The Best Views of Berlin: 15 Stunning Spots to Soak in the City from Above

Berlin isn’t just about history and hipster cafés — it’s also full of spectacular viewpoints offering sweeping panoramas across the city. From iconic towers and historic domes to secret rooftops and natural hills, here are the best places to get a bird’s eye view of the German capital.

1. Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm)

📍 Alexanderplatz | 💸 Entry: €24.50+ | ⏱ Open daily | 🛗 Lift | 🍽️ Restaurant

At 368 meters, the Fernsehturm is Germany’s tallest structure and Berlin’s most iconic viewpoint. Built in the 1960s by the GDR as a symbol of socialist power, today it’s a must-see attraction. The viewing platform sits at 203m with 360° views — on clear days, you can see up to 40 km. There’s also a revolving restaurant at 207m that completes a turn every 30 minutes.

🔍 Fun Fact: The sphere reflects sunlight in a way that creates a cross — nicknamed “The Pope’s Revenge” during the GDR era.

2. Park Inn Hotel Panoramaterrasse

📍 Alexanderplatz | 💸 €6 | 🕙 11am–6pm | 🛗 Lift + Stairs | ❌ No food

Just across from the TV Tower, this hidden gem offers a 120m-high view from the roof of the Park Inn Hotel. It’s far cheaper and never crowded — a perfect budget-friendly alternative with the tower itself in the foreground of your skyline shot.

📸 Tip: Best for sunset photography with the Fernsehturm glowing in golden light.

3. Berliner Dom Dome Climb

📍 Museum Island | 💸 €10 | 🕙 10am–6pm | 🪜 270 stairs | ❌ No food

Climb the 270 steps of the Berlin Cathedral for views over Museum Island and the River Spree. The dome walkway wraps around the cathedral, offering close-up architectural details and sweeping city views.

🏛️ History: The Dom was heavily damaged in WWII and restored over decades.

4. Reichstag Dome

📍 Platz der Republik | 💸 Free (booking required) | 🕗 8am–midnight | 🛗 Lift | ❌ No food (unless you have a reservation for Käfer restaurant)

The glass dome atop the German Parliament building is an architectural marvel by Norman Foster. Walk the spiral ramp to the top for 360° views while learning about the Bundestag through multimedia displays.

📝 Logistics: Free, but advance online registration is required for security.

5. Victory Column (Siegessäule)

📍 Tiergarten | 💸 €4 | 🕘 9:30am–6:30pm | 🪜 285 stairs | ❌ No food

Climb inside this golden-winged monument (67m tall) for a panoramic view over Tiergarten and the famous road axis stretching to Brandenburg Gate.

🎉 Fun Fact: It was moved from in front of the Reichstag to its current location by the Nazis in 1938.

6. Monkey Bar (25hours Hotel)

📍 Breitscheidplatz | 💸 Free (drinks cost) | 🕕 12pm–1am | 🛗 Lift | 🍸 Yes

Overlooking the Berlin Zoo, Monkey Bar is a trendy rooftop bar with indoor and outdoor seating. Enjoy creative cocktails with views of the Tiergarten, Bikini Berlin, and yes — you can actually spot monkeys in the zoo below!

🦍 Vibe: Come for the views, stay for the vibe. Expect a queue in the evenings.

7. Funkturm (Radio Tower)

📍 Messe Berlin | 💸 €5 | 🕙 Limited hours | 🛗 Lift | ❌ No food

Often overlooked, the 1920s-built Funkturm is Berlin’s original broadcasting tower. Standing at 147m, it’s like a mini Eiffel Tower with vintage flair.

📸 Best for: Western Berlin views and architecture lovers.

8. Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain)

📍 Grunewald Forest | 💸 €8–10 | 🕙 11am–7pm | 🪜 Climb | ❌ No food

A Cold War relic and former NSA listening station, Teufelsberg sits atop an artificial hill made from WWII rubble. The decaying domes and graffiti make it a post-apocalyptic viewpoint with unbeatable west Berlin forest views.

🌲 Fun Fact: The hill is taller than the TV Tower if you count elevation above sea level.

9. Klunkerkranich

📍 Neukölln Arkaden | 💸 €5 (after 4pm) | 🕙 From noon | 🛗 Lift + Stairs | 🍽️ Yes

This urban rooftop garden atop a shopping mall is a favorite among locals. Sip a beer, enjoy live music, and watch the sun set over Berlin’s rooftops at Klunkerkranich.

🌇 Best for: A laid-back, artsy Berlin vibe with local crowd energy.

10. Französischer Dom

📍 Gendarmenmarkt | 💸 €6 | 🪜 284 stairs | 🕙 11am–6pm | ❌ No food

One of the twin domes on Gendarmenmarkt, the French Cathedral tower offers classic views of Berlin’s most beautiful square and the nearby Konzerthaus.

📜 History: Built for Huguenot refugees in the 1700s.

11. Upper West Hotel Rooftop (Bar am Steinplatz or Sky Lobby)

📍 Breitscheidplatz | 💸 Free (with drinks) | 🕙 Evenings | 🛗 Lift | 🍸 Yes

This less-touristy rooftop near the Zoo has chic design and sweeping western views. Not as popular as Monkey Bar, making it ideal for a quieter experience.

12. Zionskirche Tower

📍 Mitte | 💸 €1–2 donation | 🕙 Sundays | 🪜 Stairs only | ❌ No food

This lesser-known church tower gives a fantastic view of Berlin’s northern districts. Open only on Sundays, the climb is narrow but rewarding.

📖 History: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a resistance pastor during the Nazi era, preached here.

13. HighFlyer Hot Air Balloon

📍 Checkpoint Charlie | 💸 €29+ | 🕙 Weather dependent | 🛗 Balloon winch | ❌ No food

This tethered helium balloon rises to 150m, offering unobstructed panoramic views. It’s a short ride, but absolutely unforgettable.

🎈 Best for: Adventurers and photographers — no glass or walls in the way!

14. Panoramapunkt (Potsdamer Platz)

📍 Kollhoff Tower | 💸 €9 | 🕙 10am–7pm | 🛗 Fastest lift in Europe | ☕ Yes

Located on Potsdamer Platz, Panoramapunkt offers views of the Tiergarten, Reichstag, and beyond. It’s home to a café and the fastest elevator in Europe (24 floors in 20 seconds).

🏙️ Fun Fact: You can see where the Berlin Wall used to divide the city below.

15. Skywalk Marzahn

📍 Marzahner Promenade | 💸 Free | 🕙 Daylight hours | 🪜 Stairs | ❌ No food

This steel walkway atop a high-rise building offers unique eastern Berlin views, perfect for exploring lesser-known districts.

🧭 Tip: Combine with a trip to the Gärten der Welt nearby.

🌟 Bonus: Nikolaikirche in Potsdam

📍 Potsdam | 💸 €6 | 🪜 Climb | 🕙 Tues–Sun | ❌ No food

A stunning dome climb in Potsdam with views over the old town, the Havel River, and the palaces beyond. It’s an excellent day-trip option from Berlin, just 30 minutes by train.

Final Tips for View Seekers:

• Go early or late for fewer crowds and better light.

• Some viewpoints have restricted hours or are weather-dependent — check before going.

• Always have cash or card ready — not all places accept both.

  
  

Whether you're after panoramic cityscapes, architectural history, or a sunset drink with a view, Berlin has it all — from gritty towers to glam rooftops. Which view will you climb first?