"Cutting-edge Berlin is a feast of history, theatre and music … Since reunification in 1990, it has evolved into a dynamic, sexy and creative city" Lonely Planet

Berlin is buzzing. It is one of the most exciting, ‘happening’ cities in Europe with creative people from all over the world flocking to live there.

Tourism is booming, the famous UFA film studios are thriving, it has become a hang out for A-list Hollywood celebs and the city is back in the black for the first time in 60 years.

Since its restoration as Germany’s capital city, Berlin has undergone a stunning transformation. But perhaps no other location symbolises Berlin’s renaissance like Potsdamer Platz.

In the 1930s, it was one of the liveliest squares in Europe – Germany’s equivalent of Piccadilly Circus.

After the war, it became a no-man's land stuck between the Western and Russian sectors and was turned into a desert by the construction of the Wall.

In the 1990s, the Potsdamer Platz was the largest construction site in Europe. Now the dazzling new office towers, underground station, shopping arcade and entertainment centre have brought new life to this crossroads at the heart of Europe.

"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. But if you still imagine it to be a gloomy, bombed-out city crawling with spies, you are in for a shock: the German capital is one of the greenest cities in Europe, with 30% of the city covered by parks, lakes and forests.

"Berlin has much fine architecture, as well as an extraordinary spread of museums which collectively rank among the very richest on the planet." Rough Guide

A major cultural centre, it is teeming with museums, galleries and concert halls. Beautiful art nouveau buildings contrast with clusters of gleaming towers housing the headquarters of international companies. The modern city has a reputation for cutting edge architecture, led by Sir Norman Foster's stunning restoration of the Reichstag.

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. Oh, and the beer’s not bad!

"The medium to long-range prospects are brighter, bolstered by the extremely good education and research infrastructure and the city’s open society. This attracts young, creative people, facilitating the settlement of new branches of industry.” Deutsche Bank Research

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. New industries are also springing up: Berlin is now an IT and new media cluster.

“Almost every week new projects are started for residential property and hotels. Construction of the major new airport BBI and the plans for Tempelhof airport are attracting big investors from all over the world. A whole new city quarter is rising around the Central Station. The media business, innovative industries, pharmaceutical industry and above all tourism are booming.” Berliner Morgenpost, March 13th, 2008

“There’s an air of completion and confidence about Germany’s largest city” Time Out magazine

With the expansion of the EU to the east, Berlin became a major European capital sitting at the centre of a united Europe.
Now the seat of the German federal government, Berlin boasts a world-class infrastructure after € 75 billion of recent state investment. 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.

"The only way is up"

A recent nationwide study by the Berlin Institute for Population and Development ranks Berlin as Germany’s top city for creativity, with the greatest potential for growth. "Berlin has the best starting conditions in Germany," said Reiner Klingholz, director of the institute. "The only way is up from here."

Last year Berlin announced a budget surplus for the first since the war.