Potsdam is a beautiful city in Germany, located just a short distance from Berlin. It’s well known for its many opulent palaces and spacious parks, which landed it the title of one of the largest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. Even in the winter months, it’s a charming city to walk around. Potsdam isn’t very big, so it’s very easy to see all of the main attractions in a day. There are a lot of great things to do in Potsdam besides visiting the 17 palaces as well.
The city was established in the 7th century, but it wasn’t until centuries later that it grew into the city it is today. Most of the historic buildings in the city were built between the 18th and 20th century. Potsdam quickly became the envy of European royalty with its breathtaking pieces of architecture and large park spaces.
Many people choose to visit Potsdam as part of a day trip from Berlin. However, it’s a good idea to stay at least one night in the city so you can explore it at a leisurely pace. Here are some of the best things to do in Potsdam during your visit.
Travelling from Berlin to Potsdam
Travelling from Berlin to Potsdam couldn’t be easier. We hopped on a train from the centre of Berlin and it took no more than 40 minutes to arrive at Potsdam Hbf. The cost of a return train ticket is relatively inexpensive as well, and there are different lines you can go on that take varying times to arrive.
If you’re planning to visit attractions in Berlin as well as in Potsdam, it’s a good idea to purchase the Berlin Welcome Card. This tourist card gives you access to all modes of transportation within Berlin, but you can also use it to travel to and from Potsdam at no extra cost. You’ll also receive up to a 50% discount on entry fees to certain attractions in both Berlin and Potsdam.
Things to do in Potsdam
Neues Palace
One of the best things to do in Potsdam is to visit the palaces, and there’s no better place to start than at the Neues Palace. Following the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War, Frederick the Great started the building project for the palace in 1763. It’s an enormous palace that stands in stark contrast to the intimate feel of Sanssouci Palace, and it was built to show the prestige and power of Prussia.
The Neues Palace was mostly used to host guests and for celebrations by Frederick, but his successors gradually added more modern components to it to make it more inhabitable for royalty. After the fall of the monarchy in 1918, the palace was turned into a museum. Sadly, in 1945, the palace’s interior furnishings were looted by the Soviet army.
Not all of the rooms are accessible to guests, but you’ll be able to see the main highlights of the palace through a guided tour. Tickets must be purchased from the ticket office located outside of the palace, near the entry gate to the park. If you’re only spending one day in Potsdam, I’d recommend getting the Sanssouci+ Combined Ticket which will give you entry into all of the currently open palaces in Potsdam within a single day.
University of Potsdam
Sitting opposite the Neues Palace is part of the University of Potsdam. The building that the university currently occupies was once an auxiliary building to the palace, and has been used by guests, servants, and residents of Potsdam since it was constructed. During our tour of the Neues Palace we learned that this building would have been used as the palace kitchen. It’s a stunning building to look at and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Potsdam, especially if you want a good place to take photos.
Orangerieschloss
The Orangery Palace, or the Orangerieschloss, sits in Sanssouci Park, the same park as the Neues Palace and Sanssouci Palace. Although it’s currently closed, the grounds are still open to the public so you can at least admire the architecture from the outside. This palace in Potsdam was the last and largest to be built in Sanssouci Park, and was completed in 1864. It was designed to bring a southern flair to Potsdam, with its stunning sculptures, fountains, and plant halls.
Sanssouci Palace
Any first time visitor to Potsdam will probably head to Sanssouci Palace first since it’s one of the top things to do in Potsdam. This palace is quite small compared to the Neues Palace, but it reflects the personality of Frederick the Great perfectly. The word Sanssouci means “without a care” and it was the monarch’s favourite place to retreat to in hard times, and a popular summer retreat with his dogs too.
The palace was completed in 1747 but Frederick was always reluctant to make any repairs to the palace. Instead, he intended the palace to only last for his lifetime since it was his private refuge. Sanssouci Palace is very elegant inside, and not as opulent as other great European palaces. It comprises only 12 rooms which further proves it wasn’t designed for show, but rather for intimacy.
The vineyard terraces that lead up to the palace have been beautifully preserved and date back to the 18th century. We visited Potsdam in the winter so we weren’t able to fully appreciate how the vineyard looks in the warmer months, but it was still very impressive to walk around.
Purchasing the Sanssouci+ Combined Ticket means you can access Sanssouci Palace at a pre-booked time, as well as any other palaces in Potsdam that are open to the public. This ticket is only valid for one full day though.
Visit the grave of the Potato King
Before you leave Sanssouci Palace, don’t forget to look for the grave of Frederick the Great. It’s located on the upper level of the vineyard terrace and is easily missed if you don’t know where to look. The grave is only a small stone slab but it’s not difficult to pick out among the other graves thanks to the potatoes that are always on top of it. This is because during his reign he made 15 decrees about the use and cultivation of potatoes.
Before Frederick’s reign, potatoes were used merely for decorations so most of the population were hesitant to start eating them. However, the potato eventually became an important crop across the country, especially in times of famine.
Explore the Dutch Quarter
After you’re done exploring the palaces in Potsdam, one of the best alternative things to do in Potsdam is to take a walk around the Dutch Quarter. This unique area of the city is made up of 134 red brick houses spread out over four squares. They were originally built for Dutch immigrants in the 18th century and today the houses are filled with workshops, galleries, and cafes. This old Dutch housing complex is the largest of its kind outside of the Netherlands so it’s definitely worth visiting.
Church of St. Peter and Paul
Sitting next to the Dutch Quarter is the Church of St. Peter and Paul. It was built in the late 19th century with both Roman and Byzantine elements, and it was the first Roman Catholic church to be built in Potsdam. The church was closed when we visited, but it’s still very impressive to look at from the outside. It’s also easy to add to your list of things to do in Potsdam since it’s close to many other main attractions.
Brandenburg Gate
Although the most famous Brandenburg Gate is located in Berlin, Potsdam has its own scaled down version too. It was completed in 1771 on the orders of Frederick the Great following the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War. Prussia’s victory in the war is marked by this impressive triumphal arch that sits at the end of one of the main streets in the city centre. The Brandenburg Gate in Potsdam is said to be the inspiration for the one in Berlin that was built several years later.
Neuer Markt
As you make your way through the city centre of Potsdam, don’t forget to make a brief stop at the Neuer Markt (New Market). It’s considered to be one of the most attractive squares in Potsdam, with many 18th century baroque-style buildings still preserved here. Some of the historic buildings in this square include bourgeois houses and an old weigh house that was used for levying taxes on goods imported into the city. This square would have also been where the stables for the royal coach horses were located.
Filmmuseum Potsdam
One of the most popular things to do in Potsdam is to visit Filmmuseum Potsdam. This is the oldest film museum in Germany and inside you can go behind the scenes of film and cinema. It’s located within a beautiful baroque building and it’s home to a fantastic permanent exhibition that shows the history of the Babelsburg film studios, which happen to be the oldest in the world. Filmmuseum Potsdam is located a short walk from the train station so it’s very easy to locate.
Ringerkolonnade
An often overlooked attraction in Potsdam’s old town is the Ringerkolonnade. It was built in the 1740s and was the idea of Frederick the Great who wanted a way to separate the palace area from the rest of the city without blocking any views. Most of the colonnade survived the destruction of WWII, though some of it had to be removed to make way for the modern roads.
Walk around the Alter Market
If you’re not sure where to start exploring in the city centre, one of the best things to do is to explore the buildings surrounding the Alter Markt (Old Market). Records show that in the 19th century this square was considered to be among the most beautiful in Europe. Highlights of the Alter Markt include St. Nicholas Church, the city hall, the Fortunaportal, the Potsdam Museum, and the Museum Barberini.
Nauener Tor
Located around the corner from the Dutch Quarter is one of the earliest examples of English Neo-Gothic style architecture on the European continent. The Nauener Tor (Nauen Gate) is one of three city gates that remain today and it was designed to enhance the view from the city centre along one of the main shopping streets. Frederick the Great chose a medieval look for the gate to make it seem older than it is.
Nauender Tor is a great spot for photos, and if you time it right you can photograph the brightly coloured trams passing under it.
Cecilienhof Country House
It wouldn’t be a trip to Potsdam without visiting Cecilienhof Country House. It was built at the start of the 20th century in the style of an English country manor, and it was the last palace built by the Hozenzollerns. The materials used for the palace beautifully blend into the surrounding nature, and the architect designed it in a way that makes it seem smaller than it is, with many smaller courtyards encompassed by different parts of the palace.
Cecilienhof is most well known for playing host to the Potsdam Conference which was seen as a symbol of the end of WWII and the beginning of the Cold War. Inside the palace you’ll find several rooms set up as they were during the conference which is interesting to see.
Although Cecilienhof is located further away from the city centre, the Sanssouci+ Combined Ticket is still valid and is worth purchasing if you plan on visiting it along with other palaces in Potsdam in one day.
Where to eat in Potsdam
Lukas Cafe
Since we only spent just over a day in Potsdam, we didn’t have time to eat at many places. However, we did find one good spot. Located in Babelsberg, less than 10 minutes on the tram from the centre of Potsdam, is Lukas Cafe. This is one of the best places for lunch in Potsdam and they have an excellent menu, including delicious pastries and tasty coffee.
All of the food is freshly prepared and they have plenty of vegetarian options on their menu, with lunch dishes that change on a weekly basis. Lukas Cafe is the perfect place to eat in Potsdam before crossing off more things from your list of things to do in Potsdam.
Where to stay in Potsdam
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Potsdam
If you’re planning on staying overnight in Potsdam, there are quite a few modern hotels to choose from. We stayed at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Potsdam which is located a very short walk from the Dutch Quarter. Our room was very spacious and clean, so we were glad to come back to it after a cold wintery day of exploring the city. Breakfast is included with every booking too so it’ll save you a bit of money overall by staying at this hotel in Potsdam.
Is Potsdam worth visiting?
Potsdam is one of the most popular day trips from Berlin. It’s certainly worth visiting Potsdam if you’re interested in history and architecture, because there are a lot of things to do in Potsdam that are centred around its UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Spending 24 hours in Potsdam is a good amount of time to see the main attractions, but it’s worth staying overnight so you can explore the city at your own pace and see some of the less visited locations too.
If you’re planning a trip to Potsdam or you’re wondering what things to do in Potsdam during your limited time in the city, please feel free to reach out by email or by using the contact form. You can also get in touch through Instagram where you can also follow along with my latest adventures.
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