Which German State Wins the Hospitality Crown? Saxony Leads as Berlin Politicians Spar
A new poll puts Saxony at the top of German hospitality, sparking tourism talk and colourful political slogans ahead of Berlin's state election.
Bild newspaper asked readers to name Germany's most hospitable state. Using 370 million verified guest reviews from Booking.com, the poll placed Saxony at the top, ahead of Bavaria, Rhineland‑Palatinate, Baden‑Württemberg and Thuringia.
Survey Finds Saxony Leads
The Booking.com analysis also ranked Germany as the fourth most welcoming country worldwide, trailing Italy, France and Spain but ahead of the United Kingdom. The findings echo earlier travel‑industry reports that highlighted Saxony’s blend of historic towns and welcoming locals.
Beyond the hospitality ranking, a separate YouGov study challenged a common stereotype about German beachgoers. Only 38 % of German holidaymakers admitted to reserving a sun‑lounge with a towel, compared with 45 % of Italians and the French. The practice is still most strongly associated with Germany by both Brits and Germans themselves.
Flag Football Finale Draws Crowds
Sports fans in Düsseldorf have a reason to celebrate this weekend. The city hosts the finals of the IFAF Flag Football World Championships at the Flag Football Complex in Düsseldorf‑Garath. All four medal matches are scheduled for Sunday, with tickets priced at €15 for adults.
Berlin's Election Gets Quirky
As the state election approaches, Berlin’s politicians are trading conventional promises for eye‑catching slogans. Matt Bristow, a naturalised German standing for Volt, told reporters his party wants to "unf*ck Berlin" with practical solutions rather than ideological battles.
"unf*ck Berlin" with practical solutions rather than ideological battles.
Meanwhile, Jan‑Marcel Evers of the CDU ran a line that read “I am conservative. And that’s a good thing”, echoing a 2001 remark by former SPD mayor Klaus Wowereit. Steffen Krach of the SPD replied on social media with a photo of himself and Wowereit, captioning, “Berlin isn’t conservative. And that’s a good thing.”
Perhaps the most baffling slogan came from Gabriele Cocozza of the FDP: “And I’m not Christian Lindner”. When asked by Der Spiegel to explain, she said the statement was simply a fact.
With the election looming, these unconventional messages may shape voter perception as much as policy proposals. The hospitality rankings, beach‑lounge myths and a flag‑football finale together paint a picture of a Germany that is both traditional and surprising.
