- Potsdam is about 25 minutes from Berlin Hauptbahnhof by regional train
- Sanssouci Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several palaces
- Sanssouci Palace runs on timed tickets, so book ahead in summer
- The Potsdam Conference took place at Cecilienhof Palace in 1945
- Airports
- Berlin Brandenburg (BER)
- Best time to go
- April-October
- Type
- City
Potsdam, capital of the state of Brandenburg, sits just south-west of Berlin among lakes and rivers. It was the favourite residence of the Prussian kings, above all Frederick the Great, who built Sanssouci Palace as his summer retreat. The palaces and parks are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Most visitors come on a day trip from Berlin, but an overnight stay lets you enjoy the parks in the quiet of the evening. See our Brandenburg guide, the Berlin guide and the Germany guide.
Things to do
- Sanssouci Palace – Frederick the Great's rococo summer palace, above a series of terraced vineyards.
- Sanssouci Park – a huge landscaped park with fountains, follies and the Chinese House.
- New Palace – a vast baroque palace at the western end of the park.
- Cecilienhof Palace – an English-style country house where Truman, Stalin and Churchill (later Attlee) met in 1945.
- Dutch Quarter – streets of red-brick gabled houses with shops and cafés.
- Glienicke Bridge – the "Bridge of Spies", where Cold War prisoner exchanges took place.
- Babelsberg Park and studios – a landscaped park and Germany's historic film studios.
- Boat trips – cruises on the Havel lakes leave from the harbour near the centre.
Where to stay
- Old town and Dutch Quarter – walkable to Sanssouci and full of restaurants.
- Near the main station – modern hotels with quick links to Berlin.
- Babelsberg – quieter, near the park and film studios.
- Berlin – many visitors stay in Berlin and visit for the day.
Getting there
Fly to Berlin Brandenburg, then take a train to Potsdam, usually about an hour with a change. From central Berlin, regional trains reach Potsdam Hauptbahnhof in about 25 minutes, and the S7 S-Bahn takes a little longer. Potsdam is in Berlin's ABC fare zone, so an ABC ticket covers the trip.
Best time to visit
Late spring to early autumn is best for the parks and boat trips. Some palaces close or have reduced hours in winter, so check before you go. Autumn colours in Sanssouci Park are lovely in October.
Hire a bike in Potsdam. The parks are large, and cycling is the easiest way to see several palaces in a day.
Top attractions in Potsdam
LandmarkBrandenburg Gate
Berlin's neoclassical city gate, crowned by the Quadriga, once trapped behind the Wall and now the symbol of a reunited…
LandmarkEast Side Gallery
The longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall, painted in 1990 by artists from around the world and now an open-air…
LandmarkNeuschwanstein Castle
King Ludwig II's fairy-tale castle on a crag in the Bavarian Alps, the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Potsdam on the map
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Potsdam as a day trip from Berlin?
Yes, it is one of the most popular day trips from Berlin. Trains take around 25 to 40 minutes.
Do I need to book Sanssouci Palace?
Timed tickets are used, and slots can sell out in summer, so booking ahead is wise.
What is the Bridge of Spies?
The Glienicke Bridge between Potsdam and Berlin, where spies were exchanged during the Cold War.
How long should I spend in Potsdam?
A full day covers Sanssouci and the old town. Stay longer to add Cecilienhof, Babelsberg or a boat trip.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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