Last Updated: December 6, 2021
Best Views in Berlin (Epic Panormamas)
Situated in the heart of Western Europe, Germany is the world’s eighth most visited country with the capital city of Berlin receiving the lion’s share. The city’s long and often turbulent history leaves behind an eclectic assortment of architecture and a plethora of fascinating museums.
Add in a cosmopolitan atmosphere, food, beer, and an outrageous nightlife and you have a famous city that’s at the top of millions of travelers’ bucket lists every year.
You’ll want to stroll the streets to take in the sights of the city and discover its urban legends, and Berlin walking tours are free. But for an exhilarating and sometimes adrenaline-pumping experience while visiting Berlin, see the city from above at these places for the best views in Berlin.
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TV Tower
Let’s begin with Berlin’s tallest structure for a hair-raising 40-second elevator ride to the viewing platform in the steel sphere atop the TV Tower. Called Fernsehturm in German, the iconic tower was built in East Berlin in the 1960s. During the years of political division, a separate broadcasting system was needed for East Berlin.
At a height of 368 meters (1,200 ft) including the antenna, it’s Germany’s tallest building and can be seen from almost everywhere in Berlin. According to urban legend, the tower’s original height of 365 meters was so it could be remembered as the days of the year.
Needless to say, TV Tower is one of the best places for a view of the Berlin skyline and great photo opportunities. The viewing level is at 203 meters and a restaurant with an outer ring of revolving tables sits at 207 meters.
Panoramapunkt
With a name like Panoramapunkt (German for Panorama Point) you can expect an amazing view from the top of the red brick postmodern Kollhoff Tower. And the elevator ride up is even faster than the one at TV Tower. You’ll whiz up 100 meters to the 25th and 26th floors in just 20 seconds, making it the fastest elevator in all of Europe.
Open since 1999, Panoramapunkt is one of the new Potsdamer Platz district’s main attractions. The tower provides visitors with an eagle’s eye views of Berlin and a host of landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate, Bellevue Tower, Berlin Cathedral, and the Reichstag. On clear days, you can expect to see as far as the Teufelsberg hill and the wind turbines bordering Brandenburg.
Stop and travel back in time at the tower’s 1930s style cafe.
Victory Column
Located in Berlin’s Tiergarten district, the Victory Column has been a significant Berlin monument since 1873. The glittering column was built to commemorate Prussia’s victory in the Second Schleswig War.
The Victory Column does double duty as an important landmark and tourist attraction thanks to its excellent viewing platform. The column soars to a height of 61 meters. You’ll have to climb 281 steps of a spiral staircase inside the column to the 51-meter mark, but you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views across Tiergarten and all the way to the Brandenburg Gate.
Olympic Bell Tower
The bell tower at the Olympic Stadium has a viewing platform that gives you an amazing view of the stadium as well as the surrounding area. Ride the glass elevator to the platform for wonderful views of Alexanderplatz in central Berlin, the Spandau district to the west, and much more of the city. On clear days, you can expect to see as far away as Potsdam located southwest of Berlin, and the wooded hills of Mueggelberge.
On the tower’s ground level, you’ll get a lesson presented in both German and English in a documentary presentation describing the history of the stadium and the 1936 games. The building was modernized for the 2006 World Soccer Cup and the glass elevator was added.
Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral)
A famous landmark and place of worship by its own right, the Berlin Cathedral is also a place to visit for a panoramic view of all of Berlin. The observation deck is atop the cathedral’s dome, one of the most impressive parts of the cathedral. You’ll have to climb 270 steps to reach it, but at 50 meters up, you’ll have one of the best views of Berlin.
From the ground level, it’s easy to admire the beauty and history of this magnificent cathedral and get some Instagram-worthy shots. Dating back centuries, the cathedral’s 1905 version was heavily damaged during World War II. Restoring the cathedral to its former glory wasn’t completed until 1993.
Grunewaldturm
For more history along with great views, visit Grunewaldturm, also known as Grunewald Tower. Located in the western half of Berlin, the tower opened in 1889 as a memorial to commemorate the 100th birthday of German emperor Kaiser Wilhelm I.
The red brick 55-meter tall tower is built in Gothic Revival style and sits on a hill which adds even more to the visibility. Visitors get to the viewing platform by climbing 204 steps to a height of 36 meters. The scenery is mostly all-natural with views of the Havel River and the surrounding area.
After enjoying the views, stop by Grunewaldturn’s restaurant and beer garden.
Bernauer Strasse Wall Memorial Tower
As ugly as its history is, travelers to Berlin should learn about the Berlin Wall. Although it’s not one of the city’s highest viewpoints, the Bernauer Strasse Wall is on higher ground, and you’ll come to appreciate the significance of the dismantling of the Wall beginning in 1989 and the thawing of the Cold War.
The Wall Memorial was built on a one-mile road where buildings on opposite sides ended up divided by the Wall. An elevator takes visitors up a few floors to the top where you’ll see a remaining piece of Wall that was preserved to show people what it was really like to live in a city divided.
The Monkey Bar (25Hours Hotel)
Image courtesy of Flickr
The best views of Berlin aren’t all about history. On a lighter note, the Monkey Bar inside the 25Hours Hotel is a good place to kick back with a cocktail, beer, or wine and enjoy the view from floor-to-ceiling windows even in the bathrooms. Non-alcoholic beverages and food are also served.
This unique hotel bar overlooks the Berlin Zoo and has sweeping views of West Berlin. Watch the monkeys play and see the pretty birds as low-flying planes prepare to land in the distance at Tegel Airport.
Sky Bar at Andel’s Hotel
The Vienna House Andel’s Hotel has a Sky Bar that is one of Berlin’s best viewpoints. The upscale hotel’s location directly east of the city’s center affords fantastic views of the city’s skyline from one of the best rooftop bars. You’ll see the top of the Berlin Cathedral, the TV Tower, Frankfurter Tor, and the surrounding neighborhood’s church spires. Planes also pass by like giant silver eagles after taking off from Tegel Airport
Andel’s Hotel isn’t close to many other attractions, but the Sbahn is nearby making it convenient to get to from anywhere in the city. An hour before sunset is a particularly nice time to go. Your Instagram shots will be totally amazing.
Viktoriapark
Viktoriapark is a favorite green space in the trendy district of Kreuzberg and home to Berlin’s highest natural elevation point and a memorial in celebration of victory over Napolean. After climbing the Kreuzberg hill and the memorial’s stairs, you’ll have a scenic view of the city.
There’s also a pretty manmade waterfall in the park, so you can go back down to the street level and get some photos of water trickling down the rocks. The waterfall is turned off in winter to avoid freezing, but in warm weather, the park is a great place to relax and have a picnic.
Monbijoubrücke (Monbijou Bridge)
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
The Monbijoubrücke is a pedestrian bridge in the center of Berlin that spans the River Spree and the Kupfergraben to connect with the popular Museum Island. The 62-meter long southern part of the bridge is the perfect place to enjoy a Berlin sunset, and you’ll have a unique view of the Bode Museum.
Skywalk Marzahner Promenade
Not for the faint at heart, the degewo Skywalk on Marzahner Promenade is a little-known (even by the locals) free viewing platform 70 meters above the ground. The mesh-floored platform is perched over the city at a 23-story residential highrise block. The view from the skywalk gives you an entirely different perspective of the Marzahner Promenade borough.
You’ll also spot Kienberg, the district where the international garden show is held, and the windmill in the former village of Alt-Marzahn. Further out, you’ll see the TV tower, Mugglesee, and the Brandenburg countryside on a clear day.
You can only go on the Skywalk with a guide, and although it’s free, you must book the hour-long tour in advance at the degewo customer center.
Reichstag Building
The Reichstag building is the home to the German parliament, but is also a place with an amazing view. The building was built with a glass dome with a fun spiral staircase inside that is open to the public. Although it is not very high, it gives you a veiw of the Berlin skyline and the inner workings of the parliament at the same time.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
