Things to Do in Potsdam: 22 Highlights You Absolutely Shouldn’t Miss

Our Top Potsdam Attractions

How long should a city trip to Potsdam last?

Many people only come to Potsdam for one day, for example because they’re already visiting Berlin. But that’s nowhere near enough time to see all the highlights Potsdam has to offer.

For Sanssouci Palace and its park alone, you’ll need at least half a day.

The following are the things to do in Potsdam that are genuinely not to be missed:

• Sanssouci Palace and Park Sanssouci
• New Palace
• Babelsberg Palace and Park
• Dutch Quarter
• St. Nicholas Church
• Brandenburg Gate

For all of the Potsdam highlights listed above, you’ll need at least two days. For all 22 attractions in this article, plan on four or five days.

All Potsdam Attractions on One Map

To give you a better overview right away, we’ve put together a map with all 22 Potsdam highlights.

Palaces and Parks in Potsdam

Sanssouci Palace and Park

When we think of Potsdam, Sanssouci Palace immediately comes to mind. It is without a doubt the number one highlight in Potsdam.

Sanssouci means something along the lines of “without a care,” and that was exactly Frederick the Great’s intention when he had it built: a residence as a retreat. And he could certainly find that there:

A full 70 kilometers of pathways wind through the namesake park, which covers around 300 hectares.

Wherever you look, you’ll find beautiful gardens and elaborate sculptures and fountains. In addition to Sanssouci Palace itself, there are many smaller palace buildings, such as the Orangery, Charlottenhof Palace, the Dragon House, and the Chinese Tea House.

Sanssouci Palace Tickets

Park Sanssouci is freely accessible and you can easily explore it on foot at your own pace.

If you also want to see the inside of Sanssouci Palace, you can either get a single ticket for 14 euros, or buy the Sanssouci+ card: for 19 euros, it gives you access to almost all the palaces in Potsdam.

The combination ticket is therefore usually worth it even if you only want to visit one additional palace. You can buy both tickets on the official website.

If you’re only planning a day trip from Berlin, there are also guided tours departing from Berlin. The advantage is that you don’t have to worry about getting there or organizing the visit — plus you’ll have a guide who can tell you everything worth knowing about Potsdam and the palace.

From Berlin: Guided tour of Sanssouci Palace

New Palace

The New Palace is, in a way, the showier sibling of Sanssouci Palace. If you already find Sanssouci impressive, you’ll be overwhelmed by the pomp and grandeur of the New Palace on the western edge of the palace park.

And that was exactly Frederick the Great’s intention: a palace to show off a little in front of his guests.

However, it’s more style than substance — the bricks, for example, are just painted on for cost reasons, and beneath the enormous dome there’s nothing but empty space.

Inside, you can explore many of the 200 rooms, such as the Grotto Hall, which is decorated all over with shells, or the Marble Hall built entirely of white stone.

Fun fact: parts of the University of Potsdam are housed in the New Palace’s outbuildings. If that isn’t one of the coolest places to study!

Babelsberg Palace and Park

Babelsberg Palace with its vast park of just over 130 hectares is, after Sanssouci, one of the most famous palaces in Potsdam.

However, Babelsberg was built a few generations later and in a completely different style. With its white turrets and battlements, Babelsberg looks more like a storybook castle. And that’s exactly why the palace complex, just like Sanssouci, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Countless walking paths, wide meadows, and even waterfalls wind through the park.

As a standout experience, we recommend visiting the Flatow Tower in Park Babelsberg. For 4 euros, you can climb up to the viewing platform at 46 meters. From there you’ll have a great view of the Glienicke Bridge and Potsdam’s historic center.

Note: Babelsberg Palace is currently under renovation. For now, you can only view the complex from the outside.

New Garden and Cecilienhof Palace

Together with Sanssouci and Babelsberg, the New Garden rounds out the top three Potsdam palace complexes. But once again, in a completely different style: the New Garden was designed entirely in the English style.

The main draw is Cecilienhof Palace. This is where the three Allied powers met after the end of World War II for the Potsdam Conference. You’re literally walking in the footsteps of Truman, Churchill, and Stalin.

You should also visit the Marble Palace. The name is well-earned — the opulent interior is simply incredible. The palace sits right on the Heiliger See, and in summer you can even swim here.

Note: Cecilienhof Palace is currently closed for renovation.

Potsdam City Palace

The Potsdam City Palace is one of the most important buildings in Potsdam. Apart from the Marstall, which today houses the Film Museum, it was completely destroyed during World War II and the GDR era.

The current version is a reconstruction that now houses the Brandenburg State Parliament. Nevertheless, you can still see many parts of the building from the inside, such as the courtyard, the foyer, and the rooftop terrace.

The City Palace is located on Alter Markt directly across from St. Nicholas Church and the Barberini Museum. Around the square there are many lovely cafés where you can enjoy a slice of cake with a view of the beautiful buildings.

Sacrow Palace

Sacrow Palace is the most modest of Potsdam’s palaces. But we love it because the palace park right on the Havel is a real local favorite. Sacrow is also still a comparatively under-the-radar pick, and you’ll encounter very few other tourists here.

The palace was located right on the border during the GDR era and had to undergo extensive renovation after reunification. Today it regularly hosts events and exhibitions, which is when you can also see the inside of the palace — otherwise only the park is freely accessible.

The best time to visit is in autumn, when the deciduous trees turn all kinds of gorgeous colors — a great photo opportunity! One oak tree is said to be a full 1,000 years old. You should also pay a visit to the Heilandskirche in Park Sacrow.

Important Buildings

Dutch Quarter

Right in the heart of Potsdam, you’ll find a little piece of Holland: 134 red brick buildings with white mortar joints and curved gables. The neighborhood was built in the 18th century so that Dutch guest workers would feel right at home.

Today, it’s one of the most beautiful parts of Potsdam’s historic district. You’ll find numerous boutiques, charming cafés, and restaurants here.

Our tip: In April, the Tulip Festival takes place — quintessentially Dutch. The whole neighborhood is decorated with colorful tulips, and it’s absolutely beautiful! If you can arrange a trip to Potsdam in April, that’s an extra special bonus.

St. Nicholas Church

Although Potsdam is truly packed with gorgeous palaces, arguably the most striking building is St. Nicholas Church on Alter Markt in Potsdam’s old town.

You can see the enormous blue dome from far away in every direction, and it’s even more impressive when you’re standing right in front of it.

The people of Potsdam seem to be very attached to their church. Having once burned down completely and then been destroyed again in World War II, it has become a true symbol of Potsdam’s resilience.

You can even climb up to the dome. From the viewing platform at 42 meters, you have a fantastic panorama over the old town and the Havel.

Brandenburg Gate

Watch out, it’s easy to get them confused: the Brandenburg Gate isn’t just a Berlin landmark — there’s one in Potsdam too. But would you have guessed that the Potsdam gate is actually older than its far more famous counterpart in Berlin?

The gate is located between Luisenplatz with its lovely fountain and the pedestrian zone in Potsdam’s old quarter. You’ll find countless great cafés here. We can only recommend treating yourself to a slice of cake with a view of the Brandenburg Gate — it’s especially lovely on warm summer days!

You might wonder why the two sides of the gate look completely different. That’s because they were designed by two different architects.

Glienicke Bridge

A small Potsdam attraction that has nonetheless made it into the annals of history!

The Glienicke Bridge connects the West Berlin neighborhood of Wannsee with Potsdam. During the Cold War, the bridge was closed to the public.

It is especially well known as the site of several spy exchanges between the US and the USSR. One of them was even turned into a movie in 2015 by Steven Spielberg: Bridge of Spies.

And setting all that aside, the bridge simply offers a wonderful vista over the Havel with the Jungfernsee and Glienicke Palace.

Matrosenstation

Between the Jungfernsee and the Glienicke Bridge, you’ll find an imperial structure that couldn’t be more out of place among Potsdam’s grand palaces: the so-called Matrosenstation Kongsnaes. Sailors in Potsdam?

Emperor Wilhelm II was known for his love of travel. So when he did happen to be in residence in Potsdam, he enjoyed pleasure cruises on the Havel. And naturally, the imperial yacht needed a mooring station. Since he was a huge fan of Norway, he had the facility built in full Norwegian dragon style.

One of the houses at the Matrosenstation today houses an upscale gourmet restaurant where you can dine with a view of the Havel.

Alexandrowka

At the northern end of Potsdam, there’s a settlement that at first glance could easily be somewhere deep in the Bavarian countryside.

In reality, it consists of Russian log cabins built here in the 19th century amid fruit orchards.

The houses trace back to the close friendship between Wilhelm III and Tsar Alexander and were built for twelve singers of the Russian Corps — a little piece of home far from home. Today, the settlement is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can not only stroll through the settlement, but House No. 2 has also been converted into a museum.

Museums and Culture in Potsdam

Barberini Museum

The Barberini Museum is the art museum in Potsdam, plain and simple. Here you’ll find artists from all kinds of eras and styles, from Impressionism to modern art. Another highlight is a collection of rare artworks from the GDR.

The museum is housed in the namesake Barberini Palace on Alter Markt. If the architecture makes you think of Italy, you’re spot on: the building’s inspiration is in Rome. The palace, however, is no longer the original — like so much else, it was destroyed during World War II and only reopened in 2016.

Filmpark Babelsberg

Right in the middle of sleepy Babelsberg, there’s a world-class attraction: the Babelsberg Media City.

Hard to believe, but these are the largest film studios in all of Europe. Mostly German productions are filmed here, such as GZSZ, but occasionally real blockbusters too, like Monuments Men with Brad Pitt.

At the adjacent Filmpark, you become the action hero yourself: there are stunt workshops, and at the end of the day you can shoot your own short film complete with special effects and sounds. There are also performances by pyrotechnicians and animal trainers.

Take a peek behind the scenes and find out what a typical workday looks like in the makeup, costume, and props departments.

Schiffbauergasse

Right on the banks of the Tiefer See lies Schiffbauergasse, the cultural heart of Potsdam and a very popular hub for tech companies. If you’re in the mood for some culture, this is exactly the right place. We can’t introduce every venue on Schiffbauergasse, so here are our favorites.

FLUXUS+ is a modern art museum, perfect if “classical” art isn’t really your thing.

The Hans Otto Theater hosts performances, poetry slams, and more — there’s genuinely something for every taste.

The fabrik Potsdam, T-Werk, and Waschhaus Potsdam also offer a wide range of festivals, film screenings, and a lively nightlife scene.

Science Center NANO

If you’re traveling to Potsdam with kids, you should definitely plan a visit to the Science Center NANO. Here you’ll find more than 80 exhibits all centered around the natural sciences.

Kids can make invisible light visible, make marshmallow treats explode, or freeze their own shadow.

There are various exhibitions for all age groups. There’s even a dedicated room for the very youngest visitors, from six months old, called the Wichtelwelt.

And if you never quite got the hang of the Pythagorean theorem in school, the Science Center NANO might just be for you too.

Get Outside in Potsdam

Biosphäre Potsdam

While neighboring Berlin has its urban jungle, Potsdam is home to a real jungle world: the Biosphäre Potsdam.

Especially if you’re traveling with kids, we highly recommend a visit.

In the Biosphäre, you’ll find not just thousands of exotic plants. There’s an underwater world where you can explore the tropical deep sea in a small submarine, a butterfly house filled with countless colorful butterflies, and even an elevated walkway at a height of 14 meters.

By the way: at the Biosphäre Potsdam’s restaurant, you can even brunch under palm trees to the sound of a waterfall.

Heiliger See

When summer brings pleasantly warm temperatures, the people of Potsdam gather here: at the Heiliger See.

We completely understand why, because the lake sits between the New Garden and the Jungfernsee, offering a wonderful view of the Marble Palace and Cecilienhof Palace.

The lake is clean and clear — the perfect spot to cool off on hot days. But even if you don’t feel like swimming, a walk around the lake is seriously worth it.

Since the palace administration isn’t thrilled about sunbathers right in front of the palaces, we’d suggest getting comfortable on the north side. There’s a wide lawn there and easy access to the water.

Volkspark

The Volkspark may not be able to compete with the grand gardens of Sanssouci, Babelsberg, and the like. But it’s one of the best Potsdam spots for families.

There are fields for soccer, basketball, and volleyball, a climbing playground, a skate park, a bouldering wall, and several trampolines. On hot days, the kids can splash around in the water playground, or you can have a picnic on the lawn.

In short: the Volkspark is a great place to relax in nature with the whole family.

The Havel

Potsdam and the Havel — the two simply belong together! The Havel splits Potsdam in two and turns the picturesque city into a kind of island. Your best bet is to simply stroll along the riverbank and explore the river and the city at your own pace.

You can also take great boat tours on the Havel. If you’re looking for a bit more action, there are plenty of water sports activities too, such as a trip by raft or stand-up paddleboard or by canoe.

Our tip: We recommend this 7-Lakes Boat Tour departing from the Tiefer See. As the name suggests, you’ll cruise across seven lakes along the Havel, starting at the Tiefer See. Not only is the ride itself really enjoyable, but you’ll also get to see many of Potsdam’s top attractions, including Babelsberg Palace and Cecilienhof Palace.
Book the 7-Lakes Boat Tour on the Havel

Great Viewpoints in Potsdam

Ruinenberg and the Norman Tower

The story behind this viewpoint is pretty amusing: in 1748, Frederick the Great had a water reservoir built for the fountains in Park Sanssouci on a hill behind the palace. To make it all look a bit more interesting, a few old ruins were added that strongly evoke ancient Rome. This way, guests could be told the story of the legendary conquest of Potsdam — which never actually happened.

One of the structures on the Ruinenberg, the Norman Tower, is today a great vantage point, though it is only open during events.

The Ruinenberg is also a real off-the-beaten-path find and perfect if you’d rather avoid large crowds of tourists.

You can find even more insider tips here: Real Potsdam Insider Tips. And an overview of all the insider tips we have for various destinations is right here.

Belvedere on Pfingstberg

As the name Belvedere suggests, this palace complex at just over 76 meters above sea level offers one of the most beautiful overlooks over Potsdam.

The Belvedere is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can explore the palaces from the inside as well. Today it also hosts numerous cultural events, festivals, and theater performances.

The view is most beautiful at sunset, of course. Bring a bottle of wine and get comfortable on a blanket in the grass in front of the palace — very romantic!

General Tips for Your City Trip to Potsdam

Finally, we’d like to share a few general tips for your city trip to Potsdam that will hopefully make planning a little easier.

Our Hotel Recommendations for Potsdam

These hotels are not only very lovely, but thanks to their central locations they’re also a great base for exploring what to do in Potsdam.

Save Money with the Berlin WelcomeCard

The Berlin WelcomeCard is a tourist pass that gets you discounts of up to 50% on many attractions in Potsdam. It’s primarily intended for travelers visiting Berlin, but it can also be used for day trips to Potsdam. That’s why many Potsdam museums and attractions participate in the program as well.

You can also use the card to ride all public transportation in the Berlin (and Potsdam) transit network for free.

The card is available for two to six days and costs between 28 and 63 euros. The Berlin WelcomeCard is only worth it if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, though. In that case, it’s a great deal.

You can pick up the card on-site at any tourist information office, or you can buy it online in advance.

More info on the Berlin WelcomeCard