Day Trips to Potsdam from Berlin

Berlin is an amazing city. Modern, creative, multicultural... always full of things to see and where every corner breathes culture and history. A different place that is easy to get caught up in as it is always renewing itself and surprising us with many new things.

However, on the outskirts of the German capital lies a magnificent city that is well worth leaving Berlin and setting aside a day of your holiday to visit. It represents the ideal combination of nature, history and art and for many years was home to Prussian royalty - Potsdam, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe!

Potsdam is known for being the former residence of the Prussian royal family and the German kaisers, which is why it abounds with stately palaces and beautiful gardens.

Its baroque architecture and the role the city played at the end of World War II (with the famous Potsdam Conference Charter) are reasons why it attracts thousands of travellers every year.

This tour of Potsdam and its palaces is ideal for those travellers who visit Berlin but do not have much time in the agenda for an excursion to the outskirts. In just 3 hours you will be able to see the highlights of the city with a professional guide, who will tell you historical anecdotes, curiosities and will also show you details of places that might go unnoticed if you do the visit on your own.

During the bus tour of Potsdam, you'll be able to use headphones to make sure you don't miss any of the guide's explanations, and you'll visit the New Palace (with a Renaissance feel) and the majestic palaces of Sanssouci (known as the German Versailles) and Cecilienhof (with a British country house feel) on foot. You will also stroll through the beautiful baroque old town of Potsdam and follow in the footsteps of Frederick II "the Great".

At the end of your tour of Potsdam, I recommend you take a look inside some of the city's palaces because they are amazing. And if your excursion to Potsdam coincides with the summer months, you're in luck! Because this activity includes a sightseeing bus ticket with free stops to explore the town comfortably seated with fantastic views.

What will you see?

• Old Town Potsdam
• Sanssouci Palace
• Cecilienhof Castle
• New Palace

Useful information

Recommended: for those who want to enjoy the palace architecture and gardens of this beautiful city while learning about its history and culture both on foot and aboard a sightseeing bus in summer.

If you have more time for sightseeing during your stay in Berlin, then this half-day guided walking tour of Potsdam is the perfect choice for you, as you will discover the streets of this Unesco World Heritage City on foot and with a guide on an exciting 6-hour tour.

During the route you will see the main tourist attractions of Potsdam that have given it its international fame such as the gardens and the Sanssouci Palace (with rococo airs), the Marble Palace of Frederick William II (summer residence of the Prussian monarch), the Cecilienhof Castle (site of the Potsdam Conference at the end of World War II) or the Babelsberg Castle (which has impressive views over the Havel River).

Other sights to see on this tour of Potsdam include the picturesque Dutch Quarter, crossing the popular 'Bridge of Spies' or walking through the Brandenburg Gate (older than the German capital).

Before returning to Berlin, you will have time to have lunch on your own at one of the local restaurants to sample local specialities.

And if you wish, at the end of your tour of Potsdam you can do the route again on your own, taking a closer look at the places that have caught your attention, going into one of the palaces you have seen or even staying for dinner, because the return to Berlin is up to you, so you decide how you manage your time.

What will you see?

Useful information

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Gardens and Sanssouci Palace

This impressive 18th century palace was built on the orders of the Prussian King Frederick II "the Great" as his summer residence near Berlin and as a meeting place for artists, philosophers, musicians and other intellectuals of the time with whom he shared his concerns.

The Sanssouci Palace (meaning "carefree") is considered the "German Versailles" for its elegant architecture and tasteful decorations, although it is a small building in comparison to the French palace.

The Sanssouci Palace is undoubtedly one of the most interesting places in Potsdam and I recommend you enjoy a relaxing stroll through the beautiful surrounding gardens, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Marble Palace of Friedrich Wilhelm II

The monarch also commissioned the Marble Palace on the shores of Lake Heiliger See as his summer residence.

It is remarkable for the beautiful landscape that surrounds it and for being the only Prussian palace in the Classicist style with a cubic form. The truth is that Prussian architects were quite original when it came to design, and they racked their brains to ensure that no palace looked like any other.

Cecilienhof Castle

This beautiful palace, built in Gothic-Tudor style on the orders of Emperor Wilhelm II and reminiscent of a large English country house, is striking not only for its appearance, but also because an important chapter in 20th-century European history took place here.

It was the site where Churchill (Great Britain), Truman (USA) and Stalin (USSR) met at the end of the Second World War to draw up the Potsdam Conference Charter, where they agreed on how Germany would be administered after the conflict and how Europe would be divided into areas of influence.

New Palace

Near Sanssouci is the New Palace, the largest of all the palaces in Potsdam, which was also erected by King Frederick II in the 18th century.

It is notable for its Renaissance style and sober appearance on the outside but, if you have time, it is worth visiting the inside after the tour because it is a real sight to behold. You will have the opportunity to see the sumptuous reception rooms, the marble gallery and the luxurious palatial rooms, among other spaces.

Pay attention to the marine gallery! Its walls are decorated with precious stones, marble and shells.

Babelsberg Castle

This is another of Potsdam's most charming castles. It dates back to the 19th century and has spectacular views over the Havel River - be warned, you won't stop taking pictures!

The Dutch Quarter

This is one of the most unique places in Potsdam. In the 18th century, many Dutch workers and craftsmen who came to work in the city at the invitation of King Frederick William I settled here.

It is affectionately known as "Little Amsterdam" because its reddish brick buildings are very reminiscent of those in the capital of the Netherlands. In fact, the Dutch themselves have come to feel at home here, and if you have visited Amsterdam, you can certainly understand them.

Bridge of Spies

This bridge has an amazing history. Located over the waters of the River Have, during the Cold War it became a kind of border for the USSR and the United States where they carried out their respective exchanges of prisoners and spies captured by the adversary. Curious, isn't it? That's where it gets its peculiar name, and also from the many films about spies that have been shot here.

Brandenburg Gate

Although the most famous Brandenburg Gate is in the German capital, the oldest is actually in Potsdam. It dates back to the 18th century and was built in the historic centre (next to Ludwigplatz), inspired by the Arch of Constantine in Rome.

Old Town Potsdam

During the tour you will have the opportunity to stroll through the beautiful Old Town of Potsdam. Despite having suffered several bombings during World War II, it was later restored to its former grandeur.

Take the opportunity to visit the main shopping street in the old town known as Brandenburger Strasse and buy some souvenirs from your visit - there are some great local shops!

Given Potsdam's proximity to Berlin (it is located just 25 kilometres southwest of the German capital) it is a good idea to set aside a day of your holiday to take a trip to this former residence of the Prussian kings and German kaisers and get to know Berlin's surroundings a little better.

As a former "Imperial City" it retains a very well-kept and beautiful historic centre. King Frederick II "the Great" had a weakness for this town, so he devoted a lot of effort to beautify it and make it a place to admire by building many palaces and gardens.

In fact, it is said that Potsdam represents the ideal fusion of nature, history and art, and in my opinion there is some truth in this, as anyone who has ever visited Potsdam knows that it is a jewel.

Another reason to take a trip to Potsdam from Berlin is to learn more about the recent history of Europe. This is the site of the Potsdam Conference where the victors of World War II divided up Germany and other areas of influence.

If you like history, and specifically this period, you can combine a visit to Berlin and Potsdam with a visit to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, which is also very close to the German capital. I tell you more about it in the post Visiting the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

When booking online any of these excursions to Potsdam from Berlin, you should bear in mind that they do not include the transfer to and from Potsdam. In other words, you are responsible for your own transport. The easiest and quickest way to get to Potsdam from Berlin is by train.

In Berlin, S-Bahn trains run from Hackescher Markt to Potsdam Central Station directly and the journey takes around 45 minutes. An all-day ticket for the ABC zone costs 7.70 euros, but you can also buy a ticket for 3.40 euros for the ABC zone, which is valid for two hours.

The good news is that you can use your Berlin travel pass for public transport in Potsdam, as long as it is valid for the ABC zones.

How much do tickets cost?

I recommend you to have a look at Hellotickets for tickets to Potsdam from Berlin because there are usually several options and the prices are quite reasonable. Here you can compare ticket availability, prices, schedules and guided tours. There are currently no tours to Potsdam available but check out the rest of the activities you can do in Berlin.

When is the best time to go to Potsdam?

The best time to take a trip to Potsdam from Berlin is in summer. However, the city is still just as beautiful during other seasons but the weather gets colder and there is a greater chance of rain. My advice is to plan your trip for July, August and September.

How to book?

If you are planning a trip to Potsdam from Berlin in the summer, i.e. in high season, I recommend booking online as early as possible.

Booking your place on the tour is very easy. All you have to do is choose the date you want to do the activity and select the number of participants. To secure your place in the group you will have to pay at the time of booking.

Berlin is a lively and constantly changing city where there are always new places to see and things to do. It is also one of the European cities with the most history and personality.

If you want to discover all the secrets of Berlin during your holidays, take a look at the article The best tours and excursions from Berlin where you will find a selection of very interesting tours to get the most out of your trip.