Best Countries to Experience Spring Around the World

After a cold winter, there’s something about the first few weeks of spring that makes you want to go somewhere else entirely. Somewhere with colour, blooming flowers and new landscapes. Spring is arguably the best season to travel, with fewer crowds; this is the season that offers the most rewarding adventures and often is cheaper than travelling during the other seasons of the year. From Europe’s tulip fields to Asia’s cherry blossoms or wild lupin valleys, here are the countries that do spring better than anywhere else.

Netherlands – Tulip Fields & Colourful Landscapes

Few places in the world are as iconic as the Netherlands in spring. From mid April to early May the fields around Keukenhof and the Bollenstreek region explode into stripes of red, yellow and pink.

Its vibrant tulip fields and windmills dotted around its landscapes and their traditional canals offer Europe’s most photogenic seasonal escapes. The Netherlands is compact enough to make for a ideal cycling holiday. Its cycling structure in the world, you can cycle between flower fields, windmills and canal towns.

It’s an ideal holiday for those that are after a relaxing and colourful holiday close to the UK.

Highlights: Tulip fields, cycling routes, flower parades and festivals

Japan – Cherry Blossoms 

This list wouldn’t be complete without Japan’s sakura season. Japan’s sakura season transforms the country into soft pink landscape.  The pink hues and historic temples offer a combination of cultural and natural beauty.

The cherry blossom moves northward from late March through May, which means with good timing you can follow it up the country,  catching it in Kyoto in late March, Tokyo in early April, and Tohoku or Hokkaido in late April or May.

Japan’s mild weather makes it ideal for travellers, as you’re not dealing with the humidity and heat that make July and August genuinely tough.

However, this season attract the most amount of tourists unlike other destinations on this list, which can be difficult. Especially, at the most famous spots (Maruyama Park in Kyoto, Shinjuku
Gyoen in Tokyo), crowds are substantial.

For those looking for an alternative, consider South Korea.

Highlights: Hanami picnics, sakura festivals, traditional gardens

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New Zealand – Lupins and Alpine Wildflowers

While the Northern Hemisphere is heading into autumn,  New Zealand’s spring (October – November ) brings wildflower meadows set against snow capped mountains. The south island is the main draw particularly, Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie Basin, where invasive but spectacular  Russell lupins turn the lakesides purple and pink against the turquoise water.

Also, the Fiordland and Mount Cook regions are at their most dramatic when the snow line is still low.

New Zealand is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. This season offers dramatic mountain scenery, and quieter trails than January (New Zealand’s peak summer) which means it’s better for wildlife viewing.

Highlights: Wildflower trails, national parks, scenic drives

South Korea – Canola Fields & Cherry Blossoms

South Korea offers a colourful blend of cherry blossoms azaela covered mountains and yellow canola fields with many lively festivals. Jeju Island is the standout,  canola blooms in February and March, creating surreal yellow landscapes along the coast, and the island has more relaxed pace than Seoul.

On the mainland, the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival (usually late March) is the largest in the country. Seoraksan National Park in the northeast is worth visiting for the azalea bloom in late April.

South Korea is a good choice for anyone who wants the cherry blossom experience with festivals, new food, amazing nature and culture without  with  the crowds that come with going to Japan.  Prices are generally lower and the major spring spots are less overwhelmed by international tourism.

Highlights: Jeju canola fields, Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival

France – Wildflowers & Magnolias

Spring in France is less about one headline spectacle like the cherry blossoms, but more about blooming wildflowers with sunlight over the vineyards, magnolia trees in Paris’s parks,
and vineyard country at its greenest before the heat sets in and many clear alpine views.

The French Alps in May are underrated. The high mountain routes are still closed, but valley trails and mid-altitude walks are open, uncrowded, and dramatic. Lavender fields in Provence don’t peak until  July, but the general landscapes around Luberon and the Drôme are excellent in May.

Spring offers a relaxing atmosphere. A colourful time to explore medieval villages and lavender lined fields.

Highlights: Wildflower meadows, vineyards, historic towns

Belgium – Tulips & Bluebells

A less known destination for spring compared to its neighbour – the Netherlands. While they get the tulip tourists, Belgium has Hallerbos – a beech forest near Brussels that carpets in a haze with bluebells for roughly two to three weeks in mid April. It’s one of the most genuinely surprising
seasonal landscapes in Europe and most visitors stumble on it by accident. Many parks and castles are also full of tulip displays. Belgium is a great destination for those wanting fewer crowds but want some seasonal and medieval charm.

Beyond that, Belgium has formal tulip displays in city parks, canal towns with spring light, and the advantage of being small enough to cover serious ground in a few days.

Highlights: Bluebell blooms, forest walks, nature photography

Madeira, Portugal – Blooms

An island known as the ‘Island of eternal spring’ full of vibrant greenery, dramatic cliffs and blooming gardens. However, March till May bring the best of it: the hillsides are at their most flower laden, hiking conditions are ideal before the summer heat arrives and the flower festival in Funchal (usually April or May) adds colour to the capital.

The levada walks, trails that follow the island’s ancient irrigation channels through laurel forest are the main reason to come as a hiker. The trail from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo is one of the best ridge walks in Europe. The paths also offer blossoms of exotic plants.

Madeira offers an ideal adventure for hikers and nature photographer wanting a warm and scenic landscape.

Slovenian Alps – Snow & Wildflowers

May in the Slovenian Alps means something you don’t often get in more mainstream alpine destinations: wildflower meadows in the valleys while the peaks above are still capped in snow. The contrast is one of the most photogenic in Europe, and the trails are quiet because the summer crowds haven’t arrived. This contrast is a beautiful sight for photographers and nature enthusiasts wanting to see the transition from winter to spring.

Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park is a good base,  calmer than  Lake Bled (which is worth seeing but extremely busy) and surrounded by hiking trails. The Soča Valley to the west is worth the drive for the colour of the river alone.

Washington, D.C. USA – Monument & Blossom

Washington D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival (late March to early April) is genuinely worth the trip if you’re in North America in spring. The Tidal Basin fills with Japanese cherry trees given as a gift in 1912, and the combination of pink blossoms against the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is one of the most photographed spring scenes in the world for good reason.

It’s a short trip, two to three days covers the main monuments, the festival, and the free museums. An ideal destination for those wanting to explore museums and find out about America’s history.

Kazakhstan – Wild Tulips

Think of Kazakhstan like the long lost ancestor of the Netherlands, Kazakhstan is home to many wild tulip species with many colourful wildflowers bursting with colour against dramatic canyons, turquoise lakes, and hiking paths. In April and May the landscape around Turkestan and the Tian Shan foothills burst into red, yellow and orange colours. Kazakhstan is an underrated destination for nature lovers. Getting around requires planning, but the reward is wildflower landscapes that feel nothing like anywhere else in the world.

Uzbekistan – Silk Road Cities in Bloom

Uzbekistan shines in spring, when mild temperatures, clear skies, and fragrant apricot blossoms transform the Silk Road into its most inviting form. Cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva look especially beautiful under soft spring light, making their turquoise domes and intricate mosaics perfect for photography.

The countryside around Fergana Valley fills with wild tulips, red poppies, and desert candles fill the mountains.

Spring is the ideal season for travellers who love history, culture, and vibrant landscapes, offering the most comfortable weather and the most colourful scenery of the year.

Turkmenistan – Desert in Bloom

Turkmenistan is an unusual spring destination,  partly because it’s unusual in general.The Karakum Desert usually associated with heat and emptiness, blooms unexpectedly in March and April with green,  yellow, and orange flowers across the sands. Combined with the Darvaza Gas Crater (a collapsed natural gas cavern that has been burning since 1971 but set to be extinguished), and historic Silk Road sites like Merv, it makes for an extraordinary trip.

This destination is ideal for explorers, photographers, and travellers seeking off‑the‑beaten‑path adventures and unusual spring scenery.

Switzerland

Switzerland in spring is Alps most dramatic contrast, snow still heavy on the high peaks while the valleys below are vivid green. As the country transitions from winter, the Alps reveal bright green meadows, blooming wildflowers. The hiking season on high routes doesn’t open until late June,  but the cogwheel trains, cable cars, and lake boats run year-round, and spring brings the benefit of no queues and prices that haven’t hit peak-season levels.

In May, lakes like Lucerne, Brienz, and Geneva take on a turquoise-green hue, while alpine villages feel peaceful and full of fresh energy.

Spring is the perfect time for travellers who love scenic photography, gentle to moderate hiking, and crisp mountain air without peak‑season prices.

Best Countries for Flower Fields:

• Netherlands –  Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils
• Kazakhstan – Wild tulips in their natural habitat
• Belgium– Bluebells in Hallerbos + tulip gardens
• South Korea – Canola fields + cherry blossoms
• Japan – Cherry blossoms everywhere

Best Countries  for Cherry Blossoms:

• Japan – The global icon of sakura season
• South Korea– Cherry blossoms + festivals
• Washington, D.C. – Famous Tidal Basin blooms

Best for Wildflowers

• New Zealand – Lupins and alpine blooms
• France – Wildflowers across Provence + magnolias in Paris
• Madeira – Exotic flowers and the Flower Festival
• Slovenian Alps – Alpine meadows in bloom

Best for Mountain Scenery in Spring

• Slovenian Alps – Wildflowers with dramatic peaks
• Switzerland – Snow‑capped mountains + spring valleys
• Kyrgyzstan – Alpine meadows and nomadic culture

Best Countries for Culture and Spring Scenery

• France-Gardens, magnolias, and historic cities
• Uzbekistan – Silk Road cities with apricot blossoms
• Japan – Temples, shrines, and sakura season
• South Korea– Spring festivals and city blossoms

Best for Dramatic Landscapes

• New Zealand- Lakes, mountains, and wildflowers
• Tajikistan -Pamir Mountains awakening
• Switzerland – Iconic alpine views

Best for Unique or Unexpected Spring Locations

• Turkmenistan – Desert wildflowers in the Karakum
• Kazakhstan – Wild tulips across the steppe
• Madeira– Year‑round spring climate

Best for Photography Lovers

• Japan– Sakura framing temples and rivers
• Netherlands -Tulip stripes from above or by bike
• Belgium -Bluebell forests
• Washington, D.C. -Blossoms around monuments
• New Zealand -Lupins + turquoise lakes