
“If your mental image of the German capital
derives from war films or spy stories, prepare to
be pleasantly surprised by one of the greenest
cities in Europe”
- Time Out
Worldwide perceptions of Berlin changed after it hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final, when a million people partied along the main street in glorious sunshine. Again in summer 2009 the world focuses on the capital with the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics Berlin 2009.
Germany‘s capital is one of the greenest cities in Europe, with 33% of the city covered by parks, lakes and forests.
A major cultural centre, it is teeming with museums, galleries and concert halls. The modern city has a reputation for cutting edge architecture, led by Sir Norman Foster‘s stunning restoration of the Reichstag and the Hauptbahnhof, main train station.
Hop on a short, low-cost flight from the UK and you can experience Berlin’s unrivalled café culture for yourself, sitting out on its wide tree-lined boulevards, enjoying long, hot summer evenings, or its legendary nightlife in a host of clubs and bars.
As well as a Mecca for artists from all over the world, Berlin has long been a world-class educational centre, home to 150,000 students attracted by its affordability. A few years ago they would have had to leave the city to find work after graduation, but now they are staying on as international companies move their European headquarters to the capital.
The city has Europe’s largest central station, linked by high-speed train across the continent. A new airport Berlin Brandenburg International (BBI) in Schönefeld will be Europe’s most modern, with passenger growth forecast to rise to 30 million, making Berlin the international hub of Europe.
