Berliner Fernsehturm (Berlin TV Tower)

Rising 368 meters in the sky, the Berliner Fernsehturm is the city's most visible landmark. This tower on Alexanderplatz is not only a must-visit, it's also the tallest building in Europe open to the public.

The Berlin TV Tower was inaugurated on 3 October 1969 – just before East Germany celebrated its 20th anniversary. For Politician Walter Ulbricht (later East German head of state), the Tower television, built in just four years, is a symbol of the superiority of the communist system – clear evidence that GDR is building a better future. The tower was designed by Hermann Henselmann and a team of architects including Fritz Dieter, Günter Franke and Werner Neuman in the state-owned Industrie Projektierung Berlin. For a time, the executive manager for the entire project was Gerhard Kosel, then president of the Deutsche Bauakademie (Construction Academy) under GDR in Berlin.

East Germany, though steeped in history, the Berlin TV Tower still draws crowds today and ranks among the top attractions in 21st-century Germany. After reunification Germany, the Berliner Fernsehturm is no longer a symbol of East Germany but is quickly becoming an integral element of Berlin's new cityscape, and also a symbol of the city both nationally and internationally.

In just 40 seconds, the TV Tower's express elevator will take you to the elevated viewing area above. Great panoramic views of the city can be seen from here including the Reichstag, the Olympic Stadium and the decommissioned Tempelhof airport. Through coin-operated telescopes, visitors can explore the city below in detail and even see wind turbines from the surrounding countryside.

To enjoy the view without the crowds or queues, especially on Sundays, guests can reserve a seat at the tower's Sphere Restaurant while enjoying delicious food.

Address: Panoramastrasse 1A, 10178 Berlin

Opening hours: - March - October: every day 11:00 - 22:00

- November - February: every day 10:00 - 00:00

Ticket price: €17.50 (adult) / €9.50 (child) / free for children under 3

*contact for fast-track and restaurant tickets