Great views — the best scenic lookouts in Berlin

The Victory Column offers a perfect view of the Tiergarten park, the Reichstag parliament building and the iconic television tower. 285 steps lead up to the top of the landmark, which is crowned by a golden sculpture. The monument commemorates Prussia's victories against Denmark, Austria and France in the 19th century. If you want to enjoy the view, you have to pay 3 euros ($3.35 USD).

The queen of all views of Berlin can be found on the observation deck of the highest building, the television tower on Alexanderplatz. In good weather, you can see up to 80 kilometers (49.7 mi) from here at a height of 203 meters (666 ft). Every year, more than a million visitors from all over the world flock to the city's landmark. Tip: To avoid the long queue, book your ticket in advance!

The observation deck from the television tower has one disadvantage: You can't see the building itself. Those who want to photograph the tower can do so from the 120-meter-high (393.7 ft) viewing terrace of the Park Inn. The hotel is located on the opposite side of Alexanderplatz. The entrance fee is 4 euros.

The fastest elevator in Europe takes guests to the Panorama Café in the Kollhoff Tower at Potsdamer Platz in just 20 seconds. Up here you can enjoy the view of the city over coffee and cake. An open-air exhibition provides information about the history of Potsdamer Platz and enables a comparison between its past and present appearance. The entrance fee is 7.50 euros.

Not far from Checkpoint Charlie, the Welt balloon offers a very special view. During the 15-minute ride, passengers can view Berlin's center with the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag parliament building at different heights. The journey leads up to a height of 150 meters (492 ft). Since the ascent depends on the weather, the ticket is valid for 3 years. A ride for adults costs 25 euros.

From the Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars on the Kreuzberg you have a great view of the city district of the same name — free of charge! But you have to accept that in summer the green trees of the Viktoriapark block the view a bit. But here not only the view counts, but also the ascent. It leads past a romantic waterfall.

Berlin not only consists of narrowly built-up neighborhoods, but it also has a lot of green areas. The wide forests of Köpenick extend around the Müggelturm. If you don't want to climb the observation tower — after all, there are 126 steps up to the top and the entrance fee is 4 euros — you can just relax on the terrace of the restaurant.

The Monkey Bar in the 25 Hours Hotel (picture left) in City West has a cult status. Here you often have to queue at the elevator until space becomes available again. The bar's popularity is certainly due not only to its atmosphere and drinks, but also the view. From here, one can see the zoo and the Breitscheidplatz with the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and the Bikini House (picture right).

The Drachenberg in Grunewald was created by accumulated rubble from the Second World War. It got its name from the many Berliners who fly kites, known in German as "Drachen" (dragons) here on weekends. But some also come to simply enjoy the view.

From the Drachenberg you can see the "Funkterm Berlin" or Berlin's radio tower. It is almost 150 meters (492 ft) high and stands on the exhibition grounds in the west of the city. An elevator takes visitors up through the middle of the tower to a viewing platform. And then it's time to let your gaze wander around and enjoy the views of Berlin — by day and by night.