Best for
Fit visitors wanting an unusual, tree-level view over the Tiergarten
Time needed
45–60 minutes
Worth it?
Yes if you're comfortable with the stair climb — a genuinely different perspective on the city
Skip if
You have mobility limitations or already have enough rooftop views booked
About Victory Column (Siegessäule)
Built between 1864 and 1873 to commemorate Prussia's military victories over Denmark, Austria and France in the wars that led to German unification, the Victory Column originally stood in front of the Reichstag before the Nazis relocated it to its current position at the Großer Stern roundabout in 1938 as part of Albert Speer's grand redesign plans for Berlin — a rare case of a monument surviving a dictatorship's urban planning while much else around it was later destroyed in the war it helped commemorate.
At 67 metres including its gilded statue of Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, the column remains one of central Berlin's most visible landmarks — Victoria, cast in bronze and covered in gold leaf, is visible from a considerable distance down the Straße des 17. Juni, the wide boulevard running through the Tiergarten toward Brandenburg Gate.
Read the full storyShow less
A viewing platform near the top is reached by 285 spiral steps — there's no elevator — and rewards the climb with an unusual, genuinely different vantage point over Berlin: rather than a city skyline view, you get the Tiergarten's tree canopy spreading in every direction, with the government quarter, the TV Tower and the western Ku'damm skyline all visible from a single spot.
The column sits in the middle of a busy roundabout, reached via a pedestrian tunnel rather than crossing traffic directly — worth knowing before you arrive, since the entrance isn't obvious from street level.
What to See: Highlights
- 1A 67-metre column topped by a gilded statue of Victoria
- 2285-step spiral climb to a viewing platform (no elevator)
- 3A unique treetop-level view over the Tiergarten
- 4Relocated by the Nazis in 1938 as part of Speer's Berlin redesign plans
- 5Visible from a considerable distance down Straße des 17. Juni
Skip the Queue — Book Tickets Online
Same admission, instant confirmation. Compare prices across platforms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
There's no elevator — 285 steps is a genuine climb, not a quick stop
Reached via a pedestrian tunnel under the roundabout, not a street crossing
The view is different from other Berlin viewpoints — treetop level over the Tiergarten rather than a skyline
Combine with a walk through the Tiergarten itself
Check current opening hours and ticket price before visiting — both vary seasonally
Book a Guided Tour
Get the most from your visit with a local expert guide.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting There
Großer Stern 1, 10557 Berlin
Open in Google Maps →- 1Bus 100 or 187 to Großer Stern. Reached via the pedestrian tunnel under the roundabout.
Where to stay
Hotels in Berlin
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powered by Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Victory Column (Siegessäule) worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Victory Column (Siegessäule) take?+−
Who is Victory Column (Siegessäule) best for?+−
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Victory Column (Siegessäule)?+−
Is Victory Column (Siegessäule) included with the Berlin city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You're comfortable climbing 285 spiral stairs
- You want a treetop-level view over the Tiergarten rather than a skyline view
- You're interested in 19th-century Prussian military history
- You're already walking through the Tiergarten
Skip if...
- You have mobility issues that make a long stair climb difficult
- You already have Reichstag, TV Tower or cathedral views booked
- You're very tight on time in central Berlin
Ready to Book Your Visit?
More to See in Berlin
Brandenburg Gate
Berlin's defining monument — a neoclassical gate that has watched royal processions, Nazi rallies, a wall cut straight through its plaza, and the jubilant crowds of 1989, all for free, 24 hours a day.
Reichstag Building & Dome
Germany's parliament building, topped by Norman Foster's glass dome — free to visit with mandatory advance registration, and one of the best panoramic views in central Berlin.
Tiergarten
Berlin's largest inner-city park — 210 hectares of woodland and lawns between Brandenburg Gate and Zoo Station, dotted with monuments, beer gardens and the Victory Column at its heart.