Most towers are not fully accessible.

No. Unless they were built in the last decade or specifically renovated for accessibility, historical and observation towers almost always have stairs, narrow passages, or limited elevator reach.

Even modern towers with elevators often have gaps. You might get to the main observation deck but not to a rooftop bar, a spiral staircase lookout, or a lower-level exhibit. Many older European towers (think the Eiffel Tower’s upper levels or bell towers in cathedrals) are straight-up inaccessible past the first floor.

Your best bet: check the specific tower’s official accessibility page or call ahead. “Accessible” sometimes means ground floor only. Don’t trust third-party reviews — they miss the nuance.

If you’re planning a trip, pick towers that explicitly advertise “fully accessible to all levels.” Anything else is a gamble.