Thirty-six years after the fall of its eponymous wall and the Iron Curtain, Berlin’s continued embrace of immigrants from all over the world in search of a new life continues to define the city. Its eclectic energy is a reflection of its
12 kiez (neighbourhoods), each with its own distinct character and rhythms that embody the city’s unfiltered urbanity and commitment to self-expression. Ranked #4 in our Culture subcategory and #6 for its nightlife, an evening in the city underscores its reputation as a party capital and a hub for festivals and live music. And yes, the urban myth is true: Berlin’s techno scene is UNESCO-recognised.
A bustling calendar of events made for a raucous 2024, with major summer experiences like the annual Christopher Street Day, the massive Gay Pride celebration, attracting hundreds of thousands of revellers, activists and policymakers in celebrating the LGBTQ+ legacy of Schöneberg, the world’s first “gay village.” Berlin’s hospitality industry contributes to this welcoming spirit, with the Pink Pillow Berlin Collection—an initiative of 57 hotels dedicated to inclusivity and support for social causes. The city also hosted EURO 2024, with the city’s Olympiastadion becoming the largest venue in Germany’s first major football tournament since the 2006 FIFA World Cup. For the record, Spain beat England 2-1 in front of more than 65,000 fans.
Berlin continues its ambitious reinvention as one of Europe’s cultural and urban innovation capitals, unveiling one bold development after another. Most eye-catching is the newly opened Reethaus, a spectacular 40-foot- tall thatch-roofed structure resembling a landed UFO, near the Spree River. Designed by Austrian architect Monika Gogl, this radical venue houses a bunker-like performance space featuring omnidirectional speakers by renowned local sound studio MONOM. Since its debut, Reethaus has attracted attention through its intimate sound events and exclusive showcases. These include performances by Carnatic music legend “Flute” J.A. Jayant and a live score of the acclaimed documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed—attended by photographer Nan Goldin herself.
Reethaus anchors the emerging Flussbad campus, which, by later this year, will include a new hotel and clubhouse, redefining the city’s cultural landscape. Designed as a sustainable and innovative urban campus, the Flussbad initiative aims to reconnect people to Berlin’s waterways through cultural, recreational and hospitality experiences. Perhaps the most impressive is the ongoing ecological restoration that will see public swimming in the once-polluted Spree River by 2027, right in Berlin’s historic core. Take that, Paris!
The growing demand for the city is being satiated by new rail connections, perhaps the most convenient being the daytime trains between Paris and Berlin courtesy of Germany’s Deutsche Bahn high-speed direct connection. Qatar Airways will soon be adding three more flights to its Berlin-Doha schedule, increasing its services from 18 to 21 weekly flights. This will allow the airline to operate a three times daily schedule.
Berlin is deeply engaged in documenting its layered history, earning a #4 ranking for Museums. Approaching 200 institutions, the city’s museum offerings range from ancient treasures on Museum Island to the challenging exhibits on display at the Topography of Terror and the Stasi Museum. The new Humboldt Forum, housing the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, stands as a testament to Berlin’s dedication to cultural exchange and global history. The Fotografiska museum adds a contemporary touch to the city’s cultural portfolio, located in a storied 1908 building that has been everything from a wartime ruin to an artist squat and rave venue.
Meanwhile, the evolving transformation of the historic Tempelhof Airport—a vast site that tells the turbulent story of the city—reflects Berlin’s dedication to reimagining its spaces, with open-air galleries and panoramic views of the city’s historic and modern districts. The anticipated Museum of the 20th Century should open on the site by 2026.
Berlin is not only a cultural hub but also an economic powerhouse, with its #3 ranking in our overall Prosperity index and a strong presence of large companies (#7 in Europe). Beyond established industry giants like Deutsche Telekom and Deutsche Bahn, Berlin has emerged as a startup capital. The city’s affordability, renowned universities and skilled labour force have attracted approximately 4,400 startups, supported by growing venture capital investment and the city’s Top 3 spot in our Business Ecosystem subcategory.
Expect Berlin’s status as one of Europe’s premier tech hubs to continue to ascend through robust economic momentum, accelerated by ongoing investments and significant new spending from Germany’s newly formed government, especially amid heightened geopolitical tensions stemming from Russian aggression. Volkswagen AG recently announced further increases in tech-focused spending in response to Tesla’s regional expansion, significantly bolstering the city’s emerging clean-energy automotive cluster. Qualcomm, the U.S.-based semiconductor giant, just opened its new European hub in Berlin, aiming to be closer to the continent’s booming electric vehicle and connected mobility industries.
Further enhancing Berlin’s digital infrastructure, UK-based data-centre provider Virtus unveiled plans for a €3-billion “mega- campus” just outside city limits, aiming to address growing European data demands. Simultaneously, British developer Verdion announced a €100-million logistics and innovation hub, converting former industrial areas into strategic economic assets.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent European security concerns, Germany has accelerated strategic investments centred on Berlin. The new German federal government has committed unprecedented defence and security funding, positioning the capital as a hub for European defence innovation. This includes significant expansions in cyber defence and intelligence capabilities, supported by Berlin’s robust tech ecosystem and research institutions.
Berlin’s role in European cybersecurity is already growing, driven by partnerships between the public and private sectors, universities and think tanks. Recent policy changes include increased allocations for cybersecurity research programmes at Berlin- based institutions, designed to fortify digital infrastructure against foreign interference.
Moreover, Berlin is becoming the nexus for pan-European cybersecurity and intelligence co-ordination. In 2026, the city will open a new European Defence Innovation Centre, partnering with NATO, the EU and private-sector leaders to catalyse research and technological development aimed at safeguarding Europe’s digital and physical security.
Together, these developments underscore Berlin’s central role—not only as a global tech hub, but also as a pivotal European city prepared to defend itself and the continent against emerging geopolitical threats.