Our journey through remarkable Berlin begins with a place that literally rose from the rubble of history. Teufelsberg, or Devil's Hill, is an artificial hill heaped up from 26 million cubic meters of rubble left over from the bombing of Berlin during World War II. Interestingly, an unfinished Nazi academic complex designed by Albert Speer was buried beneath these ruins. However, Teufelsberg's real fame is linked to the Cold War - on top of it the Americans built an NSA listening station, which for decades was used to intercept communications from the East.

Today this abandoned place has become one of the most fascinating attractions of alternative Berlin. The distinctive white radar domes can be seen from afar, and the entire complex has turned into an unofficial street art gallery. The walls are covered with impressive murals, graffiti and art installations that change with each season. But the most amazing element is the acoustics inside the main dome - even a whisper echoes, creating a surreal sound experience.

There is a fee to enter the Teufelsberg (prices in the mid-range), but it's worth investing in a guided tour, which will tell fascinating spy stories and show places inaccessible to regular visitors. The viewing platform at the top of the dome offers a panorama of Berlin and the surrounding Grunewald forest that you won't experience at any other point in the city.

From Devil's Hill, we move to a place that has come to symbolize the fall of the Iron Curtain. The East Side Gallery is the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall, which was transformed into the world's largest open-air art gallery after the fall of communism in 1990. Along the 1.3 kilometer stretch, we can admire 105 murals created by artists from around the world that celebrated freedom and German reunification.

The most famous work is undoubtedly Dmitry Vrubel's 'Brotherly Kiss,' depicting the leaders of the USSR and East Germany - Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker - in a passionate embrace. However, lesser-known but equally moving works are worth noting, such as Birgit Kinder's 'Test the Rest,' with an image of a Trabant piercing the wall, and Kani Alavi's 'It's Happened in November,' showing crowds of people walking through a breach in the wall.

The East Side Gallery is not just a tourist attraction, but a living monument to history and a space to reflect on the divisions that once divided not only the city, but the entire world. Unlike Teufelsberg, the gallery is free to visit 24 hours a day, making it the perfect place for an evening stroll along the Spree River, especially when the setting sun adds an extra dimension to the murals.

Continuing our tour of non-trivial Berlin, we move on to a place that evokes dark memories of the GDR era. The Stasi Museum Berlin, located in the former headquarters of the East German secret police on Normannenstraße, is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of one of the most oppressive surveillance systems in history.

The building, which housed the command center of the East German Ministry of State Security (Stasi), has remained virtually unchanged since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Visiting this place, you can feel the authentic atmosphere of fear and paranoia that prevailed in the German Democratic Republic. Particularly impressive is the office of Erich Mielke, the longtime head of the Stasi, who controlled the lives of millions of citizens for decades.

In the museum you will see surveillance tools that may seem primitive today, but at the time were the pinnacle of spy technology - miniature cameras hidden in buttons, wiretaps mounted in the walls of apartments, devices for opening letters without leaving traces. Also fascinating is an exhibition on methods of collecting citizens' scents - the Stasi collected scent samples in special jars so that tracking dogs could later identify 'enemies of the system'.

The Stasi Museum is not only a history lesson, but also a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism and mass surveillance. Ticket prices are affordable (in the cheap category) and the exhibition is available in several languages, making it easy to understand the complex history of the place. Unlike the more commercial DDR Museum in the city center, here you will experience the authentic atmosphere of the era without the tourist glitz.

We move from the dark history to a place to breathe and marvel at the beauty of nature. Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World) is a unique park complex in the eastern part of Berlin that takes visitors on a journey through horticultural traditions from different corners of the globe. On an area of 43 hectares, you'll find ten themed gardens representing cultures from around the world.

One of the most impressive is the Japanese garden 'Garten des zusammenfließenden Wassers', designed according to the principles of Zen philosophy by masters from Tokyo. Equally fascinating is the Chinese garden 'Garten des wiedergewonnenen Mondes' with pavilions on the water and a traditional tea garden where you can relax with a cup of authentic Chinese tea. Lovers of the Orient will also delight in the Balinese garden with its tropical plants and original sculptures.

European horticultural traditions are represented by the Italian Renaissance garden, the English landscape garden and the Christian contemplative garden. Newer additions include the Jewish garden 'Garten der vier Strömungen' and an oriental garden with fountains inspired by the Arab tradition. In 2017, when the International Horticultural Exhibition (IGA) was held in Berlin, the complex added more attractions, including a spectacular cable car that offers panoramic views of the entire park.

Gärten der Welt is an ideal destination for those seeking peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. Ticket prices are moderate (medium category), and the park is accessible year-round, although it looks most beautiful from late spring to early autumn. Unlike Berlin's more famous parks, such as the Tiergarten, here you can enjoy peace and space without the crowds of tourists.

The final point on our tour of remarkable Berlin is Treptower Park, a place that combines recreational functions with a powerful historical charge. Located on the banks of the Spree River in the eastern part of the city, this sprawling 84-hectare park is not only a green oasis, but also home to one of the most impressive Soviet monuments outside of Russia.

The Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park is a monumental complex commemorating the more than 80,000 Red Army soldiers who died during the Battle of Berlin in 1945. The centerpiece of the memorial is a 12-meter statue of a Soviet soldier holding a German child in his arms, standing on a ruined swastika. This statue, made of 70 tons of bronze, rests on a mausoleum decorated with mosaics depicting scenes from the war. On either side of the main avenue leading to the monument are 16 sarcophagi with bas-reliefs and quotes by Stalin in Russian and German.

The monument, while controversial due to its political connotations, is a fascinating example of monumental Socialist Realist art and a testament to Berlin's complicated history. Note the architectural details and symbolism, which reflects the Soviet narrative of the 'liberation' of Europe from under Nazism. Interestingly, despite the collapse of communism and the reunification of Germany, the monument is still maintained in impeccable condition under international agreements.

In addition to the monumental memorial, Treptower Park offers many other attractions. One of them is Archibald Island, a small island in the Spree River connected to the park by a bridge, where there is a historic Zenner restaurant with a beer garden. Astronomy enthusiasts, on the other hand, can visit the Archenhold Observatory, which has the world's longest portable telescope (21 meters). It was here that Albert Einstein gave his first public lecture on the theory of relativity in 1915.

Treptower Park is also a popular recreational spot for Berliners. Expansive lawns invite picnicking, and riverside promenades offer scenic walking and biking trails. On summer weekends, visitors can rent a boat and explore the Spree, enjoying views of the city from the water. Unlike Gärten der Welt, admission to the park is completely free, making it accessible to any budget.

Comparing all five sites described, each offers a unique perspective on Berlin's history and culture. Teufelsberg delights with the mysterious atmosphere of a Cold War spy station and panoramic views, but requires an admission fee and is the farthest from the center. The East Side Gallery, being a free attraction in the central part of the city, attracts the most tourists, which can make it difficult to contemplate art in peace. The Stasi Museum offers the most authentic historical experience at an affordable price, although the exhibit can be emotionally overwhelming. Gärten der Welt is the best choice for nature and tranquility lovers, but requires an entrance ticket and a longer trip from the center. Treptower Park combines the advantages of free access, historical significance and recreational opportunities, though the monumental Soviet aesthetic may not appeal to everyone.

Regardless of personal preference, these five offbeat destinations show what a multilayered and fascinating city Berlin is - a place where history, art, nature and politics intertwine in a unique whole, offering curious travelers much more than the standard attractions on the front pages of guidebooks.