Ostankino TowerAbout Ostankino Tower
Ostankino Tower is a television and radio tower in Moscow, Russia, rising to about 540.1 metres and completed in 1967. It was built as a broadcasting tower and also includes public viewing platforms and dining facilities.
Public features include observation decks at roughly 337 metres that provide wide views across Moscow, and a high-level restaurant that historically operated with rotating seating. The tower contains broadcasting equipment, technical levels, and visitor facilities, and is a prominent landmark on the city’s skyline. It is visited for views of the city and for its engineering significance.
The tower was designed and constructed by Soviet engineers under the leadership of structural engineer Nikolai Nikitin and his team, and it represented a major engineering achievement on completion. It sustained a serious fire in 2000 that caused significant damage and resulted in subsequent restoration and safety upgrades.
Ostankino sits in the Ostankino district of Moscow, near the All-Russian Exhibition Centre and north of the city centre, and is accessible by city transport from central Moscow.
- Height: Total height is about 540.1 metres, making it one of Europe’s tallest free-standing structures.
- Function and date: Construction was completed in 1967; the tower functions as a television and radio broadcasting facility and includes visitor platforms.
What to See#
- Observation deck: Public observation platforms around 337 metres above ground that offer panoramic views over Moscow and the surrounding districts.
- Revolving restaurant: A high-level restaurant with rotating seating that has historically served diners at heights a few hundred metres above ground, offering city views.
Nearby Attractions to Ostankino Tower
Best Time to Visit Ostankino Tower
Late spring through early autumn is best for comfortable visits and clearer views, though winter brings crisper visibility if visitors can handle the cold.
Weather & Climate near Ostankino Tower
Ostankino Tower's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (667 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -10° - -5° | -13° | 45 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| February | Poor | -10° - -4° | -12° | 34 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.4h |
| March | Poor | -5° - 2° | -5° | 29 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 2° - 11° | 4° | 35 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.0h |
| June | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.1h |
| July | Very Good | 14° - 23° | 19° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.6h |
| August | Good | 12° - 21° | 17° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.8h |
| September | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.9 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 62 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | -4° - 1° | -6° | 56 mm | overcast | 94% | 3.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| December | Poor | -8° - -3° | -11° | 51 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
How to Get to Ostankino Tower
Ostankino Tower is in northern Moscow near the VDNKh exhibition complex. Take the Moscow Metro to VDNKh station (Line 6) and then a short taxi or bus ride; local buses and marshrutkas serve the area. Drive via Prospekt Mira and follow signs to Ostankino and VDNKh.
Tips for Visiting Ostankino Tower
- Book observation‑deck tickets in advance-time slots for the panoramic lift sell out on weekends and holidays.
- Combine a visit with a stop at the nearby VDNKh park and the All‑Russia Exhibition Centre for a longer day out.
- On clear days the observation deck offers extensive city views; check weather before booking.