While staying in Berlin for a week I wanted to go for a day trip outside the city. Potsdam came as the perfect option because it’s a short ride on the train from central Berlin and has a lot to see.
The city of Potsdam is located southwest of central Berlin and it’s the capital of Brandenburg.
The Prussian Kings settled there making it their official residence until 1918. They wanted to embrace nature and a place to relax away from Berlin, so they ordered to build one of the most remarkable palaces I have ever seen, the Sanssouci Palace, the largest World Heritage Site in Germany.
Although the palace and its surroundings are one of the main reasons people visit Potsdam daily, the city has lots of other attractions. The beautiful historic city center is full of outdoor restaurants and parks that will make a really enjoyable day out completely different from busy Berlin.
GETTING TO POTSDAM FROM BERLIN
There are several options of transportation to get to Potsdam: train, car and even boat. You can all types of transportation here.
For this post I will be focusing more on getting there by train from Berlin, as its super easy and it was the way I got there too.
So, from a central Berlin train station it takes about 20 minutes if you decide to take the regional express train or 40 minutes if you opt for the S-Bahn trains.
I took the S-Bahn S7 towards Brandenburg. The final stop is Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) where I got out and then took a bus to the Sanssouci Park.
Alternately if you take the Regional RE1 you can get out at Charlottenhof after Potsdam Hbf and that’s a 10 minute walk to the Sanssouci Park.
Make sure your tickets are valid for Berlin zones ABC. Some tourism cards to visit Berlin are also valid to travel to Potsdam.
To plan your trip, check the S-Bahn trains here and the regional trains RE here.
GETTING AROUND POTSDAM
Arriving early it’s important because the Sanssouci Park takes at least 2-3 hours to see, so I got to the train station at about 10 am.
Just outside the train station there is a large bus station and I took the Bus 695 (Potsdam Hauptbahnhof – Bahnhof Pirschheide) that stops on the side of the Sanssouci Palace.
On the way back I took the tram directly into the city centre and from there just walked back to the train station, which is a 10 minute walk.
You can plan your itinerary by bus here, by tram here or both, checking the bus/tram lines in Potsdam here.
Tickets can be obtained inside every tram and bus and they accept cash and debit cards.
If you want to take a tour there, there is a Hop/Off Bus Tour that you can take from the train station. Check more here.
WHAT TO SEE IN POTSDAM
I arrived early to Potsdam and went straight to the Sanssouci Park because I knew it would take me some time to explore all the palaces and gardens that are part of the park.
[highlight]SANSSOUCI PARK[/highlight]
King Frederick the Great, King of Prussia in Potsdam ordered for the Sanssouci Palace to be built in 1745 as an escape from life in Berlin. The name Sanssouci translates ‘without concerns’ and what he wanted from the palace was exactly that, a place for relaxation. Decorated in the Rococo style it’s impressively beautiful; no wonder it’s listed as World Heritage Site since 1990.
The garden is styled with symmetrical terraces and a huge fountain at the bottom. As you walk around the park there are other fountains and a lot of marble sculptures. Close to the palace you’ll find the tomb of King Frederick returned there after German reunification in 1990.
A visit inside the palace is possible. You have to buy a ticket online before your visit here.
The Orangery Palace was a former palace for foreign royal guests. It was built in the Italian Renaissance style.
Straight after a large corridor with gorgeous gardens it’s the New Palace built in 1763 to celebrate the end of the Seven Year’s War of Prussia. It was not a residence but more a display to receive other royals and important people. With 200 rooms, 4 gathering rooms and a theater for balls and other state celebrations, the place is incredible and it was one of my favourites.
Charlottenhof Palace was built in 1826 by Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel as a summer residence for Crown Prince Frederick William.
Other interesting buildings in the park include The Roman Baths and The Chinese Tea House.
As you can see, you will easily spend a whole morning or afternoon just walking around the park to see these magnificent buildings. I suggest you take a picnic and snacks to have there.
[highlight]HISTORICAL CITY CENTRE[/highlight]
Not far away from the train station is Potsdam’s historical city center. The Old Market Square and St. Nicholas’ church are some of the attractions there together with numerous restaurants and cafes.
A miniature of Brandenburg Tor it’s also there. On a walking distance from that you will get to the picturesque Dutch Quarter with the characteristic red brick houses.
Potsdam Filmmuseum it’s not only a beautiful building but a place to understand the history of movies produced in this area. Check it here.
On the way back to the train station and if walking you will go through the Bridge of Spies nicknamed this way for its history. During the Berlin Wall time this bridge was one of the most mysterious sites of the Cold War because it connected the soviet side in the East with the US side in the West where they would exchange captured spies and secret agents.
Potsdam is one of those fairy tale places, where most of the buildings make you just dream of kings and queens. The design of most of them reflects the environment you can feel around, in peace with nature.
It makes a great day out from Berlin and I can’t recommend it enough if you’re spending some time there.
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Have you been to Potsdam or would love to? What was your favourite area?
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Ok, first of all, your blog is ridiculously cute! Secondly, I like the way that you’ve presented this information. If I ever am lucky enough to travel I may take a few pointers from your blog!
Author
Thank you so much Amy! Please do and don’t hesitate to tell me if you any doubts or need more info!
Beautiful pictures! Your blog is not only useful..it is a great guide to Potsdam with all required details.
Potsdam looks peaceful and the spots looks good too. I’d love to travel there someday. Thankfully you shared lots of pics that’s why I felt I had a tour around Potsdam. I wish you also share foods too.
Potsdam looks really beautiful and picturesque. I know i have to visit Potsdam if I am lucky enough to visit Germany.
I am in Nepal. I don’t know when I got chance to visit Germany but after reading this I feel excited. Hope one day I will get chance to visit.
Potsdam is a beautiful city and the park is breathtaking, especially on the gorgeous day that you visited. Thank you for sharing. I have to visit Germany one day.
Author
Thank you Stephanie! It was a beautiful summer day indeed which made all the walking around much easier!
I like the way you write and the pictures are extraordinary!
Author
Thank you! xx
WOW that palace is breathtaking!! How exceptionally beautiful and what an amazing place to visit! I have only ever been to Germany once but I’d love to go back.
Beautiful, I loved the Palace and the Historical city centre so much. A great day trip to praise some lovely architectures.
A great place! The pictures are very beautiful. Are you a photographer?
Author
Thank you so much! Not really, amateur! xx
Another great place I wanted to visit. This will be a great getaway for relaxation, exploring new culture or just simply enjoy the beauty and grandeur of nature. Nice pictures and thanks for the information.
Author
You’re welcome Eliza, it’s a great place to spend a day!! x
Germany is so beautiful and picturesque! I have been wanting to go for ages but haven’t made it out. I must go soon!
That place looks like a dream to be honest. It reminds me of the caste in the new live action Cinderella movie. It just looks too amazing.
I have never heard of Potsdam before, I am actually going to Germany next year to visit family, so will make this a place to see.
Looks like a great place to visit! I am planning a trip to Berlin, so I will definitely add Potsdam to the list!
What a beautiful place to visit, all the buildings are beautiful and so historic.
Oh this looks like such a lovely place to go to for a day trip. I love all of the colors and the architecture. Thanks for sharing.
The Potsdam looks absolutely beautiful! Your post has some great insights on exploring places in Potsdam. Your pictures speak for itself how beautiful it is!
Knew I had to pin your post, I am loving the photos and how beautiful the place is!
Oh your photographs are gorgeous, so colourful. Potsdam looks so pretty. I have heard of it before but I can’t remember where I read about it but I have never been but it is certainly going on my list now and your directions are great, so clear and detailed. Very helpful indeed.
It is wonderful that just in one day you can see so much and visit all these fantastic places. Never been to Potsdam but as it’s so near Berlin, it would be nice to make a day trip there while visiting Berlin.
I love that you can get on a train and just head over for a day visit somewhere. Now, I would love to live in Europe for a while so I can do that. But since I am not, I will try to see what day trips I can do from my home. Thanks for the inspiration.
Great info and a wonderful place to visit. There are lots of excellent places to see in Germany. Sanssouci Park is gorgeous!
Ooh! Looks like one of those places where I would have to leave my son and my husband back in the hotel and do some touring on my own! love your orange dress though!
Wow! I’ve never been to Germany – this looks incredible. Especially the Charlottenhof Palace. May have to do a weekend break soon