The Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm) is Germany’s tallest structure at 368 metres. It’s located at Alexanderplatz in Berlin‘s Mitte district. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport options, parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To skip the detail, and just buy your ticket, head this way.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | March–October: 09:00–23:00 | November–February: 10:00–23:00 |
| Ticket prices | Adults: from €24.50 (online) | Children (4–14 years): from €14.50 | Children under 4: free |
| Address | Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin |
| Nearest transport | S-Bahn and U-Bahn: Alexanderplatz station (U2, U5, S5, S7, S9) |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours |
| Closure dates 2026 | 16 March, 23 November |
Opening hours and ticket prices checked and updated in February 2026.
Berlin TV Tower opening hours
The observation deck operates daily from 10:00 to 23:00 between November and February, and from 09:00 to 23:00 from March to October.
The Sphere Restaurant opens at 10:00 daily and serves its last orders at 21:30. Occasional private events may result in temporary closures of the observation deck or restaurant. Check the attraction’s website before setting off.
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- 🕊️ Visit Sachsenhausen concentration camp to understand the horrors of the Third Reich.
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Berlin TV Tower ticket prices
Standard online tickets for the observation deck cost €24.50 for adults and €14.50 for children aged 4–14. Children under 4 enter free. Tickets purchased at the on-site ticket desk cost €28.50 for adults and €18.50 for children.
Bundle options include a ticket with one drink at the Sphere Bar from €34.00, and a ticket with the Berlin’s Odyssey VR experience from €32.00. Restaurant reservations at Sphere Tim Raue start from €29.00 and include tower admission.
Holders of the Berlin WelcomeCard receive discounts at the on-site ticket desk. Online tickets allow you to skip the ticket desk queue but you will still queue for security and the lifts.
Opening hours and ticket prices checked and updated in February 2026. Be aware that the prices are not consistent and are often more expensive in peak season.
Why book the Berlin WelcomeCard with pocket travel guide?
- Unlimited public transport in Berlin: Use buses, trams and trains across Berlin (fare zones ABC including Potsdam and BER Airport) for the duration of your card.
- Discounts at 170+ attractions: Save between about 25% and 50% at museums, tours, restaurants and leisure activities throughout the city.
- Travel guide included: Receive an English-language pocket travel guide with tips, maps and suggestions to help plan your visit.
- Flexible validity: Choose a card valid from 2 to 6 days so you can tailor it to how long you’re exploring Berlin.
- Saved time and money: Skip buying individual transport tickets and get reduced rates for city tours, museums and sights with one pass.
How to get to the Berlin TV Tower
The tower is directly adjacent to Alexanderplatz station, one of Berlin’s main transport hubs. Take the S-Bahn (lines S5, S7, S9) or U-Bahn (lines U2, U5) to Alexanderplatz. Regional trains (RE1, RE2, RE7, RB14) also stop at this station.
Multiple bus routes serve Alexanderplatz, including the M48, 100, 200, 248, N5, and N8. The entrance to the TV Tower is on the northern side of the tower, opposite the S-Bahn station, to the right of the Starbucks.
Bicycle parking racks are available near the tower.
Parking at the Berlin TV Tower
There is no dedicated parking at the TV Tower. The nearest car park is Q-Park Am Alexanderplatz, approximately 500 metres from the tower, with rates of €2 per hour up to a maximum of €24 for 24 hours. The car park has a clearance height of 2.10 metres and includes electric charging stations.
The Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz hotel car park is another option within walking distance. Limited street parking is available around Alexanderplatz but spaces are chargeable and often occupied. You’re way, way better off taking public transport.
How long to spend at the Berlin TV Tower
Most visitors spend 1–2 hours at the TV Tower. The lift journey to the observation deck takes approximately 40 seconds. You can stay on the observation deck for as long as you wish with a standard ticket.
If you book a restaurant reservation at Sphere Tim Raue, allow 2–3 hours for your meal and time on the observation deck. The restaurant rotates fully once per hour, providing views of the entire city during your visit.
Accessibility at the Berlin TV Tower
The Berlin TV Tower is not wheelchair accessible. For safety reasons related to emergency evacuation procedures, wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility who require walking aids such as crutches are not permitted access to the tower.
The observation deck is reached by lift but visitors must be able to navigate stairs independently in an emergency. A barrier-free viewing platform is available at Panoramapunkt at Potsdamer Platz as an alternative.
Inside the Berlin TV Tower
The observation deck sits at 203 metres above ground and features 60 panoramic windows offering 360-degree views of Berlin. Display panels around the deck help identify landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, and Potsdamer Platz. On clear days, visibility extends up to 42 kilometres.
The Sphere Bar is located on the observation deck and serves light refreshments, snacks, and drinks including Berlin’s signature currywurst. The bar area does not rotate.
The Sphere Restaurant Tim Raue sits one floor above the observation deck at 207 metres. The restaurant rotates once per hour and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with dishes curated by Michelin-starred chef Tim Raue. Window table reservations are recommended and must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
Berlin’s Odyssey is a virtual reality experience available as a ticket add-on, taking visitors through nine centuries of Berlin’s history in approximately 15 minutes.
Practical tips for visiting the Berlin TV Tower
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Book tickets online | Online tickets are typically cheaper than tickets purchased on-site and let you skip the ticket desk queue. |
| Arrive early or late | The tower is busiest between 11:00 and 15:00. Early morning or evening visits tend to be quieter. |
| Allow time for security | All visitors must pass through airport-style security screening. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your ticket time slot. |
| Large bags not permitted | Suitcases, large rucksacks, and oversized luggage are prohibited for security reasons. Use luggage storage services near Alexanderplatz if needed. |
| Check weather forecasts | Views are best on clear days. Cloud cover or fog can obscure the panorama. |
| Visit at sunset | For photographers, the hour before sunset offers excellent light and the transition to Berlin’s illuminated evening skyline. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Berlin TV Tower suitable for children? | Yes, children of all ages are welcome. Children under 4 enter free and those aged 4–14 receive reduced ticket prices. The lift journey and views generally appeal to children. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Advance booking is strongly recommended. The tower receives over 1 million visitors annually and same-day tickets may sell out, particularly during peak season and weekends. |
| Is the Berlin TV Tower open on Sundays? | Yes, the tower operates daily with the same opening hours every day of the week. |
| Are bags allowed? | Small bags and rucksacks are permitted but must pass through security screening. Large suitcases and oversized luggage are not allowed for safety reasons. |
| Can you take photos? | Yes, photography is permitted. Tripods and professional filming equipment are not allowed. |
| Are animals allowed? | No pets are permitted except registered service animals. |
Things to do near the Berlin TV Tower
Museum Island (1.5 km) houses five major museums including the Pergamon Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie and Neues Museum, all within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DDR Museum (1 km) provides an interactive experience of daily life in East Germany, with exhibits on everything from Trabant cars to bugged apartments.
Berlin Cathedral (1.3 km) is a baroque-style Protestant cathedral with a dome viewing platform, ornate interior, and royal crypt.
Nikolaiviertel (800 metres) is Berlin’s reconstructed medieval quarter with cobbled streets, restaurants, and the Nikolaikirche, the city’s oldest church.
Alexanderplatz (200 metres) is a major square with shopping centres, the World Time Clock fountain, and frequent street performers and markets.
Reichstag Building (2.5 km) houses the German parliament and features a glass dome with panoramic views, accessible by advance reservation only.
More Berlin travel
Other Berlin travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- A guide to West Berlin for first time visitors – including the Tiergarten and Berlin Zoo.
- Taking on Berlin’s Bearpit Karaoke.
- How the Berlin Wall inspired a boom of creativity.
- How the Ampelmann became a beloved symbol of Berlin.
- 8 ways to improve your Berlin city break.
