Europe in Bloom: Top Places to See Spring Flowers
From Scotland to Italy and from the Netherlands to Ukraine, springtime Europe is in full bloom. Europe is always beautiful at any time of year. But spring is the time when the world around us comes alive again. Bright flowers breathe new life into parks, squares, gardens and forests across the continent.
So, here are the best places in Europe to see spring blooms.
Bluebells in Kincleven Bluebell Wood, Scotland
Bluebells are sprouting up all over the UK, but the aptly named Kinclaven Bluebell Woods in Perthshire boasts one of the earliest and bluest displays. The flowers cover the forest floor, which is nestled in a bend in the River Tay. It is quite an impressive sight.
Sakura trees in Stockholm, Sweden and Uzhhorod, Ukraine
Although sakuras are native to Japan, the cherry blossoms are popular all over the world, including in the Swedish capital and the Transcarpathian city of Uzhhorod in Ukraine.
Uzhhorod is home to Europe's largest cherry blossom alley, which stretches along the banks of the Uzh River. Sakura trees in Uzhhorod bloom in the second decade of April and for about two weeks you can enjoy the pink clouds of trees. Most of them are located in the old part of the city, on the square, where you can enjoy incredible panoramas of pink alleys. The Japanese ornamental cherry tree appeared in Uzhhorod back in 1923, brought from Vienna. Today, tourists from all over the world come to Uzhhorod to see this amazing sight
Kungsträdgården hosts an annual festival at the end of April, but Hammarby Sjöstad is the place to avoid the crowds. In any case, the flowers here form a beautiful icy pink canopy.
Poppies in Tuscany, Italy
In mid-April, poppies appear between the rows of vines all over Tuscany, creating a fiery contrast to the big blue sky. It's as if the rains have rolled out their own red carpet, which only adds warmth to the already vibrant natural beauty of this region.
Crocuses in Zakarpattia, Ukraine and Poland
Endless purple valleys of crocuses can be found in Ukraine in spring. For example, just a few kilometres from Mukachevo in the Berezynka Arboretum or near Khust in Kolochava, in the Old Village Museum and Cabin.
In the south of Poland, the Chokholowa Valley also explodes in all shades of purple and yellow in spring. Here, too, crocuses begin to bloom as soon as the mountain snow begins to melt. The hills seem to come alive with the first warmth.
Tulips in Keukenhof, the Netherlands
Whether you're a flower lover or not, the dazzlingly colourful displays of tulips in the Keukenhof Gardens are sure to amaze you. This is the largest bulb garden in the world. It boasts more than 800 varieties of tulips and 7 million flowers, as well as irises, lilies, daffodils, orchids and hyacinths. In 2024, it will celebrate its 75th anniversary, so now is the best time to visit.
