🗺️ Alexanderplatz and the TV tower: route, prices and transport

The square in the center of Berlin is named after Emperor Alexander I. He came here on October 25, 1805, to secure Prussia's support in the war against Napoleon. Over two centuries, a modest market by the city gates grew into the main transport hub of the eastern part of the capital. According to visitBerlin, Alexanderplatz is considered one of the largest squares in Germany.

What is there to see here, how much time should you set aside, and how can you avoid overpaying for the TV tower elevator? Below you'll find a brief history of the place, the main sights around the square, current prices, and transport. We verified all opening hours and prices on official websites in September 2026.

The square is open around the clock and free to walk around. You can cover the main sights on foot in 2-3 hours: the World Clock, the Fountain of Friendship, the Berlin TV Tower, St. Mary's Church, the Red Town Hall, and the Neptune Fountain. A ticket to the TV tower observation deck starts at €20 (as of 09/2026, official TV tower website). The high-speed elevator takes you to the top in 40 seconds.

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History of Alexanderplatz

💡 In short:

The square was named after Alexander I following his visit in 1805 (as of 09/2026, square timeline).
Suggested route: World Clock, Fountain of Friendship, TV tower, St. Mary's Church, Red Town Hall, Neptune Fountain.
Transport: S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, and buses stop at Alexanderplatz station.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Berliner Fernsehturm website.

Cattle market and execution site

The area of Alex lies outside medieval Berlin. In the 13th century, trade routes from the Hanseatic cities of the Baltic converged here, and by the eastern gate stood a leper hospital with the Chapel of St. George. The first documents mention this place in 1272.

The city wall also hid the execution site from residents. From 1391 to 1448, at least two public executions were held here each year (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia data). The Thirty Years' War reduced Berlin's population, and many houses burned down.

Elector Frederick William fortified the city with a new ring of walls. The area in front of the gate became part of Berlin, plots were sold to private owners, and residential buildings with manufactories appeared here. The cattle market, which operated until 1681, was converted into a Sunday market. You will see this quarter in old engravings from the 17th century.

From Thorplatz to Alexanderplatz

In 1701, the Georgentor gate was renamed Königstor, and the area in front of it received the name Thorplatz. By 1800, around 700 families lived here: artisans, retired soldiers, workers, and merchants (as of 09/2026, page about the square). The southern part of the square was used for parades, while the northern part was a trading hub.

On October 25, 1805, Tsar Alexander I arrived in Berlin. The monarch was seeking Prussia's support in the war against Napoleon, and the meeting with Frederick William III ended with an agreement on joint action. In honor of the alliance, the square was named after the distinguished guest. Berliners quickly shortened the long name to "Alex."

20Th century: heyday, ruins, reconstruction

Alexanderplatz development project, 1920s drawing

By the beginning of the last century, large department stores and office buildings stood on the square. Around 35,000 cars passed through it daily. The eastern city center met the Second World War in ruins.

By 1958, the area, now part of the GDR, was cleared of debris and turned into a pedestrian zone. Reconstruction began in 1966, and after it was completed, the square grew to 80,000 m² (as of 09/2026, historical background). After the fall of the Berlin Wall, new residential and commercial buildings appeared here, and tram lines returned. Today, high-rise districts are being planned around the square.

Sights around Alex

Today, Alex remains a bustling crossroads with a station, parking garages, hotels, and shopping centers. The main attractions are within walking distance, so you can see them without using transport. Start with the World Clock and head toward the TV tower.

World Clock

The Weltzeituhr clock was installed in 1969, designed by designer Erich John. A cylinder with 24 faces rotates on the ten-meter structure, and each face represents one time zone of the planet. On the aluminum plates you can read the names of cities and the outlines of countries.

The clock's base: a column 2.70 m high and 1.50 m in diameter (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia data). A mosaic in the shape of a compass rose is laid out on the asphalt around it, and an abstract model of the solar system rotates above the cylinder. People arrange meetings here and take photos.

Fountain of Friendship

The Fountain of Friendship Among Peoples (Brunnen der Völkerfreundschaft) began operating in 1969 in front of the Galeria department store. Water rises to the top of a copper spiral and flows down a cascade of 17 diamond-shaped bowls into a two-level basin. Ceramics, enamel, and colored ornaments cover almost the entire six-meter structure.

Because of the abundance of decoration, locals gave the fountain an ironic nickname that guides are happy to share. In the warm season, tourists relax by the bowls; in winter, the water is turned off.

Berlin TV Tower

Berlin's main observation deck is visible from anywhere in the city. The Berliner Fernsehturm opened on October 3, 1969, a few days before the twentieth anniversary of the GDR (as of 09/2026, history of the tower). The 368-meter tower quickly became a symbol of the capital.

The round sphere, 32 m in diameter, is made of steel, and the sun glints on it form a cross. East Berlin residents called this optical effect the Pope's revenge on the atheist state (as of 09/2026, structure description).

The observation deck sits at a height of 203 m, and the Sphere restaurant is one floor up, at 207 m (as of 09/2026, observation deck). A high-speed elevator takes you to the top in 40 seconds. A ticket to the deck starts at €20, and the tower welcomes visitors daily from 09:00 to 23:00 (as of 09/2026, tickets and hours). Book a time slot in advance: in high season, the elevator line eats up more than an hour.

St. Mary's Church

Next to the TV tower stands Berlin's oldest active church. Construction of St. Mary's Church began around 1275 and was completed in the early 14th century (as of 09/2026, official parish website). The building received its neo-Gothic appearance with baroque elements in the late 18th century thanks to Carl Gotthard Langhans, the architect of the Brandenburg Gate.

Inside, you will see the pulpit by Andreas Schlüter from 1702 and the organ that Johann Sebastian Bach played. The tower hall preserves a fragment of the "Dance of Death" fresco, painted after the plague epidemic of 1484 (as of 09/2026, parish page). Admission is free, the church is open during the day, and check the parish website for exact hours.

Red Town Hall

Red City Hall of Berlin with tower and clock

The three-story red brick building with a tower and clock was built in 1861-1869 to a design by Hermann Friedrich Waesemann (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia data). The monumental neo-Renaissance structure was meant to emphasize the dignity of the city's citizens.

Since 1991, the mayor and senate of Berlin have worked here. Visitors can enter the lobby and ceremonial halls on weekdays, but the schedule changes due to meetings, so call the number in the official information before your visit. Guided tours are available for groups by prior arrangement.

Neptune Fountain

Between the town hall and St. Mary's Church stands the bronze Neptune Fountain in the Neo-Baroque style. Sculptor Reinhold Begas completed the work in 1891 (As of 09/2026, history of the fountain). The fountain originally stood at the City Palace and only moved to Alexanderplatz in 1969.

Four female figures sit on the granite rim, representing the Elbe, Rhine, Vistula, and Oder rivers. In the center of the basin, Neptune holds his trident, surrounded by infants, turtles, snakes, and sea monsters. Across the Town Hall Bridge you'll reach the Nikolaiviertel with its narrow historic streets.

Tickets and opening hours

We have put the key information into one table, which makes it easy to plan your day. Opening hours change by season, so check them on the venue's website before you set off.

Venue	Admission	Opening hours	Source
Berliner Fernsehturm	from €20	daily 09:00-23:00	tv-turm.de
St. Marienkirche	free	daily, hours on the parish website	marienkirche-berlin.de
Rotes Rathaus	free	on working days, schedule by phone	berlin.de
World Time Clock	free	around the clock	Wikipedia
Fountains on the square	free	in the warm season, around the clock	square page

Tickets for the TV tower are sold with a time slot. On weekday mornings there are noticeably fewer people, and you can take your time walking around the circular viewing platform.

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Shops and shopping centers

Panorama of Alexanderplatz with the TV Tower and buildings

Alexanderplatz has long been the shopping hub of eastern Berlin. Both small shops and large department stores operate here. The main shopping address: Galeria near the station. The lease has been extended until the end of August 2026, and the building owner is planning a two-year renovation (as of 09/2026, berlin-live).

Whether the department store is open after August 2026, check on the retailer's website before your visit. If it is open, you will find several floors of fashion, perfume and electronics there. On the ground floor there is the Galeria Gourmet food hall.

The district's largest mall, Alexa, spans four floors and houses around 170 shops (as of 09/2026, Alexa Berlin). Behind the pink facade you will find clothing, shoes, electronics and a food court on the upper level. For items from past collections, keep the TK Maxx outlet in mind: they sell brands at a discount to the original price.

Where it is and how to get there

U5 line platform at Alexanderplatz subway station

The square lies in the eastern part of the center and serves as Berlin's largest transport hub. Regional trains, S-Bahn trains, the U-Bahn, trams and buses stop here. Changing between lines takes only a few minutes, which makes Alex a convenient starting point for a walk around the city.

S-Bahn: lines S3, S5, S7 and S9.
U-Bahn: lines U2, U5 and U8.
Trams: M2, M4, M5 and M6.
Buses: 100, 200, M48 and 248.

Check routes and intervals with the operator (as of 09/2026, BVG). From Alexanderplatz station you can walk to the TV tower in a few minutes.

By car, it is convenient to aim for the underground parking garages near the square. An alternative for short trips: a cycle rickshaw. The driver will take you to your destination and tell you about the sights along the way.

Alexanderplatz on the map

The map below shows the boundaries of the square, the station, and the subway exits. The TV tower serves as a landmark, visible from any point in the area.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much time do you need to see Alexanderplatz?

Allow 2-3 hours on foot. In that time you can walk around the World Clock, both fountains, St. Mary's Church, and the Red Town Hall. Going up the TV tower and viewing the observation deck adds another hour to an hour and a half, and a booked time slot saves you time in line.

Do you need to book a TV tower ticket in advance?

It is advisable. Tickets start at 20 € (as of 09/2026, official website) and are sold with a time slot. In high season, evening slots may be gone a day before your visit. A weekday morning gives you the shortest line.

What is free at Alexanderplatz?

Walking around the square, looking at the World Clock, and the fountains are free around the clock. Entry to St. Mary's Church is also free. The TV tower, souvenirs, food, and clothing in the surrounding shops remain paid.

What to do at the square in the rain?

Take shelter in the Alexa mall: it has shops, cafes, and a food court. Another option: the Sphere restaurant in the TV tower. Tables are booked in advance, and the view of the city does not depend on the weather.

What is near Alexanderplatz?

You can walk to the Nikolaiviertel with its historic streets and to Museum Island. On the map it is about a kilometer toward the Spree. Along the way you pass the Red Town Hall and St. Mary's Church, so the route works without public transport.

In short: what is worth booking

If you are short on time: go up the TV tower in the morning, then walk around the square. If you are traveling with children: start with the World Clock and the fountains, they are free, and save the TV tower for the finale. If this is your first time in Berlin: add a walk to Museum Island.

Under two hours: the TV tower and a loop around the square.
Half a day: the square, Nikolaiviertel, Museum Island.
A full day: the same sights plus the Alexa shops.

Guided tours should be booked in advance: Berlin tours on GetYourGuide.

Alexanderplatz: what to see, how much it costs and how to get there