Top 5 places for cherry blossom viewing in Bavaria – travel by train to a sea of pink blossoms

Cherry blossoms—known as sakura in Japan—originate from East Asia, where they have been deeply rooted in culture for centuries. In Japan in particular, they are celebrated every spring as a symbol of beauty and transience during the traditional hanami, or flower viewing. Here too, the short but spectacular flowering season is becoming more popular every year. Sometimes the blossoms are delicate pink, as in the case of Japanese ornamental cherry trees, and sometimes they are almost snow-white, as in the case of sweet cherries in Bavarian orchards. Whether you're strolling through the city park, picnicking under pink branches, or hiking through blossoming landscapes, cherry blossoms are the perfect excuse for a springtime train trip.

To make sure you don't miss the spectacular blossoms, we have put together a list of the five most beautiful spots in Bavaria – perfect for your own little sakura hanami!

Even in the big city, everything turns a delicate pink: in Munich, you'll find several places where ornamental cherry trees bloom in spring. The Olympic Park is particularly popular, where you will find an entire avenue of cherry trees around the Olympic Hill – a popular photo spot with a sweeping view of the park. You will also find more cherry trees on the southern shores of the Olympic Lake, which contrast beautifully with the park's architecture.

The Japanese garden in Westpark is no less worth seeing: here, the trees around the teahouse and the small lake are in full bloom – a real insider tip for a quiet hanami break in the middle of the city. Especially atmospheric in the morning or evening hours! Pack a picnic blanket and take your time – both parks offer plenty of space for relaxing spring days.

When the orchards around Lindau awaken in April, spring shows itself from its most beautiful side on Lake Constance. The region between Lindau, Wasserburg, and Nonnenhorn is transformed into a sea of blossoms—perfect for a spring bike ride. On the Lake Constance Cycle Route, you ride through blossoming orchards, past charming Art Nouveau villas, vineyards, and small farm shops. A very special place for your own personal hanami – with lake views and Alpine panoramas.

Our tip: Cycle from Lindau Island to Wasserburg or Nonnenhorn – and return by boat!

Kalchreuth, located north of Nuremberg, is known in the region for its cherry orchards. During the flowering season in April, hundreds of white-blooming sweet cherries stand in full splendor here—a beautiful sight in the gently rolling cultural landscape. The tour along the approximately 3-kilometer-long Naturerlebnispfad Kirschgärten nature trail, which leads through orchards, old cherry groves, and open fields, is particularly impressive.

The signposted circular trail starts directly at the Kalchreuth hiking car park and can be easily combined with a short stop in the village, for example at the Dorfwirtshaus zum Roten Ochsen restaurant, which serves Franconian cuisine.

Take the Gräfenbergbahn from Nuremberg Central Station and you'll be there in around 25 minutes. From Kalchreuth station, it's a 15-minute walk west along Heroldsberger Straße and Erlanger Straße until you reach the start of the circular trail.

The courtyard garden of the Würzburg Residence is the perfect example of how magnificently Baroque architecture and nature can interact—especially in spring. When the oriental ornamental cherry trees in the southern part of the garden bloom in April, a delicate pink veil covers the artistically designed flower beds and boxwood hedges. The blossoms create a fairytale backdrop that attracts not only photographers but also wedding couples.

While cherry blossom season is already over in other parts of Bavaria, it is often just beginning in Hof. The reason: the climate in this city in northeastern Bavaria is slightly cooler – and that is precisely what makes it a real insider tip for anyone who wants to experience the pink blossom wonder when it has already faded elsewhere. In the Hof Botanical Garden, you will find several ornamental cherry trees, most of which only open their delicate pink blossoms between the end of April and the beginning of May.

The garden itself is lovingly landscaped and, in addition to cherry blossoms, offers many other signs of spring, including magnolias, daffodils, and tulips. Perfect for a relaxing walk or a quiet break in the countryside.

From Hof Central Station, it takes about 15 minutes by bus line 1562 to the “Zoo, Hof Saale” stop.