Every spring, millions of people travel across the world to admire the most beautiful flowers, from Japan’s cherry blossoms, which draw over 60 million visitors every year, to the Netherlands, which exports more than 4.3 billion tulip bulbs annually.
However, timing is everything. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom only for a few days, and tulip blooms can bloom several weeks earlier or later, depending on the weather.
We gathered historical bloom data from the National Park Service, Japan Meteorological Corporation, and botanical gardens around the world to determine the peak bloom times for some of the most popular places to visit for spring blooms. We chose these sites based on their popularity, traveler reviews, and personal insights.
Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo, Japan
According to Japan Meteorological Corporation’s recent press release for sakura forecast, cherry blossoms in Tokyo will begin blooming on March 24, and full bloom is expected on March 31. This follows the average flowering date from previous years, although cherry blossoms bloomed several weeks later than usual last year due to cold weather.
Visitors should not miss Ueno Park, which has more than 1,000 trees, and Sumida Park, where they can also enjoy boat cruises to view the cherry blossoms. Koishikawa Botanical Gardens is one of the top spots for viewing sakura trees, and picnics are allowed. Meguro River gets crowded because of its famous cherry trees.
Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C., U.S.A.
The cherry trees around the Tidal Bassin in Washington D.C. were a gift from Japan in 1912. The National Park Service announces the peak bloom when 70% of the trees are flowering, predicted for the last week of March and the first week of April in 2025. They also host Bloom Watch and Cherry Blossom Cam on their website for live updates. The National Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 is scheduled for March 20 to April 14.
Visitors can take panoramic photos of the blossoms along the Tidal Bassin from the Jefferson Memorial and enjoy cherry blossoms at the U.S. National Arboretum and National Mall. Washington, D.C., is one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S. in spring.
Tulip Fields in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is famous for its tulip fields, which are 2.81 million acres dedicated to cultivating flower bulbs. The Keukenhof Gardens, otherwise known as “The Garden of Europe,” is a 32-hectare park where 40 gardeners plant 7 million flower bulbs every year. However, many visitors make the mistake of arriving too early.
“Many travelers visit Keukenhof on opening day thinking they will see tulips, but they aren’t in bloom yet,” says Sotirios Vertsetis from the travel platform World Wild Schooling. “You’ll see other flowers like hyacinths and daffodils, and there aren’t as many people, but for ultimate tulip fields, visit mid-April and go around the fields in Lisse.”
One of the most sustainable ways to enjoy the tulip fields in the Netherlands is to act like a local and ride a bike around the fields in Lisse — a bucket list-worthy experience in Europe.
The Tulip Festival Amsterdam 2025 will take place from March 20 to May 11, transforming Amsterdam into one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Travelers should not miss the famous Flower Parade with floats. While most visitors watch the parade near the main entrance of Keukenhof, there are several quieter spots just a few steps away.
Bluebells in Belgium
Hallerbos, otherwise known as the “Blue Forest,” is famous for its blue carpet of blue-violet flowers in spring, just half an hour away from Brussels. While the official website has not yet released their peak bloom estimation, bluebells typically reach full bloom between mid-April and early May, depending on weather conditions.
As this is a forest and not a garden, there is no entrance fee or opening hours, and visitors can enjoy the various hiking trails around the forest. It is also worth noting that the largest Japanese garden in Europe is also in Belgium, and the Japanese Garden in Hasselt is complete with cherry blossoms, a ceremonial house, and a Koi pond.
Since Brussels is only two hours away from Amsterdam, travelers could visit both and see the bluebells in Belgium and the tulips in the Netherlands on the same trip.
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