Every spring, the cherry blossom in the old town of Bonn is in full bloom – and has long since become a spectacle that has made a name for itself beyond the city limits. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the cherry blossom in Bonn!
What is the cherry blossom in Bonn?
Every spring, the cherry blossoms delight people in the former capital of Germany! On two streets in the old town, there are particularly many trees standing close together – and so a pink ribbon of blossoms lines the streets here. These Japanese cherry trees were planted in the 1980s as part of a neighborhood renovation.
In recent years, the cherry blossom in Bonn has become a magnet for photography and flower enthusiasts. A particularly large number of visitors now come from Japan and China, making a point of stopping in Bonn on their tour of Europe. But people from the surrounding area also come for a stroll, to take a few selfies and to enjoy “hanami”, as viewing the radiant pink cherry blossoms is called in Japanese.
Where exactly are the trees in bloom?
The area covered by the cherry blossoms in Bonn’s Old Town is relatively small. Breite Straße is a narrow avenue lined with 60 trees and is therefore particularly pretty. Coming from Oxfordstraße, you will also see the iconic blue “Altstadt” sign, which shines against the pink sea of blossoms during the cherry blossom season in Bonn. But there are also cherry trees in the surrounding streets, and Heerstraße boasts another 60 trees! So it’s perfect for taking a stroll through these streets and admiring the pink blossoms to your heart’s content!
By the way: There are also cherry blossoms in Beuel (on Professor-Neu-Allee and Rilkestraße) and Bad Godesberg (on Am Lenkert) in Bonn! Although the area with the blossoms is not quite as large, it is no less beautiful to look at and has fewer visitors.
When is the cherry blossom in Bonn?
The cherry blossom in Bonn does not occur in the exact same weeks every year. After all, the weather is not the same every year. Also, not all of the different cherry tree species bloom at the same time. But roughly speaking, the first trees usually open their buds from the end of March. The peak is often in mid-April, when almost all cherry trees are in full bloom. By May, the colorful frenzy is usually over and the trees are losing their colorful petals. A live ticker provides online updates on the current situation.
How is the cherry blossom in Bonn?
A traditional cherry blossom festival with a big picnic, as is common in Japan, for example, has not been held in Bonn since 2017 because residents felt disturbed by the huge crowds. However, all kinds of events still take place during the cherry blossom season in Bonn. For example, the Old Town flea market, which is scheduled for April 5, 2025, is particularly nice. On April 13, there will also be a handicrafts market in the schoolyard of the Marienschule.
The old town district in Bonn is a really beautiful place anyway. Many cafés, small gift shops, studios and pubs have settled in the pretty old buildings, creating a welcoming and beautiful atmosphere! Just take a seat on the sidewalks, order something delicious and enjoy the cherry blossom in Bonn! For example, at Café Camus.
How do you get there?
Parking around the cherry blossom in Bonn’s old town is very limited. So if you are traveling by car, it is best to use one of the larger parking garages in the immediate vicinity. But you can also get to the cherry blossom in Bonn very easily by bus and train!
From Bonn Central Station, it is only a short walk and you can stop at Münsterplatz with the Beethoven Monument or right at the birthplace of the famous Bonn composer. From Cologne, there is also a beautiful bike path along the Rhine to Bonn. For those who want to combine the cherry blossom in Bonn with a sporty excursion! Cologne/Bonn International Airport is a good 20-minute drive away.
Find more information about the cherry blossom season in Bonn. Have fun!
