0
  • Schloss Sanssouci mit Weinbergterrassen, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann Schloss Sanssouci mit Weinbergterrassen, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann

Potsdam City of palaces and gardens by the water

Visit the city of Potsdam with its marvellous palaces and gardens built by the Brandenburg-Prussian kings, most notably the world-famous Sanssouci Palace. See the historic city centre with impressive baroque squares and the largest Dutch-style colony outside the Netherlands and enjoy the stunning view of Pfingstberg Hill from the Belvedere. Last but not least, pay a visit to the Museum Barberini – a top destination for art lovers. But the UNESCO World Heritage city, boasting an exceptional location and being surrounded by countless lakes right at the gates of Berlin, has more to offer.

Let's go! We show you how to spend the perfect day in the city of palaces and gardens, give you tips and recommendations surrounding your vacation and reveal the best highlights you don't want to miss.

Continue reading Collapse

Potsdam's historic centre

The splendour of monuments built during the reign of King Frederick the Great can also be found in the historic centre of the city, featuring baroque houses, city gates and Italian-style villas. Potsdam's City Palace (Stadtschloss) at Alter Markt on the banks of the Havel River has been rebuilt and serves as the seat for Brandenburg’s state parliament since late 2013.

Among the other striking monuments defining Potsdam’s historic architecture are the Church of St. Nicholas (Nikolaikirche). The former affords a fantastic panoramic view of the city. Located also at Alter Markt is the Potsdam Museum, with its golden atlas sculpture.

Having restored the destroyed Museum Barberini, which King Frederick the Great had once built as a city palace following the Roman example, the reconstruction of the historic Alter Markt has been completed. In a short space of time, the Museum Barberini has emerged as crowd puller in Potsdam’s city centre.

Situated at the Neuer Markt, one of Europe’s most beautiful baroque squares, is the “Haus der Brandenburgisch-Preußischen Geschichte” inside the “Kutschstall” or former royal stables. Nearby are the Filmmuseum. The permanent exhibition: “Dream Factory - 100 Years of Film in Babelsberg” tells the story of the legendary Babelsberg film studios - from the beginnings of film production to current productions such as Inglourious Basterds (2009).

Continue reading Collapse
Museum Barberini Museum Barberini, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann
Filmmuseum Potsdam Filmmuseum Potsdam, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann
Nikolaikirche in Potsdam Nikolaikirche in Potsdam, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann
    Museum Barberini Museum Barberini, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann
  • Filmmuseum Potsdam Filmmuseum Potsdam, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann
  • Nikolaikirche in Potsdam Nikolaikirche in Potsdam, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage: Potsdams Palaces and Gardens

In the past 300 years, Potsdam has transformed from a garrison town to one of the most prestigious residential cities in Europe. Just like his predecessors and successors, the Prussian King Frederick the Great commissioned numerous baroque monuments as well as 17 palaces and sites with opulently landscaped parks, among them Sanssouci Palace and Park with the New Palace (Neues Palais). Famous master builders like Knobelsdorff and Schinkel and renowned royal landscapers like Fürst von Pückler-Muskau, designed, as commissioned by the king, an impressive cultural landscape. Surrounded by the lakes of the Havel River, the historic treasures of the city can ideally be explored directly from the water on a round tour by boat. Boat captains find an incredibly vast water territory to explore on Potsdam's Havel lakes.

Continue reading Collapse
Das Orangerieschloss im Park Sanssouci Das Orangerieschloss im Park Sanssouci, Picture: SPSG/Reinhardt und Sommer
Blick auf den Park Babelsberg Blick auf den Park Babelsberg, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann
Schloss Cecilienhof im Neuen Garten Schloss Cecilienhof im Neuen Garten, Picture: Hans Bach
    Das Orangerieschloss im Park Sanssouci Das Orangerieschloss im Park Sanssouci, Picture: SPSG/Reinhardt und Sommer
  • Blick auf den Park Babelsberg Blick auf den Park Babelsberg, Picture: TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH/Steffen Lehmann
  • Schloss Cecilienhof im Neuen Garten Schloss Cecilienhof im Neuen Garten, Picture: Hans Bach

Highlights in Potsdam

Steam engine building (Mosque)

Steam engine building (Mosque) Steam engine building (Mosque) Steam engine building (Mosque) Steam engine building (Mosque)

The mosque with a minaret at the Neustädter Havelbucht was built to cover steam engines. In 1841 King Frederick Wilhelm IV…
The mosque with a minaret at the Neustädter Havelbucht was built to cover steam engines.…
The mosque with a minaret at the Neustädter Havelbucht was built to cover steam engines. In 1841 King Frederick Wilhelm IV instructed the…
The mosque with a minaret at the Neustädter Havelbucht was built to cover steam engines. In 1841 King Frederick Wilhelm IV instructed the…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
Steam engine house "Mosque" Potsdam, Foto: Wolfgang Pfauder, Lizenz: SPSG/
DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam

DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam

The MINSK has been the Museum of Modern Art in Potsdam since 2022. The exhibitions present works of art from the former GDR, which…
The MINSK has been the Museum of Modern Art in Potsdam since 2022. The exhibitions present…
The MINSK has been the Museum of Modern Art in Potsdam since 2022. The exhibitions present works of art from the former GDR, which are part…
The MINSK has been the Museum of Modern Art in Potsdam since 2022. The exhibitions present works of art from the former GDR, which are part…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam (construction site photo), Foto: André Stiebitz, Lizenz: PMSG Potsdam Marketing und Service GmbH
The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in Brandenburg

The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in Brandenburg The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in… The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in… The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in Brandenburg

The Soldier King, Frederick William I, urgently needed well qualified craftsmen for the extension of the garrison town. In the…
The Soldier King, Frederick William I, urgently needed well qualified craftsmen for the…
The Soldier King, Frederick William I, urgently needed well qualified craftsmen for the extension of the garrison town. In the neighbouring…
The Soldier King, Frederick William I, urgently needed well qualified craftsmen for the extension of the garrison town. In the neighbouring…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
Dutch Quarter , Foto: André Stiebitz, Lizenz: PMSG Potsdam Marketing und Service GmbH
Einstein Tower on Telegrafenberg Hill

Einstein Tower on Telegrafenberg Hill Einstein Tower on Telegrafenberg Hill Einstein Tower on Telegrafenberg Hill Einstein Tower on Telegrafenberg Hill

The Einstein Tower is the most impressive construction on the Telegrafenberg Hill in Potsdam. It is the first and one of the most…
The Einstein Tower is the most impressive construction on the Telegrafenberg Hill in…
The Einstein Tower is the most impressive construction on the Telegrafenberg Hill in Potsdam. It is the first and one of the most famous…
The Einstein Tower is the most impressive construction on the Telegrafenberg Hill in Potsdam. It is the first and one of the most famous…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
Einstein Tower, Foto: Bach, Lizenz: TMB-picture archive
Sanssouci Palace

Sanssouci Palace Sanssouci Palace Sanssouci Palace Sanssouci Palace

Entering the Park from the east you will first walk towards Sanssouci Palace. It was Frederick the Great's favourite place serving…
Entering the Park from the east you will first walk towards Sanssouci Palace. It was…
Entering the Park from the east you will first walk towards Sanssouci Palace. It was Frederick the Great's favourite place serving him as…
Entering the Park from the east you will first walk towards Sanssouci Palace. It was Frederick the Great's favourite place serving him as…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
Sanssouci Palalce, Foto: André Stiebitz, Lizenz: PMSG SPSG
Charlottenhof Villa

Charlottenhof Villa Charlottenhof Villa Charlottenhof Villa Charlottenhof Villa

In the southwest of Sanssouci Palace lies Charlottenhof, a small neo-classical villa, forming the architectural centre of a park,…
In the southwest of Sanssouci Palace lies Charlottenhof, a small neo-classical villa,…
In the southwest of Sanssouci Palace lies Charlottenhof, a small neo-classical villa, forming the architectural centre of a park, which was…
In the southwest of Sanssouci Palace lies Charlottenhof, a small neo-classical villa, forming the architectural centre of a park, which was…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
Charlottenhof Villa in Park Sanssouci, Foto: André Stiebitz, Lizenz: SPSG/PMSG
Steam engine building (Mosque)

Steam engine building (Mosque) Steam engine building (Mosque)

The mosque with a minaret at the Neustädter Havelbucht was built to cover steam engines. In 1841 King Frederick Wilhelm IV instructed the architect Persius to adapt Moorish architecture. At the time of the construction, the mosque was the highest building in the area and could be excellently spotted from the terrace of Sanssouci Palace. The steam engine, hidden in the mosque, was…
The mosque with a minaret at the Neustädter Havelbucht was built to cover steam engines. In 1841 King Frederick Wilhelm IV instructed the architect Persius to adapt Moorish architecture. At the time of the construction, the mosque was the highest building in the area and could be excellently spotted…
The mosque with a minaret at the Neustädter Havelbucht was built to cover steam engines. In 1841 King Frederick Wilhelm IV instructed the architect Persius to adapt Moorish architecture. At the time of the construction, the mosque…
The mosque with a minaret at the Neustädter Havelbucht was built to cover steam engines. In 1841 King Frederick Wilhelm IV instructed the…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
Steam engine house "Mosque" Potsdam, Foto: Wolfgang Pfauder, Lizenz: SPSG/
DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam

DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam

The MINSK has been the Museum of Modern Art in Potsdam since 2022. The exhibitions present works of art from the former GDR, which…
The MINSK has been the Museum of Modern Art in Potsdam since 2022. The exhibitions present…
The MINSK has been the Museum of Modern Art in Potsdam since 2022. The exhibitions present works of art from the former GDR, which are part…
The MINSK has been the Museum of Modern Art in Potsdam since 2022. The exhibitions present works of art from the former GDR, which are part…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam (construction site photo), Foto: André Stiebitz, Lizenz: PMSG Potsdam Marketing und Service GmbH
The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in Brandenburg

The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in Brandenburg The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in… The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in… The Dutch Quarter- A part of Holland in Brandenburg

The Soldier King, Frederick William I, urgently needed well qualified craftsmen for the extension of the garrison town. In the…
The Soldier King, Frederick William I, urgently needed well qualified craftsmen for the…
The Soldier King, Frederick William I, urgently needed well qualified craftsmen for the extension of the garrison town. In the neighbouring…
The Soldier King, Frederick William I, urgently needed well qualified craftsmen for the extension of the garrison town. In the neighbouring…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
Dutch Quarter , Foto: André Stiebitz, Lizenz: PMSG Potsdam Marketing und Service GmbH
Einstein Tower on Telegrafenberg Hill

Einstein Tower on Telegrafenberg Hill Einstein Tower on Telegrafenberg Hill

The Einstein Tower is the most impressive construction on the Telegrafenberg Hill in Potsdam. It is the first and one of the most famous constructions by the architect Erich Mendelssohn. The tower was completed in 1924 and is esteemed to be one of the most inventive and most important buildings of the 20th century. Until World War II Einstein Tower used to be the scientifically most…
The Einstein Tower is the most impressive construction on the Telegrafenberg Hill in Potsdam. It is the first and one of the most famous constructions by the architect Erich Mendelssohn. The tower was completed in 1924 and is esteemed to be one of the most inventive and most important buildings of…
The Einstein Tower is the most impressive construction on the Telegrafenberg Hill in Potsdam. It is the first and one of the most famous constructions by the architect Erich Mendelssohn. The tower was completed in 1924 and is…
The Einstein Tower is the most impressive construction on the Telegrafenberg Hill in Potsdam. It is the first and one of the most famous…
Potsdam | Potsdam
Find out more!
Einstein Tower, Foto: Bach, Lizenz: TMB-picture archive

Travel and trip planner

Map view
+49(0)331 2004747​ We are available for you via telephone: weekdays Mon – Fri 9 am – 1 pm and Oct. 31 from 9 am – 1 pm.

Thank you for your enquiry!

In case your enquiry did not result in a booking, we will be getting in touch with you as quickly as possible during our service hours from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

We are also glad to answer all of your questions surrounding the State of Brandenburg at (+49)(0)331- 200 47 47. Please send us an e-mail at service@reiseland-brandenburg.de.

Your information and travel agency service Brandenburg

Your request was not successful!

Please try again later. Thank you.

Your information and travel agency service Brandenburg

Online booking

Thank you for visiting www.brandenburg-tourism.com

This website has been developed with the latest technology. Unfortunately, you are using a browser that does not meet the latest technical requirements.

We therefore ask you to use an alternative browser (E.g. Google Chrome, Firefox or Edge) and we hope you enjoy browsing our website.