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Berlin is a city steeped in history and culture, with a rich and complex past that has left its mark on the urban landscape. For those interested in exploring the city’s hidden corners and forgotten spaces, urbex and climbing offer a unique and exciting way to experience Berlin’s history and architecture.

Urbex, short for urban exploration, is the practice of exploring abandoned or off-limits spaces in urban areas. In Berlin, there are many opportunities for urbex enthusiasts, from abandoned factories and train stations to Cold War-era bunkers and military installations.

One of the most famous urbex locations in Berlin is the Spreepark, an abandoned amusement park that has been closed since 2002. The park features eerie, decaying rides and attractions, and has become a popular destination for urbex photographers and explorers.

Climbing is also a popular activity for those looking to explore the city’s unique architecture and landscapes. In particular, climbing on Berlin’s concrete walls has become a popular pastime for urban climbers.

One of the most notable locations for urban climbing in Berlin is the Teufelsberg, a Cold War-era listening station located on a hill in the western part of the city. The station was used by the US and British intelligence agencies to monitor radio signals during the Cold War, and its towering concrete structures now offer a challenging and exciting climbing experience.

Another popular location for urban climbing in Berlin is the Flak Tower in Humboldthain Park. The tower was built by the Nazis during World War II as an anti-aircraft gun platform, and its massive concrete walls and stairwells provide a unique and challenging climbing experience.

Of course, it’s important to remember the history and significance of these locations when exploring them through urbex or climbing. The Teufelsberg and Flak Tower are both reminders of the city’s tumultuous past, and their use as recreational spaces can be seen as controversial by some.

However, when approached with respect and awareness of their historical significance, urbex and climbing can offer a unique and rewarding way to experience Berlin’s rich history and culture. By exploring these hidden corners of the city, we can gain a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped Berlin and its people, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of its urban landscape.

Ready to climb?

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Adventure tourism has grown exponentially worldwide. It is one of the fastest-expanding tourism sectors, and with the post corona opened borders, the opportunities are endless. While a precise evaluation of adventure tourism’s global economic value is not a clear task due to its unrefined scope, its monetary and non-monetary benefits have been highlighted.

Adventure tourism involves adventurous and physically challenging activities, such as hiking, trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, rafting, and so on.

According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global adventure tourism market size was valued at $586.3 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $1,626.7 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 13.3% from 2020 to 2027. This indicates a significant growth potential in the adventure tourism industry.

What are the drivers of this increased demand? The UNWTO (2014) suggests that increased urbanisation and digitalisation are pushing travellers to seek active, authentic experiences that highlight natural and cultural values. The adventure tourism industry therefore provides much sought-after escapes as well as ecological, cultural and economic benefits to destinations (Janowski, Gardiner, & Kwek, 2021). 

Indeed, adventure tourism contributes greatly to local economies: approximately two-thirds of the money spent on adventure travel stays on location. This is approximately €350 per day per visitor on average (CBI, 2021).

Additionally, it creates job opportunities and generates revenue for businesses in the tourism sector. According to a report by the Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure tourism generates $683 billion in annual revenue and supports 41 million jobs worldwide.

These benefits include attracting high-value customers, the encouragement of sustainable practices, and support of local economies due to low economic leakage (Adventure Travel Trade Association, 2016; UNWTO, 2014; Janowski, Gardiner, & Kwek, 2021).

Additionally, the growth of social media platforms has also contributed to the popularity of adventure tourism, as more people seek to share their experiences on these platforms.

In conclusion, adventure tourism is a rapidly growing industry that offers unique and thrilling experiences for travelers. With growing interest in outdoor activities, and a wide range of adventure tourism options, the market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

• Adventure Travel Trade Association. (2018). 20 Adventure Travel Trends to Watch in 2018. Retrieved from https://cdn.adventuretravel.biz/research/2018-Travel-Trends.pdf.
• Beckman, E., Whaley, J. E., & Kim, Y.-K. (2017). Motivations and experiences of whitewater rafting tourists on the Ocoee River, USA. International Journal of Tourism
• CBI. (2021). The European market potential for adventure tourism. Retrieved from. https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/tourism/adventure-tourism/adventure-tourism/market-potential
• Cheng, M., Edwards, D., Darcy, S., & Redfern, K. (2018). A tri-method approach to a review of adventure tourism literature: Bibliometric analysis, content analysis, and a quantitative systematic literature review. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 42(6), 997–1020. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348016640588.
• Janowski, I., & Reichenberger, I. (2019). Conceptualising Adventure Tourism from a Consumer Perspective. Paper presented at the travel and tourism research association 2019 international conference.
• Janowski, I., Gardiner, S., & Kwek, A. (2021). Dimensions of adventure tourism. Tourism Management Perspectives, 37/2021, 1–11.
• Sung, H. Y., Morrison, A. M., & O’leary, J. T. (2000). Segmenting the adventure travel market by activities: From the North American industry providers’ perspective. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 9(4), 1–20.
• UNWTO. (2014). Global Report on Adventure Tourism. Retrieved from. https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284416622.