Sakura Blossom in Uzhhorod, Ukraine 2025

The city of Uzhhorod, located in western Ukraine, is renowned for its vibrant Japanese cherry trees. Every spring, the city center transforms into a breathtaking display of pink. Over 5,000 sakura trees grow in Uzhhorod, drawing both locals and international visitors who flock to capture photos against the backdrop of the delicate blossoms. This annual spectacle has become a significant attraction, celebrating the city's unique blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.

Best Time to Visit

To experience the breathtaking cherry blossoms in Uzhhorod, plan your visit between mid-April and early May. This is when the Japanese cherry trees transform the city into a pink wonderland. The exact blooming period varies each year depending on weather conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, so it's important to check local reports closer to your trip.

Key Locations

Uzhhorod boasts several stunning locations to admire sakura blossoms. The Sakura Alley, spanning Mytna, Dovzhenko, and Ferenc Rakoczi Streets, is a highlight featuring some of the city’s oldest and most picturesque cherry trees. The historic district of Malyy Halahov, where sakura trees were planted during the 1920s and 1930s under Czechoslovakian rule, is another must-visit area with many of the city’s oldest trees.

Other notable spots include the lush sakura-filled lawn at Labortsa Square, the scenic cherry trees along Nezalezhnosti Embankment, and key locations in the city center like Teatralna Square and Kyivsʹka Embankment. For striking features, visit the Sakura arch and wall at Zakarpatska Street. Additional blooms can be enjoyed on Druhety Street, Zankovetska Street, and Svobody Avenue, offering a colorful display that enchants locals and visitors alike.

Sakura Fest

During the blooming season, which typically extends for two weeks, the city hosts Uzhhorod Sakura Fest. The visitors traditionally stroll along Sakura Alley and feast on local delicacies sold by vendors at the Heroes of Maidan Square and the Owl's Nest (Sovyne Hnizdo), a historical Hungarian brewery. Make sure to sample rosé wines from Chizay wineries, some spit-roasted whole pig sausages, and homemade honey. Also, you'll find a number of stalls selling authentic Transcarpathian handicrafts.

History

Myths and legends surround the origin of Uzhhorod's famous sakura trees. One version suggests they were brought from Vienna in the 17th century by Count Drugeth. Another more credible theory dates their arrival to 1923 during the construction of the city's Halahov district when Transcarpathia was part of Czechoslovakia. Japanese cherries were planted alongside Europe's longest linden alley to stabilize the swampy soil. A playful local legend claims that sakura saplings were swapped with ordinary fruit trees by clever locals who "stole" them from Japanese envoys traveling to Austria's monarch.