Cities
Potsdam

Potsdam

Germany

Potsdam is more than just a beautiful collection of parks and palaces; it's a profound journey through German history, where the splendor of Prussian royalty and the gravity of Cold War politics intertwine. Often nicknamed the "Prussian Versailles," this city, located just southwest of Berlin, is a sprawling cultural landscape recognized as a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site. The heart of Potsdam's fame rests in its role as the second royal residence of the Prussian Kings, most notably under Frederick the Great. It was he who commissioned the iconic Sanssouci Palace, a masterpiece of German Rococo. Meaning "without a care" in French, the palace was Frederick's intimate summer retreat, set upon sun-drenched vineyard terraces. The surrounding Sanssouci Park is a breathtaking ensemble of architecture and nature, featuring the grander, more imposing New Palace, the charming Chinese Tea House, and the Roman Baths. Beyond Sanssouci, the city’s multifaceted heritage is revealed in its distinct quarters. The charming Dutch Quarter (Holländisches Viertel), built in the 18th century to attract Dutch craftsmen, stands out with its red-brick houses, gabled facades, and cozy courtyards, giving Potsdam a unique, almost Amsterdam-like feel. Another fascinating stop is the Russian Colony Alexandrowka, a picturesque settlement of wooden houses built for Russian singers in 1826. Potsdam’s narrative leaps from royal playground to a pivotal moment in global history at the Cecilienhof Palace. This grand, English Tudor-style country house in the New Garden hosted the Potsdam Conference in 1945, where Allied leaders Truman, Churchill, and Stalin met to decide the post-World War II order. A short distance away is the infamous Glienicke Bridge, known during the Cold War as the "Bridge of Spies," the eerie location for high-profile agent exchanges between East and West. Today, Potsdam is a vibrant blend of its royal past and modern life. It’s not just a city of historical monuments but also a thriving center for science, education, and film, home to the historic Babelsberg Film Studio. To walk through Potsdam is to step through centuries—from the refined elegance of Frederick the Great's world to the dramatic tension of a divided Europe—all set within a landscape meticulously designed as an enduring work of art.

What to see in Potsdam

Botanischer Garten Potsdam Botanischer Garten Potsdam Botanical Garden Charlottenhof Palace Charlottenhof Palace Castle Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg Castle New Palace Potsdam New Palace Potsdam Castle Marmorpalais Marmorpalais Castle Schloss Babelsberg Schloss Babelsberg Castle Schloss Sacrow Schloss Sacrow Castle Church of the Redeemer Church of the Redeemer Church St. Nicholas Church Potsdam St. Nicholas Church Potsdam Church Friedenskirche Friedenskirche Church Open Air Kinosommer am Waschhaus Open Air Kinosommer am Waschhaus Cinema a|e Galerie a|e Galerie Gallery Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam e.V. Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam e.V. Gallery Galerie KUNST-KONTOR Galerie KUNST-KONTOR Gallery Kunsthaus sans titre Kunsthaus sans titre Gallery Sperl Galerie Sperl Galerie Gallery Nauen Gate Nauen Gate Historical Landmark Pheasantry Pheasantry Historical Landmark Brandenburg Gate Postdam Brandenburg Gate Postdam Historical Landmark Loggia alexandra Loggia alexandra Historical Landmark Wasserturm Potsdam Hauptbahnhof Wasserturm Potsdam Hauptbahnhof Historical Landmark Kolonnade mit Triumphtor Kolonnade mit Triumphtor Historical Landmark Jägertor Potsdam Jägertor Potsdam Historical Landmark Antique Temple Antique Temple Historical Landmark Muschelgrotte Muschelgrotte Historical Landmark Normannischer Turm Normannischer Turm Historical Landmark Gartendirektionsgebäude Gartendirektionsgebäude Historical Landmark Chinesisches Haus Chinesisches Haus Historical Landmark Temple of Friendship Temple of Friendship Historical Landmark Neptune Grotto Neptune Grotto Historical Landmark Obeliskportal Obeliskportal Historical Landmark Römische Bäder Römische Bäder Historical Landmark Flatowturm Flatowturm Historical Landmark Winzerberg Potsdam Winzerberg Potsdam Historical sites Floh- & Bauernmarkt am Weberplatz Floh- & Bauernmarkt am Weberplatz market Stoffmarkt Holland Stoffmarkt Holland Market Wochenmarkt am Nauener Tor Wochenmarkt am Nauener Tor Market Kunstraum Potsdam Kunstraum Potsdam Museum Nowaweser Weberstube Nowaweser Weberstube Museum Im Güldenen Arm Im Güldenen Arm Museum Garnisonkirche Garnisonkirche Museum Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam Museum Filmmuseum Potsdam Filmmuseum Potsdam Museum Natural History Museum Potsdam Natural History Museum Potsdam Museum Historic Mill of Sanssouci Historic Mill of Sanssouci Museum Extavium Extavium Museum Jan Bouman House Jan Bouman House Museum Museum Alexandrowka Museum Alexandrowka Museum URANIA-Planetarium Potsdam URANIA-Planetarium Potsdam Museum Museum Barberini Museum Barberini Museum DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam Museum museum FLUXUS+ museum FLUXUS+ Museum Villa Schöningen Villa Schöningen Museum Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation Museum Memorial and Encounter Site Leistikowstraße Potsdam Memorial and Encounter Site Leistikowstraße Potsdam Museum House of Brandenburg-Prussian History House of Brandenburg-Prussian History Museum Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte Museum Gutspark Gutspark Museum Ausstellungspavillon des Brandenburgischen Kunstvereins Potsdam e. V. Ausstellungspavillon des Brandenburgischen Kunstvereins Potsdam e. V. Museum Einstein Tower Einstein Tower Observatory Bornstedt Crown Estate Bornstedt Crown Estate Palace Orangerieschloss Orangerieschloss Palace Sanssouci Palace Sanssouci Palace Palace Neuer Garten Neuer Garten Park Volkspark Potsdam Volkspark Potsdam Park Freundschaftsinsel Freundschaftsinsel Park Park Babelsberg Park Babelsberg Park Bank mit Havelblick Bank mit Havelblick Park Sanssouci Park Sanssouci Park Park Hans Otto Theatre Hans Otto Theatre Theatre Reithalle Reithalle Theatre Theaterschiff Potsdam Theaterschiff Potsdam Theatre T-Werk T-Werk Theatre Kabarett Obelisk Kabarett Obelisk Theatre Fabrik Potsdam Fabrik Potsdam Theatre Fortunaportal Fortunaportal Tourist attractions