Over 30 years after the reunification, Berlin still sports its fair share of atmospheric abandoned places. From the peculiar Spreepark Theme Park to the eerie Sanatorium Complex in the forest near Beelitz, there’s no shortage of unique sites to explore.
Still, none of them are as emblematic of Berlin’s history as the Cold-War-Era Radar Station on the Teufelsberg in the Western suburb of Grunewald. The characteristic golf-ball-shaped domes can be seen towering high over the surrounding woodland and don’t just offer a unique glimpse into that particular era of German history but also afford a hell of a view.
Read on for everything you need to know about visiting the Teufelsberg Radar Station.
This post may contain affiliate links and I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more info click here.
What’s the history behind Teufelsberg?
Literally translating to “Devil’s Mountain”, Teufelsberg isn’t a natural hill but consists of wreckage and debris collected here after WW2. As a matter of fact, you’ll find “mountains” like that in many German cities, serving as an effective reminder of the futility of war.
In the 1960s, British and American forces stationed in Berlin came to the conclusion that the hill would be an ideal location to set up a Radar Station to see what exactly is going on in East Berlin and thus, the station at Teufelsberg was born.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Allies went home but the station remained, successively falling prey to vandalism and arson until it was officially opened to the public for the first time in 2017 as a “Street Art Gallery”.
How much is the entrance fee to Teufelsberg Radar Station?
Visiting the Radar Station is 8€. You can walk around the perimeter for free to get a glimpse of the station but if you want to explore the buildings and/or enjoy the view, alas, you’ll have to pay.
When to visit Teufelsberg Radar Station
It’s usually open from 11AM until sunset. Make sure that this is still the case here before you go.
How to get to Teufelsberg Radar Station
The closest train stations are Grunewald on the S7 Line south-east of Teufelsberg and Heerstraße on the S5 Line north-east of Teufelsberg. From both of them it’s about a 30 minute walk through pleasant woodland to reach the Radar Station.
The approach from Heerstraße Station offers better views of the Radar Station – especially from the top of the bare Drachenberg (Dragon’s Mountain), another hill consisting of war-time debris.
Exploring Teufelsberg Radar Station – What to see
Museum of the Allies
Right after you enter the complex, you’ll be greeted by a couple of military trucks standing in front of a building to your left. This is the fairly new Museum of the Allies, detailing the history of Cold War Berlin from the POV of the occupying forces. Expect plenty of army craft and memorabilia as well as mostly bilingual information on events like the Berlin Blockade in 1948 and 1949.
For the UrbExers among you: If you exit the museum and walk around the building to the top floor, you’ll find the atmospheric empty halls of a former staff cafeteria complete with rotting furniture and an old piano (Plus, some nice Graffitis worth checking out).
The Station Buildings and Street Art Gallery
The remaining structures of the Radar Station are arguably the star attraction here. Various buildings can be explored and all of them have been decorated inside and out by some really neat street art.
It’s impossible to give a list of the best here, both because of the sheer number of cool pieces and because describing their location accurately would be quite impossible, so just take a stroll around and find your own favourites.
Some of the coolest pieces can be found in the three halls below the domes, where sometimes entire walls have been covered by a single artwork. Plenty of them get you thinking, which is always a plus in my book.
The viewing platform
Climb up one of the two outer staircases to the roof for great views north-east to Central Berlin as well as west to Wannsee Lake and further into Brandenburg. The two smaller domes can be entered, which is probably most interesting because of the strange acoustics, although they, too, have been decorated inside and out.
Unfortunately, the high tower can’t be climbed at the moment, probably out of security concerns. Maybe this will change in the future.
Art installations on the Grounds
The rest of the grounds have been decorated as well and the wooded area north of the station buildings holds some weird and interesting sculptures. There’s even a small hill you can climb to find a big wooden throne on top. How’s that for an adequate spot to sit down and let the artistic overload sink in?
Guided tours of Teufelsberg
If you prefer a little more information with your Cold War Sites, how about taking a tour? This two-hour tour includes transfer, the entrance fee as well as a knowledgeable guide explaining the history of the place.
Other cool things to do in Berlin
Visiting the abandoned Spreepark Theme Park
Visiting Berlin’s Twin-Peaks-themed Black Lodge Bar