Guide to Visiting Panoramapunkt in Berlin

Do you love views of cities from above? I do! Berlin has lots of viewpoints, and if you’re looking for a less popular one, I recommend visiting Panoramapunkt. When I travel, one of my favorite things to do is find interesting viewpoints for views of the place I’m visiting, and the Panoramapunkt viewing platform in Berlin is an excellent choice.

Panoramapunkt is in a somewhat boring-looking building near Potsdamer Platz, but the views of Berlin from the 24th and 25th floors here are spectacular. In my experience, it’s one of the best options for seeing the Berlin skyline with the TV Tower in it. In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know for visiting Panoramapunkt in Berlin.

Facts about Panoramapunkt

Panoramapunkt is located in a tall building at Potsdamer Platz, and it’s home to the fastest elevator in Europe. It takes you from the ground floor to the 24th floor in just 20 seconds. The name Panoramapunkt translates to Panorama Point, which is fitting.

The building was completed in 1999, and Panoramapunkt uses the top two floors. The rest of the building has shops, restaurants, and office space.

This location also holds the world record for “World’s highest piece of the Wall on a Building” since July 15, 2010. The 24th floor is 100 meters high, and this piece of the Berlin Wall was flown up there by helicopter.

The observation deck at Panoramapunkt offers 360 degree views of Berlin. From here, you can see the TV Tower, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Reichstag Building, Berlin Cathedral, Gendarmenmarkt, Tiergarten, Victory Column, and more.

How to Visit Panoramapunkt

Panoramapunkt is easy to fit into your day of sightseeing since it’s centrally located. Chances are you already have places like Brandenburger Tor and the Holocaust Memorial on your Berlin bucket list, so head on over to Potsdamer Platz for these fantastic views.

Keep reading for more tips to make your visit more enjoyable.

What to wear on your visit

Since Panoramapunkt is likely only one stop on a big day of sightseeing, you’ll be on your feet a lot. The viewing platform is also outside and up 24 floors, so it’s quite windy and can feel even colder than at street level. Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather at the time of year you’re visiting Berlin, and I’d recommend even dressing for slightly cooler weather when going up here.

>>Read: What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List

How to get to Panoramapunkt

Since Panoramapunkt is located at Potsdamer Platz, it’s pretty easy to get there. The address is Potsdamer Platz 1.

You can reach the S&U Potsdamer Platz station using the Ubahn line U2 or Sbahn lines S1, S2, S25, or S26. (Note: Panoramapunkt’s website also lists the S3, but this Sbahn does NOT go to Potsdamer Platz.) Several regional trains also stop at Potsdamer Platz.

If you’re coming by bus, the Varian-Fry-Str/Potsdamer Platz bus stop is right near Panoramapunkt. You can get there using buses 200, 300, M41, M48, or M85.

It’s also easy to reach Panoramapunkt on foot from nearby attractions. Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie are about 20 minutes away when walking.

Panoramapunkt is in a somewhat generic-looking red brick building, but it’s across the street from the Deutsche Bahn building. So if you’re having trouble finding it, look up and find the giant DB logo. That is directly across the street on Potsdamer Strasse.

Things to know before you go

Here are a few tips for your visit to Panoramapunkt.

Come prepared for the wind

The viewing platform at Panoramapunkt is on the 24th and 25th floors of the Kollhoff Tower, and you’ll be outside. This means it can be quite windy. Both times I visited (once in August and once in April) were warm, sunny days, but when you’re up that high, the wind can really whip at you.

It’s worth having a light jacket, sweater, or sweatshirt even if you’re visiting Berlin in summer, because you never know when it might be unseasonably cool. Bring it with you when you go to Panoramapunkt to make your experience a little more pleasant.

Best view of the TV Tower

While it’s interesting that you can get views of Berlin from two different levels, they aren’t too different. And the views of the TV Tower are actually better from the 24th floor because the 25th floor comes to a point at that section, so you can’t look straight on at the TV Tower.

Learn about Potsdamer Platz

In addition to being a great viewpoint in Berlin, Panoramapunkt also has an interesting exhibition about the history of Potsdamer Platz.

While wandering around the viewing platform, you can read about and see photos of Potsdamer Platz, including what it looked like after World War II damage and what it was like during the Cold War. There’s even one small section of the Berlin Wall up there.

Panoramapunkt opening hours

Panoramapunkt is open every day of the week from 10am to 7pm, with the last entry at 6:30pm. The Panorama Cafe is open daily from 11am to 6pm.

They are closed on December 24th, and hours may change on holidays or if there is a special event going on.

How much time do you need to visit Panoramapunkt?

I spent around 20 minutes walking around both the 24th and 25th floors to get photos and views from all sides. I looked at the exhibit about Potsdamer Platz, but I didn’t read everything. If you want to read every section of the exhibit, you should allow for at least 30 minutes or so for your visit to Panoramapunkt.

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FAQs about Panoramapunkt

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you with your visit to Panoramapunkt.

Which has better views, Panoramapunkt or TV Tower?

I’m not going to lie, the TV Tower is hard to beat for views. It’s the highest point in the city, as well as one of the tallest buildings in Europe, so of course the views are amazing.

But your pictures will never be THAT great because of taking photos through the glass windows. And you’ll never get pictures with the TV Tower in them since you’ll be IN the TV Tower.

This is where the Panoramapunkt viewing platform wins out. It’s one of the views of Berlin that includes the famous TV Tower, so it is a fantastic option.

Other great places to climb/ascend for views that include the TV Tower: Victory Column, Park Inn, Berlin Cathedral, and French Cathedral.

Can you visit Panoramapunkt with a wheelchair?

Yes, Panoramapunkt’s 24th floor is wheelchair accessible. For safety reasons, only 3 wheelchairs are allowed on the viewing platform at the same time. (FYI: The TV Tower is sadly not wheelchair accessible. This is another advantage of going to Panoramapunkt instead of the TV Tower.)

Are dogs allowed in Panoramapunkt?

Dogs are allowed in Panoramapunkt. But they have specified that only well behaved dogs are allowed, small dogs that can be carried if necessary, and large dogs must wear a muzzle.

Things to do near Panoramapunkt

With so many other things to do near Panoramapunkt, you’re spoiled for options. And besides the things I’ve listed below, you’ll have easy access to public transport, so you can get to another part of Berlin for sightseeing.

Potsdamer Platz

As a local, Potsdamer Platz is not my favorite part of the city. It’s very commercial, and a lot of the shops and restaurants are generic places you’ll find all over the world. But there are a handful of tourist attractions you might be interested in besides Panoramapunkt.

The Spy Museum is located here, and you can learn about the history of espionage and some of Germany’s history with this topic. There’s also a Wall Museum (Die Mauer) where you can learn about the Berlin Wall. Both of these museums are technically at Leipziger Platz, which is just a couple minutes walk east of Potsdamer Platz.

Other museums nearby include the Museum of German Film and Television, the Musical Instruments Museum, and the Neue Nationalgalerie 20th century art museum.

Potsdamer Platz and Leipziger Plats also have several sections of the Berlin Wall on display. While not the best ones in the city, if you’re already there, it’s easy to go see them.

If you’re traveling with small children, the Legoland Discovery Center is nearby. And if you like quirky sights, you can see a replica of the first traffic light in the world, which was originally here at Potsdamer Platz.

Tiergarten

Tiergarten is a huge inner-city park that was originally a royal hunting ground in the 1500s. It’s the largest park of its kind in Germany, and it has become one of the most loved public parks in Berlin over the years.

Throughout the park there are statues, memorials, ponds, tree-lined thoroughfares, and lawns. When the weather’s warm in Berlin, it’s here that people flock for strolling, picnicking, and generally hanging out, making it a great spot for people watching. And if you’re looking for more views of Berlin from above, climb Victory Column in the middle of Tiergarten.

Tiergarten is located north of Potsdamer Platz and Panoramapunkt. Check out my full guide to visiting Tiergarten Park in Berlin.

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Holocaust Memorial

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, often referred to as the Holocaust Memorial, honors the large number of Jewish people who were killed by the Nazis. It’s one of the most important World War II sites in Berlin, and it’s a few minutes north of Panoramapunkt.

The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete blocks of varying heights sitting on unevenly sloped ground, similar to a wave. The indoor information center showcases letters, diaries, photographs, and biographies of the victims to help personalize the experience.

Entrance is free. Photography is allowed (no flash inside) but please be respectful. Do not sit on or climb on the cement slabs or take selfies. This is a place to reflect and remember those who were murdered.

Read my full guide to visiting the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin for more details.

Brandenburger Tor

Brandenburg Gate, or Brandenburger Tor in German, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Germany, and it’s just a few minutes walking from Panoramapunkt. It was one of the old city gates marking the edge of Berlin, though today it’s very much in the center of the city.

During the Cold War, Brandenburg Gate was just barely to the East of the border. The Berlin Wall was built around it, making it inaccessible by residents of either side.

This is a great place for pictures, and one of Berlin’s most famous landmarks. Check out my full guide to visiting Brandenburg Gate.

Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror Museum sits on the location of the former headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS between 1933 and 1945. They coordinated the genocide of Jews, Roma, and Sinti and organized the persecution and killings of Nazi opponents from here.

This dark place now serves as a museum for remembering history and warning us from repeating the terrors of the past. The exhibits here use photographs and documentation to tell visitors about the crimes that were organized here, plus there are excavation sites you can view through glass windows.

To find out more, check out my guide to visiting Topography of Terror.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to visiting Panoramapunkt in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!