Berlin TV Tower

The Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) at Alexanderplatz is the tallest structure in Germany at 368 meters (1,207 feet) and the skyline icon you'll spot from almost everywhere in the city. From the silver sphere about 200 meters up, you get a sweeping view over Berlin, from the government district and Museum Island to the forests on the horizon. It's one of the best things to do in Berlin on your first day.

A Cold War landmark

East Germany built the tower in the 1960s both for broadcasting and as a statement of socialist modernity in the heart of East Berlin. It opened on October 3, 1969, and has been a protected landmark since 1979. A new antenna tip in 1997 brought it to its current height.

Look at the steel sphere on a sunny day and you may see a bright cross of reflected light. Berliners nicknamed it the "Pope's revenge," a joke at the expense of the officially atheist state that built it.

What you'll see from the top

• The observation deck sits at about 203 meters (666 feet), with a 360-degree view across the city.
• Sphere, the rotating restaurant by Berlin chef Tim Raue, is just above at about 207 meters, so the view slowly turns while you eat. There's also a bar.
• The elevator travels at 6 meters per second and reaches the top in about 40 seconds.
• A VR experience is included with standard tickets, where available.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the official website:

• Hours: daily 9 am to 11 pm; from November through February, the tower opens at 10 am.
• Standard ticket: from 20 euros, with a timed entry slot and 45 minutes on the observation deck.
• View & Drink: from 31 euros, including one drink at the bar.
• Restaurant packages with a guaranteed table are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Book online up to 90 days ahead, especially for sunset slots. Tickets are transferable but non-refundable; you can rebook online up to 10 minutes before your slot.

Know before you go

• Not wheelchair accessible: wheelchair users and visitors who need help walking cannot go up, according to the operator.
• No suitcases or large bags; backpacks up to 45 × 35 × 20 cm only, and there are no lockers.
• Strollers must be left at the cloakroom; dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs.
• Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

How to get there

The tower stands right at Alexanderplatz in the Mitte district. Alexanderplatz station is served by several S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines as well as regional trains, so it's easy to reach from anywhere in the city. From BER airport, direct regional trains to central Berlin take well under an hour. Local transit is covered by the Deutschlandticket.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, on a clear day. It's the highest public viewpoint in Germany and gives you an instant sense of Berlin's layout. Plan about an hour to an hour and a half, including the security check, and skip it when low clouds hide the view. Nearby you'll find St. Mary's Church, the Red Town Hall, the Neptune Fountain, and, a short walk away, Museum Island and Berlin Cathedral.