Spring Flower Splendor: 10 Amazing Excursion Destinations in Germany

Time for spring feelings! Are you eagerly waiting for nature to awaken? Then let us share with you our ten favorite excursion destinations in Germany, where it is especially green and blooming in the spring.

Soon, the long, gray, and wet winter will come to an end - spring is coming. Then from Schleswig-Holstein to Bavaria, great excursion spots distribute themselves across Germany, which shine in spring under the splendor of crocuses, cherry blossoms, or other colorful natural magic. We present to you our ten favorites.

Husum on the North Sea is a popular spring excursion destination mainly for one reason: As early as March, the city blooms in vibrant purple as the crocuses in the park of the Husum Castle herald the warm season. You can therefore perfectly combine a day by the sea with a spring walk through the sea of colors, and not only that:

In mid-March, the city of Husum celebrates its crocuses with the 'Crocus Blossom Festival' (March 16 to 17, 2024), where a Crocus Flower Queen or King is even crowned. If you plan a trip to Husum that weekend, you can also apply online to be part of it! The festival turns the place into a colorful spectacle with the traditional mile, an artisan market at the castle, a parade, live music, and many other attractions.

The Altes Land in Lower Saxony, not far from Hamburg, is known as the largest fruit-growing region in Germany. Each spring, the region by the Elbe, full of dikes, canals, and charming half-timbered houses, becomes a sea of flowers. When exactly this happens depends on the annual temperatures, but the sequence is always the same: First, the cherry trees' white-pinkish blooms open, followed later by the apple trees.

In the Altes Land, people also welcome spring with a festival: the Altländer Blossom Festival in the cozy town of Jork, from May 4 to 5, 2024. The program includes live music and a craft market, as well as the crowning of a Blossom Queen - a highlight that has been repeated annually since 1981.

West of the city of Oldenburg and towards the East Frisian Peninsula stretches the picturesque Ammerland, known for its spring blooms. A spring highlight is the park landscapes, especially the park landscapes, notably the Rhododendron Park Hobbie or Gristede. With 70 hectares, Hobbie is considered the largest rhododendron park in Germany and offers ten kilometers of walking paths and rhododendrons up to twelve meters high.

Gristede is much smaller with 25 hectares, but equally enchants with its rhododendron diversity and the largest tree nursery in Europe. In addition, you can explore the spring nature of Ammerland on relaxing bike tours, such as on the 164-kilometer-long Ammerland Route.

Just about 37 miles southwest of Berlin lies the town Werder an der Havel, recognized as a 'recreation area'. In spring, it's the fruit trees that announce the new season with their blossoms, and in their honor, the locals are celebrating this year for the 145th time the 'Tree Blossom Festival' (April 27 to May 5, 2024). You can apply online to be the Tree Blossom Queen (until February 28), but you can also look forward to other attractions, such as a parade at the beginning of the festival.

In eastern Germany, near Leipzig, stretches the so-called Saxon Fruitland, characterized by a hilly landscape and, as the name suggests, a multitude of fruit trees and shrubs. You will find apples, sour and sweet cherries, pears, strawberries, currants, and many other fruit varieties. Naturally, the first fruit trees begin to bloom in spring.

We recommend a spring excursion to the Saxon Fruitland, where you can not only stroll among the first blooming trees or discover them on the Fruitland Cycling Route, but also visit some of the region's castles and fortresses. Furthermore, each year on the first Sunday in April, a large farmers' market opens with products from the region, and in May, blossom festivals are added just in time for the apple and cherry blossom.

The Eifel in western Germany is a scenic excursion destination for nature enthusiasts all year round, but in spring the region displays its finest bloom splendor. If the color yellow symbolizes sun and joy for you, don't miss the daffodil bloom in the Eifel. Most daffodils, about six million, bloom between March and May near Monschau in the Perlenbach and Fuhrtsbach valleys, as well as in the Olef Valley near Hellenthal.

If you are interested in a guided 'Daffodil Hike', they are offered starting late March. Apart from that, you have a selection of diverse hiking trails through the springtime Eifel, such as the dream path 'Heidehimmel-Volkesfeld' or the Eifel Trail 'Münstereifelsteig'. Those who prefer to cycle through nature will find various stages on the well-developed bike paths in the region.

Have you heard of the small town Gimmeldingen on the German Wine Route, west of Mannheim and Heidelberg? If so, it might have been in connection with the almond blossom, which puts Gimmeldingen high on the list of popular spring destinations each year. Gimmeldingen boasts that the climate is so mild there, the plants awaken two weeks earlier than in other parts of Germany.

The many almond trees with their pink blossoms reach for the spring sun first. Every year, the 'Palatinate Almond Weeks' (March 1 to April 7, 2024) with diverse events such as almond and wine hikes, events at some wineries, or a spring wine fair are held. Additionally, you and your family can learn more about the trees and their blossoms on the approximately one-kilometer-long Almond Educational Trail.

The purple splendor of the crocuses is not only found in spring in northern Germany like in Husum, but also in the south: Particularly the small town of Zavelstein in the North Black Forest attracts many visitors once the crocuses begin to bloom there, typically around March.

A purple flower sea like on the 'Zavelstein Crocus Meadows' is said to be unique in southern Germany. You can explore them on your own or with a guide who shares more about these special flowers. Additionally, the Teinachtal, where Zavelstein is located, offers numerous premium and quality trails, allowing you to explore the springtime nature of the North Black Forest beyond the crocus bloom.

Mainau Island in Lake Constance is nicknamed 'Flower Island', and if you haven't guessed why yet: Of course, it is beautifully green and blooming there already in spring, making it ideal to plan an excursion to the third-largest island in Lake Constance starting in March. Usually, the purple crocuses are the forerunners of the spring splendour, followed by daffodils, camellias, and more. Starting in March, you can also admire the Orchid Show in the Palm House.

In April, the splendid blooms of tulips arrive, accompanied by ornamental cherries and imperial crowns, until in May, the rhododendron and bush peonies also unfold. A small tip for true flower fans: At Mainau Castle, there's a seasonally fitting exhibition 'Spring Dreams' from March 8 to May 12, 2024.

Another dream excursion destination for the German spring is the Franconian Switzerland in Bavarian Upper Franconia. If you think the region consists mainly of forests and cliffs, you might not know about the approximately 250,000 Franconian cherry trees! According to the news portal inFranken.de, Franconian Switzerland is one of the largest contiguous cherry-growing areas in Europe.

These reach their full bloom by May at the latest - perfect for a tour on the approximately nine-kilometer-long Pretzfeld Cherry Educational Trail. If that's too short for you, there's the cherry blossom hike of about 15 kilometers in total. Of course, the blooming nature offers outdoor enthusiasts a variety of hiking, biking, canoeing, and climbing opportunities.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all the top travel destinations at bettercities.net.

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