The Devil’s Mountain (Teufelsberg) is an amazing abandoned spy tower in Berlin. It’s one of the hidden remaining of the Second World War and the DDR and it makes a very interesting and atypical visit during your stay in Berlin.
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Berlin: the capital of Germany
If you are planning a trip to Germany (👉GERMANY GUIDE), you need to know that it is a country characterized by its museums, nature, Christmas markets, its controversial past and its impressive architecture.
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Its capital, Berlin (👉BERLIN GUIDE), is a multicultural city that stands out from the rest European cities thanks to their own style, as you can see in their underground bars and clubs.
Although it also offers a great variety of activities. If you want to learn more about its history, I recommend you visit the Sachsenhausen camp and take a tour of the Nacism in Berlin.
Another option is to get on the tourist bus, or sail along the River Spree and enjoy the iconic landmarks on this Berlin boat tour.
The Devil’s Mountain (Teufelsberg)
Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain)is a hill built with rubble from Berlin during the 20 years of reconstruction of the city after the Second World War. Under this mountain, a military and technical university of the nazism is buried. It was not possible to destroy it with explosives because the building was so well built that the easiest solution was to cover it.
The US National Security Agency built one of the largest spy stations on the top of this hill in order to listen to the signals coming from the eastern bloc, in particular the GDR and the USSR.
Teufelsberg is currently open to the public daily starting at 10 a.m. and the last admission is at 8 p.m.. There are different types of tickets (annual, for students, historical visit), but the general costs 8€; there are also guided tours. In the inside, there is an exhibition of graffiti on all walls and it is allowed to paint new by arranging an appointment in advance.
Through the roof you can access the domes, the fabric that covers them is half destroyed but it is still a spectacular sight. There are different bars set up throughout the areas and it is not uncommon to find empty bottles along the way.
In the previous photo you can see the inside of one of the domes with the perfectly preserved metal structure. Given that it is an authorized place for visits, the infrastructure is not dangerous. In some floors there are holes in the ground but they are covered with woods or, basically, the first thing they have found there. In the a forest surrounding the tower there are caravans and small precarious constructions of the people who spend the night in the enclosure, and inside the building you can also find a “tree hut” built using the beams and supports as if they were branches (currently in use).
It is an essential visit for lovers of history and/or street art.
How to get from the airport to the center of Berlin
Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) is located less than 25 km from the center of Berlin.
There are 4 different ways to get to the city center. The most comfortable option is to hire a TRANSFER (👉PRICES); although you can also take a taxi or go by public transport, that is, by S-bahn (something like the subway) or by regional train.
The two S-bahn lines to get to the center of Berlin from the airport terminals 1, 2 and 5 are lines S9 and S45. In both cases there are trains leaving every 20 minutes.
To get to the center of Berlin by train, you must take the Airport Express (FEX) or the regional trains RE7 and RB14. All of them stop at Terminal 1 and 2 of the airport. The regional trains stop is just below Terminal 1, and there are 4 scheduled departures every hour.
If your flight departs from Terminal 5, you will have to transfer at the same station to take the S9 or S45 to your terminal (the trip takes about 8 minutes).
You will find more detailed information in this article on how to get from the AIRPORT to the center of BERLIN
Useful stuff for your trip to Germany
Below, you will find some products that will be very useful during your trip to Germany.
In addition, the options that I recommend are committed to the environment/social causes and are vegan.
Waterproof windbreaker
Carrying a waterproof windbreaker in your suitcase is essential in case temperatures drop, it rains unexpectedly, or to go hiking.
When traveling, it’s important to choose a jacket that is lightweight, takes up little space and that you can use in different situations; that is to say, that transpires, is waterproof and has a hood to protect you properly from bad weather.
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3-in-1 hiking shoes
These La Sportiva shoes are designed to run in the mountains, thanks to this you can use them for hiking, go out to run and do tourism ; saving space in your suitcase.
They are made with goretex, which means they protect you from the inclement weather weather (such as rain, ice or cold) and are adherent to the ground. This makes them ideal for traveling due to their versatility.
👉 Price shoes for MAN and for shoes for WOMAN
10l backpack for day trips and trekking
This 10 L backpack 10 is ideal for visitng cities or going hikimg. It has two compartments to organize your stuff properly and internal space for a hydration bag, as well as a side pocket to carry a bottle.
The size is suitable for 1 day trips and to go running, since it allows you to take everything you need with ease. In addition, it covers less of the back and thus avoids being overheated.
Save Money with the Berlin welcome card
To get around Berlin easily, you can opt for the Berlin WelcomeCard (you can buy it at this link) which will allow you unlimited use of public transport (flat rate) and offers discounts of up to 50% in more than 190 museums and Berlin attractions.
If you have small children, you will be happy to know that the card is free for children under 6 years of age. Prices for adults are as follows:
| 48h | 72h | 72h + museum isl. | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days |
| 23 € | 33 € | 55 € | 40 € | 46 € | 49 € |
Tours & activities in Berlin
In Berlin there are many places and activities to enjoy during your stay in the German capital.
I leave you a list with the tours and activities you can do around Berlin, to get to know this city in more depth. Options also include free tours to help keep your travel budget from skyrocketing.
Where to stay in Berlin
The city of Berlin changes quite a bit depending on the area you visit. I would separate it into two zones depending on your preferences and the type of tourism you like.
EXPENSIVE ZONE AND LESS ALTERNATIVE
Broadly speaking, the area of Stadtmitte, Kurfürstendamm and Charlottenburg is more arranged and expensive (American part during the GDR). Here you can do a quieter and more usual type of tourism, focusing on the monuments, the opera, museums, shopping, etc…
YOUNG people + UNDERGROUND
If you are more into the alternative style and focused on young people, I recommend the neighborhoods of Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Prenzlauer Berg and Neukölln. Here there are many curious and more alternative bars, concerts in basements, parks to have a barbecue, nightclubs that are open 3 days 24 hours, festivals, etc…
Is Germany safe for travelers?
Germany is a safe country to travel, and there are no risk areas where tourists are not recommended to go. If you are a victim of robbery or accident, you should call the police at 110.
Although it is a safe country, crimes also occur; so remember to follow these recommendations and hire a travel insurance
- If you’re being robbed, don’t try to fight back physically.
- Ve con cuidado al salir de noche, y mantente en lugares donde haya gente.
- It’s best to be cautious at night, so stick to well-populated areas.
- Keep your valuables close to your body and out of sight to avoid being a target for thieves (your camera, phone,..).
- And finally, don’t carry your backpack on your back where it’s easy for someone to snatch it; carry it in front of you or use a belt bag or cross-body bag instead.
Eating vegan in Germany
Traditional German food is not exactly characterized by the scarcity of products of animal origin. Luckily, in this country you will find restaurants restaurants that offer many different cuisines and you will not be short of options when you go out to eat.
In general, it will not be difficult for you to find vegan food since most restaurants have vegan and vegetarian dishes on their menus and, in addition, there are also many restaurants that are entirely vegan.
If you want to cook to save a little, organic supermarkets are where you will find more options that fit your needs. And there are even german cities where you will find 100% vegan supermarkets!
Two practical tips for your stay:
- Before going on a tour that includes a meal, always mention that you are vegan or vegetarian, so that they can adapt the food.
- The quality of fruit and vegetables in German supermarkets is not the best. If you have a Turkish market or supermarket nearby, it’s better that you buy there the fruits and vegetables, nuts, hummus, muhammara, etc…
What to visit in Berlin
Besides the museums and the East Side Gallery, there are more great places to visit in Berlin. Below you will find a list of the touristic landmarks, but also some places that are out of the ordinary, so you can enjoy a mix between the popular and alternative side of Berlin.
Abandoned children’s hospital
This abandoned children’s hospital was opened in 1911, and it was the first and the largest hospital for newborns and children in all of Prussia .
However, ten years later, in January 1997, the hospital was closed permanently.
Since then it has been abandoned and deteriorating due to several fires that took place and damages occured over time. But it has achieved another type of charm: the one from graffiti and adventure.
If you like abandoned places, in Berlin there is also an Iraqi Embassy.
Carnival of SUBCULTURES (PUNKS IN BERLIN)
The Carnival of Subcultures is a very cool street party that I highly recommend. Every year the inhabitants of a squatted building in the center of Berlin called Köpi organize the underground version of the main carnival.
The vibe is punk and they also organize concerts and, in addition, there’s a war of tuned bicycles (some even spit fire). Later, the party continues inside the building, which becomes a club.
Görlitzerpark
If you are visiting Berlin and want to rest or eat something, you can bring a sandwich or buy a take-away meal and go to Görlitzerpark in Kreuzberg.
If you like alternative places, Görlitzerpark has also peculiar bar that is full of graffiti. In front of the bar, there is an amphitheater, and if you are like you will find people playing music.
If you are traveling with children there is a farm-café with goats, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, geese, ducks and sheep with the aim that the little ones come into contact with animals and plants