Blooming Beautiful: Where to visit in Europe for Spring Flowers

Is there anything more beautiful than spring in Europe? With blossom tree-lined boulevards, wildflower meadows and an abundance of tulips, you’ll find beautiful blooms almost everywhere you look! But when it comes to the best European destinations for spring flowers, few places are as enchanting as the ones on our list. So join us as we reveal the best European breaks to enjoy blooming beautiful spring flowers.

Tulips in Keukenhof, Lisse, The Netherlands

It’ll come as no great surprise that The Netherlands is the best destination for tulips - it is the national flower after all. And while there's plenty of tulip fields to flock to, Keukenhof Gardens, near Amsterdam, is arguably the world's most famous spring flower garden and a must-visit for tulip lovers.

Every year, more than 7 million flower bulbs are individually planted in the autumn to flower in spring, including over 800 varieties of tulips. Enjoy a variety of planting designs, with rows, and swirls of show-stopping tulips, along with beautiful roses, lilies, daffodils, irises and orchids, creating a kaleidoscope of colours.

This year, Keukenhof Tulip Gardens is open from 3rd March - 14th May. Book entry tickets in advance, taking advantage of easy public transport links from Amsterdam, or rent a bicycle and take a leisurely ride along the picturesque cycle paths.

As one of the best days out near Amsterdam, Keukenhof promises an unforgettable experience for all who visit. It's also child-friendly, with a treasure hunt, petting zoo, maze and playground for the whole family to enjoy.

If you're booking a spring holiday to The Netherlands, add it to your list and search for hotels nearby in Amsterdam with Plans Change.

Poppies in Tuscany, Italy

Every spring, the rolling green fields of Tuscany transform into a crimson blanket of wild poppies. The beautiful bright red blooms pop up from nowhere in late April and last well into May, giving you plenty of time to enjoy them.

If you’re planning a spring break in Tuscany or Italian and want to see the vast poppy fields, visit Val d’Orcia, stretching from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. The coastal area of Maremma is also known for its wild poppies. Closer to summer, many of Tuscany’s organically farmed fields explode into a sea of stunning yellow sunflowers, equally beautiful and photogenic.

Bluebells in Hertfordshire, England

You don’t necessarily need to travel too far for a flower-filled spring break. England is home to many beautiful spring flowers, and one of the most wonderful and whimsical of all is the common bluebell.

This beautiful bell-shaped bloom with delicate purple petals is often spotted in the wild, growing in meadows and gardens. However, the most magical place to find them is in dense woodland, where despite the lack of light, the common bluebell thrives, creating a carpet of colour for all to enjoy.

One of the best bluebell woods in England is Dockey Wood, found within the grounds of the Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire. In this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you’ll discover a sea of bluebells dancing amidst the ancient trees. It’s the perfect place to take a gentle stroll along the intertwining footpaths, spend some time in nature and get those much sought-after Instagram snaps.

The peak time to visit the bluebell woods is around the first week of May, but be warned, it can get swamped!

If you’re travelling to Hertfordshire for a spring staycation, check out our hotel deals for cheap accommodation.

Cherry Blossoms in Paris, France

Spring is one of the best times of year to book a romantic break in Paris. During this season, the city of love bursts into bloom with some of the most beautiful cherry blossoms you’ll ever see. From the Champs-Élysées to Notre Dame, all of the top attractions in Paris are painted pink with a scattering of blossom. But one of the best places to visit for spring flowers in Paris has to be Château de Sceaux.

This grand country house in Sceaux, Hauts-de-Seine, is around a 50-minute drive from the centre of Paris and is surrounded by beautiful gardens laden with the prettiest pink cherry blossoms outside of Japan.

During spring, the North Grove in Parc de Sceaux transforms into a cherry blossom heaven and is the ideal place for a romantic day out. So pack a picnic and take your pick of Kanzan trees to relax under.

Spring flowers in Mainau Island, Germany

Mainau Island, located in the middle of Lake Constance in Germany, can be likened to one big, beautiful flower bed. Mainau is home to a huge variety of flowers and tree species, which bloom throughout the spring, summer and autumn, creating a wash of colour across the entire island.

In spring, from late March until mid-May, you will find thousands upon thousands of snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and forget-me-nots. Then, from the end of May, the summer flowers emerge, with over 30,000 roses, rhododendrons and azaleas, followed by dahlias showing well into late autumn.

The island is also home to peacocks, goats and ponies, which live in the petting zoo - a great attraction to visit with children. And if you want to get to know its vast history, which dates back to Roman times, it's well worth visiting the fascinating buildings on the island, including Mainau Castle, Castle Church St. Marien and the gardener tower.

Whether planning a romantic day trip on your spring break in Germany or a fun day out with the family, the flower-filled island has something for everyone to enjoy.

Why spring in Europe?

It’s neither too hot nor too cold, and with beautiful blooms aplenty no matter where you visit, the question of visiting Europe in spring shouldn’t be why but why not? Head to The Netherlands for tulips, Tuscany for poppies, Paris for cherry blossom, and a little bit of everything on Mainau Island, or book a staycation to make the most of spring on your doorstep!

So what are you waiting for? Pick your destination and book a hotel for your spring break with Plans Change. Check out our resale deals for one-of-a-kind offers and the chance to snap up cheap last-minute hotels for spontaneous travellers.