Berlin TV Tower

The Berlin TV Tower, the Fernsehturm, is the tallest structure in Germany and the easiest landmark to spot from almost anywhere in the city. It was built by the East German state between 1965 and 1969 beside Alexanderplatz, partly as a broadcasting tower and partly as a show of technical confidence. Including its antenna, which was raised in 1997, it is 368 metres tall, and its steel sphere, shining in the sun, has become a symbol of the whole city rather than just the former East.

A fast lift takes visitors up the concrete shaft to the observation deck, about 203 metres above the ground, in well under a minute. The deck runs right around the sphere, so you can look in every direction: along Karl-Marx-Allee to the east, over Museum Island, the cathedral and the Reichstag to the west, and on a clear day far out to the lakes and forests on the edge of Berlin. Panels help you pick out the main sights. A few metres higher is the Sphere restaurant, which revolves slowly so that the view changes while you eat, and serves Berlin dishes. A bar on the deck serves drinks and snacks.

The tower suits first-time visitors who want an overview of the city's layout, and children usually enjoy the lift ride and the view. Sunset is the most popular time, when the city lights begin to come on, and it is also the busiest. Clear days give the best views, so if your dates are flexible, check the weather before you go. Allow about an hour, or longer if you eat in the restaurant.

The observation deck and Sphere restaurant open daily from 9am to 11pm, with the bar from 11am, although the tower occasionally closes for events. Buying a ticket online in advance is strongly recommended. Standard tickets let you skip the ticket desk but not the admission queue, while restaurant packages include a guaranteed time slot and table. Expect a security check before the lift.

The tower stands next to Alexanderplatz station, served by S-Bahn, U-Bahn and regional trains. The Marienkirche, the Neptune Fountain and the Rotes Rathaus are at its foot, and Museum Island and the Nikolaiviertel are a short walk away.