Hidden Gems in Potsdam: Insider Tips for Sights & Restaurants

Picture Gallery Potsdam

Right next to Sanssouci Palace stands a picture gallery built by Frederick the Great in the 18th century — making it the oldest purpose-built gallery in Germany.

The interior is absolutely stunning: golden ornaments, marble floors, and colorful details throughout. And it houses over 140 paintings by artists like Caravaggio, Rubens, and van Dyck.

Since most visitors only head to the neighboring Sanssouci Palace, the picture gallery is usually blissfully empty. It’s also a great alternative if Sanssouci is fully booked and you only have one day in Potsdam.

Get tickets for Sanssouci Palace

Babelsberg Neighborhood

Babelsberg is best known for the Filmpark Babelsberg. But the neighborhood itself is seriously beautiful.

That’s why it’s one of our top picks for where to stay in Potsdam — it’s far less hectic than the old town, yet it has loads of charm.

In the heart of Babelsberg you’ll find plenty of cool cafés and restaurants, and the vibe is totally relaxed and hip — a real under-the-radar find in Potsdam.

Also well worth a visit is the expansive Babelsberg Park with Babelsberg Palace and lots of green space to roam.

Ruinenberg

The Ruinenberg sits in the northeast of Sanssouci Park — far from the tourist crowds — and is one of the most rewarding off-the-beaten-path spots in Potsdam.

Here you’ll find ornate ruins built under Frederick the Great and later Frederick William IV. Today only parts of the structures remain, looking mysterious and fairy-tale-like amid the lush greenery.

There are far more paths and ruins here than you’d expect at first glance. It’s really worth wandering along different trails and just exploring at your own pace.

Freundschaftsinsel

This insider pick comes from Swen & Mandy from the travel blog MARO-Effekt.de, who know Potsdam inside and out.

Freundschaftsinsel sits on the Havel River — right in the heart of the city between the main train station and the Potsdam City Palace. But most tourists walk straight past it without ever stepping onto the island. Big mistake!

Here you can photograph colorful blooms, rare trees, and all kinds of sculptures — and easily escape the city buzz.

There’s also a great playground on Freundschaftsinsel — perfect if you’re visiting Potsdam with kids.

Potsdam's City Wall

Not far from Freundschaftsinsel, on Große Fischerstraße, you’ll find remnants of Potsdam’s historic city wall.

Few tourists ever wander this way, so you can take a leisurely stroll and photograph the well-preserved arched niches and alcoves in total peace.

A row of old benches and trees in front of the wall gives the whole spot a wonderfully mystical atmosphere.

Alexanderhaus

The Alexanderhaus became known through the book Sommerhaus am See by Thomas Harding. It tells the story of this house, built in 1927 for Alfred Alexander — a Jewish physician and Harding’s great-grandfather.

During the Nazi era, the Alexander family was forced to flee and the house was seized. During the GDR period, families lived here — in a building that stood directly on the Berlin Wall.

After the Wall fell, the house fell into disrepair, and in 2013 it was restored by the Alexander-Haus e.V. association. Today you can join guided tours and learn more about its remarkable history.

Book your spot in advance. More information is available on the Alexanderhaus website.

By the way: near the Alexanderhaus, which sits on Groß Glienicker See, you can also find remnants of the Berlin Wall.

Villa Jacobs

Villa Jacobs sits north of Potsdam on the Jungfernsee and was originally built as a tower villa for a sugar manufacturer. A beautiful park with fruit orchards and a vineyard was later created around it.

During World War II, the park was used by the Wehrmacht, and after the war it served as a Russian military site. In 1981, the villa was demolished.

Since 2005, the villa — rebuilt in Tuscan country house style — and its park have been lovingly restored. It’s a genuine local favorite in Potsdam.

Wine festivals are often held here, keeping alive the historic tradition of winemaking on the site.

Einstein House Caputh

Just outside Potsdam — in Caputh, about seven kilometers to the south — stands a former summer house of Albert Einstein.

The house was built in 1929 and used by Einstein until he fled the Nazis in 1933.

You can visit the interior today — a guided tour is the way to go if you want the full story about its history and Einstein’s life here. More details on the Einstein House website.

Note: Einstein’s summer house is only open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Admission costs 5 euros and guided tours take place at the top of every hour.

Guided Tours of Potsdam

Potsdam has a seriously rich history, and a guided tour is absolutely worth it. A good guide will share insider knowledge that you’d never pick up wandering around on your own.

We recommend booking a city tour with Matti. He tailors each tour individually to your interests and knows Potsdam inside and out — in fact, most of the tips in this article come straight from him.

Another fantastic activity in Potsdam is a boat trip. You’ll see the palaces and highlights from the water, with plenty of great stories from the live commentary along the way.

Book a boat tour of Potsdam

Hidden Gem Restaurants in Potsdam

For the foodies among you, here are some of our favorite under-the-radar restaurant picks in Potsdam.

Restaurants

• Garage du Pont: Delicious French food served inside a historic gas station — super cool! It’s right near the Glienicke Bridge.
• Drachenhaus: A really cool building and a great spot for lunch.
• Waikiki Burger: In our opinion, the best burgers in town.
• Matador: Delicious tapas and grilled dishes right in the center of Potsdam.

Coffee and Cake

• Backstolz: A lovely café in the city center — especially great for breakfast.
• Kaffeerösterei Junick: Seriously good coffee and cakes.
• Die Eisfrau Babelsberg: In our opinion, the best ice cream in Potsdam.

Drinks

• Meierei: A great spot to enjoy a beer or two.
• Waschhaus: This cultural center is a fantastic place for an evening out — lots of events and concerts happen here.

Hidden Gem Hotels in Potsdam

If you’re planning to spend the night in Potsdam, here are three great places to stay: