The Berlin TV Tower, known locally as the Berliner Fernsehturm, stands at Alexanderplatz in the Mitte district. Including its antenna, it reaches 368 metres, making it Germany’s tallest structure. Visitors access the observation deck at 203 metres, while the restaurant sits above it at 207 metres.
Built between 1965 and 1969 as a broadcasting tower in East Germany, it opened in October 1969. Its concrete shaft supports the metal-clad sphere and antenna. The public viewing areas are inside the sphere.
Plan your visit: Observation deck at 203 metres · Timed admission · Not wheelchair accessible
What to see at the Berlin TV Tower
The main attraction is the view across Berlin. Choose the observation deck if you mainly want to look around, or a restaurant offer if you want a reserved table and time for a meal.
The observation deck at 203 metres
The windows provide views in every direction. Nearby landmarks include the Red Town Hall, Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island. In suitable visibility, you can also identify the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate further away.
Information panels help you locate buildings and understand how the city fits together. For a first visit to Berlin, this is a useful opportunity to trace the Spree and see the distances between places you may have visited on foot.
The observation deck is enclosed by glass. When taking photographs, watch for reflections, particularly after dark when the interior lighting is brighter than the city outside.
The revolving restaurant Sphere Tim Raue
Sphere Tim Raue is on the level above the observation deck, at 207 metres. Its dining area slowly rotates, changing your view while you remain seated. The observation deck itself does not rotate.
The food draws on dishes from Berlin and Brandenburg. If you want to eat there, select an offer that includes a table reservation. Check whether food and drinks are included or charged separately.
Is the Berlin TV Tower worth visiting?
The tower suits visitors who want an overview of central Berlin from above. You do not need to book a meal to enjoy the panorama: an observation-deck ticket is sufficient.
Visibility makes a substantial difference. Low cloud or fog can obscure distant landmarks. Daylight makes individual buildings easier to recognise, while an evening visit focuses more on illuminated streets and buildings.
The operator currently specifies 45 minutes on the observation deck. As an editorial planning estimate, allow around one to one and a half hours for the complete visit, including admission and the lifts. Allow longer for a restaurant booking.
Combine the TV Tower with a sightseeing tour
If you want to explore more of Berlin afterwards, our guide to Berlin sightseeing bus tours explains the available options. Check which route and stop fit your plans around Alexanderplatz.
A boat tour on the Spree offers another way to explore the city centre. Check the departure pier and leave enough time between your tower booking and the boat’s departure.
Berlin TV Tower photo gallery
The exterior photographs show the concrete shaft, sphere and antenna from different viewpoints. The tower’s total height of 368 metres includes the antenna; the observation deck is lower down, at 203 metres.
Berlin TV Tower tickets and admission
Observation-deck tickets are booked for a specific admission time. Restaurant offers have different inclusions, such as a table reservation, breakfast or a meal.
Observation-deck ticket
The linked GetYourGuide offer includes access to the observation deck. Booking online means you do not need to queue at the ticket desk. Security checks and possible waits for the lifts still apply.
The ticket is currently advertised from €20 per person. The final price depends on your selected date and option. The offer is currently listed as non-refundable, so check the conditions before booking.
Which ticket should you choose?
Choose according to whether you mainly want the view or a restaurant visit. Do not assume that a viewing ticket includes a reserved restaurant table.
Tickets can also be purchased at the on-site ticket office, subject to availability. Booking ahead makes it easier to fit the visit into a fixed itinerary.
Berlin TV Tower opening hours
The operator’s seasonal visitor information lists the following regular opening hours. Your ticket’s admission time determines when you should arrive.
Announced closure: The tower is scheduled to be closed on 23 November 2026.
Events or technical work may lead to further changes. Check availability for your intended date before travelling.
Location and getting there
The Berlin TV Tower stands at Alexanderplatz in central Berlin. The visitor entrance is opposite Alexanderplatz S-Bahn station.
Berlin TV Tower
Panoramastraße 1A
10178 Berlin
Alexanderplatz is served by U-Bahn lines U2, U5 and U8, as well as S-Bahn and tram services. Walk from the station to the tower and check for transport disruptions on your visit day.
Accessibility and visiting with children
The Berlin TV Tower is not wheelchair accessible. Under the operator’s admission rules, wheelchair users and visitors who cannot move independently because of a mobility impairment cannot visit. The restrictions relate to emergency evacuation arrangements; the lifts cannot provide an accessible escape route during a fire.
Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Pushchairs cannot be taken up the tower; free storage is available at the cloakroom.
Large luggage is not permitted, and there are no lockers. Arrange luggage storage elsewhere before arriving with a suitcase.
Frequently asked questions about the Berlin TV Tower
Height and location are common questions, but it also helps to distinguish the tower’s total height from the visitor levels. These answers cover the main points for planning a visit.
How tall is the Berlin TV Tower?
The Berlin TV Tower is 368 metres tall, including its antenna. It is Germany’s tallest structure. Visitors do not travel to the top of the antenna.
Where is the Berlin TV Tower?
The tower is at Alexanderplatz in Berlin-Mitte. Its address is Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin. The entrance is opposite Alexanderplatz S-Bahn station.
How high is the observation deck?
The observation deck is 203 metres above ground level. Sphere Tim Raue, the revolving restaurant, is at 207 metres.
How much does a Berlin TV Tower ticket cost?
The linked observation-deck ticket is currently advertised from €20 per person. Select your date and participants to see the final price. Restaurant offers are priced separately.
How long does the lift take?
The journey to the observation deck takes approximately 40 seconds. Admission procedures and any queues take additional time.
Does the Berlin TV Tower rotate?
The tower and observation deck remain stationary. The restaurant’s dining area rotates, currently completing one turn in approximately 30 minutes.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
You can book online or purchase remaining tickets at the on-site ticket office. Advance booking lets you select an available admission time before travelling.
Does an observation-deck ticket include a restaurant table?
No reserved restaurant table is guaranteed with an observation-deck ticket. Choose a restaurant offer if you want to plan a meal, and check its inclusions.
Sources and information checked
The following publications were used to check the tower descriptions and visitor information. Prices and inclusions depend on the booking option selected.
Berlin TV Tower: Observation deck — viewing level and ticket options.
Berlin TV Tower: Frequently asked questions — timed admission, visit duration and visitor rules.
Berlin TV Tower: Accessibility restrictions — admission restrictions and evacuation arrangements.
Berlin TV Tower: Sphere Tim Raue — restaurant concept, height and rotation.
visitBerlin: Berlin Television Tower — total height, history and location.
Berlin.de: TV Tower history walk — construction period and architecture.
Berlin.de: Berlin TV Tower — address and transport connections.
Berliner-Fernsehturm.info — our separate information website about the Berlin TV Tower.
