Spring moves north
One of the pleasures of travelling in Europe between February and April is watching spring arrive at different times in different places. It starts in the far south with almond trees, which flower while the rest of the continent is still in winter, and then rolls north through orchards, parks and city boulevards over the following weeks.
Exact timing depends on the weather each year, so blossom trips reward a little flexibility. Watching local news or tourism updates in the week or two before you go is usually more useful than any fixed calendar.
Almonds in Mallorca and the Algarve
In Mallorca, the almond season typically peaks somewhere between late January and late February. The central plain and the foothills inland from Palma turn white and pale pink, and quiet country roads between stone-walled fields make for lovely drives or bike rides.
The Algarve has its own almond tradition, with a well-known legend about a northern princess who missed the snow of her homeland and was shown a valley of white blossom instead. Inland villages behind Faro are the place to look, and local sweets made from almonds and figs are an excellent souvenir.
Cherry blossom in central Europe
By April, the action shifts to cities like Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg and Amsterdam. Prague's Petřín hill and its orchards are especially pretty, with views over the red roofs of the old town framed by blossom. In Vienna, parks and the grounds of the palaces put on a show, and the vineyards on the city's edge are beginning to turn green.
Berlin has long avenues of cherry trees, some planted along the former line of the Wall, which gives the season an extra layer of meaning. Amsterdam combines blossom with the start of the tulip season in the bulb fields outside the city.
Planning a blossom trip
Short city breaks work best, since you can book closer to the date once you know how the season is shaping up. Early mornings are calmer and give the softest light for photos, and weekdays avoid the busiest crowds in popular parks.
It's also worth thinking beyond the trees themselves. Blossom season coincides with the reopening of outdoor café terraces in many cities, the first market stalls selling spring vegetables and, in the south, wild herbs and flowers on the hillsides. In Mallorca and the Algarve, combine orchards with a coastal walk or a village lunch. In Prague or Vienna, follow a park visit with a museum and a long dinner. A blossom break is as much about the shift in mood as the photos, and that change from winter to spring is something everyone in the city seems to feel at once.
Good to know
- Book flexible options if you can; blossom can arrive a week or two earlier or later than average.
- Pack a warm layer, since spring mornings in central Europe can still be chilly.
- Stay on paths and avoid pulling branches for photos; orchards are often private farmland.