Despite being home to some of the globe’s largest cities, seven on our list come from one city alone. Here are the top ten tallest skyscrapers in Europe, ranked.
When you think of skyscrapers, there’s no doubt you think of the high-rises of the Empire State or the cloud-clashing heights of Dubai and beyond. However, the continent of Europe is also home to an array of impressive skyscrapers and tall buildings to rival the rest of the world.
It is unsurprising, given Europe is home to some of the largest metropolises in the world, from Paris to Berlin, Dublin to Lisbon.
However, what may be surprising is the concentration of the high-rise structures on our list. Eight of the ten can be found in Russia, with only two others outside of the cities of Moscow or St Petersburg.
10. City of Capitals, Moscow Tower (Moscow, Russia) – first of many from Moscow
Kicking off our list of the top ten tallest skyscrapers in Europe and the first of many from Moscow is the City of Capitals Tower.
The building was completed in 2010 and ranks as the 191st tallest building in the world, standing at 990 ft (301.8 m). The residential building took seven years to make.
Address: Krasnopresnenskaya Naberezhnaya, 14с1, Moscow, Russia, 123317
9. Neva Tower 1 (Moscow, Russia) – the smaller of the two
Next up is the Neva Tower 1. The second of the two towers sits much higher up on this list. It stands at 991 ft (302 m) and boasts a total of 65 floors. The building was only completed in 2020 and, therefore, a new addition.
Address: 1-Y Krasnogvardeyskiy Proyezd, 22 стр. 2, Moscow, Russia, 123100
8. Eurasia (Moscow, Russia) – the first to top one thousand feet high
Third, and again from Moscow, on our list is the Eurasia building, breaking the one thousand mark by standing at 1,013 ft (308.9 m).
Also known as the ‘steal peak’, it is one of the standout buildings in Russia’s premier city and can be found in the heart of the Moscow International Business Centre.
Address: Moscow, Russia, 123317
7. The Shard (London, UK) – the crown in London’s skyline jewel
The Shard is London’s tallest building and stakes its own claim on the list of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe. This iconic building is 1017 ft (310 m) high and offers panoramic views of the behemoth city.
Construction took only three years between 2009 and 2012, and ten years on, it remains the towering block of London’s burgeoning skyline.
Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG
6. Varso (Warsaw, Poland) – an entry outside of Russia
The second and last entry from outside of Russia on this list is Varso in Warsaw, Poland.
The neomodern office building remains under construction, but it currently stands at 1017ft (310 m). It’s the tallest building in the European Union and was developed by HB Reavis.
Address: Warsaw, Poland
5. Mercury City Tower (Moscow, Russia) – one of Europe’s most flashy skyscrapers
And so ends the entries from elsewhere in Europe, as Russia runs riot in our list of the top five tallest buildings in Europe. Next is the Mercury City Tower in Moscow. It stands at 1,112 ft (338.8 m).
This is also found in the Moscow International Building Centre, and the unique mercury colour and piercing design make it one of Europe’s most flashy skyscrapers.
Address: Moscow, Russia, 123317
4. Neva Tower 2 (Moscow, Russia) – up to a billion in construction
Neva Tower 2 ranks fourth highest on our list of the top ten tallest skyscrapers in Europe, thanks to its stunning reach of 1,132 ft (345 m) in the centre of Russia’s capital.
The Neva Towers are imposing twin structures, with the taller of the siblings having also been completed in 2020. The total cost is estimated to have reached $1 billion.
Address: 1-Y Krasnogvardeyskiy Proyezd, 22 стр. 2, Moscow, Russia, 123100
3. OKO: South Tower (Moscow, Russia) – accompanied by parkland and plazas
This apartment tower boasts a lush strip of parkland and plazas along its southern edge. It is one of the tallest structures in Moscow’s clustered business centre. At its peak, it reaches 1,162 ft (354.1m) high.
Address: 1-Y Krasnogvardeyskiy Proyezd, 19, Moskva, Russia, 123112
2. Federation: East Tower (Moscow, Russia) – Moscow’s largest building
At 1,126 ft (373.7m), Federation: East Tower in Moscow, Russia, takes our penultimate prize.
It boasts a mind-blowing 97 floors and pierces through the heart of Moscow’s skyscrapers to stand as the tallest amongst its peers.
Address: Moscow, Russia, 123317
1. Lakhta Centre (St Petersburg, Russia) – 87 stories and almost 2 billion later
Despite a litany of places on this list, the city of Moscow misses out on the top prize for the list of tallest skyscrapers in Europe. Instead, this prize belongs to St. Petersburg.
More specifically, it belongs to the Lakhta Centre. It is the only building in Europe surpassing 400 metres at 1,517 ft (462.5 m) in total. The 87-story skyscraper cost $1.77 billion to build.
Address: Высотная улица, 1, St Petersburg, Russia, 197229
Other notable mentions
Messerturm (Frankfurt, Germany): One of the tallest structures in Germany at 842 ft (256.5m). It was completed way back in 1990.
Torre de Cristal (Madrid, Spain): The capital of Spain boats the Torre de Cristal, which stands at 817 ft or (249 m) high.
Tour First (Paris, France): Paris is a sure addition to this list with Tour First. It was finished in 2011 and reaches a height of 758 ft (231m).
Commerzbank Tower: Commerzbank Tower is the tallest tower in Germany.
DC Tower 1: This is a building in Austria. It is 722 ft (220m) in length, making it the tallest tower in Austria.
Unicredit Tower: This elegantly designed tower is the tallest tower in Italy.
Vorobiovy Gory Tower: Vorobiovy Gory Tower is a residential complex in Moscow.
FAQs about the tallest skyscrapers in Europe
Who has the tallest skyscraper in the world?
The tallest skyscraper in the world belongs to Dubai. The Burj Khalifa is 2716 ft (828m) high. The second highest is Merdeka 118 in Malaysia, followed by Shanghai Tower in China.
Which country has the most skyscrapers?
China is the country with the most skyscrapers. With buildings over 490 ft (150 m), China has a staggering 2,967, many of which are rooted in traditional Chinese architecture. The US is second on 857.
What is the largest man-made structure on earth?
The Burj Khalifa is the largest man-made structure on earth. It can be found in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
