Potsdam is the state capital of Brandenburg in Germany. It has a unique landscape characterised by tranquil, meandering waterways, pristine nature and historic towns, and is very near to the buzzing capital of Berlin.
Here you will find a magnificent collection of palaces and parks that were built by Prince Frederick William to highlight his prestige. Deciding that the German capital didn’t have the scope for what he was planning, he found the perfect piece of land close by and Potsdam was born. Later, in the 19th century, landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné sculptured the land in such a way to unite the palaces, gardens and the town.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the Sanssouci Palace and its English gardens, Cecilienhof Palace and Babelsberg Palace. Sanssouci, meaning ‘without care’, is where Frederick the Great would spend his summers, whilst Cecilienhof is the last palace of the Hohenzollern family and was the setting for the signing of the Potsdam agreement by Joseph Stalin, Harry S. Truman and Clement Attlee.
Without a doubt, Potsdam is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Sanssouci Park, with its magnificent palaces and botanical garden, is an impressive centrepiece. A mixture of architecture including Dutch and Russian make this an unusual city. Don't forget to see the Glienicke Bridge, scene of exchanges of spies during the Cold War and focal point of the 2015 film 'Bridge of Spies'.
Today, the city's reputation as a lively cultural centre is enhanced by the fascinating architecture of historical districts such as the Dutch Quarter, with its gabled red brick houses; the exclusive residential area of Babelsberg, with its neo-Gothic castle; and the Filmpark Babelsberg, Germany's one-time response to Hollywood.
- Flight time from London: 1 hour 40 min
- Berlin Schönefeld Airport: 36km from the city centre; transfer time about 51min
- Nearest railway station: Potsdam Hauptbahnhof
- Currency: Euro
If you are travelling to Berlin and hope to visit Potsdam during your stay, a Berlin Welcome Card is a great choice. It offers discounts of up to 50% off many Berlin and Potsdam attractions (including the palaces) and gives you free transport around and between the two locations.
A Sanssouci+ ticket costs just €19 per person and will give you access to the following places: Sanssouci Palace, Cecilienhof Palace, New Palace, Orangery Palace, Marble Palace, Charlottenhof Palace, Picture Gallery, Chinese House in Sanssouci Park, Roman Baths in Sanssouci Park, Historic Windmill, New Chambers, Sanssouci Palace Kitchen and Flatow Tower in Babelsberg Park.
