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Wondering where to go in Europe in spring? Whether you want to experience European spring traditions, visit iconic landmarks, enjoy lively festivals, or take photographs of blooming landscapes, there’s something for everyone.
Dance at the Feria de Abril festival in Seville, where the streets fill with flamenco music and colorful dresses, or party at the Snowbombing festival in Mayrhofen, Austria’s legendary alpine event. For nature lovers, spring is also an excellent time to take photographs of the tulip fields near Amsterdam in full bloom.
To help you plan the perfect escape, we’ve curated a list of 12 must-visit European spring destinations, selecting locations known for their exceptional spring experiences, scenic beauty, and cultural events.
Our recommendations are based on traveler reviews, expert insights, and seasonal highlights so that each destination offers something truly special this time of year.
Seville is one of Europe’s best places to go in spring because you can experience one of the continent’s largest spring events. Around mid-May, you can enjoy Feria de Abril, with over 500,000 people attending. This lively event celebrates Andalusian culture, music, and food. It takes place at Real de la Feria and features flamenco dancing, parades in traditional Sevillian costumes, horse-drawn carriages, live concerts, and more.
During Holy Week, various processions, historical reenactments, and celebrations occur across the city center. Of course, you can also visit Seville’s most famous attractions. The Royal Alcázar of Seville, the oldest royal palace in Europe, only costs €15.50 ($15.80) to enter.
Las Setas Viewpoint: The Metropol Parasol offers one of the best panoramic views of Seville. Entry is €16 ($16.53) and includes a drink at the rooftop bar. Visit at sunset for stunning city views.
Casa Morales Tapas Bar:This historic bar near the cathedral serves excellent montaditos (small sandwiches) and local wines. It gets crowded, so arrive early or expect to stand.
Flamenco at Casa de la Memoria: For an authentic flamenco experience, this intimate venue offers high-quality performances for €22 ($22.73). Book tickets online in advance, as seating is limited.
Lisbon, Portugal’s famous capital, is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Europe in spring. Conveniently for us, spring is also the best time to visit the city because we can expect fewer crowds, lower travel prices, and pleasant weather. A highlight of visiting the city in spring is the colorful explosion of blooming flowers.
Lisbon’s cityscape is covered in vibrant cherry blossoms, camellias, and jacaranda trees from late April to early June. You can see over 10,000 plants at the 10-acre (4-hectare) Lisbon Botanical Garden. In spring, you can also enjoy Lisbon’s Easter celebrations.
Famous landmarks like Sé de Lisboa and Jerónimos Monastery host Easter mass, while the streets come to life with parties, processions, and egg hunts.
Tram 28 Before 9 AM: The famous Tram 28 gets packed with tourists by mid-morning. I rode it before 9 AM to get a seat and enjoy the ride through Alfama and Baixa without the crowds. A single ticket costs €3.20 ($3.31), but a 24-hour transport pass for €7 ($7.23) covers unlimited rides.
Miradouro de Santa Catarina at Sunset: This lesser-known viewpoint offers stunning city and river views without the crowds of Miradouro de Santa Luzia. I grabbed a drink from the nearby Noobai Café and watched the sunset over the Tagus.
Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is one of the warmest European spring destinations. In April, temperatures reach a delightful 72°F (22°C), perfect for relaxing on beaches like Playa de las Teresitas. Playa de las Teresitas is almost 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) long and offers soft golden sand and sparkling emerald waters.
Enjoy the island’s seasonal events when you’re not soaking up the sun or taking photographs of Mt. Teide in Teide National Park. Romería de San Marcos is held on the last Sunday of April. In Tegueste, you can watch traditional processions, dances, concerts, and blessings.
During Holy Week, you can also experience Pascua Florida, or ‘Floral Easter,’ in Guía de Isora. The town’s streets are adorned with large, vibrant floral displays to celebrate Jesus Christ during this event.
Teide National Park Night Tour: I booked a guided stargazing tour in Teide National Park, where the skies are some of the clearest in Europe. The park gets cold at night, so I brought a jacket.
Guachinche La Cueva in La Orotava: For authentic Canarian food, I ate at Guachinche La Cueva, a hidden gem in La Orotava. Their grilled meats and local wine were excellent. Expect simple service but great prices.
Late March to mid-May is one of the best times to visit Amsterdam, the Netherlands capital because the country’s famous tulip fields bloom. As such, many meadows, parks, and gardens in or around the city reveal marvelous displays of color. Keukenhof Gardens, a 35-minute drive from the city, is one of the best places to view the tulips and other flowers in bloom.
Dubbed the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof Gardens is considered the continent’s most extensive set of gardens. It reportedly contains over seven million spring flowering bulbs. Don’t forget your camera.
The already picturesque canals in Amsterdam will be lined with tulips and colorful trees, making the walk between famous attractions like the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum even more spectacular.
Keukenhof Express Bus: I took the Keukenhof Express Bus (line 858 from Schiphol Airport or line 852 from Amsterdam RAI), which costs around €31.50 ($32.55) round trip and includes park entry options. It saved me the hassle of parking and traffic.
A’DAM Lookout for Tulip Views: For a panoramic view of Amsterdam’s tulip-lined streets, I went to A’DAM Lookout. The observation deck ticket costs about €18.50 ($19.11), and for an extra thrill, I tried “Over the Edge,” Europe’s highest swing.
The Welcoming of Spring in Trnovo, also called Pozdrav pomladi – Gregorčki, is one of the most significant draws to Ljubljana in spring. This free-to-attend event occurs on the eve of St. Gregory’s Day, March 11th, along the banks of the Gradaščica and Ljubljanica rivers. Commemorating an old folk tradition, the event sees children and their families release candle-lit wooden boats called “Gregorčki” into the rivers.
This is done to bid farewell to winter and welcome spring. The boats are dropped into the water at Trnovski Bridge. Spring is also an excellent time to visit Ljubljana because it offers the best balance of weather and crowds.
Better yet, beautiful flowers bloom in and around the city in spring, including bluebells, snowdrops, and primroses. You can see fantastic flower displays in Tivoli Park, the largest park in Ljubljana.
Boat Ride on the Ljubljanica River: I took a wooden boat tour from Ribji Trg (€14 per person) for a peaceful ride through the city. It’s a great way to see Ljubljana’s bridges and riverside cafés without the crowds. Sunset cruises are especially scenic.
Nebotičnik (Skyscraper) Café for City Views: For the best panoramic view of Ljubljana, I visited Nebotičnik’s rooftop café. A coffee costs around €3, and I enjoyed a clear view of Ljubljana Castle and the Alps in the distance.
Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is one of Europe’s most exciting spring destinations. This is primarily because St. Patrick’s Day is one of the world’s most famous celebrations. Held in honor of Saint Patrick on March 17th, this traditional celebration sees Dublin transform into a city of wild parties.
You can expect most pubs, bars, and nightclubs in the capital to be filled to the rafters with partygoers. You can expect live music, traditional dances, people dressed in St. Patrick’s Day costumes, and bucketloads of Guinness. Every year, Dublin holds the “The Greenest, Grandest Parade.”
The parade will feature marching bands, floats, and equestrian teams. During your visit, make sure you enjoy a refreshing Guinness on a tour of the Guinness Storehouse.
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade Viewing Spot: I arrived early at O’Connell Street for a good parade view, but for fewer crowds, Dame Street near Dublin Castle was a better option. The parade starts at noon, so I got there by 10 AM.
Montreux, Switzerland, is one of Europe’s most picturesque spring destinations. This resort town on Lake Geneva offers magnificent views of the Swiss Alps. In spring, we highly recommend visiting Rochers de Naye, a 6,999-foot (2,042-meter) mountain.
Easily reached via a cogwheel railway, the mountain offers impressive Eiger and Mont Blanc views. Tickets for the cogwheel cost 18.20 CHF ($19.90). You’ll also be pleased to hear that Rocher de Naye is covered in colorful daffodils, narcissus, and alpine flower blooms between May and June.
Aside from the breathtaking scenery, you can enjoy the Montreux International Guitar Show at the beginning of May. This lively event features concerts, masterclasses, and demonstrations. Over 100 exhibitors feature at the event.
GoldenPass Panoramic Train: I took the GoldenPass train from Montreux to Zweisimmen for stunning Swiss countryside views. The panoramic windows make the experience unforgettable.
Château de Chillon Early Entry: To explore Switzerland’s most famous castle without crowds, I arrived when it opened at 9 AM. Entry costs 15 CHF ($16.49), and the self-guided tour let me wander through medieval halls with lake and mountain views.
Spring is the best time to visit Budapest because it’s considered the shoulder season. Therefore, visitors can expect fewer crowds and affordable travel costs. While certain areas will still be busy, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, you’ll enjoy a much more laid-back experience.
Built in the mid-19th century, the Fisherman’s Bastion is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its architecture is stunning, and the panoramic views of the city are out of this world. Entry costs 1,500 HUF ($3.76).
In April, the city’s cherry blossoms bloom, adding to the allure of an already fairytale-like cityscape. You can take mesmerizing landscape photos of the cherry blossom and city skyline from Gellert Hill.
Another major draw is the Budapest Spring Festival (April 28th to May 11th), which includes classical music, ballet, and opera performances.
Thermal Baths at Night: I visited Széchenyi Thermal Bath after 7 PM to avoid daytime crowds.
Ruin Bar Crawl in the Jewish Quarter: For a lively night out, I explored Szimpla Kert and Instant-Fogas, two of Budapest’s best ruin bars. Drinks start at 1,000 HUF ($2.50), and the eclectic decor made each bar feel like a hidden gem.
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is one of my favorite places to visit in spring. For starters, you can expect fewer crowds than in the summer. Second, the city’s parks beautifully reveal the first signs of spring. Pink and white cherry blossoms burst into life in Princes Street Gardens between April and May.
Meanwhile, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has swathes of daffodils and snowdrops. Brilliantly, the gardens are free, so you don’t need to worry about your budget. In between admiring the spring blooms and visiting famous attractions like Scott Monument and Edinburgh Castle, attend one of the city’s exciting spring festivals.
The Beltane Fire Festival is one of Edinburgh’s most unique spring festivals. It occurs on Calton Hill at the end of April, celebrating the birth of summer with ancient Iron Age Celtic rituals and bonfires.
Arthur’s Seat Sunrise Hike: The climb up Arthur’s Seat is easiest in spring before summer heat sets in. I started before 6:00 AM to catch sunrise over the city—worth the early wake-up. Wear sturdy shoes, as the trail can be muddy.
The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour: Located near Edinburgh Castle, this interactive whisky tour offers tastings and a ride through a whisky barrel simulation.
Stockbridge Market (Sundays Only): This small local market runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. I tried fresh oysters and artisanal cheese. It’s a great stop for street food and handmade gifts.
Mayrhofen is the best place in Europe this spring if you love winter sports and epic parties. This postcard-perfect ski resort town in Austria’s Tyrol state is renowned for its breathtaking mountain scenery and excellent skiing facilities. April is a great time to visit because the resort offers some of Europe’s best late ski-season skiing.
Mayrhofen still has up to 41 inches of snow in April and May, making it a reliable skiing destination well into spring. Better yet, there are over 88 miles (142 kilometers) of groomed trails to tackle. This includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs.
Another reason to visit Mayrhofen in spring is the Snowbombing Festival. This OG ski festival takes place around mid-April. It features over 100 world-class artists, 13 unique venues, and wild parties.
Hintertux Glacier Skiing: If lower slopes lose snow, head to Hintertux Glacier, just 30 minutes from Mayrhofen. It offers year-round skiing and remains powdery in April. A day pass costs around EUR 76 ($78.52).
Ahorn Early-Morning Ski Runs: The Ahorn area is quieter than Penken in spring. I took the first lift at 07:30 AM for untouched slopes and stunning sunrise views. Ideal for intermediate skiers.
Scotland Yard Pub:This cozy English-style pub is perfect for après-ski if you want a break from festival crowds. Great beer selection, friendly vibe, and live music some nights.
In spring, Stuttgart offers travelers a variety of seasonal events, mild weather, and beautiful floral displays, making it one of Europe’s best spring destinations.
If it’s spring blooms you’re looking for, head to Wilhelma, the home of the largest magnolia grove north of the Alps. The magnolia grove bursts to life in March with white, pink, and crimson blooms. At Wilhelma, you can also visit the resident animal species, including jaguar, koala, and Indian rhinoceros.
Between April 19th and May 11th, also enjoy Stuttgart Springfest, one of Europe’s largest spring festivals. Located at Cannstatter Wasen, this free event celebrates the start of spring with live music, fairground rides, and beer. Otherwise, visit popular attractions like the Porsche Museum and Stuttgart TV Tower.
Killesberg Park Panoramic Tower: For a stunning spring view, I climbed the 42-meter Killesberg Tower. It offers a 360-degree view of Stuttgart’s parks and blooming gardens. Entry is free.
Markthalle Stuttgart for Local Food: This historic market hall is perfect for trying regional specialties like Maultaschen (Swabian dumplings). I grabbed a fresh pastry and espresso at Patisserie Tar.
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a must-visit European city in spring for several reasons. For starters, the weather is mild, the crowds are fewer, and the city’s parks and gardens come to life with vibrant flower displays. In Seminary Garden, you can enjoy scenic city views and blooming fruit trees and cherry blossoms.
Prague also offers travelers exciting events and festivals in spring, a highlight being the Prague Spring International Music Festival. May 12th to June 3rd, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of this classical music event. It will feature orchestras and artists from across the world.
Of course, Prague also has many exciting things to see. On this 3-hour walking tour, you’ll visit Old Town Square, Prague Castle, and Charles Bridge.
Petřín Hill Funicular & Lookout Tower: I took the funicular (CZK 60 one-way) up Petřín Hill instead of walking. The tower, resembling a mini Eiffel Tower, offers panoramic city views. Entry is CZK 150.
Astronomical Clock Show Tip: To avoid crowds, I watched the hourly show from the side near the House at the Minute instead of standing directly in front. Better view, less hassle.
Jack is a freelance content writer from the U.K. He writes about travel, health & lifestyle, and food amongst other things. As a passionate traveler, he’s always in search of his next big adventure, and ways to save his readers money on their next trip.
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