We at visitBerlin write about Berlin, we want to bring the city closer to you, we work for Berlin. And for us, this is more than just a job, because we all love Berlin - each and every one of us for very different reasons.
Some of us were born here and can't imagine ever moving away, others came here for study, relationship or job and then stayed forever.
Many things are not yet possible, including traveling to Berlin, but there is so much that we are looking forward to - and that is why we all want to share with you why we love Berlin.
The incredible diversity
Catrin: Yes, events must be cancelled for the time being. But even without the Berlin Marathon, Carnival of Cultures and Berlin Lights, this city with its concentrated cultural diversity has something to offer at any time of year.This city, which is constantly coming up with new things, which is dignified in one neighbourhood, hip in another and multicultural in the next.
This city, where you can find big city bustle and idyllic peace. This city where pessimistic optimism reigns: 'Everything is terrible, but it'll be alright'. You simply have to love this city.
More about Berlin's neighbourhoods
Cycling on an airfield
Christian: I love Berlin because it is the only city in the world where I can ride my bike on the runway of a former airport and experience the feeling of freedom and space in the middle of the big city. Only a stone's throw away from the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag, the city's eventful history meets the typical Berlin attitude to life at the former Tempelhof Airport - a unique combination!
We can change the city
Josefine: After long days in the home office, a walk with my dog trough one of Berlin's many parks or a brief bicycle ride are just the perfect thing to do. A tour along the Teltow Canal or on the "Königsweg" cycle path through the Grunewald forest to Wannsee clears my head for new ideas. I love, that the city never totally shut down. And I think it is amazing of how fast art, culture and also the discourse about social and political questions got moved online and is still accessible to everyone who is interested. Although I've only been here in Berlin for three years, the city has given me the feeling from the very beginning: Yes, together, we all here in Berlin, we can really make a difference!
Metropolis Berlin
Kristin: I moved to Berlin to study - three weeks before the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Since then I have witnessed the many changes in this city and all those many magical moments like the first New Year's Eve at the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag wrapping or the Love Parade on the Kurfürstendamm. And of course the Berlinale, every year my absolute highlight! Here I have not only discovered films from all over the world, but also found friends for life.
In Berlin, I can go to the cinema all year round and see films that are not shown elsewhere. In the concert halls, Kirill Petrenko, Daniel Barenboim or Robin Ticciati stand at the podium and give me hours of happiness. During the lunch break, I go to the museum Gemäldegalerie and visit Vermeer's "Young Lady with a Pearl Necklace". And even though I can't do all that right now, I know what I'm looking forward to.
Oh, and no other city has this unique blue in the early evening sky ...
Be as you want to be
Carolin: What I love about Berlin is the people, because they are mostly open and tolerant. I love the many good restaurants, cafés and bakeries where you can enjoy homemade delicacies. And I love the green areas of the capital. There I can relax while listening to the birdsong.
Restaurants with asparagus to go
Berlin's many lakes and parks
Julia: 13 years ago I wanted to come to Berlin only briefly to study, but then I fell in love with the diversity of this city and couldn't leave. I especially love to feast my way through the city's many extraordinary restaurants. At the weekends I am now mostly drawn to the city's nature: going hiking, strolling along the numerous lakes, swimming in the summer or just sitting by the Spree with a good book.
A suprise at every corner
Katharina: I've been living here for over 10 years now and still haven't discovered eyerything in Berlin. Although I plan to go on a discovery tour every month. This is exactly why I love Berlin. You never get done getting to know the city.
And the best thing is: the city has surprises in store at every corner. Murals, or two large street art paintings, hide in unexpected corners such as in Marzahn - painted on a wall of a prefabricated concrete slab building.
I also feel very free. Because everyone who lives in Berlin is allowed to be as he or she wants to be. I have experienced almost no other city that offers so many different things from culture to fashion. Everyone wears the style of clothing they want and few people follow the "current trend in fashion".
It seems as if everyone here lets you live as you are. The city is fascinating, and every time I go for a walk I am surprised at the variety of shops in some of the side streets. Please follow the regulations and take care of yourself, but the small shops will sure be happy if you support them with a purchase now!
The rich cultural life
Dagmar: I love Berlin because I can't get enough of the numerous masterpieces of art history. It's unique what treasures from all times and epochs are here and I'm really looking forward to the reopening of the Neue Nationalgalerie.
Parks and ice cream
Stefanie: I love Berlin because of the wide sidewalks in so many streets of the city.
I love Berlin because you can discover new types of ice cream here every summer.
I love Berlin because there are so many green places and parks in the city.
