Berlin TV Tower & Alexanderplatz
Fernsehturm / Alexanderplatz
The 368-meter East German landmark TV Tower, with an observation deck at 203 meters offering 360-degree views of the city. At its foot, Alexanderplatz is home to the World Time Clock and is the heart of East Berlin.
The Berlin TV Tower was built by the East German government in 1969. At 368 meters, it remains Germany's tallest structure and the fourth-tallest freestanding structure in the EU. It was meant to showcase the achievements of socialism to West Berlin. Sunlight reflecting off its stainless-steel sphere forms a cross-shaped glint, which West Berliners jokingly called 'the Pope's revenge'. The observation deck is at 203 meters, and the elevator reaches it in 40 seconds. The 360° view takes in the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, the Reichstag and as far as Potsdam. At 207 meters, the revolving restaurant Sphere makes one rotation every 30 minutes (food and drinks are extra; package deals include admission). Tickets start at about 25 euros (fast-track tickets cost more). In peak season, booking timed tickets on tv-turm.de is strongly recommended, otherwise queues can last 1–2 hours. The tower may close in strong winds. Alexanderplatz ('Alex') at the foot of the tower is named after Tsar Alexander I of Russia, who visited in 1805. During the East Berlin era it was the commercial and transport center. Its World Time Clock (Weltzeituhr, showing the time in 148 cities) and the International Friendship Fountain, both from 1969, are classic examples of East German design and popular meeting spots. Nearby are the Galeria department store, the Alexa shopping center, Primark and GDR-style prefabricated apartment blocks. Within a 5-minute walk to the west are the red Rotes Rathaus (City Hall), the Nikolaiviertel (a reconstructed medieval quarter), the Neptune Fountain and St. Mary's Church, so you can link them with Museum Island in one route. Getting there: S-Bahn lines S3, S5, S7 and S9, U-Bahn lines U2, U5 and U8, and several tram lines all converge at Alexanderplatz station. The square is crowded at night, so watch out for pickpockets and touts.
Opening hours
TV tower March–October 9:00 AM–11:00 PM, November–February 10:00 AM–10:00 PM; square open all day
Nearby sights
- Nikolaiviertel
- Humboldt Forum
- DDR Museum
- Hackesche Höfe
- Berlin Cathedral
- Museum Island
- Gendarmenmarkt
- Checkpoint Charlie