Florianturm (Florian Tower)

You see it long before the stadium when you arrive in Dortmund: the Florianturm, "Florian" to the locals, rises from the Westfalenpark high above the city. When it opened in 1959 it was Germany's tallest TV tower for about a decade, and the restaurant in its pod was one of the first revolving restaurants anywhere. Today a lift takes you up to a viewing platform almost 142 metres above the ground, with views across the Ruhr.

History: a tower for a garden show

For Dortmund's first Federal Garden Show in 1959 only a modest lookout tower was planned. At the same time the Federal Post Office needed a tall transmitter mast that would have spoiled the skyline as a steel lattice. City and post office joined forces, and architect Will Schwarz designed a combined observation and telecom tower. Construction began on 22 May 1958, the concrete shaft rising by slip-forming around the clock, in winter under a heated tent. It was ready for the show's opening on 30 April 1959.

The name comes from the show's poster: it featured a miner holding a flower, named after St Florian, and locals soon transferred the name to the tower. Originally about 220 metres tall, it has measured 208.56 metres since the antennas were replaced in 2004. For its 40th birthday in 1999 the shaft was wrapped in a giant tie that made it into the Guinness Book of Records.

What to see

• Viewing platform (141.88 m): Views over the park, the city centre and Borussia Dortmund's stadium to the spoil heaps and pithead frames of the Ruhr.
• Revolving restaurant (137 m): After years of closure, "Turm 137" has been serving food and drinks in the pod since November 2025.
• Westfalenpark: Around the tower lie the German Rosarium, lakes, playgrounds and a miniature railway.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

The platform is open Wednesday and Thursday 14:00–18:00, Friday and Saturday 12:00–23:00 and Sunday and public holidays 12:00–20:00; closed Monday and Tuesday. Last ascent 15 minutes before closing.

• Tower only: €4 per person aged 6 and over; small-group tickets €7.50 and €11.50.
• Park and tower combined: €7, evening rate €5.
• Park only: €4.50 from March to October.

Getting there

From Dortmund Hauptbahnhof take light-rail line U45 or U49 to "Westfalenpark"; the Florianstraße entrance is closest to the tower. Car parks F2 and F3 cost €8.

Good to know

For fire-safety reasons, people using wheelchairs, walkers or breathing equipment are not allowed up, and prams and dogs must stay below. A maximum of 300 people may be on the tower at once, so sunny weekends can mean queues.

Tripto tip

Go on a Friday or Saturday evening, when the tower is open until 23:00 and the Ruhr lights up below you. Allow an hour for the tower, or half a day with the park.