There’s something very special about a blossoming cherry tree. Not only are they beautiful bursts of pinks and white, but they symbolize the rebirth of nature and the welcoming of spring. All around the world, cities big and small celebrate their blossoming cherry trees — and the hoards of tourists that come to see the trees — with festivals and parties. Keep scrolling for 30 of the best places in the world to see cherry blossoms.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Typically Bloom: Early April
Tulips may get most of the attention, but it’s a Cherry Blossom Festival which rings in springtime in Amsterdam. Many of Amsterdam’s cherry trees were planted in 2001 by the Japanese Women’s Club in honor of the victims of the 2000 tsunami. Today, more than 400 trees burst with color throughout the Dutch capital. For the best views, head to Westerpark, a cozy green space and a favorite amongst the locals. The Cherry Blossom Festival is timed to align with peak bloom. It includes family-friendly activities such as picnics, Japanese cooking demonstrations, music, and more.

Bonn, Germany

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
If you’re in Bonn, Germany around late April and early May, be sure to spend some time wandering around the Altstadt neighborhood. Come spring, this artsy place is characterized by its narrow residential streets lined and covered with vibrant cherry trees in bloom. To celebrate, Bonn throws the Altstadt Cherry Festival complete with live music performances, food, and games.

Boston, Massachusetts

Typically Bloom: Late April
Other East Coast destinations may get more attention when it comes to cherry trees, but Boston is definitely one of the best places in the world to see blossoms. The city’s Brookline neighborhood hosts the annual Brookline Cherry Blossom Festival, a fun event to celebrate the impending spring. For some of the best views of the cherry blossoms themselves, take a walk along the Charles River Esplanade in Back Bay.

Brooklyn, New York

Typically Bloom: Late April
In late April of each year, Brooklyn throws Sakura Matsuri (Japanese for “cherry blossom festival”). The three-day festival takes place in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and celebrates the annual blossoming of the cherry trees and the rebirth of spring. Besides self-guided tours through the garden to see the spectacular trees, this popular event includes more than 60 other activities for families to enjoy.

Buffalo, New York

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
Buffalo may be a surprising addition to our list, but it is indeed one of the best places in the world to see cherry blossoms! Specifically, we’re talking about Delaware Park, home of the Japanese Garden of Buffalo. This stunning garden is chock full of cherry trees of varying types, and even hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival in late April. Besides beautiful views of the trees, the family-friendly festival boasts:

  • a pink parade
  • a traditional Japanese tea ceremony
  • origami craft tables
  • puppet shows
  • self-guided nature walks.

And that’s just the beginning!

Copenhagen, Denmark

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
You’ll have to be quick to catch Copenhagen’s Sakura Festival! Denmark’s capital city is beautiful  in the best of times, but during cherry blossom season, Copenhagen becomes downright picturesque. More than 200 cherry trees bloom in Langelinie Park annually, and headline the two-day Sakura Festival. The dates depend on when it looks as if the trees will bloom. Besides pretty views, the festival includes live music, food, karaoke, and tea ceremonies.

Curitiba, Brazil

Typically Bloom: July
Most of the other destinations on our list of the best places in the world to see cherry blossoms are located in the Northern Hemisphere with April and May blossomings.  Curitiba is an exception. The cherry blossoms at the Botanical Garden of Curitiba begin blooming in July, the start of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The garden, known locally as Jardim Botanico de Curitiba, was designed based on the gardens of Versailles. It features an iconic, Art Nouveau-style greenhouse.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Typically Bloom: April
Take a break from exploring Edinburgh’s castles and other historical sites, and head to Meadows Park (pictured) or Alnwick Gardens. Both parks feature tree-lined walking paths with benches for resting. They’re popular picnic spots for locals and tourists alike. During the month of April, Alnwick Gardens is one of the best places in the city to see cherry trees in full bloom. But don’t worry if you miss the full display of pink during the spring. Come autumn, the blossoms on the Great White Cherry Trees turn bright red for a truly unique view.

Hirosaki, Japan

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
When most people think of cherry blossoms, they think of Japan. One of the best places in Japan in which to see these beautiful pink blooms is Hirosaki. Each spring, Hirosaki Park (pictured above) becomes a wonderland of lush blooms and fragrance, a time officially known as the Hirosaki Festival. If you want to attend  the festival, be aware that the event’s start and end dates will vary depending on when the trees begin to bloom. Admission into the park during festival days is roughly $5USD per adult. For a unique view of the blossoms, head to the park at night, when the trees are illuminated until 10P.M.

Jerte Valley, Spain

Typically Bloom: Early April
Once the snow melts, the Jerte Valley is covered in a different blanket of white: cherry blossoms! More than two million cherry trees cover this valley floor near Caceres, Extremadura in Spain. To kick off the blooming in early April, the local community celebrates a full week of activities which include:

  • live musical performances
  • valley tours
  • cooking workshops
  • a spring craft market.

Jinhae, South Korea

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
Located about 4.5-hour’s drive from Seoul is Jinhae. Each spring, the city throws the Jinhae Gunhangje, or Navel Port Festival). This is the biggest and most popular cherry blossom festival in South Korea. The blossoming cherry trees canopy Romance Bridge, Yeojwacheon Stream, and various walking paths throughout the city. All of these make for stunning, postcard-perfect views. The festival features delicious Korean street foods such as cherry blossom bread, cherry-flavored cakes, and the more traditional Korean pancakes and stuffed squid.

Kinosaki, Japan

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
Kinosaki may be the least-known Japanese city to make our list of the best places in the world to see cherry blossoms. And yet, this makes the scenic mountain town an ideal place to visit come late April and early May. Located an easy 2.5-hour train ride from Kyoto, Kinosaki is a town of hot springs (or onsens) situated along the Otani River. The river is lined with hundreds of cherry trees, which bloom in springtime. For the full Kinosaki cherry blossom experience, meander along the river in both the daytime and at night when the trees are lit from the base of the beautiful Onsen Temple.

Kyoto, Japan

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
As long as you show up sometime around late April and early May, finding cherry blossoms in Kyoto is not a difficult task. The city is chock-full of stunning cherry trees! Blossoms can be found from the Imperial Palace to the Path of Philosophy, and everywhere in between. Visitors can avoid the crowds without sacrificing the views by heading to the Yasaka Shrine, the Kiyomizu Temple, or the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto. The latter offers a traditional Japanese tea service overlooking the cherry trees in the pond garden.

London, England

Typically Bloom: March – April
Add cherry trees to the long list of things to see in London in the spring! In March and April, head to the beautiful Kew Gardens for the best displays of cherry trees in full bloom. The trees here are quite historic. They date back to the early 1900s when they were planted between King William’s Temple and the Palm House, a route aptly called “The Cherry Walk.” There are a variety of cherry tree types on display, including Kanzan, Asano, and Taihaku, the latter of which blooms white.

Macon, Georgia

Typically Bloom: Late March – Early April
According to Congressional Records, the city of Macon, Georgia boasts the nickname “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World.” And for good reason, too! This southern charmer is home to more than 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees, all of which burst with blooms of pink each March and April. The blooms last for about 10 days, during which time thousands of people come out to enjoy free musical concerts, amusement rides, a gala, and of course, stunning cherry trees in full bloom!

Meghalaya, India

Typically Bloom: Late October – Early November
Unlike the other destinations on our list of the best places in the world to see cherry blossoms, Meghalaya, India experiences its blooms in the autumn. For the best views of and walks through the blooming cherry trees, head to areas such as:

  • Seng Khasi College
  • Pine Walk Cantonment
  • Lawsohtun
  • East Khasi Hills
  • Lawmali
  • Shillong.

Paris, France

Typically Bloom: Late March – Early April
Paris is magical at just about any time of year, but we’re especially partial to Paris in the spring. Springtime visitors have plenty of opportunity to see the cherry trees in full bloom. One of the most impressive spots is in front of the south facade of Notre Dame. The central courtyard of the Petit Palais is another postcard-perfect place for blooming cherry trees. Another is the Square Gabriel Pierné, a hidden gem that is often overlooked by tourists. Don’t leave the City of Lights without a stop at the Jardin des Plantes, home to the Prunus Shirotae. Also known as the “Mount Fuji” tree, this blooming beauty is thought to be the biggest tree in all of Paris.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Typically Bloom: Early – Mid April
In 1926, Japan sent dozens of cherry trees to Philadelphia as a gift to commemorate America’s 150th birthday. Today, there are thousands of cherry trees throughout the City of Brotherly Love. In early to mid-April, Philadelphia hosts the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmont Park, home to the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, and more than 1,000 cherry trees.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Typically Bloom: Early – Mid April
If you find yourself in New England in early spring, be sure to stop by the small town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Each year, the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire plants cherry trees in remembrance of the peace treaty that was signed in The Granite State, and which ended the Russo-Japanese War more than a century ago. For the best views of the trees, head to Portsmouth City Hall and nearby South Mill Pond, where most of the trees are planted.

Richmond, Virginia

Typically Bloom: Mid March – Mid April
Richmond, Virginia is home to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and some of the best cherry blossoms in the world. From mid-March to mid-April, visitors can meander the aptly named Cherry Tree Walk. This path is lined with a variety of trees, including Akebono, Autumnalis, Yoshino, Kwanzan, and Weeping Cherry. Guests should be aware that there is an admission fee for both children and adults, and that most years, the popular Yoshino trees bloom closer to mid-March.

Salem, Oregon

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
Those surprised to see Salem on a list of the best places in the world to see cherry blossoms should consider this: the Oregon capital was once nicknamed Cherry City! Indeed, Salem remains an absolutely stunning place in late April and early May. This is when the myriad cherry trees start bursting into various shades of pink and white. A spring festival is held with events such as:

  • traditional Japanese tea ceremonies
  • a fashion show
  • craft booths featuring origami and calligraphy.

For the best views of Salem’s blooming trees, head to the State Capitol State Park (pictured).

San Francisco, California

Typically Bloom: Mid April
Sometime around mid-April, San Francisco brightens up with blossoming cherry trees. To celebrate the impending spring, the city hosts the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. This event, which spans two weekends, dates back to 1968. It includes:

  • street performances
  • art exhibits
  • food trucks
  • parades,
  • lots of beautiful cherry blossoms.

Seattle, Washington

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
The students at University of Washington are one lucky bunch! Come spring, they’re treated to some of the best cherry blossoms found anywhere in the world. The university’s cherry trees were gifted to Seattle by Japan in 1912. They were originally planted in the Washington Park Arboretum. The trees were then transplanted on the UW campus in the 1960s. Today, the cherry trees are so famous they even have their own Twitter account. But not to worry if you’re a non-student hoping to catch a glimpse of these well-known trees — the campus is open to anyone.

Shanghai, China

Typically Bloom: Mid – Late March
From about mid-March until the end of the month, the city of Shanghai explodes with color from blooming cherry trees. One of the best spots for viewing the blooms is Gucun Park. More than 12,000 cherry trees of 60 different varieties line the paths of the park, making it the single largest cherry tree collection in the city. During peak bloom, the park hosts a festival to celebrate the impending spring. Visitors should be aware that to enter the park to see the tree costs approximately $3 USD, plus a passport or ID card. But the views are worth the hassle. Approximately 100,000 people come to see the cherry trees bloom in Gucun Park each year.

St. Louis, Missouri

Typically Bloom: April
The best views of blooming cherry trees in St. Louis can be found at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The botanical garden is home to the Japanese Garden, a 14-acre oasis of pink-flowering Kanzan cherry trees and white-flowering Yoshino cherry trees. The garden fills up with people in March and April, peak blooming season, all of whom are eager to see the picture-perfect trees for themselves.

Stockholm, Sweden

Typically Bloom: Mid April
Visitors to Sweden during the spring won’t want to miss a trip to The King’s Garden (known locally as Kungsträdgården). Though the garden itself dates back to the Middle Ages, the stunning pathway lined with 63 Japanese cherry trees has been gracing locals and tourists alike since they were planted in 1998. The city declares Cherry Blossom Day on the day of peak bloom, which typically occurs in mid-April.

Taipei, Taiwan

Typically Bloom: Late March
Those spending spring in Taiwan will certainly want to head to Yangmingshan National Park. Technically located just outside of Taiwan city limits, this beautiful 114-square-meter park is undoubtedly one of the best places on Earth to see blossoming cherry trees. Besides the trees, visitors won’t want to miss the park’s:

  • sulfur lakes
  • hot springs
  • hiking trails
  • volcano views

Closer to the city, Wuling Farm (pictured) features footpaths with cherry blossom canopies come late March and early April.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Typically Bloom: Late March – Late April
A whopping 40,000 cherry trees blossom throughout the city of Vancouver each spring! Because of this large number, the city’s annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the easiest in the world for visitors to catch, as the events last several weeks. For the best views of blooming trees, head to Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, and the VanDusen Botanical Garden. The latter  is home to the original 500 trees Japan gifted Vancouver in the 1930s.

Vilnius, Lithuania

Typically Bloom: Late April – Early May
Vilnius, Lithuania is one of Europe’s more underrated destinations. But for those looking to see a spectacular display of cherry blossoms, Vilnius better be on the itinerary! An orchard of Sakura cherry trees blooms near the White Bridge (known locally as Baltasis Tiltas). The bridge, which extends over the Neris River, is a picturesque spot that’s a popular place for picnics, photography, and relaxing by the water.

Washington, D.C.

Typically Bloom: Mid April
Washington, D.C. is to cherry blossoms in America what Japan is to cherry blossoms on a worldwide level. Every spring, around mid-April, the nation’s capital experiences the bloom of more than 3,000 cherry trees, each of which honors the arboreal gifts given to Washington by the mayor of Tokyo in 1912. More than 1.5 million people visit D.C. each spring, many of whom come specifically for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This days-long festival features myriad special events, all of which take place amongst the trees lining the Tidal Basin.