Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Berlin: Best Spots for Sakura Season

Sreedevi Menon

Sep 30

4 min read

Cherry blossoms have historically been associated with the far East, primarily in Japan where millions of tourists visit every year to experience the start of spring. The witnessing of these flowers is called 'hanami' in Japanese culture, where you celebrate the beauty that flowers bring. But what has that got to do with Berlin?

Well, the story of how Berlin came to celebrate ‘sakura’ is one rooted in friendship and reunification. In the years after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, a Japanese television show asked for donations to plant cherry trees in Berlin. The people of Japan donated thousands of cherry trees to be planted along the old border between the two sides of Berlin city. Many of the trees were planted in areas where the Wall once stood, although you will see them in many other places around the city as well.

And that is how every spring you can see all these gorgeous pink and white blooming trees all over Berlin. In the month of April, every neighborhood I walk through surprises me with its budding pink flowers. Even the views from my office windows are full of pink and white trees.

If you have planned a trip to Berlin when they bloom, then here are some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Berlin.

What is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Berlin?

Well, they bloom in spring, but the exact timing changes every year. Mostly if you arrive around mid-April, the flowers should be present. However there have been years when it has started even as early as March, or sometimes not be seen until late April. The photos I have put up here are from the 12th of April, 2024. In a warm year it’s possible that they can start as early as March, but it seems that April is a solid bet! The cherry blossoms are at full bloom for approximately 2 weeks.

There are also festivals around this time, and you should look for their correct dates for that year to get an expectation of when the cherry trees will be blossoming. Here are the two main festivals:

Gardens of the World Cherry Blossom Festival – S-Bahn Station: Marzahn
Japanisches Kirschblütenfest at Mauerweg – S-Bahn Station: Lichterfelde Süd

Where to see the famous cherry blossoms in Berlin?

1) Japaneck Mauer Weg (near S Lichterfelde Süd)

This is my go-to place to see cherry blossoms in Berlin. My home is in South Berlin, and hence not too far from here. I really love it because it is a long stretch of tree-lined path where it feels like you are welcomed on a flower carpet. Once you walk the whole stretch, you will arrive upon an open air field where mustards are grown in summer time. It is an equally beautiful view.

Here you can see people having picnics, doing photoshoots, and some even wear a proper Japanese Kimono to take their pictures. Prepare at least half a day for this. You will be busy taking countless photos from all angles and just enjoying the merry atmosphere at a slow pace.

How to reach: Take the S25 or S26 to Lichterfelde Süd. From the station, walk about 10 minutes along Holtheimer Weg to reach the cherry blossom avenue. From here, you can walk towards Japaneck, following the blossoms for around 2 km.

2) Bornholmer Str (north of the Mauerpark Area)

In the North of Berlin, on the border of Pankow, you can find another avenue of cherry blossoms close to the Bornholmerstraße S-Bahn station. The famous Mauerpark is also nearby, and it's lively atmosphere adds to the entire experience, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists. There are around 200 trees that grow there, so be prepared for a lot of pink blossoms. My camera roll was full after clicking all the different shades of pink against the blue skies.

How to reach: Take the S1, S2, S25, S26, S8 or S85 to Bornholmer Straße S-Bahn station. From there, the cherry blossom avenue is just a few minutes away on foot. The S-Bahn station is above the cherry blossom avenue, so you might be able to see them once you exit the station and walk down the street. You can also combine your visit with Mauerpark, which is roughly a 20-minute walk from the station.

3) Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World)

This is where my friend dragged me one fine day to witness a beautiful landscaped setting featuring well-manicured gardens from across the globe, including Japan. It is indeed the perfect place to be in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in its famous Japanese garden.

The park is quite large, so give yourself at least 2–3 hours to wander around rather than coming just for the flowers. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival, held mid-April, takes you right into a cultural immersion with traditional music, dance, and plenty of food.Many Berliners and tourists visit here during this season, so it won't just be you.

How to reach: Take the U5 to Kienberg - Gärten der Welt and walk around 15 minutes to the entrance.

Cost: Entry is €9 for adults in summer (March–October)

What are some other places to see cherry blossoms in Berlin?

Honestly, it is not just these places. The entire city of Berlin comes into bloom during spring. Most of the neighborhoods will be sparkling under the sun in pink sakura flowers. If you’re in Berlin that month, just keep looking up or outside your windows.

There is also a go-to Berlin website that locals and expats use, with a longer list of cherry blossom locations around Berlin if you want more options beyond these main spots.

And if you have further days in Berlin, check out my list of places a Berlin local would visit, it contains several hidden gems which I discovered in my 3 years in Berlin.