Observation platforms are needed for two purposes. Firstly, to admire the stunning views and understand how small a person is in comparison with the world. Secondly, in order to take selfies and collect likes. Whatever the purpose, observation decks have been and will always be popular. We have selected 7 of the most remarkable viewpoints in Europe.
Stegastein lookout, Norway
Stegastein Lookout is located 650 meters above the fjords. It offers stunning views of winding waterways and mountain peaks. The place is not as attractive for tourists as, for example, the popular Troll Tongue, which means you won’t have to stand in line for a good photo.
The observation tower is made of wood and somewhat resembles a waterfall. The platform protrudes 30 meters from the mountain and seems to be suspended in the air. You can get to Stegastein by bus from the town of Flåm; the trip to the observation deck takes about half an hour.
The Shard skyscraper, UK
The observation deck of The Shard skyscraper is considered the fourth highest in Europe and is located at an altitude of 244 meters. The glass pyramid was built for the 2012 Olympics. Its observation deck occupies three floors: 68, 69 and 72. The top level has a 360-degree view. The elevator “flies” to the observation deck in 30 seconds.
A ticket to the observation deck costs £25.95, with an additional £10 you can access the tower from 10am to 6am and then again to see London at night.
Skywalk Dachstein, Austria
The Dachstein Glacier is home to the highest suspension bridge in Austria, located at an altitude of 2700 meters. Its length is 100 meters. The ticket costs 10 euros and this amount includes a visit to the famous Dachstein Ice Palace. On a clear day, from the bridge you can see the mountains of Slovenia and the forests of the Czech Republic.
For the bravest, there is also the attraction “Stairway to Nowhere” – a glass observation deck at an altitude of 400 meters above the abyss. To get to it, you need to go down 14 glass steps.
Rhine Falls, Switzerland
The most “refreshing” site on this list is located in Switzerland at the Rhine Falls, which is 23 meters high and nearly 150 meters wide. There are several viewing platforms along the perimeter, but the main one is on the rock in the center of the waterfall. You can only get to it by ferry, fortunately they run every ten minutes. This is a unique opportunity to be between roaring water streams.
But you shouldn’t limit yourself to sites; just downstream there is a railway bridge across the Rhine built in 1857, which is definitely worth a visit. The bridge has a sidewalk for pedestrians, so you can appreciate the majesty of the Rhine Falls from afar.
“Five Fingers”, Austria
Another interesting observation deck in Austria is located in the Alps and also on the Dachstein glacier. It was designed in the shape of a hand. Each of the 5 balconies has its own purpose. So, on the first finger there is a photo frame, on the second the floor is made of glass, on the fourth there is a hole to admire the abyss, on the fifth there is a telescope, and it’s free. The third finger is short, closed to visitors and symbolizes the inaccessibility of the horizon.
The Five Fingers platform protrudes 4 meters above the 400 meter deep abyss. It offers stunning panoramic views of the Dachstein plateau and the town of Hallstatt, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The observation tower is a 15-minute walk from the Dachstein-Krippenschein cable car station.
UFO, Slovakia
Perhaps this is not the highest observation deck in Europe, but it is the most unusual – in Bratislava, on the bridge over the Danube, a bar in the shape of a flying saucer was built. It is located at an altitude of 85 meters. From here you can clearly see the capital of Slovakia: the old town and the castle. To take the elevator to the bar you will have to pay 6.5 euros, but if you say that you are going to the restaurant, you will not have to pay.
UFO has both an indoor and outdoor viewing area. In good weather, the territories of Austria and Hungary are visible from them. Be sure to visit the local toilet; instead of walls there are panoramic windows.
Torre dos Clérigos, Portugal
The bell tower of the Clérigos Church, built in the 18th century in Baroque style, is visible from anywhere in Porto. It is the tallest bell tower in Portugal and to this day the tallest building in Porto. Initially, the tower served as a landmark for ships entering the harbor. Now the 76-meter bell tower is a popular platform with a 360-degree view. You can climb it only by steps, of which there are 200. From Torre dos Clérigos you can see the whole of Porto with its charming red roofs at a glance.
