Panoramapunkt is an open-air observation deck on top of the Kollhoff Tower at Potsdamer Platz, Berlin, reached by Europe’s fastest lift.
This guide was updated in June 2026. The standard ticket is just €9, far below the €14 to €16 that several recent travel blogs quote, since those figures often reflect VIP or skip-the-line upsells rather than the base price. You can book through GetYourGuide to lock in a time slot in advance.
Panoramapunkt quick facts
| Address | Potsdamer Platz 1, 10785 Berlin (Kollhoff Tower), Germany |
| Opening hours | Daily, 10am–7pm in summer, 10am–6pm in winter |
| Admission | Standard €9 · Reduced €7 · Family €19.50 · Children under 6 free |
| Nearest transit | Potsdamer Platz station (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, bus), 1 minute’s walk |
| Typical visit duration | 30 to 60 minutes |
Why book Panoramapunkt tickets?
- 🏛️ Europe’s fastest lift: reach the 24th floor in just 20 seconds, a thrill in itself.
- 🎟️ Genuinely affordable: the standard ticket costs less than most Berlin viewpoints.
- 🌿 Open-air views, up close: unlike glass-enclosed towers, you stand outside at eye level with the city’s landmarks.
- 📜 History built in: the open-air exhibition traces Potsdamer Platz from its prewar heyday through the Berlin Wall years to today.
- 💰 Tickets valid a full year: buy now and use your ticket on any visit within twelve months.
Panoramapunkt opening hours
Hours shift slightly with the seasons, with a longer day in summer.
| Season | Viewing platform | Panorama Café |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 10am–7pm (last ascent 6:30pm) | 11am–6pm |
| Winter | 10am–6pm (last ascent 5:30pm) | 11am–5pm |
Hours can vary around public holidays and special events, so it’s worth calling ahead if your visit falls on one.
5 Berlin experiences worth booking
- 🏛️ Dive into Berlin’s history on a Third Reich and Cold War walking tour.
- 🚲 Take a three hour bike tour and cram in more Berlin highlights.
- 🍽️ Discover Berlin’s food scene on a multi-stop food tour.
- 🕊️ Visit Sachsenhausen concentration camp to understand the horrors of the Third Reich.
- 🎵 Discover David Bowie’s Berlin haunts on a specialised small group music tour.
Panoramapunkt ticket prices
These are the platform’s standard published rates. VIP tickets cost more but let you skip the queue for the lift.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard (adult) | €9.00 |
| Reduced: pupils, students, job seekers, disabled visitors and a companion | €7.00 |
| Family (2 adults + up to 4 children under 15) | €19.50 |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| VIP standard (skip the lift queue) | around €13.50 |
| VIP reduced | around €11.00 |
Every ticket includes the lift ride, the viewing platform, the open-air exhibition, and entry to the Panorama Café. Book through GetYourGuide to secure a slot, especially around sunset, when the platform is busiest.
Why book the Berlin WelcomeCard?
- 🚋 Unlimited Public Transport: Enjoy free, unrestricted travel on all buses, trams, U-Bahn, and S-Bahn trains within your chosen fare zones (AB or ABC) for the entire duration of your pass.
- 🏛️ 180+ Discount Partners: Save up to 50% at Berlin’s most popular sights and cultural highlights, including the Television Tower, DDR Museum, and the Botanical Garden.
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Travel: Take up to three children between the ages of 6 and 14 for free on your ticket, making it an exceptionally cost-effective option for families exploring the capital.
- 🕒 Flexible Duration Options: Tailor the pass to your specific travel plans with validity periods ranging from 48 hours to 6 consecutive days, starting from your first validation.
- 📱 Interactive Guide & Map: Access the official WelcomeCard app or pocket guide for insider tips, themed tour suggestions, and a detailed city map to help you navigate Berlin like a local.
How to get there
By train: Potsdamer Platz station is served by the S1, S2, S25, S26, and several regional RE and RB lines, all just a minute’s walk from the entrance.
By U-Bahn: The U2 also stops at Potsdamer Platz, right by the Kollhoff Tower.
By bus: Lines 200, 300, M41, M48, and M85 all stop close to the tower.
On foot: The main entrance is on Potsdamer Strasse, directly opposite the glass DB Tower.
Why book the Big Bus Berlin Hop-on Hop-off Tour?
- 🚌 Two Comprehensive Routes: Explore both the historic city center on the Red Route and the creative, trendy neighborhoods of former East Berlin on the Blue Route with one flexible ticket.
- 🏛️ 20+ Iconic Landmarks: Enjoy convenient access to Berlin’s most famous sites, including the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, the East Side Gallery, and the Reichstag Building.
- 🎧 Multilingual Audio Guide: Learn about the city’s transformation from the Prussian era through the Cold War with engaging recorded commentary available in 14 different languages.
- 📱 Real-Time Bus Tracking: Maximize your sightseeing time by using the free Big Bus app, which features a detailed map and live bus locations to help you plan your next move.
- 🌭 Authentic Berlin Currywurst: Many ticket options include a complimentary voucher for this local street food staple, along with access to guided walking tours for a deeper dive into Berlin’s history.
Parking
There’s no dedicated visitor car park at the tower itself, and street parking around Potsdamer Platz is limited. Nearby options include the Tiefgarage Potsdamer Platz car park and a car park at the Beisheim Center, both a short walk away.
How long to spend at Panoramapunkt
Most visitors spend 30 to 60 minutes taking in the view and the open-air exhibition. Adding a stop at the Panorama Café for coffee and cake can stretch a visit closer to 90 minutes.
Accessibility
Panoramapunkt is wheelchair accessible, with the lift carrying visitors straight to the viewing platform on the 24th floor. For safety reasons, a maximum of three wheelchair users are allowed on the platform at the same time. Well-behaved dogs are welcome too: small dogs can be carried, and larger dogs must wear a muzzle.
What to see at Panoramapunkt
The 360-degree view. From the open-air platform, you can pick out the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag dome, the TV Tower, Berlin Cathedral, and Bellevue Palace, all visible without glass in the way.
The former path of the Berlin Wall. The Kollhoff Tower stands directly on the Wall’s old route, marked today by a double row of cobblestones at street level below.
“Berliner Blicke auf den Potsdamer Platz”. This open-air exhibition wraps around the 24th floor, tracing Potsdamer Platz from a thriving prewar square through wartime ruin and Cold War wasteland to its 1990s reconstruction.
The Panorama Café. Fully glazed and set on the 24th floor, the café serves coffee, cake, and light dishes with the view built in.
The sun deck. One floor up, on the 25th floor, this open terrace is a favourite spot for watching the sunset over the western skyline.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Go for sunset | The platform is open later in summer, making golden hour an easy add-on to your visit. |
| Check the season | Opening hours run later in summer than in winter, so confirm before you travel. |
| Bring any payment method | Unlike some Berlin attractions, the ticket desk accepts cash, EC, and credit cards. |
| Tickets last a year | If your plans change, your ticket stays valid for twelve months from purchase. |
| Small dogs are welcome | Larger dogs need a muzzle, but pets aren’t excluded the way they are at some Berlin museums. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | €9 standard, €7 reduced, with a family ticket at €19.50 for two adults and up to four children. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | Yes, though only three wheelchair users are allowed on the platform at once for safety. |
| What’s included in the ticket? | The lift ride, the viewing platform, the open-air exhibition, and entry to the Panorama Café. |
| Are the hours different in winter? | Yes, the platform closes an hour earlier in winter, at 6pm instead of 7pm. |
| Should I book in advance? | Not essential, but advance booking is recommended around sunset and on weekends. |
Things to do nearby
The Sony Center is right next to the tower, with its distinctive glass canopy roof and several restaurants.
The Deutsche Kinemathek (Museum of Film and Television) explores German cinema history, just a few minutes’ walk away.
The Legoland Discovery Centre Berlin is a family-friendly attraction inside the Sony Center complex.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a short walk north, Berlin’s most prominent Holocaust memorialT.
The Tiergarten in West Berlin offers a large, leafy escape from the city centre, within easy walking distance.
What to visit tomorrow
These are other observation decks and viewpoints in and around Berlin.
Berlin TV Tower, Alexanderplatz. The city’s tallest structure and its best-known viewpoint, about 15 minutes away by public transport.
Reichstag Dome, central Berlin. Free rooftop views over the German parliament building and the surrounding government quarter, a short trip away.
Skywalk, Park Inn Hotel, Alexanderplatz. A rooftop platform offering close-up views of the TV Tower itself, near the Fernsehturm.
French Cathedral Tower, Gendarmenmarkt. A smaller, quieter viewpoint over one of Berlin’s most elegant squares.
Belvedere on Pfingstberg, Potsdam. A hilltop viewpoint with a restored 19th-century belvedere, about 40 minutes from central Berlin.
More Berlin travel
Other Berlin travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How the Ampelmann became a beloved symbol of Berlin.
- Guide to Berlin Cathedral ticket prices.
- What to expect at the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
- Plan your visit to Kreuzberg’s top attractions: The Jewish Museum Berlin and Deutsches Technikmuseum.
- Meet the animals at Tierpark Berlin.
