Guide to Visiting the Berlin TV Tower

The TV Tower is a must-see attraction in Berlin, and it’s one of the most recognizable sights in the city. It’s quite photogenic, and you’ll see it from many different places while you’re exploring the city, sometimes unexpectedly. So what do you need to know for visiting the Berlin TV Tower?

This post I’ll explain how to get to the Berliner Fernsehturm (that’s the German name), tell you about its history, and share tips for seeing this important Berlin landmark.

TV Tower tickets

The TV Tower is one of the best places for views of Berlin, so it’s very popular. I highly recommend buying your tickets ahead of time to reduce your wait time.

Plus there’s a restaurant inside where you can have a lovely meal while enjoying the view.

Here are our recommendations for TV Tower tickets:

• Berlin TV Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
• Berlin TV Tower Window Seat Restaurant Ticket & Skip-the-Line Ticket
• Berlin TV Tower Breakfast at Revolving Restaurant Ticket & Skip-the-Line Ticket

History and facts about the Berlin TV Tower

The TV Tower in Berlin took about 4 years to build and was inaugurated on October 3, 1969. It was built by the Soviets and the East German government, and it was originally meant to represent the strength of communist East Germany.

The tower is 368 meters (1,207 feet) tall, including the antenna, and they intentionally built it so tall so that it could be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Today it’s still one of the tallest structures in Germany and the European Union.

Today it is a symbol of the reunification of Germany and a symbol of Berlin itself, and it’s one of the most famous landmarks in Germany.

The viewing platform sits at 203 meters (666 feet) and provides 360 degree views of the city. It takes about 40 seconds for the elevator to bring you to the viewing platform.

Bar 203 is located on the same level as the viewing platform. On a higher level, there’s a revolving restaurant called Sphere where you can reserve a table and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner while enjoying the views.

On a good day, when the weather is good and visibility is clear, you can see as far as 70 to 80 kilometers away from the TV Tower. That’s roughly 43 to 50 miles.

>>Read more fun facts about Berlin.

How to visit the Berliner Ferhsehturm

The Berlin TV Tower is easy to see from almost anywhere around the city. You’ll get great views of the tower itself while exploring, and I think it should be included on any Berlin itinerary.

But if you’re visiting the Berlin TV Tower for views, think about what kind of views you want. The light will be different at noon vs late afternoon/early evening, and this will change how your pictures look.

I personally think the light is great towards the end of the day, an hour or two before sunset. But there’s really not a bad time to visit.

Also, when you’re at the viewing platform, take a look down right in front of the windows. There are signs telling you what you’re looking at in that particular direction along with some interesting information.

Tips for getting photos of the TV Tower

As I mentioned, you’re likely to see the TV Tower several times throughout your trip as it pops out from behind a building when you turn a corner. But if you want some really nice photos of the tower, here are a few of my favorite spots.

Government District: In the government districts, near the Reichstag Building and the Bundestag Ubahn station, there’s a small tree lined stretch of benches, and those trees make a really nice frame for the TV Tower.

Berliner Dom: When you stand in front of the Berlin Cathedral, on the west edge of the Lustgarten, you can get a really nice view of the TV Tower poking up behind the Cathedral.

Or go a little to the right while looking towards the Cathedral, and you can get a different angle with the TV Tower off to the side of the Berliner Dom.

Frankfurter Tor: I live near Frankfurter Tor, and I love the view of the TV Tower from here. Frankfurter Allee, and then Karl-Marx-Allee on the other side of Frankfurter Tor, is a wide boulevard of Stalin era buildings, and you can get some great pictures here.

Victory Column: While I love the views from the TV Tower, sometimes it’s worth climbing a different tower so you’ll have photos with the TV Tower in them. Visit the Victory Column and climb up the 285 stairs for some fantastic views that include the TV Tower.

Panoramapunkt: Another great viewing platform where you can get views of Berlin that include the TV Tower is Panoramapunkt, located at Potsdamer Platz. It’s also home to Europe’s fastest elevator.

Park Inn Hotel: Located on Alexanderplatz not far from the TV Tower is the Park Inn Hotel, which also has a viewing platform. Take the elevator to 35th floor of the hotel, although you’ll still have to climb 80 stairs from the 35th floor up to the 39th floor. But they have what is probably the best view of the TV Tower itself. It’s the first photo in this article.

What to wear on your visit

Since the TV Tower is likely only one stop on a big day of sightseeing, you’ll be on your feet a lot. Wear comfortable shoes, and dress for the weather at the time of year you’re visiting Berlin.

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

How to get to the Berlin TV Tower

The TV Tower is located at Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin, basically at Alexanderplatz to the west of the station. Getting there is easy since Alexanderplatz is so well connected to the rest of the city.

To get to the TV Tower and Alexanderplatz, you can take Ubahn lines U2, U5, or U8, or you can take Sbahn lines S3, S5, S7, or S9. There are also several tram lines here, the M4, M5, and M6, and the station is serviced by a few regional trains and a few bus lines.

Once you reach the station, follow signs for the Fernsehturm.

Which is closer to Berliner Dom, Brandenburg Gate or Berliner Fernsehturm?

The Berliner Fernsehturm is closer to the Berliner Dom than Brandenburg Gate is by about half the distance. So if you’re sightseeing in this area, the Berlin Cathedral is about 800 meters (about half a mile) to the TV Tower, or 1.6km (about a mile) to Brandenburger Tor.

TV Tower FAQs and Things to know before you go

Before you visit the TV Tower, here are a few more pieces of advice to help you enjoy one of the most popular bucket list attractions in Berlin.

Fernsehturm opening times

The Fernsehturm has different opening hours depending on the time of year. It’s not open early enough to see the sunrise, but it does stay open late enough to see the sunset.

Observation deck opening hours:
November – March
10 am to 10 pm

April – October
9 am to 11 pm

Holiday hours may differ, and the TV Tower closes two days each year for maintenance.

How much time do you need to visit the TV Tower?

If you plan on going up to the viewing platform of the TV Tower, you should probably plan on spending at least an hour here. Leave yourself more time if you’re having a meal at the restaurant.

Buying a ticket ahead of time will save you lots of waiting time. But if you wait until you get there to buy a ticket, you should allow for at least an hour just to wait in line.

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Join our Facebook group!

Have questions about planning your trip to Berlin?

Join the Facebook group here to chat with Ali (she runs this site) and other people who have been to Berlin for tips.

Can you visit the TV Tower with a wheelchair?

Unfortunately the TV Tower was built in the 1960s, and they didn’t make it accessible for people in wheelchairs or those who have mobility issues. It’s nearly impossible to change it now, so you cannot go up the TV Tower with a wheelchair or other mobility device.

Can you visit the TV Tower with a baby carriage or stroller?

Strollers, baby carriages, and prams are not allowed up to the viewing platform of the TV Tower. There is a coat check area just past the entrance where you can leave your stroller while you go up the tower.

Can you bring large bags or luggage into the TV Tower?

Large bags, suitcases, and even bottles (empty or full) are not allowed up to the viewing platform. The coat check is free, so they ask they you leave your coat and any large items with them during your visit.

Are dogs allowed in the Fernsehturm?

Sadly the TV Tower is not a dog friendly attraction. You can’t bring your four legged friend unless it’s an official guide dog.

Is there a limit to the number of people allowed?

Yes, the TV Tower can only let 350 people in at any one time. This includes the restaurant and the viewing platform combined.

How tall is the TV Tower in Berlin?

The Fernsehturm is 368 meters (1,207 feet) tall. This includes the antenna.

When was the Berlin TV Tower built?

The Berlin TV Tower was built in the mid to late 60s over a period of 4 years and inaugurated on October 3, 1969.

Is Berlin TV Tower worth it?

The Berlin TV Tower is worth it if you want views of Berlin from the highest point in the city. It’s a historic building and one of the tallest in Europe.

But if you’re more interested in views that include the TV Tower itself, there are other great viewing platforms. Try Panoramapunkt, Park Inn, Berliner Dom, Victory Column, or any others listed earlier in this blog post.

The TV Tower also might be a bit expensive if you’re in Berlin on a budget. Again, there are lots of other viewpoints in Berlin that are also wonderful and are more budget friendly.

Things to do near the TV Tower

With so many other things to do near the Fernsehturm, 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 the city for sightseeing.

Museum Island

One of Berlin’s top attractions, Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes multiple museums loaded with historic marvels. This is a great cultural site to visit in the German capital.

Museum Island includes five museums to browse around in total: The Pergamon Museum, the Old Museum, the Old National Gallery, the Bode Museum, and the New Museum. You’ll probably also see the museum names listed in German, which are: Pergamonmuseum, Altes Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Bode Museum, and Neues Museum.

You can either walk from the TV Tower and enjoy the sights along the way, or you can hop on the U5 (going towards Hauptbahnhof) and get out 2 stops later at U Museumsinsel.

Berliner Dom

The Berlin Cathedral, or Berliner Dom in German, is a gorgeous Protestant cathedral located on Museum Island. It’s one of the top attractions in the city and serves as both a museum and an active church.

The admission fee includes an optional tour if you are interested in hearing about the history of the cathedral. You can also climb 270 stairs for lovely panoramic views of Berlin.

Tours do not run when church services are going on. To reach the Berlin Cathedral, it’s a 10-15 minute walk from the TV Tower, or take the U5 to U Museumsinsel.

Unter den Linden

Unter den Linden is the gorgeous street that runs from Museum Island to Brandenburg Gate. This is a great place to walk to see lots of Berlin’s top sights, especially on a sunny day.

Read my full guide to visiting Unter den Linden in Berlin.

Nikolaiviertel

Nikolaiviertel (Nicholas Quarter) is Berlin’s old town, dating back to around 1200. Sadly it was damaged during WWII and left in ruins for decades.

In the 1980s in the lead-up to the city’s 750th birthday in 1987, this medieval quarter was restored. So while the buildings aren’t original, you can now wander the streets and get the feel for what Berlin might have been like in the Middle Ages.

There are lots of cute shops, cafes and restaurants here. The neighborhood lies along the Spree River, and it’s not far from the Berliner Dom and Museum Island.

Hackescher Höfe

Near the Hackescher Markt Sbahn station is an area called Hackescher Höfe, which is a series of pretty courtyards. Here you can shop at boutique stores or stop for a coffee, or simply enjoy the area.

To get there, it’s a 10-15 minute walk from the Fernsehturm. Or you can take the Sbahn (S3, S5, S7, or S9) one stop or take the tram (M4, M5, or M6) 2 stops.

Berlin Travel Resources

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