Ostankino Tower Moscow is the 540-meter television tower in the north of the city, the tallest freestanding structure in Europe. Ostankino Tower Moscow tickets are sold for timed guided tours that take visitors by elevator to an enclosed observation deck at 337 meters, with a glass floor, and, in good weather, to an open deck at 340 meters.
Visitors are often surprised that the tower is not next to a metro station and that the open deck is seasonal. This guide explains what the visit includes, what the tickets cover and how to reach it.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Останкинская телебашня |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1967 |
| Architect(s) | Nikolai Nikitin |
| Address | Akademika Koroleva Street 15, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Ostankinsky |
| Metro | VDNKh (Line 6 (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange), about 20–25 min walk; a tram or the monorail shortens it) |
| Opening hours | The observation tour is reported daily from about 10:00 to 22:00, with the last entry around 21:00. One guide gives shorter weekday hours, so confirm before planning.
The open-air deck at 340 meters operates only from April to October in favorable weather, and the tower can close at short notice for weather or technical reasons (as of October 2026 – check the tower's official site). |
| Admission | A ticket for the observation tour was reported in the moderate-to-upscale range (₽₽–₽₽₽) for adults, depending on the source, the day and the time of day, with reduced prices for children. Children under 7 were reported as not permitted. |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings are the calmest, and the open-air deck is available only from April to October in favorable weather. Clear days give the best view, and sunset gives the best light.
In winter the enclosed deck is the only option, and fog or low cloud can hide the city entirely, so check the forecast before booking. |
| Recommended duration | 1.5–3 hours |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Ostankino Tower Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosed observation deck at 337 m | Included in the standard ticket | Covered by the standard guided-tour ticket, with a glass floor. |
| Open-air deck at 340 m | Included in the standard ticket | Part of the tour from April to October in favorable weather only. |
| Multimedia exhibitions | Separate ticket or institution | May need their own ticket; check the official site. |
| Seventh Heaven restaurant and cafes | Separate ticket or institution | Paid food venues with their own hours; current status unconfirmed. |
| Ostankino Palace | Outside / not part of it | A separate museum in the historic estate with its own ticket. |
| Ostankino Park | Outside / not part of it | A free public park beside the tower. |
| VDNKh Moscow | Outside / not part of it | A separate exhibition park about 1.5 kilometers away with its own sights. |
Why Visit Ostankino Tower Moscow?
The tower gives one of the highest views in Moscow, from decks at 337 and 340 meters, with the center, the river and the whole city spread out below.
The glass floor in the enclosed deck lets you look straight down the concrete shaft, and the open deck, available from April to October in good weather, gives a view without glass.
It is also a landmark of Soviet engineering: designed by Nikolai Nikitin and opened in 1967, it was for years the tallest freestanding structure in the world. A rotating restaurant complex, Seventh Heaven, occupies levels just below the decks.
How Ostankino Tower Moscow Is Laid Out
The tower stands on a hill in the Ostankino district, close to the television center and the historic Ostankino estate. Visitors enter at the base, where the ticket counters and security checks are.
Elevators take groups to the enclosed observation deck at 337 meters, which has the glass floor. In the warm season and good weather, groups can also go to the open-air deck at 340 meters. The tour lasts about an hour and includes a guide’s commentary on the tower’s history and engineering.
The Seventh Heaven restaurant complex lies just below the decks, at 328 to 334 meters, in a revolving section. Its current status should be checked, as it has closed and reopened several times.
A sensible plan is to book a timed ticket, exchange it for a pass at the entrance and go up with your group, then leave time for the nearby estate and park.
Highlights of Ostankino Tower Moscow
The enclosed observation deck
At 337 meters, the enclosed deck circles the tower with large windows and a glass floor, so you can look straight down the shaft. The guided tour tells the story of the tower's construction and its role in broadcasting.
It is the main part of the visit and is available in all seasons.
Tip: Check the weather before booking; visibility drops in fog and low cloud.
The open-air deck
At 340 meters, an open deck gives a view without glass. It can be visited only from April to October and only in favorable weather, according to the tour operator.
The wind at this height can be strong, even on a warm day.
Tip: Bring a windproof layer, even in summer.
The glass floor
Part of the enclosed deck has a floor of glass panels, which gives a view straight down to the ground more than 300 meters below.
It is one of the best-known features of the visit, and visitors often stand on it for photographs.
Tip: Visit early on a weekday to avoid queueing for a place on the glass.
Seventh Heaven
A three-level revolving complex at 328 to 334 meters, with a restaurant, a cafe and a coffee shop. It opened in 1967 and takes about an hour to make a full revolution, according to local sources.
It has closed and reopened several times, and its current status was not confirmed, so check before planning a meal.
Tip: Book a table in advance if the restaurant is open, as places are limited.
The tower itself
At 540.1 meters, it is the tallest freestanding structure in Europe. Nikolai Nikitin designed it with a slender reinforced concrete shaft supported by steel cables, and it opened in 1967 for the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution.
From the base the shaft seems to disappear into the sky.
Tip: Look at the tower from a distance, in the park or from VDNKh, to see its full silhouette.
Ostankino Palace and Park
Near the tower stands the historic Ostankino estate, with an 18th-century palace and a park. The palace is a separate museum with its own ticket and hours.
It makes a good contrast with the tower and a quiet place to walk afterward.
Tip: Check the palace's opening days before you go; museum days differ from the tower's.
Atmosphere
At the base, the tower is overwhelming: a concrete shaft that narrows into the sky, with the sound of wind in the cables and a steady stream of visitors at the ticket counters.
Inside, the elevator ride is quick and quiet. At the top, the enclosed deck has a low murmur of voices, camera shutters and the guide’s commentary, while the city lies far below in a flat grid of roofs and roads.
On the open deck, the wind is loud and cold. In the evening, the lights of Moscow come on, and the tower itself glows against the dark sky. Weekends are crowded, and weekday mornings are calmer.
History of Ostankino Tower Moscow
The tower was planned in the late 1950s to improve television broadcasting across Moscow and the surrounding region. The design was entrusted to the engineer Nikolai Nikitin, who proposed a slender shaft of reinforced concrete held by steel cables, and whose silhouette is said to resemble an inverted lily.
Construction began in 1963, and the tower opened in 1967, in time for the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. Its height of 540 meters was kept secret during construction and revealed when it was completed.
When it opened, it was the tallest freestanding structure in the world, a title it held until the mid-1970s. It remains the tallest freestanding structure in Europe, and it houses transmitters that serve television and radio.
In 1967 the Seventh Heaven restaurant opened in the upper part, a revolving complex that became a well-known place to dine. In August 2000 a fire damaged the tower, and the restaurant was closed for a long period.
In 2016 a coffee shop and a cafe in the restaurant complex reopened, and in 2017 the restaurant hall opened. In 2020 it was closed again, and its present status should be checked.
The observation decks, at 337 and 340 meters, are visited on guided tours. The tower stands beside the Ostankino estate, a historic palace and park, and the television center, and it remains an important part of the city’s broadcasting system.
Legends and Myths about Ostankino Tower Moscow
The tower was sketched overnight
Disputed by historians. A popular story says that Nikolai Nikitin drew the silhouette of the tower in a single night, inspired by an inverted lily.
The design process involved a team and years of engineering work, so the overnight sketch is a retelling rather than a documented fact.
Tickets and Booking for Ostankino Tower Moscow
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Observation tour, adult | About ₽₽–₽₽₽ | A timed guided tour with the enclosed deck, and the open deck in season; prices vary by day and time, so check the current figure. |
| Observation tour, child | About ₽–₽₽ | A reduced ticket for children; children under 7 were reported as not permitted. |
| Premium experiences | About ₽₽₽ | Extended or special tours reported by one guide; check the official site for what is offered. |
Buy tickets on the tower’s official site or at the ticket counters at the base. Entry is by timed session, and booking in advance is recommended. The online booking window was not confirmed, so check the ticket page for your date; if a date does not show, sales for it may not have opened yet.
- Exchange: an e-ticket is exchanged for a pass at machines at the entrance.
- Security: all visitors pass security checks before going up.
- Children: children under 7 were reported as not permitted, and reduced tickets apply to older children.
Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ, and payment options for foreign cards were not verified. All categories are listed on the tower’s official ticket page.
Plan and Book
Suggested itineraries Ostankino Tower Moscow
1.5 hours
Arrive 20 minutes early, exchange your ticket and go up with your group. Spend the tour on the enclosed deck and, in season and good weather, the open deck.
3 hours
Take the guided tour, then walk to Ostankino Park and the estate for a look at the palace's exterior. Return along the park to the tram or the metro.
Half day
Combine the tower with VDNKh: visit the tower in the morning, walk or take transport to VDNKh for the fountains and the Cosmos pavilion, and finish with an evening walk.
How to Get to Ostankino Tower Moscow
The tower is in the north of the city, about 1.5 kilometers from VDNKh.
- VDNKh (Line 6, Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange): the closest main metro station, about 20–25 minutes on foot to the tower, or a short tram ride along Akademika Koroleva Street.
- Monorail: the Moscow Monorail has a stop at the Telecentre near the tower; check the current route and fares.
A taxi can drop you at the base, where the ticket counters and the entrance are. Allow time for security checks and the exchange of e-tickets.
Accessibility
Elevators and ramps were reported at the tower, though details were not confirmed by the official site. The tour includes elevator rides and standing on the decks. Contact the tower before visiting if you need step-free access or assistance.
Food Nearby
The tower has a revolving restaurant complex, Seventh Heaven, with a restaurant, a cafe and a coffee shop on three levels, though its current status should be checked. Around the base and in Ostankino Park there are kiosks and cafes, and VDNKh, a short ride away, has many food halls and cafes. Check opening hours before you go.
What to Bring
Bring a windproof layer for the open deck and comfortable shoes. Large bags may need to be left in a locker before the tour.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Ostankino Tower Moscow
Glass floor on the enclosed deck
A view straight down the tower's shaft, with the park and roads far below.
Best time: Weekday mornings, when queues are short
Open-air deck
A wide view of the city without glass, with the wind and the horizon in the frame.
Best time: Clear afternoons from April to October
Ostankino Park
The full shaft of the tower rising above the trees, a classic view of its silhouette.
Best time: Late afternoon in autumn
Approach from VDNKh
The tower in the distance at the end of the long avenue, with the pavilions in the foreground.
Best time: Dusk, when the tower is lit
Photography Rules
Photography rules were not confirmed. Photographs from the decks are common, though glare from the windows can be a problem, and staff may restrict equipment such as tripods. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and change, so do not fly near the tower.
Family Suitability
The tower suits older children, and the glass floor is a highlight for many. Children under 7 were reported as not permitted, and reduced tickets apply to older children. The tour lasts about an hour and involves standing on decks and in elevators, which can be tiring for young visitors. Stroller access was not confirmed, so check with the tower.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Check the sky before booking; low cloud and fog can hide the whole city and make the visit disappointing.
- Book a weekday slot if you can; weekend and holiday sessions are more expensive and busier.
- Look at the tower from Ostankino Park before going up to see its full silhouette.
- Combine the visit with VDNKh, which is close enough to see the tower from the avenue and visit in the same day.
- Do not rely on the open deck outside April to October, as it is closed in the cold season and in bad weather.
- Check whether Seventh Heaven is operating before planning a meal; its status has changed several times.
Explore Nearby Ostankino Tower Moscow
Sights near Ostankino Tower Moscow
VDNKh Moscowabout 1.8 km away (~29 min walk) · typical visit: 3–6 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ostankino Estate Moscowabout 200 m away (~3 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Metro · typical visit: 1.5–3 hours for a tour of showcase stationsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Friendship of Nations Fountain Moscowabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk) · typical visit: 30–45 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sergey Korolev Memorial House Museum Moscowabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 hourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Sun Ferris Wheelabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk) · typical visit: 1–1.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Ostankino Tower Moscow
Ostankino MCD Stationabout 600 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Ostankino Tower Moscow
Kroshka Kartoshkaabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Ostankino Tower Moscow
Cosmos Hotel Moscowabout 2.2 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
City Hotel Baykalabout 2.5 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Ostankino Tower Moscow
Cosmonautics Day in Moscowabout 1.7 km away (~28 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Book Fairabout 1.7 km away (~28 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Ostankino Tower Moscow
How tall is the Ostankino Tower?
540.1 meters, the tallest freestanding structure in Europe. The enclosed deck is at 337 meters and the open deck at 340 meters.
Is the open-air deck always available?
No. It is open only from April to October and only in favorable weather. The enclosed deck is available all year.
Can I go up on my own?
Visits are by timed guided tour of about an hour. See the booking section for how to buy tickets and exchange them.
Is there a restaurant at the top?
The Seventh Heaven revolving restaurant complex sits just below the decks at 328 to 334 meters, but it has closed and reopened several times, so confirm its status.
Is the tower near VDNKh?
About 1.5 kilometers away. You can walk in 20 to 25 minutes or take a tram, and the two sights combine easily.
When was it built?
Construction began in 1963 and the tower opened in 1967, designed by Nikolai Nikitin for the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution.
Can I visit Ostankino Palace on the same ticket?
No. The palace is a separate museum in the historic estate nearby, with its own ticket and opening days.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is part of the standard tour, and commentary is mainly in Russian. Check the official site for tours in English.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026.
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