Visiting the iconic cherry blossom trees in Japan is a bucket list travel goal for adventurers all across the world.
Festivals showcasing the beautiful and delicate pink and white blossom are held across the country during hanami (flower watching) season and can attract upwards of 10,000 visitors a day.
However, overtourism issues threaten to jeopardise this beloved tradition.
Some viewing sites in Japan have become so overrun by tourists they’ve been forced to shut down. A cherry blossom festival near Mount Fuji, for example, announced it would be cancelling this year’s event due to persistent unruly behaviour from visitors – including trespassing, littering, and defecating in private gardens.
But, could the answer to these problems lie in a small island in the Mediterranean only a few hours flight from London?
For anyone hell-bent on enjoying the visual feast that is cherry blossom season, without having to remortgage their home to afford the flight to Japan, why not instead head to the Spanish island of Mallorca?
Hear me out, okay.
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While some might associate the Balearic hotspot with bikinis and bellinis, during Spring the island turns into a ‘white blanket’, boasting over five million almond trees that sprout white and pink flowers from late January to mid-March.
Specifically, the flowers are most visible and in bloom during late February.
The island’s inland microclimate and vast countryside make it the perfect space for these almond trees to blossom.
In fact, it’s the most common tree in Mallorca and, much like the cherry blossom in Japan, has become a symbol of cultural heritage and pride for the island’s residents.
There are two types of trees you can see in Mallorca: the bitter almond with pink flowers and the sweet almond with white flowers.
A great source of vitamins, oils, minerals, fatty acids and fibre, the almond plays an important role in local cuisine in Mallorcan dishes.
Where are the best places to see almond trees in Mallorca?
While there are almond trees dotted all across the island, there are certain spots that will give you the best chance of spotting the ‘white blanket’ during your visit.
Similar to Japan, Mallorca hosts a range of almond tree festivals, inviting tourists to marvel at the landscape.
The most famous and well-known event on the island is the Fira de la Flor d’Ametler, or almond blossom fair, traditionally held on the first Sunday of February in Son Servera.
But while you may have missed that particular event, the trees continue to bloom well into March so you still have ample opportunity to see them for yourself.
The largest almond production in Mallorca is concentrated in the central area of the island, around Marratxí, Santa Maria, Bunyola, Lloseta or Selva, to name but a few.
The Southeast is also home to swathes of almond trees, particularly spots such as Manacor, Son Servera or Sant Llorenç.
And if you’re really wanting your socks blown off when it comes to nature at its finest, it’s recommended to visit the Tramuntana Mountains.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this mountain range forms the 90km-long northwest backbone of Mallorca.
One of the best ways to see the trees in all their glory is to embark on one of the many cycling or walking routes through the mountains.
Tourism companies typically promote the following routes:
- Es Capdellá – Puig Galatzó
- Alaró – Alaro Castle
- Puig de Ses Bruixes in Llucmajor
3 villages in Mallorca that barely ever see tourists
Hidden away in the agricultural region of Pla de Mallorca is Muro, the beach is a must-visit if you’re looking for quiet serenity – unspoiled and lapped by azure water, it backs onto a lagoon that is a designated nature reserve — no sunbed wars here.
Next up is Campanet, a sleepy pueblo in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains just 30 minutes from Palma. This gorgeous spot feels like a whole new universe, a million miles from the sleek marinas and polished resorts of Mallorca’s capital. With almost no tourists and a great sense of community, this is a true hidden gem.
And finally, there’s Artà, based a couple of kilometres inland from the north-east coast of Mallorca. A picturesque town in a corner of the island that’s still relatively undiscovered, it has the distinction of being the first in the Balearics to be certified a Cittaslow municipality, which means it has a high quality of life.
For more of the best lesser-known villages in Mallorca with hardly any tourists, checkout our guide here.
How much does it cost to visit during almond tree season?
Visiting Japan during cherry blossom season can cost upwards of £700 for a round-trip journey. Therefore, taking in the almond trees in Mallorca is a much more affordable expense.
One way flights to the Spanish island at the beginning of March can cost as little as £22 – with round trip costs also fairly reasonable.
For example, you could fly with EasyJet from Southend Airport to Palma on Wednesday, March 4, return on Friday, March 6, and it would only set you back £35.
While visiting the cherry blossom in Japan will likely remain on your bucket list, why not sample another three course meal for the eyes just a few hours from home?
