The top 5 springtime destinations in Germany

As Der Frühlingsanfang (the beginning of spring) arrives, so too does the desire to dust off your suitcase for a holiday. And with Germany’s blossom-filled cities and bucolic rural landscapes in full bloom at this time of year, what could be better to get away from your day-to-day than a relaxing staycation? Sandwiched between the peak travel seasons of summer and winter, spring can also bring bonuses like being more affordable and destinations less busy.

Read on for the five best places within Germany to frolic in spring weather.

Bonn

Being the birthplace of the famous composer, Beethoven, isn’t Bonn’s only claim to fame – as winter thaws, this west German city’s springtime cherry blossom spectacle is heavenly enough to rival the same season in the trees’ native Japan. In the 1980s, thousands of ornamental cherry trees were planted all over the city’s Altstadt (Old Town). And now, a whimsical spring floral display unfolds every year, as carpets of delicate pink petals shed and gather on the cobblestones – typically within the first two weeks of April. If you can excuse the use of Instagrammable as an adjective, then one particular street is just that – the Heerstraße (aka Cherry Blossom Avenue) on the fringes of the Old Town. Between Gründerzeit buildings and old-fashioned street lamps, the boughs of the trees become laden with flowers and transform the street into a fragrant tunnel of pink. Spend the night at Blues & Chutney Bonn, a characterful B&B with high ceilings and antique furniture, just a short walk from Heerstraße.

Munich

When the milder spring weather arrives in Munich, the city really comes into its own. As the capital of Bavaria, it’s a gateway to the region’s natural splendour and there are ample hiking, cycling and other outdoorsey adventures available (including skiing if you’re not too close to summer). But spring is also a brilliant time to revel in the city itself, with attractions like the Englischer Garten bursting into bloom, flea markets opening up again after the winter and events like Springfest (Frühlingsfest) bringing with it a whole lot of singing, dancing and beer. Stay at the Aloft München in the Old Town.

Hamburg

Bonn isn’t the only city with strong cherry blossom credentials; Hamburg has long had ties with Japan based on international trade and so in the 1960s, thousands of these graceful trees were donated to the city by its own emerging Japanese community. Every May since 1968, Hamburg has celebrated this special Japanese connection with a Cherry Blossom Festival (Kirschblütenfest), involving music, film, art, food and fireworks over the Alster lake. Festivities are centred around the water (with most of the cherry blossom trees found on the shores) and in the Altonaer Balkon park, where you can have an authentic Japanese ‘hanami’ picnic (hanami being the Japanese tradition of welcoming spring) beneath the sakura (cherry blossom). Base yourself at the Henri Hotel Hamburg Downtown, with suave suites, a sauna and city views.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart hosts what is Germany and Europe’s biggest spring festival (Frühlingsfest), attracting around 1.5 million people to the city’s Cannstatter Wasen fairground between mid April and the beginning of May. The event kicks off with the ceremonious opening of a beer barrel by the Stuttgart mayor, before the rest of the attractions swing into action – expect a nearly 60-metre-high Ferris wheel, a rollercoaster and oddities like The Fruit Column, a tall wooden decorative structure covered with fruit. There are also beer tents (and a keg tapping ceremony on the opening Saturday), markets, balloon shows, fireworks displays and special family days. Spend the night at Stuttgart’s centrally located and highly rated Kronenhotel.

Münster

Since Münster sits on the Aasee – a lake with plenty of fun outdoor activities during the warmer months – it’s an excellent choice for a spring city break. There’s boat rental available, a sailing school, a number of coffeehouses and the opportunity to cycle and walk through the surrounding sprawling park. Following the paths that weave through the greenery will be especially enjoyable for art-lovers, since you’ll come across a multitude of sculptures by internationally renowned artists created for the city’s famous once-in-a-decade sculpture exhibition (Skulptur Projekte Münster). Aside from the Aesee, Münster hosts the spring edition of the Send, which is the city’s biggest carnival and draws over a million visitors per year. Spring is also a delightful time to explore the city’s Hafen (harbor) district, revamped in recent years to house hip restaurants, bars and beer gardens overlooking the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Either splash out on a suite with parquet floors and mauve velvet upholstery at Mauritzhof Hotel Münster, or stay within budget in a contemporary dorm with polished concrete floors at the H.ostel Münster.