Funkturm

The Funkturm (radio tower), next to the trade-fair grounds, is by far the most visible structure in western Charlottenburg. Its filigree outline, which bears an uncanny resemblance to Paris’ Eiffel Tower, soars 138m into the Berlin sky (150m with antenna) and has been transmitting signals since 1926. In 1935 the first regular TV program in the world was broadcast from this tower, which looks especially pretty when lit up at night. From the viewing platform at 125m or the restaurant at 55m you can enjoy sweeping views of the Grunewald and the western city, as well as the AVUS, Germany’s first car-racing track, which opened in 1921; AVUS stands for Automobil-, Verkehrs- und Übungsstrecke (auto, traffic and practice track). The Nazis made it part of the autobahn system, which it still is today.