Berlin Loses Appeal as Fascinating Metropolis, Survey Finds

Berlin's allure as a captivating global city appears to be waning among Germans, according to a new survey. The poll reveals a stark contrast to perceptions from less than two decades ago, with a majority of respondents now viewing the capital city less favorably.

Conducted by the Institute for Demoscopy Allensbach for the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," the survey found that only 31% of those interviewed believe Berlin is a fascinating metropolis. This figure is a sharp drop from 2007, when a similar poll showed 66% held that view. Conversely, 36% of respondents now feel Berlin is a capital city without charisma.

The survey, which interviewed 1039 people between August 1 and 13, also highlighted Berlin's diminished standing compared to other German cities. When asked which cities hold particular appeal, Berlin garnered only 34% approval, falling behind Hamburg (48%) and Munich (47%). Furthermore, Berlin's unpopularity is underscored by its ranking as a city where people would least like to live, with 46% of respondents naming it – a level of dislike matched only by Frankfurt.