“I'm gay, and the way it is, it's good." — Klaus Wowereit, 10 June 2001
Few sentences have become as closely associated with modern Berlin as Klaus Wowereit’s declaration: “I'm gay, and the way it is, it's good." Spoken on 10 June 2001, when Wowereit was nominated as the Social Democratic Party’s candidate for Governing Mayor of Berlin, the words were more than a personal coming-out
They became a powerful, proud public statement about visibility, acceptance and the freedom to live openly and with pride. In many ways, the words came to embody an important part of Berlin’s identity: a city that has long presented itself as tolerant, diverse, and willing to embrace people who do not fit conventional expectations.
But what does that identity mean after tragedy?
On 25 July 2026, during Berlin’s Christopher Street Day celebrations, a van drove into a crowd near the Tiergarten, killing a 64-year-old woman from Poland and injuring 31 others. The attack shocked the city and abruptly transformed what had begun as a celebration of diversity, unity, and openness into a moment of grief and fear.
Among those affected were visitors who had travelled to Berlin specifically to celebrate Pride.
For many international travelers, the events inevitably raised a difficult question: Is Berlin still a safe and welcoming place to visit?
The question deserves to be taken seriously. But answering it requires looking beyond the attack itself — at how Berlin has responded, what has changed, and whether the values represented by Wowereit’s famous words still have a place in the city today.
How Berlin and Other German Cities Are Responding
After an attack it’s natural for visitors to wonder whether security arrangements in Berlin have changed.
The answer is yes — particularly when it comes to large public gatherings. But the response has not been to retreat from public life. Instead, authorities and event organizers have focused on reviewing security concepts, strengthening precautions where necessary, and allowing major events to continue.
Even before the events of 25 July, Berlin's Christopher Street Day involved extensive security and logistical planning. With hundreds of thousands of people expected in central Berlin, several major roads around the event area were closed to motor traffic in advance. Such measures help authorities manage large crowds, create space for emergency services, and reduce the interaction between event participants and regular traffic.
Following the tragedy, security arrangements for Pride events and other major public gatherings across Germany came under renewed focus. The goal, however wasn’t to shrink from public life, but to ensure these gatherings could continue safely.
Hamburg provides a particularly telling example
Just one week after the Berlin attack, on 1 August 2026, Hamburg held its annual Christopher Street Day. An estimated 300,000 people attended. Rather than cancelling the celebration or allowing fear to determine whether people could gather, the city combined increased security with a continuation of the event. The CSD became not only a celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility, but also an expression of solidarity with those affected by the events in Berlin.
For travelers, this distinction is important. Hamburg's response also illustrates something broader about Germany's Pride celebrations: security and openness do not have to be opposites. Large public events can acknowledge that risks exist while still creating space for people to come together, celebrate, and show solidarity.
That is an important perspective for anyone considering a trip to Berlin. The question is not whether a city can guarantee that nothing bad will ever happen. No major city can make that promise. The more realistic question is whether authorities are prepared to respond to risks — and whether people are still able to live, travel, and celebrate despite them.
In Hamburg, the answer was clear.
6 Things Travelers Should Know Before Visiting Berlin
Being cautious does not mean being afraid. Berlin remains a major international city where millions of people go about their everyday lives, attend concerts and festivals, use public transport, explore its neighborhoods and enjoy its cultural and nightlife scenes.
The most sensible approach for visitors is therefore not to avoid Berlin altogether, but to stay informed, remain aware of their surroundings, and know what to do if circumstances change.
- Check current travel and security information.
Before leaving for Berlin, check the latest information from official sources. Travelers coming from abroad can consult the relevant travel and security information provided by their own government.
The German Federal Foreign Office also regularly updates its travel information and security assessments, although these are primarily designed for Germans traveling abroad rather than international visitors coming to Germany. The important principle is to look at current information rather than relying solely on reports about an incident that happened weeks or months earlier.
- Pay particular attention to major events.
If you are traveling to Berlin for Christopher Street Day, a demonstration, a concert, a football match or another large public gathering, check the event information shortly before you leave.
Large gatherings can mean road closures, changes to public transport, restricted access to certain areas and a significantly higher number of people in the streets. These conditions are not necessarily a reason to avoid an event; they simply mean that some additional planning is sensible.
- Know where you are staying.
Before heading out for the evening, make a note of your hotel's name and address. If you are staying in an apartment or hostel, save the address in your phone. This sounds obvious, but it can become surprisingly useful when streets are crowded, public transport routes change, or your phone battery is running low.
- Know the emergency numbers.
In Germany, the police emergency number is 110, while 112 connects you with the fire and rescue services. Both are free to call. Berlin also provides official information about emergency procedures and warnings for situations affecting larger parts of the city.
- Take care of your belongings.
As in many major tourist destinations, crowded public transport, stations, and busy nightlife areas can provide opportunities for pickpocketing. Keep wallets, phones, and passports secure, particularly when moving through busy areas. Avoid carrying more valuables than you actually need for the day.
- And perhaps most importantly: trust your instincts.
If a particular place or situation makes you uncomfortable, you do not have to stay simply because you have already made plans. Leave the area, move somewhere quieter or return to your accommodation.
Exploring Berlin Beyond Pride: Prepared does not mean afraid
There is an important difference between being afraid of a city and being prepared while visiting it.
Berlin's tragedy during Pride should not be ignored, and visitors have every right to take their safety seriously. But neither should one terrible event become the only lens through which the city is viewed. For travelers, perhaps the most useful approach is therefore simple: come informed, stay aware, and leave room for Berlin to be more than the worst thing that has happened there.
About The Author
Aline Pelzer is the Head of Marketing at FU.Life, a serviced-apartment provider operating in Berlin, Munich, Karlsruhe, Mannheim and Greifswald. FU.Life offers fully furnished apartments for short-, mid- and long-term stays, combining the comfort and flexibility of a private home with the convenience of hotel-style services. The company caters to a diverse range of guests, including business travellers, professionals relocating to a new city, students and people looking for flexible accommodation for longer periods.
In her role as Head of Marketing, Aline Pelzer is responsible for driving FU.Life’s marketing activities and strengthening the company’s brand and presence across its markets.