Funkturm Berlin

Funkturm Berlin: Observation Deck above the Exhibition Grounds in Westend

The Funkturm Berlin stands at Hammarskjöldplatz in the middle of the exhibition grounds in Westend and is hard to miss even from the city highway. The steel lattice structure was ceremonially opened on September 3, 1926, based on a design by Heinrich Straumer, who clearly drew inspiration from the Eiffel Tower. In Berlin, the 147-meter-high tower has always been known as “Langer Lulatsch” (Tall Lanky Fellow). Technically, it has remained a lightweight: approximately 600 tons, of which about 400 tons are steel, stand on a base area of only 20 by 20 meters. The history of television began here twice, as the first German television image was broadcast from the exhibition grounds in 1929, followed by the first regular program in 1935. Since its opening, around 17 million people have visited the platform, with approximately 60,000 guests per year recently. Since 2011, the tower has featured LED lighting, and each major trade fair receives its own color, making it a landmark over City West in the evenings.

View over City West: Elevator, Admission, and Restaurant

A glass elevator takes guests to the 126-meter-high observation deck in approximately 33 seconds; those who prefer can take the outdoor staircase with over 610 steps instead. From above, the western half of the city lies open: the exhibition grounds with the former Congress Center directly below, behind it Charlottenburg, Grunewald, and on the horizon, the high-rise buildings of the city center. One floor lower, at 55 meters, is the restaurant, which was also modernized during the renovation. For its 100th anniversary, the Funkturm Berlin was closed for about ten months and reopened to the public in March 2026. Admission to the observation deck costs 12 Euros, reduced to 10 Euros, and tickets are booked online for a specific time slot. Because there is significantly less crowd than at the major towers in the city center, there is usually enough space at the top to take photos in peace. However, one note is important for planning: in strong winds or ice, the platform remains closed for safety reasons, and the tower is not barrier-free.