BERLIN – MTLG Destination Update 2026

The city of freedom, once divided by a wall

Mar 20, 2026

NEED TO KNOW IN 2026

The past year was eventful for the City of Freedom. From 8 to 15 November 2025, Berlin – the city of freedom – hosted the first Berlin Freedom Week, a new city-wide celebration dedicated to freedom and democratic exchange. Marking the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the German capital became an international stage for committed voices, bold ideas and shared visions. Throughout the week, conferences, talks with contemporary witnesses, workshops, film screenings and interactive programmes invited people of all generations to participate – open to Berliners and international guests alike. Berlin Freedom Week created spaces for reflection, dialogue and meaningful encounters in a city that stands for the value of freedom like no other. The central highlight on 10 November was the Berlin Freedom Conference, where more than 60 international speakers from politics, business, civil society, and the media discussed, in keynotes and panels, how freedom and democracy can be protected and strengthened in the face of rising autocracies.

DID YOU KNOW?

Berlin is one of the most sustainable metropolises in the world. In the latest Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDSI), the German capital climbed to fourth place, achieving its best result to date. Compared to last year, Berlin moved up one position and strengthened its role as a global leader in urban sustainability. With an overall performance score of 80.5 per cent, the city improved by around five percentage points. Only Melbourne, Singapore and Barcelona rank ahead of Berlin in the index. This year, 81 cities participated, including 15 major international metropolises with more than 1.5 million inhabitants, making Berlin’s strong performance even more noteworthy.

BEST INCENTIVE IDEA IN 2026

One of the coolest incentive experiences in Berlin is a Graffiti Workshop on Teufelsberg, Berlin’s legendary abandoned Cold War listening station. Perched above the city, the site offers panoramic views and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. Teams start with an exclusive tour of the street-art-covered domes, learning about the history, artists, and creative culture that have shaped this iconic spot. Afterwards, a professional graffiti artist leads a hands-on workshop where participants design and spray their own group artwork directly on legal surfaces at Teufelsberg. The shared creative process strengthens teamwork, sparks communication, and delivers a true Berlin moment. The experience concludes with a casual outdoor gathering overlooking the skyline. This incentive blends history, art, adventure, and urban energy – making it one of the most memorable team activities Berlin offers in 2025.

PERFECT GIFT

A perfect gift to take home from Berlin is an Ampelmann souvenir. The iconic green and red pedestrian figures are a true symbol of Berlin, instantly recognisable and full of local charm. Visitors can choose from keychains, cups, bags, or small home accessories that carry the playful design. Ampelmann products are created by a Berlin brand and reflect the city’s unique mix of history, creativity, and humour. They are lightweight, easy to pack, and always bring a smile. Taking home an Ampelmann means taking home a piece of everyday Berlin culture—something authentic, fun, and unmistakably Berlin.

TOP EVENTS

Looking back at 2025, Berlin hosted five outstanding events that shaped an exceptional year. ESMO brought together 34,000 leading oncology experts and showcased groundbreaking medical insights. The NFL thrilled fans with a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons live on 9 November at the Olympiastadion Berlin. WeAreDevelopers World Congress brought together 15,000 tech talent from around the world in Berlin, sparking innovation and new collaborations. GITEX impressed 21,640 visitors with forward-thinking digital solutions and major tech breakthroughs. Finally, our own signature event, BESTIVAL, the world’s largest showcase event hosted by a destination. In a playful, festival-like atmosphere, this specialist event brought together 500 event planners to explore and discuss the topics of tomorrow. These top events made 2025 a remarkable year for business, innovation, and global exchange in Berlin.

BERLIN'S FEATURES

NATURAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS

Berlin’s natural and cultural factors create a uniquely dynamic environment. The city combines expansive green spaces, rivers, and lakes with a rich historical and cultural landscape. Berlin’s transformation from a symbol of division to a stage of freedom is visible in more than 100 districts, from the Brandenburg Gate to the East Side Gallery. Constant reinvention through innovative urban development, sustainable mobility, and lived diversity shapes the city’s identity. As a European hotspot for art and culture, Berlin offers world-famous museums, creative events, and thought-provoking artistic moments. Its multicultural population and high number of multilingual professionals make the city an ideal host for international audiences, while creativity, dialogue, and business come together to form an inspiring cultural atmosphere.

GENERAL AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Berlin offers excellent accessibility for event attendees – internationally via Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Berlin Central Station, and within the city, thanks to its efficient public transport network. Taxis are reliable and safe, making them ideal for transfers to trade fairs, event venues, hotels or evening functions across the city. Ride-sharing services such as Uber, Bolt and FreeNow are also widely available. For short distances and flexible travel times, hire bikes or e-scooters—bookable via apps like Tier, Bolt, Lime or dott—offer a practical solution. The Deutsche Bahn (German train) event offers are specially designed for participants of business events, trade fairs, congresses and incentives, and are ideal for group sizes of 100 or more. With various options such as Super Sparpreis Event, Sparpreis Event and Flexpreis Event, you benefit from maximum flexibility and attractive discounts. And best of all: Deutsche Bahn trains run on 100 per cent green electricity. This helps reduce the event’s carbon footprint and lowers CO2 emissions.

TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE

Berlin offers an excellent tourist infrastructure, ensuring a smooth and comfortable stay for visitors. Tourist information centres, multilingual guides, and digital apps help travellers plan their trip with ease. Major attractions such as the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and the Berlin Wall are supported by organised tours and accessible facilities. The city also offers convenient bicycle rental, vibrant dining, and modern conference venues. Berlin’s hotel landscape is diverse, offering everything from luxurious 5-star hotels and modern conference hotels to budget-friendly design hotels, with around 140 000 beds available. Even last-minute bookings are usually possible. Business travellers benefit from over 650 public hotspots across the city, as well as complimentary internet access in many hotels, cafés, restaurants, and event venues.

MEETINGS INFRASTRUCTURE

Berlin is one of Europe’s most innovative, sustainable and reliable MICE destinations. It offers a highly efficient meetings infrastructure that supports events of all sizes, from small workshops to major international congresses. The city provides a wide range of modern conference centres, multifunctional event venues, and state-of-the-art meeting hotels equipped with advanced technology. In 2024, the city hosted 60,886 business events across 419 locations, including congresses, conferences, meetings and seminars. During the same period, the number of B2B participants increased by 19 per cent to 9.1 million, highlighting Berlin’s strong appeal for international event planners. Sustainability plays a central role in Berlin’s event sector, with around 70 per cent of local suppliers already implementing recognised standards such as ISO 14001, EMAS or the visitBerlin programme Sustainable Berlin. Combined with excellent venues, infrastructure and services, Berlin remains a leading European hub for successful business events.

MEETINGS BUZZ

City of Freedom: Once divided by a wall, Berlin has transformed into a place where openness and individuality define everyday life. From the Brandenburg Gate to the East Side Gallery, the city’s more than 100 districts reflect this remarkable journey from separation to unity. Berlin celebrates diversity in all its forms, creating a space where everyone can live, create and express themselves as they wish. Innovative urban development and sustainable mobility underline its forward-looking spirit, while creativity, dialogue and business thrive side by side. The city’s multicultural atmosphere, rich history and vibrant cultural scene make Berlin a global symbol of reinvention and possibility. This spirit of lived freedom continues to shape Berlin’s strong international brand and lasting appeal.

BERLIN FACT SHEET

Destination population:	3,902,645
*The number of 4 and 5* category hotel rooms:**	124,222
*The number of 4 and 5* category hotels:**	635
The size of the largest hall in the city (in m2):	6,015
Maximum hall capacity in theatre style (the largest hall in the city)	5,000
Banquet hall maximum capacity (the largest hall in the city):	3,500
Average internet speed when organising events (Mbps):	32