10 Weirdest Things To Do In Berlin
Last Updated on February 20, 2025
No, you can’t go to the abandoned amusement park anymore (Spreepark). But don’t worry: Berlin still has boatloads of weird things to do. Here are some ideas for your weird things to do in Berlin bucket list:
Weirdest Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
1. Abandoned Cold War Listening Station
Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain) is one of my favorite stops for visiting guests. Not only is it a little bit of Berlin’s dark history, but it’s also a cool outdoor art gallery with an amazing view over Berlin.
The “mountain” itself is artificial: made from a pile of WW II rubble. (So is neighbouring Drachenberg). That’s almost hard to believe now, as you take in the greenery during your walk up the curving pathway towards the top.
The peak is where the former Cold War listening station is positioned. As eye-catching as it is, US officials sat here, listening in on the Russians and East Germans. But then, once the Berlin Wall fell, the place was left abandoned.
David Lynch also owned it at one point, with the intention of turning it into a mediation center. Currently, it’s a rather capitalist-minded squat, which is honestly kind of hilarious.
You can’t go all the way up into the dome anymore. To be honest, it was a bit scary and involved climbing up a pitch-black staircase. But the views are still worth it. Just make sure you go on a good weather day and bring your own snacks and drinks.
Address: Grunewald Forest (closest S-bahn stop Heerstr or Grunewald)
Hours: daily from 11-20, last admission 19
Crazy Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
2. Go On A Berlin Underground Bunker Tour
If you want to flirt with darkness, then a Berlin bunker tour is right for you. Berlin had a lot of bunkers; most have since been filled in or turned into something else entirely. This tour gives you the chance to catch a glimpse of what remains. There are multiple tours to choose from so go crazy and catch more than one if you’re really into it!
Address: Brunnenstraße 105, 13355 Berlin (Wedding)
Hours: Mon–Sun 10:30-16
Weirdest Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
3. Explore The Subway
Berlin’s colorful history also extends to the tunnels of the subway. Take the BVG tour for a two-hour closer look. You’re not just sitting in a regular BVG U-bahn of course. It’s an open-air experience, in a convertible train car, whizzing you through the tunnels below the city. And yes, helmets are provided!
At the moment, the tour mostly runs in German but there will be English tours later this summer (2024). No walk-ins! Book your spot ahead.
Address: Deutsche Oper U-bahn, 10625 Berlin (Charlottenburg)
Hours: Only on Fridays at 19:00 & 22:30
Crazy Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
4. Go To Klobar
Take a walk on the truly wild side and visit Klobar. Klo means toilet in German and that’s exactly what it is: a bar with a toilet theme. Think: toilets as chairs and other bathroom elements as decor. They also tables and chairs that will give you a surprise, as well as drinks served in urinal flasks. A sense of humor and a strong stomach is essential for this one. Booking ahead is a good idea.
Address: Leibnizstasse 57, 10629 Berlin (Charlottenburg)
Hours: 19-02
Weirdest Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
5. The David Hasselhoff Museum
Ready to hassle the Hoff? Okay, so first things first: it’s not exactly a museum–more like a shrine. However, it gets the job done. The one time I visited I was very much amused by the amount of Hasselhoff-ness. I don’t suggest you go out of your way to come here (unless you are a true stan!). But if you’re in the area, it’s worth popping your head in for a laugh.
Address: Circus Hostel, Weinbergsweg 1A, 10119 Berlin (Mitte) Go downstairs, through the bar, through the doors to the back hall.
Weirdest Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
6. Visit A Former Crematorium
Silent Green Kulturquartier is a former crematorium, dating from 1909, turned arts center. While it’s been updated and modernized, there’s no hiding what it used to be. They frequently host musical performances in the evenings that are very much worth checking out. But if there’s nothing happening during your visit, not to worry. The cafe, called Mars, is open daily and is a great spot for brunch. If the weather is nice, grab a seat in the courtyard, to admire the views, and reflect on the fleeting nature of life.
Address: Gerichtstraße 35, 13347 Berlin (Wedding)
Cafe Hours: Cafe 12-6 | Lunch Mon-Fri 12-15 | Brunch Sat & Sun 10-14:30 | Evening from 17:30
Craziest Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
7. Visit A Former Sanatorium
Berlin is well-known for the sheer amount of abandoned buildings and sites. If seeing some of that tickles your fancy, then put Beelitz-Heilstätten at the top of your list. Yes, it’s a former sanatorium in a state of disrepair, which is creepy enough. But the building also housed Adolf Hitler, Red Army soldiers, and served as the location of a local serial killer, the “Beast of Beelitz” from 1989-1991. Creepy indeed!
Our collective fascination with the place has yet to wane. It has been turned into an attraction unto itself, complete with a cafe, and you must book a tour to get a look at the grounds. Tours include a treetop walk to give you an aerial look at the grounds.
Address: Road to Fichtenwalde 13 | 14547 Beelitz-Heilstätten (Brandenburg)
Hours: April-Sept daily 10-19 (Book ahead)
Weirdest Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
9. Go To Hel
You’re definitely not going to find this one in the Lonely Planet guidebook. Hel Pond, an unassuming pond in Berlin’s quiet Templehof, is said to be a holy pagan site.
The legend goes that there was once a sacrificial stone here, tended to by a pagan priest. The Norse goddess Hel (guardian of the death and the underworld) was believed to dwell at the bottom of the pond. With every sacrifice, Hel would send up black bulls that emerged from the water. The bulls helped the priest clear the land and provided grain.
However, toward the end of the priest’s life, a Christian monk arrived at the pond. The pagan priest asked the monk to look after the place after he was gone. When the priest did not keep his promise, Hel sent up a bull to kill the priest.
You might not believe in any of that, but the legend lives on. Today, there’s a huge bull statue, erected here overlooking the pond below. I suggest leaving a respectful offering if you do visit.
Address: Alboinplatz, 12105 Berlin (Tempelhof-Schöneberg) Nearest U-bahn Kaiserin-Augusta-Str
Hours: always open
Weirdest Things To Do In Berlin, Germany
10. Visit The Medical Museum
Berlin’s storied Charité hospital has its very own medical museum: the Berlin Museum of Medical History (BMM), chock-full old medical equipment and unusual medical specimens. Whether you’re medically minded or into the macabre, it’s an unusual choice to add to your activity list.
Address: Charitépl. 1, 10117 Berlin
Hours: Tues/Thurs/Fri/Sun 10-17, Wed & Sat 10-19
Too weird for you? Try this:
- 10 best things to do in Berlin
- Guide to the Best Clubs in Berlin
- 12 Weirdest Bars in Berlin
- 10 amazing day trips from Berlin
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