Teufelsberg (Spy Station)
"Teufelsberg ('Devil's Mountain') is an abandoned Cold War NSA listening station atop a man-made hill built from 25 million cubic meters of WWII rubble. During the Cold War, the US and UK used massive radomes (golf ball-shaped structures) to intercept Soviet communications. Abandoned after reunification, it's now covered in graffiti and offers incredible 360° views of Berlin. You can explore the ruins on guided tours. It's surreal, eerie, and uniquely Berlin."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Abandoned, eerie
Duration
2 hours
Best For
Urban exploration
The Backstory
After WWII, Allies buried a destroyed Nazi military academy under rubble, creating a 120-meter hill—Berlin's highest point. The US built a listening station on top in the 1950s-60s to spy on East Germany and the USSR. After 1989, it was abandoned. Attempts to develop it failed. Now it's a legal graffiti zone and urban exploration site.
Local Secret
"Book a guided tour (€8-15)—entering without permission is illegal and dangerous. Wear sturdy shoes; the site is crumbling and full of debris. The views from the top are stunning—bring a camera. Tours run April-October, weekends only. Combine with a walk in Grunewald Forest nearby. It's a 20-minute walk uphill from the parking area."