Abandoned Places in and around Berlin

Berlin and its surrounding areas are dotted with intriguing "lost places," abandoned sites that offer a unique window into the region's rich history. These forgotten spaces, whether crumbling buildings, decaying factories, or disused military installations, evoke a sense of mystery and nostalgia, drawing visitors eager to uncover their stories. Unlike public museums and memorials, these abandoned locations offer a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the past, allowing history to come alive in a way that feels tangible and immersive. Some of these sites are accessible through legal means, with guided tours or organized visits, providing visitors with structured insights into their historical significance. However, many "lost places" remain off-limits, surrounded by fences and warning signs, enticing adventurous souls to explore at their own risk. Despite the inherent dangers, the allure of these forgotten spaces continues to captivate explorers and history enthusiasts alike, offering a glimpse into Berlin's hidden past waiting to be discovered.

1. Teufelsberg

Teufelsberg, located in the Grunewald forest in West Berlin, is an abandoned US spy base from the Cold War era that sits atop an artificial mountain made of World War II rubble. The site was used by the National Security Agency (NSA) to intercept communications from the Soviet Union and East Germany. Today, the abandoned US listening station can be visited for a small entrance fee, and visitors can explore the graffiti-covered buildings and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top of the hill.

2. Spreepark

Spreepark, formerly East Berlin's main theme park, is now an abandoned amusement park. After going bankrupt a few years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the park is currently being renovated to be reopened as an abandoned site, with the exception of its restored ferris wheel. Visitors will safely walk through the park to experience its eerie and surreal atmosphere.

3. Vogelsang

During the Cold War, Vogelsang housed more than 15,000 Soviet soldiers and their families. Today, the entire ghost town sits abandoned and forgotten in the midst of a forest. While some buildings are being demolished, visitors can still explore the remains of many others as they wander through the area. That is at their own risk!

4. Wünsdorf Bunkers

Wünsdorf played an important role during World War II and the Cold War. From 1939 to 1945, it served as the underground headquarters for the German Wehrmacht and Army's High Command. Later, it became the location of the largest Soviet military camp outside of Russia. Visitors can request to visit the bunker complex, which is a fascinating look into the past.

5. Bogensee

Bogensee is an unusual abandoned site that is both neglected and protected. This is because it was the former villa of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, and although owned by the city of Berlin, it is not clear what to do with it. You can explore the exterior of the villa and the nearby East German schooling complex from the outside. This is one place I could drive you to on a tour.

6. Fürstenberg Factory

The VEB Kraftfuttermischwerk Fürstenberg, a former food factory for livestock, is easily visible from the regional train when traveling to Fürstenberg, especially if visiting Ravensbrück concentration camp. While it's not permitted to enter the premises legally, there is no security and many holes in the fences. Did I mention that it's HUGE?

7. Rüdersdorf Factory

Rüdersdorf Chemical Plant, located just east of Berlin, is an enormous industrial complex that is not open to the public. However, it is quite a sight to behold from the outside and has been used as a filming location for movies like "Monuments Men." Next to the plant is the Rüdersdorf Museum Park, which showcases the history of limestone production and offers a legal vantage point to view the impressive facility.

8. Beelitz Heilstätten

Beelitz Heilstätten was once a massive military hospital and sanatorium, and at one time, it was one of the largest tuberculosis hospitals in the world. During World War I, Adolf Hitler was treated here, and in World War II, it was used to treat wounded soldiers. Later, the Soviets took over the complex, and the leader of East Germany, Erich Honecker, was also treated here. Today, the site is partially abandoned and partially developed. Visitors can take an elevated tree path above the area or explore some of the buildings from the outside. Legal entry to some of the old and eerie buildings is possible on a paid tour.

9. Brand Airport

During 1938, the German Luftwaffe constructed an airfield south of Berlin, which was later acquired by the Soviets after World War II. They converted it into a military base and built numerous barracks and other structures around it. One of these buildings features a mural of Lenin. The abandoned structure can be found in the forest adjacent to the popular attraction Tropical Island, and there are very few fences or barriers around it.

10. Rangsdorf Airfield

Rangsdorf, located south of Berlin, is the site of an abandoned airfield with historical significance. It was from this airfield that Claus von Stauffenberg departed on his fateful attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the Wolf's Lair. While the entire airfield and its surrounding buildings are fenced off, there is a lack of security and access is relatively easy. In fact, during some visits, locals have even been spotted playing badminton in one of the abandoned halls.

11. The Iraqi Embassy

The abandoned Iraqi Embassy in Berlin stands as a silent testament to a bygone era of international intrigue and diplomatic tensions. Left untouched since its abrupt abandonment in 1991, the building exudes an eerie atmosphere of neglect and decay, with papers scattered across the floors and furniture overturned. Despite its dilapidated state, the embassy still holds remnants of its clandestine past, from rusting typewriters to propaganda posters adorning the walls. Accessing the embassy requires a sense of adventure, with entry points constantly changing and fences often repaired.

12. Grabowsee Heilstätten

The mystical Lungenheilstätte Grabowsee rests idyllically on the shores of Grabowsee, just 30 km north of Berlin. Founded in 1896 by the German Red Cross, the sanatorium was dedicated to treating patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, a disease prevalent in the late 19th century, leading to a capacity of up to 420 beds. With the advent of antibiotics in the 20th century, extended hospital stays became unnecessary, and the facility served as a military hospital for the Soviet Red Army from 1945 to 1995. Today, the Kids Globe e.V. organization works to preserve the buildings, transforming the 34-hectare site into a film set and a captivating subject for lost-place photographers. Legal tours can be booked.