Since I first moved here, Berlin has evolved from “poor but sexy”, as former Mayor Klaus Wowereit dubbed it in 2003, to an increasingly assertive - and pricey - capital city. It still has the edgy club scene it has long been known for, but slick developments have been built over former squats, and rents have soared as Germany’s capital has attracted investors. That includes both big companies like Tesla - the U.
S. electric vehicle maker’s first manufac turing plant in Europe opened here in 2022 - and enough startups for some to refer to it as Europe’s Silicon Valley. As a Brit who studied German at university, I first worked for Reuters in Berlin as an intern in 2005, when Angela Merkel was campaigning to become chancellor.
I went on to become an economics reporter during the years of the global financial crisis. Now I’m a political correspondent, covering stories that have ranged from Germany’s foreign policy in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the rise of the far right. When visitors ask me for recommendations, here’s what I tell them: Getting around: The best way to traverse this mainly flat city with broad avenues is by bike, which you can rent for as little as 9 euros ($10) a day.
Pedestrians should beware the bike paths, as they will not be shown any compassion for absent-mindedly straying upon one. I love how Berlin cycle rides take you on a journey through history and districts with distinct characters. My commute goes from the northeaster.