Stuttgart TV Tower

The Stuttgart TV tower - the city's landmark

Did you know that the world's first television tower was built in Stuttgart? The Stuttgart TV tower is not only the landmark of the state capital of Baden-Württemberg, but also the first TV tower made of reinforced concrete, which was considered the prototype for replicas worldwide. This unique excursion destination is just a 20-minute drive from the B&B Hotel Stuttgart Vaihingen and you can let your gaze wander far and wide at lofty heights - in good weather even as far as the Swabian Alb 50 kilometers away and perhaps as far as the foothills of the Alps! You can find out more about the eventful history, tours and events that make the tower so worth seeing here.

Is a trip to the TV tower worthwhile?

You can see it from afar: it rises a proud 217 meters into the air, the pioneer, the model for numerous other television towers around the world. In the Degerloch district, south of Stuttgart's city center, it sits enthroned on the 483-meter-high “hoher Bopser” hill.
The elevator reaches the first viewing platform in just 36 seconds. From here, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Stuttgart basin, the Black Forest, the Odenwald and the Swabian Alb. This view alone makes the trip to the Fern-Seh-Turm worthwhile. And if you lose track of time while enjoying the breathtaking view and suddenly get hungry, you can order cakes, drinks and light meals in the Panorama Café in the tower basket and stay until sunset: In summer, the TV tower is open until 10 pm. At the foot of the tower, the Italian restaurant Primafila awaits its guests. In summer, you can end your evening here in the cozy garden restaurant with beer garden.

Events in the TV tower

Photographing sunrises during special opening hours, gin or wine tasting in the Leonhardts restaurant, veal sausage or champagne breakfast - the TV tower offers many events! On Sundays, the whole family can enjoy the view over the vineyards and the Neckar valley over lunch or work colleagues can enjoy a relaxed start to the weekend at after-work on Friday evenings.

New from 2024: “KulTurm” is the name of the new event series, which offers a varied program of comedy, cabaret, music, theater and cabaret every third Monday of the month. The Schauspielbühnen Stuttgart has been staging regular productions under the title “Theater above the clouds” since 2006. You can find current information on the events here. Fancy your own event in the TV tower? Yes, the event area in the former restaurant section can be hired for various occasions. Whether it's a company party, a milestone birthday or a christening - there's room for up to 60 people to celebrate here. And the practical thing: bar tables, lounge furniture as well as tables and chairs are fortunately already on site!
For people who are getting married: You can get married in the Turmkorb. The round room offers wedding guests a unique panoramic view and creates an airy atmosphere. Hold on to your dresses and skirts during the photo shoot on the windy viewing platform!

There was almost no TV tower...

...if the government architect Fitz Leonhardt had not heard about the construction project for a missing television transmitter in the early 1950s. For him, the originally planned steel lattice mast was an aesthetic affront to Stuttgart's elevated location. He managed to convince those responsible for the project and instead of a lattice tower, a viewing tower with a café was built. In 1956, the television tower was inaugurated and put into operation by Süddeutscher Rundfunk (SDR, now SWR). The tower cage, in whose interior design the architect Erwin Heinle was also involved, was used for tourism and gastronomy from the very beginning. It was a success after just five years: The construction costs of four million marks were covered by the entrance fees.In 1965, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip also took the elevator up the tower shaft and signed the city's Golden Book from the television tower.

What is broadcast from the TV tower?

Television and radio programs have been broadcast from the Stuttgart television tower since 1956. Since 2006, however, the TV tower has only been broadcasting FM and DAB radio programs. The broadcasting of the Das Erste program was moved to the Stuttgart-Frauenkopf telecommunications tower and the B&B HOTELS wishes you a great view! See you soon at our hotel in Stuttgart-Vaihingen!