Top 10 Abandoned Places in Berlin
Getting ruined in the German capital doesn’t have to mean going to a club or bar… Here are 10 abandoned buildings in and around the German capital – and the stories behind them
Berlin and its surroundings play host to a mind-boggling number of abandoned buildings – old military camps, former factories and enterprises, hospitals, swimming pools, colleges, sanatoriums, airfields and more. The city’s turbulent past has taken its toll through various waves of upheaval, with the Third Reich, the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification all leaving their mark.
Every crumbling building, creaking floorboard, fluttering curtain and flaking piece of paint in abandoned buildings across Berlin – and some outside the city too – has a tale begging to be told.
1. Spreepark | Abandoned Amusement Park
I’m listing this abandoned location first because no one else wants to tell the truth about it. Spreepark is arguably the most famous location of abandoned Berlin, it’s also now the most disappointing! The other guides will still tell you to go check it out but unfortunately, there’s just not much to see anymore. The city is in process of rebuilding the park so it’s very well-fenced off, and guarded, and some of the old attractions have been removed. Sorry to disappoint but it’s not worth trying to see anymore! (In my local opinion.)
Address: Kiehnwerderallee 1-3, 12437 (Treptow)
2. Teufelsberg | Abandoned US Spy Station
A manmade hill of war rubble more than 100 metres high, Teufelsberg was the highest point in what was West Berlin. So it was seen by the Americans and British as the ideal place to set up a listening station to hear what the Soviets were up to on the other side of the Cold War divide.
Field Station Berlin was located in the British sector of the divided city, but primarily operated by the United States’ National Security Agency. The NSA used 12-metre satellite antennas and the most sophisticated spying equipment available at the time, intercepting satellite signals, radio waves, microwave links and other transmissions, before interpreting and analysing their findings.
Address: Teufelsseechaussee 10, 14193 Berlin (Westend)
More info here (In my experience, there’s no need to book ahead but you might want to make sure they’re not closed for a private event before you go.)
3. Beelitz Heilstätten | Abandoned Hospital
Beelitz, once a bustling military hospital, now stands as a haunting reminder of the past. It was here that Adolf Hitler and Erich Honecker, leaders of Germany and East Germany, respectively, received medical treatment. The abandoned complex is a labyrinth of decaying buildings, shrouded in mystery and overgrown with vegetation.
The hospital’s history dates back to the late 19th century when it was established as a tuberculosis sanatorium. It later served as a military hospital during both World Wars. Notable patients included Hitler, who was treated for injuries sustained on the battlefield, and Honecker, who sought medical care in the final days of East Germany.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the hospital fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned. Despite efforts to preserve some of the buildings, much of the complex remains in a state of decay. The hospital’s history is marred by tragic events, including the murder of a young woman by a fetish photographer and the serial killings committed by the “Beast of Beelitz.”
Address: 52° 16′ N, 12° 55′ O Koordinaten: 52° 15′ 41″ N, 12° 55′ 24″ O
Book tickets here (Note: they usually sell out at least one month in advance so book early!)
4. Zombie Hospital | Kinderkrankenhaus Weissensee
In Weißensee, a once-beloved children’s hospital has fallen into disrepair. The historic building, once a symbol of hope and healing, is now a forgotten relic. Despite its protected status, the hospital has suffered from neglect and vandalism. The property speculators’ plans for redevelopment threaten to erase the building’s past and replace it with something entirely new.
Rest assured, there’s no need to fear an actual zombie encounter here! (lol) The reason it’s unofficially called Zombie Hospital these days has something to do with the artwork inside.
Address: Hansastraße / Ecke Buschallee, 13088 (Weißensee)
5. SS Bakery | SS Brotfabrik
It’s a haunting thought that a bakery where concentration camp inmates once labored to feed their fellow victims now stands forgotten and decaying behind trees. The abandoned building, a stark contrast to the bustling canal nearby, seems almost surreal in its neglect. It’s hard to believe that Berlin hasn’t yet sold this property for redevelopment, perhaps due to its distance from the city center.
During the Nazi era, the SS Bakery was used to produce bread for concentration camp inmates, including those at Sachsenhausen. Forced laborers from the camp worked long hours in harsh conditions, baking thousands of loaves daily. After the war, the bakery continued to operate, supplying food to survivors of the liberated camp. Eventually, it was taken over by a local cooperative and remained in business until the early 1990s.
Address: An der Lehnitzschleuse, 16515 (Oranienburg)
6. Iraqi Embassy
The abandoned Iraqi Embassy in Berlin stands as a haunting relic of the Cold War. Once a bustling diplomatic outpost, the building is now a decaying shell filled with scattered documents, overturned furniture, and broken glass. The embassy was abruptly abandoned in 1991 during the Gulf War, leaving behind a treasure trove of historical artifacts. Despite its significance, the building remains neglected due to bureaucratic disputes between Germany and Iraq.
Address: Tschaikowskistraße 51, Berlin 13156 (Niederschönhausen)
7. ICC
The International Congress Center (ICC) in Berlin, once a bustling hub of international events, now stands as a forgotten relic of the city’s past. Abandoned since 2014, the massive building has fallen into disrepair. Despite its historical significance, the ICC has been neglected due to a combination of financial difficulties and bureaucratic hurdles.
Built in the 1970s at a staggering cost, the ICC was designed to be a symbol of West Berlin’s resurgence. However, the building struggled to attract enough events to justify its operating costs. The ICC was also later found to be contaminated with asbestos, further complicating its future.
(Fun fact: it’s large enough to be seen from outer space!)
Address: Messedamm, 14055 (Charlottenberg)
More info here. Keep an eye out for events when they allow access to the inside of the building. However, you can happily take photos of the outside at any time!
8. Tempelhof
Tempelhof is a city institution at this point and was never technically abandoned. However, this airport stands mostly in disuse, despite it’s impressive history. All that to say that if you venture here, you’ll hardly be alone or conquering forbidden territory. What was once the largest airport in the world is now a beloved public park and event space.
With that warning, the airport building itself still holds much of its original architecture and allure. However, you’ll have to book a tour to get inside. (It’s well-worth it from what some recent visitors told me!)
If touring a building isn’t your vibe, just do what the locals do. Grab a blanket and a few beers to enjoy al fresco while marvelling at ll the open space. (Very much a rarity in busy Berlin!)
Address: Platz der Luftbrücke 5, 12101 (Kreuzberg)
9. Die Wiesenberg | Abandoned Homeless Shelter
The Wiesenburg, a former homeless shelter in Berlin’s Wedding district, stands as a forgotten relic of the city’s past. Abandoned since the end of World War II, the building has endured decades of neglect and decay. Its scarred walls and shattered windows tell a story of the intense fighting that took place here in the final days of the war.
Founded in the late 19th century, the Wiesenburg was once a progressive shelter for the city’s homeless population. It offered a variety of services, including meals, shelter, and medical care. Despite its reputation as a haven for the downtrodden, the Wiesenburg was eventually abandoned after the war.
Today, the Wiesenburg remains a haunting reminder of Berlin’s history. Its decaying institutional buildings are a testament to the resilience of both the structure and the spirit of those who once sought refuge within its walls.
Address: Wiesenstraße 55, 13357 (Wedding)
10. Friedrichsfelde Air Hangars | Flugzeughallen
The once-bustling Friedrichsfelde Airfield in Berlin’s Karlshorst district now stands as a forgotten relic of the city’s past. The airfield’s six distinctive hangars, built during World War I, are all that remains of the former military aviation facility.
The Friedrichsfelde Airfield played a crucial role in Germany’s military history. It was used by the German army during both World Wars and later served as the headquarters for the Soviet military administration in Germany. The airfield’s hangars, built using reinforced concrete, are rare examples of aviation architecture from this period.
While the hangars have survived the ravages of time and war, their future remains uncertain. The site’s proximity to residential areas and the potential for development create competing interests. The future of the Friedrichsfelde Airfield will depend on a balance between historical preservation and urban renewal.
Address: Köpenicker Allee, Karlshorst, 10318 (Karlshorst)
Want more? Check out our perfect Berlin photo locations guide here or our guide to the weirdest things to see in Berlin Germany.
