Cherry blossom Germany - when exactly is it?
This depends on the respective winter and is therefore different every year. The peak of the cherry blossom is usually between mid-April and the beginning of May. In some places, such as Schwetzingen in Baden-Württemberg, the blossoming of the cherry trees is precisely documented with a so-called blossom barometer.
Fancy a bit of Japanese cherry blossom flair? The following places in Germany are the best places to experience the beautiful blossoms and traditional cherry blossom festivals.
The most beautiful places for cherry blossom in Germany
Numerous places in Germany are in full bloom every spring – especially the cherry blossom in Baden-Württemberg. Many of the cherry blossom trees planted here belong to the Japanese variety Prunus serrulata, which is known for its magnificent, bright pink flowers. A particularly popular variety is the Prunus serrulata Kanzan, which forms a breathtaking canopy of blossoms every year with its lush, double flowers.
Queen in the port city of Hamburg
Coronation of the Cherry Blossom Queen
The tradition of the annual Japanese cherry blossom festival in Hamburg dates back to 1968. Back then, the Japanese community in Hamburg planted around 5,000 cherry trees in Altonaer Volkspark. They were intended to symbolise German-Japanese friendship. Today, the trees stand along the banks of the Alster, the Kennedy Bridge and the Alsterkrugchaussee. Highlights of the popular festival are the crowning of the Cherry Blossom Queen and the fireworks display on the Friday evening of the festival weekend. The cherry blossom festival in Hamburg in 2023 is also a symbol of the city partnership between Hamburg and Osaka, Japan, which has lasted over 30 years.
Other places for the cherry blossom in Hamburg
In addition to the cherry blossom festival, there are other beautiful places in Hamburg to enjoy the splendour of the blossoms. Numerous Japanese ornamental cherries bloom in the Planten un Blomen park. The cherry blossom is a particular highlight here in spring. You can also discover several cherry trees in bloom at Platz der Republik in Altona. If you are looking for a larger collection of cherry trees, you will find them on the banks of the Outer Alster. Here, the pink blossoms combined with the water and the city skyline provide an impressive backdrop.
Schwetzingen: Bloom barometer of cherry blossoms in Germany
An annual natural spectacle in the state of Baden-Württemberg
When do cherry trees blossom? Every year in Schwetzingen, Baden-Württemberg, the so-called Cherry Blossom Barometer focuses on answering this question. The detailed development of the Japanese cherry blossom in the Schwetzingen Palace Gardens is captured through photography. Initially, the unique natural spectacle is photographed once a week. As the blooming time approaches, new pictures of the fascinating cherry trees are posted more frequently. The blooming of the Japanese cherry blossoms is considered a special attraction in Schwetzingen, which regularly draws numerous visitors.
Cherry blossom in Schwetzingen Palace Gardens
Schwetzingen Palace Gardens impress not only with their magnificent cherry blossom, but also with their unique architecture. The pale pink cherry blossoms and the imposing 18th century mosque form an impressive backdrop. The extensive garden combines elements of the French baroque garden with those of an English landscape park. In addition to the mosque, the highlights of the garden include the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Mercury and numerous artistically designed avenues. During the Schwetzingen cherry blossom season, a particularly impressive scene unfolds here, attracting visitors from all over Germany.
Cherry Blossom in Germany - Popular Photo Spots in Baden-Baden
Discover the most beautiful places for photography in Baden-Baden
Another place where you can admire the splendour of the cherry blossom is the spa town of Baden-Baden in Baden-Württemberg. The impressive blossom splendour in front of the Trinkhalle and along Lichtentaler Allee is a popular photo motif – both for amateur photographers and influencers who want to incorporate the elegant pale pink blossoms into their content. Thousands of trees with cherry blossoms can also be marvelled at in various places in nearby Karlsruhe.
Cherry blossom in Karlsruhe: the most beautiful hotspots
Japanese flair in Karlsruhe: experience the cherry blossom up close here
When spring arrives, Karlsruhe shines in a delicate pink colour. Karlsruhe’s cherry blossom is particularly impressive in Hans-Thoma-Straße, where the Japanese cherry blossoms form a marvellous avenue. The blossoming cherry trees also provide a picturesque backdrop at Kronenplatz and around Haydnplatz. Every year, these hotspots attract walkers and photographers who capture the brief spectacle of blossom.
There are also many other places in Karlsruhe where the cherry trees are in full bloom. You can find an overview of all the locations on this map.
Off to Berlin - Cherry Blossom Germany
Cherry Blossom Festivals in the Capital City
A trip to the most beautiful cherry blossom locations in Germany should include a stop in Berlin. Cherry trees and cherry tree avenues can be found all over Berlin. However, the two famous cherry blossom festivals are a highlight in the German capital. One of these is the Hanami Festival on TV-Asahi Kirschblütenallee in Bornholmer Straße, which is always well attended. A total of 1,100 cherry trees have been planted on the former Berlin border strip in recent decades – donated by a Japanese fundraising campaign in celebration of German reunification. The Japanese sponsors wanted the cherry trees to symbolise peace in the hearts of the people. At the so-called Japan Corner, information boards also commemorate the former border. The second cherry blossom festival takes place in the ‘Gardens of the World’ in Berlin-Marzahn. Every year, a colourful entertainment programme is offered in the Japanese, Chinese and Korean gardens.
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More InformationOther places for the cherry blossom in Berlin
In addition to the well-known cherry blossom festivals, there are many other places where the cherry trees are in full bloom every year:
- Landwehrkanal & Wiener Straße: There is a beautiful avenue of cherry trees along the former border strip between Treptow and Neukölln. The trees along Wiener Straße and towards Maybachufer are particularly worth seeing.
- Mauerpark & Vesaliusstraße: There is a long cherry blossom avenue with 215 trees in Mauerpark. A further 32 trees are in bloom in Vesaliusstraße north of the Pankow-Heinersdorf S-Bahn station.
- Landschaftspark Nord-Ost (Lichtenberg): There are around 50 cherry trees and shrubs in the park near Hagenower Ring. The 14 blossoming trees in Lehndorffstraße are also particularly picturesque.
- Britz tree blossom: There may be fewer cherry trees in Britz Estate Park, but the festival programme with rides and stages ensures a great atmosphere. The cherry blossom festival takes place here every year and attracts numerous visitors.
Cherry Blossoms Bonn: Hotspot for Cherry Blossom Fans
Discover the most beautiful places to admire the pink spectacle in Bonn.
You can never say exactly when the cherry blossoms bloom in Bonn. However, this unique natural spectacle usually falls on the first warm days of April. The cherry blossom is particularly spectacular at this time in Heerstraße and Breite Straße. There are around 60 Japanese carnation cherries here, which form a veritable cherry blossom tunnel when in full bloom. The popular cherry blossom festival also takes place every year in April in Friedrichstraße in Bonn’s old town. Here you can admire the pink blossom splendour just as much as in Maxstraße and Peterstraße, where the delicate Japanese column cherries are in bloom.
Bonn’s cherry blossom can not only be explored on your own, but also as part of special guided tours. On the ‘Cherry blossom for early risers’ tour, you can experience the splendour of the blossoms in the early hours of the morning, before the crowds of visitors begin. If you want to find out more about the city’s design, you can take part in the guided tour ‘How the famous cherry blossom came about’, which sheds light on the history of the cherry blossom in Bonn and its significance for the cityscape.
Cherry Blossom Frankfurt - Cherry Blossom Germany
Japanese Flair in the Banking Metropolis
Even in the otherwise hectic city of Frankfurt am Main, you can admire the pink sea of blossoms of the Frankfurt cherry blossom in spring. A picturesque avenue of cherry trees can be found in the centre of Frankfurt’s Hauptwache in the middle of the shopping mile. There are also numerous cherry trees not far away on the popular banks of the Main. Here you can stroll along the Main or soak up the atmosphere with a view of the Frankfurt skyline. Things are a little more tranquil in the small Chinese Garden in Bethmanpark in the east of Frankfurt. The idyllic park with a babbling brook and quacking ducks provides the perfect backdrop for all cherry blossom fans.
Witzenhausen Cherry Blossom with a Long Tradition
Long before the Japanese custom of cherry blossom spread to Germany, it had already played a role in Witzenhausen in northern Hesse for centuries. The red fruit has been the centre of attention in the local cherry country since the 16th century. Every spring, the Witzenhausen cherry blossom transforms the region into a sea of white and pink flowers. The approximately 100,000 cherry trees in the region are mainly found in orchards around the picturesque half-timbered town. Cherries are grown here not only for sale but also to preserve varieties and for experimental purposes.
A special highlight during the Witzenhausen cherry blossom season is the Witzenhausen cherry trail. This route leads through the most beautiful blossom landscapes in the region and offers breathtaking panoramic views. Another annual highlight is the traditional Kesperkirmes, the town’s big cherry blossom festival.
Pretzfeld Cherry Trail: blossom magic in Franconian Switzerland
A walk through the pink and white sea of cherry blossom
The cherry blossom plays an important role not only in Witzenhausen, but also in Franconian Switzerland. The Pretzfeld Cherry Trail, which leads through one of the largest cherry-growing areas in Germany, is particularly impressive. Every spring, thousands of blossoming cherry trees transform the landscape into a sea of white and pink blossom. Along the cherry nature trail, visitors can learn more about the long tradition of cherry growing in the region. During the Pretzfeld cherry blossom season, many hiking trails invite you to enjoy the blossoming orchards.
Other impressive places to see the cherry blossom in Germany
From Leipzig to Magdeburg - here you can experience the splendour of flowers up close
In addition to the well-known hotspots, there are many places in Germany where the Japanese cherry blossom impresses every year.
- Leipzig: In the Saxon metropolis, numerous streets and parks are transformed into a sea of pink flowers in spring. Along the avenues, Japanese cherry blossoms create a dreamlike backdrop - perfect for a relaxing stroll. The cherry blossom in Leipzig is a highlight for photographers and nature lovers every year.
- Hanover: Thanks to the city partnership with Hiroshima, there are numerous Japanese cherry trees in Hanover. The Hiroshima memorial grove in particular is a real highlight when in bloom. As a sign of the friendship between the two cities, numerous trees have been planted here, which blossom every spring. The annual Hanover Cherry Blossom Festival attracts many visitors.
- Magdeburg: The cherry blossom avenue on Holzweg Magdeburg is one of the most beautiful places for hanami in Saxony-Anhalt. During the flowering season, the street is transformed into an impressive sea of blossoms that attracts numerous visitors every year. A walk along Holzweg Magdeburg offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the cherry blossom in all its splendour.
Map with other cherry blossom hotspots in Germany
To make it easier for you to plan your own hanami experience, we have created an interactive map. Here you will find an overview of even more places throughout Germany where the cherry blossom is particularly beautiful.
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More InformationDo you know of any other places where the cherry trees are in full bloom?
Feel free to share your tips on your cherry blossom locations or become a scout and show us your favorite places in Germany.
