The streets of Berlin are as lively as ever, but crowds are few.
What's the state of tourism here, two and a half years after the coronavirus pandemic began?
Who's coming to town and how will they spend their time here?
After years of welcoming tourists in record numbers, the trend was brought to an abrupt
halt in 2020. So, has the industry managed to bounce back from the crisis?
Not quite.
Just as in many other major European cities,
Berlin is seeing far fewer tourists than it did in 2019.
Russia's war in Ukraine is certainly a contributing factor. Not surprisingly,
very few tourists are coming from Russia or Ukraine.
Domestic tourism, on the other hand,
is experiencing a boom, as Germans are now traveling more in their home country.
Let's look at figures from January to August 2022.
Most tourists groups visiting Berlin came from other parts of Germany.
By the end of August, the city recorded over 10 and a half million overnight stays.
In terms of foreign visitors, more than 611,000 came from the USA.
Followed by: 548,000 from Great Britain,
503,000 from the Netherlands
and 348,000 from Spain.
Tourists from neighboring France accounted for over 343,000 overnight stays.
So what draws tourists to the city? What do they like to see and do?
According to the marketing tool Visitor Insight,
91% of foreign visitors come to see Berlin's top attractions.
Among them is the Brandenburg Gate, the iconic landmark
which is a symbol of freedom and German reunification.
Those keen to get a good overview of the city head to the famous TV tower.
At 368 meters, it is the tallest structure in the country.
From the viewing platform or the panorama restaurant, visitors have
a 360-degree-view of the metropolis.
The East Side Gallery is another site on every must-see list.
It's the longest-surviving section of the Berlin Wall
and a popular backdrop for photos and selfies.
Another witness to the city's dramatic history is Tempelhofer Feld,
a park on the site of a former airport.
The largest open space in town, it's a favorite with locals and tourists alike.
After sightseeing, restaurants and cafés are the city's second biggest draw.
58% of visitors come for a culinary experience. And they are spoiled for choice.
Café Einstein on Unter den Linden is the perfect place for a Viennese-style coffee break.
And for fans of fine-dining there are several top restaurants, including Tim Raue's.
The 2-star establishment near Checkpoint Charlie was named one of the World's 50 best restaurants.
53% of visitors said they plan to go to a museum or gallery during their stay.
That could be at the Humboldt Forum in the reconstructed City Palace,
or one of the museums on Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The James Simon Gallery is a visitor center and art gallery that opened in 2019.
Most of the buildings on this island in the Spree River, however, were constructed between 1830 and 1930.
Families love the Museum of Natural History, the largest natural history museum in Germany.
Its collection of over 30 million items includes dinosaur skeletons proudly displayed in the central atrium.
Those who wish to learn more about the city's more recent history should visit
the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse.
The 1.4 kilometre long strip along the former border
commemorates the division of the city and provides background on the history of the Wall.
Berlin has plenty of space to stroll.
50% of foreign tourists polled enjoy walking around town.
The city's wide streets and large squares appeal to pedestrians.
Organized tours are also popular with visitors.
48% said they plan to take a guided tour while in town.
Tours range from sightseeing in the government district, including a visit to Reichstag dome,
to an in-depth look into Berlin's Jewish history.
That tour stops at the New Synagogue on Oranienburger Strasse.
It also includes the Jewish Museum. The largest of its kind in Europe. Berlin's Jewish Museum is
full of information on the history of Jews in Germany and Jewish culture up to the present.
Local specialties are also in demand among foreign guests. 42 % want to get
a taste of regional food and beverages. In Berlin, that includes snack bar fare.
Topping the list is currywurst, said to have been invented by a Berliner after the Second World War.
Many consider it the German capital's signature dish.
Döner Kebab is also a popular snack bar special and has been since the 1970s.
And for those who find the center of town too crowded, especially during high season, here's a tip:
Head to one of Berlin's outer districts
where there are more locals, fewer tourists, and plenty of nature.
More than 30% of Berlin's area is comprised of green spaces and water bodies.
In the southwest, an expanse in the Havel River forms the Grosser Wannsee,
one of the few recreational spots available to West Berliners during the Cold War.
These days, it's still a perfect place for excursions especially during summer.
So, is Berlin's tourism industry bouncing back after shutting down for the pandemic?
The number of overnight stays has increased significantly. In the first 7 months of 2022,
the city welcomed 5.5 million guests. That's still 30% fewer than in 2019. But these days,
guests stay longer on average which supports the shift toward more sustainable travel.