road trip to southern England. Because it is lambing season, you can see not only daffodils but also baby animals such as sheep and goats running around. I was shocked by the sunny weather, beautiful flowers, and even the amazing scenery that made me feel like I was on the Italian coast.
Daffodils actually grow in the UK by the millions! this guide We will tell you where you can see daffodil fields.
Best time to visit: Daffodils are abundant flowers and bloom from March to April.
Check out our Southern England road trip guide here and our Cotswolds guide here.
Wisteria in Provence, France
When I first drove and cruised through Provence, I asked to stop every time I saw an overly rich wall of purple wisteria. Then I realized that there were endless wisteria trees on almost every street and corner. Wisteria is an invasive plant, but it’s also very adorable. It covers many houses and cafes and is easy to spot in the area.
Almost every small town and village has wisteria. It can be found growing freely in wine growing areas such as the Beaujoules region. You can also go to the Aix market in Provence and buy piles of pink peonies.
Best time to visit: Wisteria has a short season, so be sure to check the calendar to see it! Wisteria will last about 3-4 weeks depending on temperature. Usually from early to mid spring. This year, the weather was unusually cold, so the wisteria bloomed in late spring, in late April.
Bonus: Head south to Calanques to avoid summer crowds and incredibly beautiful beaches.
Bougainvillea in Santorini and Corfu, Greece
The bright Fuscia, supersaturated flowers of the Bougainvillea plant seem to bleed all over the white building. It’s no secret that the Greek islands are one of the most beautiful places in the world. Crystal clear water, cliffside villas and warm sandy beaches make it the perfect place to enjoy your holiday. I love spring in Greece. This is because some tourists enjoy the flowers to beat the heat. Corfu is a large and often overlooked island, with tons of bougainvillea near the old town and beach villas.
Santorini is already picturesque, but it also has many beautiful places with flowering bushes. You will definitely encounter this on any island.
Best time to visit: Bougainvillea has a long season, beginning to bloom in late April and May and continuing throughout the summer.
See my guide to Corfu here.
Wildflowers of Sicily, Italy
Driving through the winding streets of Sicily, I kept remarking on the vibrant colors dotted across the highways. They come in bright purple, dark red, bright yellow, and other colors of the rainbow.
I suggest renting a car in order to see many of the cities that Sicily has to offer and this is also the best way to see the wildflowers. In particular, the resort town of Taormina seemed to be engulfed with wildflowers and wisteria.
Best time to visit: Wildflowers bloom throughout the spring season but it’s best to go before it gets too hot outside. March and April are the perfect time to visit since Spring unfurls quite early in the South.
Bonus! If you love poppies, head to Tuscany for the striking sight of red flowers lining the roads and clinging to the stone walls.
See my guide to Sicily here and Tuscany itinerary here.
Paris and London for a bit of all the blooms
The benefit of visiting the big cities is that they do their best to spruce up their storefronts, restaurants, and cafes. You can find beautiful wisteria covered homes in London or marvel at cherry blossom trees that line the boulevards in Paris. P.S. see my full guide to London and Paris here.
On nearly every street there is a cafe or home showing off with bright blooms. Notting Hill in London is a great place to find wisteria. You can also see many flower shops encourage visitors to stop in by creating elaborate flower displays. Restaurants like Peggy Porschen and Churchill Arms create a frenzy of Instagrammers frequenting their doorsteps to get a picture.
In Paris, you’ll find cherry blossom trees near the Champs-Élysées and right outside the Notre Dame, on the back part of the building. Near the Notre Dame, you can go to Au Vieux Paris for a wisteria covered wall. You can also take a day trip to Monet’s Garden to get a dose of all sorts of flowers and see Monet’s inspiration for his paintings.
Best time to visit: You can visit any city throughout spring to enjoy a variety of flowers.
Our guide to Paris is here and our guide to London is right here. Or here's a 7-day itinerary for both!
Of course, even if you're not in one of these places, be sure to visit your local market to sample flowers from all over Europe. You'll be amazed at the selection and prices!
Seville, Spain
Seville, Spain is another great destination for a spring break in Europe. The city is famous for its beautiful orange trees that line the streets and fill the air with their sweet scent. The best time to see orange trees in bloom is April, but you can also see colorful jacaranda trees in May.
One of the must-see attractions in Seville during spring is the Alcazar Gardens. This UNESCO World Heritage site features beautiful gardens with fountains, ponds and intricate tile decoration. As you walk through the garden, you can admire flowers in full bloom, such as roses, irises, and lilies.
Another popular attraction in Seville is Parque de María Luisa. This park is filled with lush greenery, colorful flowers, and beautiful fountains. You can rent a bicycle, ride a horse-drawn carriage, or take a stroll through the park to enjoy the spring scenery.
If you're in Seville during the last week of April, be sure to check out the Feria de Abril. This week-long festival celebrates Seville's culture and includes traditional costumes, music and dance. The fairgrounds are decorated with colorful paper lanterns and there are plenty of food and drink stalls to enjoy.
Overall, Seville is a vibrant and beautiful city to visit in spring. With blooming orange trees, stunning gardens and lively festivals, this is a destination not to be missed.
Find our guide to itineraries for a week in southern Spain.
Spring in Europe must be experienced at least once in your life. Whether you're a flower lover or want to avoid the peak season, I highly recommend taking a trip around this time of year.
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