More about: 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 because it is always renewed and surprises us with many novelties.
However, on the outskirts of the German capital is located a magnificent city that is worth leaving Berlin and reserve a day of your vacation to visit it. 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 Day Trip from Berlin
Excursion to Potsdam from Berlin
Discover the palaces and gardens of Potsdam on a 6-hour excursion from Berlin, with expert guidance and free time to explore on your own.
On this excursion to Potsdam from Berlin you will get to know the majesty of this historic city, famous for its fairytale palaces and spectacular gardens. You will explore sites such as the Glienicke Bridge, famous for spy exchanges during the Cold War, and Sanssouci Palace, the summer residence of Frederick the Great.
You will also visit Cecilienhof, the key site of the Potsdam Conference in 1945. Finally, you will enjoy some free time to stroll around the historic city center and discover its charming streets and stores.
Why I like this option: This is a well-rounded cultural excursion, ideal for exploring the elegance of Potsdam without leaving Berlin.
Recommended if. You are interested in Prussian history and want to discover world-renowned palaces and gardens on a getaway from Berlin.
Berlin City Bus Tour with Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Tickets and Potsdam Visit
Berlin, Sachsenhausen and Potsdam Tour
A 7-hour tour combining the best of Berlin, the history of Sachsenhausen and the majestic palaces of Potsdam, with expert guide included.
In this combined tour of Berlin, Sachsenhausen and Potsdam you will experience an intense and enriching day, ideal to make the most of your stay in the German capital. You will start with a bus tour of Berlin, where you will discover iconic monuments such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Cathedral and the Reichstag building.
Afterwards, you will visit the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, where an expert guide will tell you the history of this harrowing place. Finally, you will explore Potsdam, strolling through the gardens of Sanssouci Palace and visiting the historic Cecilienhof Palace. In addition, you will enjoy free time to discover Potsdam at your own pace.
Why I like this option: It is a perfect combination of history, architecture and nature in a full-day guided tour.
Recommended if.... You want to get to know three must-see places near Berlin without worrying about logistics.
This is what an organized excursion to Potsdam from Berlin looks like
If you have more time during your stay in Berlin to go on an excursion, then this half-day excursion to discover Potsdam on foot and guided by a guide on an exciting 6-hour tour through the streets of this Unesco World Heritage City is the right one for you.
During the route you will see the main tourist attractions of Potsdam that have given it its international fame as the gardens and the Sanssouci Palace (rococo air), 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 stunning views over the Havel River).
Other places of interest that you will have the opportunity to see on this tour of Potsdam is the picturesque Dutch Quarter, crossing the popular "Bridge of Spies" or walking through the Brandenburg Gate (older than the German capital).
Useful information about Potsdam
- Price: - from $168
- Duration: about 6 hours
What to see in Potsdam?
Gardens and Sanssouci Palace
This impressive 18th century palace was built by order of the Prussian King Frederick II "the Great" with the intention of being his summer residence near Berlin and 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 compared to the French palace.
Marble Palace of Frederick William II
The monarch also commissioned the Marble Palace on the shores of Lake Heiliger See as his summer residence.
It is striking for the beautiful landscape that surrounds it and for being the only Prussian palace in the classicist style with a cubic shape. The truth is that when it came to creating, Prussian architects were quite original and racked their brains so that no palace looked like the others.
Cecilienhof Castle
This beautiful palace built in Gothic-Tudor style by order of Emperor Wilhelm II and reminiscent of a large English country house is not only striking for its appearance, but because here took place an important chapter of European history of the twentieth century.
It was the place where Churchill (Great Britain), Truman (USA) and Stalin (USSR) met at the end of World War II to draw up the charter of the Potsdam Conference 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 those in Potsdam, which was also erected by King Frederick II in the eighteenth century.
It stands out 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 amazing. You will have the opportunity to contemplate 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, so be warned that you won't stop taking pictures!
The Dutch Quarter
This is one of the most peculiar 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 called "little Amsterdam" because its red brick buildings are very reminiscent of those in the capital of the Netherlands. In fact, the Dutch themselves came to feel at home here and if you have visited Amsterdam you can certainly understand them.
Bridge of the Spies
This bridge has an amazing history. Located over the waters of the Have River, during the Cold War it became a kind of border for the USSR and the United States in which 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 movies about spies that have been filmed here.
Brandenburg Gate
Although the most famous Brandenburg Gate is located in the German capital, the oldest is actually in Potsdam. It dates back to the 18th century and was built in the historic center (next to the Luisenplatz) 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. A place that despite having suffered several bombings during World War II was later restored to regain its former grandeur.
Take the opportunity to visit the main shopping street of the old town known as Brandenburger Strasse and buy some souvenirs of your visit, there are very cool local stores!
Why is a trip to Potsdam worthwhile?
Given the proximity of Potsdam to Berlin (it is located just 25 kilometers southwest of the German capital) it is a good idea to reserve a day of your vacation to make a trip to this former residence of the Prussian kings and German kaisers and get to know a little better the surroundings of Berlin.
As "Imperial City" that was preserved a very well maintained and really beautiful historic center. King Frederick II "the Great" had a weakness for this town, so he devoted much effort to beautify it and turn it into a place worthy of admiration 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 it because anyone who has ever visited Potsdam knows that it is a jewel.
Another reason to make an excursion to Potsdam from Berlin is to learn more about the recent history of Europe. This is where the Potsdam Conference was held where the victors of World War II divided Germany and other areas of influence.
If you like the historical theme, and specifically this period, you can combine the visit to Berlin and Potsdam with the visit to the concentration camp Sachsenhausen, which is also located very close to the capital of Germany. I tell you more about it in the post Visiting the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
How to get to Potsdam?
When booking online any of these tours to Potsdam from Berlin you must take into account that they do not include the transfer to and from Potsdam. That is, transportation is at your own expense. The easiest and fastest 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 about 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 valid for two hours.
The good news is that to get around Potsdam by public transport you can use the transport pass you use in Berlin, as long as it is valid for the ABC zones.
Useful information for Potsdam
How much do tickets cost?
I recommend you to have a look at the tickets to go on a tour to Potsdam from Berlin in Hellotickets because there are usually several options and the prices are quite tight. Here you can compare ticket availability, prices, schedules and guided tours. Currently there are no tours to Potsdam available but take a look at 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 tour to Potsdam from Berlin is 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 getaway for the months of July, August and September.
How to book?
If you plan to take a tour 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.