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Potsdam, Germany. A fabulous German city full of film making history, beautiful old buildings and miles of green space. It makes a brilliant short break destination, or day trip from neighbouring Berlin.

Potsdam, Brandenburg, Deutschland - View across the Havel river towards Potsdam Hafen and city center with St. Nikolaikirche dome and Stadtschloss reflected in the river
Image Credit: GNTB/ Francesco Caravillano

I loved my trip to Potsdam so this post is me sharing the information that will help you plan your best trip; how to travel, where to stay and what to see.

How to Get to Potsdam, Germany

The easiest way to access Potsdam is via Berlin. The regional train service (RB 22) connects Potsdam and Brandenburg Airport with an hourly service.

There is also a bus service – BER2- which runs 15 times a day between the airport and Potsdam Main Station.

Once you are in Potsdam, public transport is clean, cheap and easy to use. If you purchase a Berlin-Potsdam Welcome card, public transport is included.

If not, there are a variety of budget friendly ticket options. As a family of five, we picked up a small group ticket allowing unlimited travel for 24 hours across all three zones (ABC) for €33.

Find more information here.

Things to Do in Potsdam

Visit the Sanssouci Palace

Potsdam has been called the ‘Versaille of Germany’ and when you see the palaces and parks here, you’ll understand why. This city in Germany is home to 17 palaces across 3 parks. Impressive!

Start off at the Sanssouci- the name means literally without cares– designed by and built for Frederick the Great in the 1700s.

He wanted a Summer residence, sanctuary and place to relax away from the Royal Court and so had a Potsdam palace built from his own ideas and sketches. The result is jaw dropping; lots of marble, gold and things of beauty everywhere you look.

Things Helen Loves, Marble Hall at Sanssoucci Palace in Potsdam, Germany. Marble columns with gold tops run the length of a white room with an ornate marble floor. Sun shines across the room from floor to ceiling windows.

Not to be missed is the Marmorsaal (Marble Hall), a ceremonial room featuring columns of Carrara marble and an elaborate marble floor. Very extra, very beautiful.

Although there is lots of grandeur, the palace feels quite intimate. Built to impress but also to be enjoyed. Not to be missed.

Explore the Sansoucci Park

The Sansoucci Palace sits within the vast Sansoucci Park, a green space full of winding pathways and beautiful buildings and features including:

  • The Chinese House: an elaborate garden house featuring  life-size gilded figures and painted ceiling showing the artists idea of Chinese society at the time.
  • The Orangery Palace: A 300m long, Italian inspired thing of beauty.
  • The Historic Mill: A restored working mill with an interesting past that is explored in an exhibition within. The mill has a small cafe and shop, where you can by Sansoucci flour.

The Sansoucci Park is large with so many delightful things to see, you might want to consider bike hire to make the most of your time.

The Dutch Quarter

The Dutch Quarter is a charming Potsdam neighbourhood, full of pretty red brick houses. They were originally built in the 1700s for Dutch craftsmen invited to the city by King Frederick Wilhelm I.

A unique place, home to cafes and boutiques and a lovely place to stop for a coffee.

Things Helen Loves, row of red brick houses shaped in traditional Dutch style in Potsdam, Germany
Image Credit: GNTB/ Basel Al Ashkar

Have A Vintage Cinema Experience

In 2019 Potsdam was granted the title of “UNESCO Creative City of Film”, so it’s the perfect place to explore the history of film making. The Film Museum Potsdam is the oldest film museum in Germany and celebrates a century of film making.

Keeping in mind that a century of German film making covers WW2 and a divided Germany, this museum checks the box for cinema enthusiasts and history lovers alike.

Image Credit GNTB/Andre Stiebitz

It’s also possible to see a range of films here. Don’t speak German? No problem. The Film Museum also shows some old silent movies accompanied by a Welte cinema organ.

If you’d prefer a more thrill seeking cinema experience, check out Babelsburg Film Park.

 Biosphere Potsdam

Find the tropics in Potsdam at Biosphere Potsdam.

Things Helen Loves, woman stands on bridge surrounded by lush jungle plants. She wears a long brown skirt and a denim jacket. At Potsdam Biosphere, Potsdam, Germany

The jungle under a dome is made up of 20,000 plants, and residents include free flying birds, a variety of insects (contained, thankfully) and a beautiful butterfly house. Waterfalls, winding paths and an hourly indoor ‘thunderstorm’ complete the tropical atmosphere. There’s also an aquarium.

A great family-friendly option, especially if visiting in the colder months.

Where to Stay in Potsdam, Germany

Hotel Altstadt: Comfortable rooms and authentic German hospitality located in the Old Town area of Potsdam, within walking distance of the Dutch Quarter and the beautiful Sanssouci Park.

Things Helen Loves, exterior of Hotel Altstadt in Potsdam, Germany. Two potted trees in teracotta pots stand either side of a double door. Letters over the door read Hotel Altstadt
Things Helen Loves, image of double bedroom at Hotel Altstadt, Potsdam, Germany. Two single mattresses and two single duvets make up the bed with wooden headboard behind and crisp white pillows. Lamps are on on each side. Potsdam, Germany

Kongresshotel Potsdam am Templiner See: A more indulgent stay, the Kongresshotel Potsdam enjoys a peaceful setting by lakes and woodlands, yet is just ten minutes from the centre by public transport.

Facilities include an indoor pool, spa and gym plus several onsite restaurants and bars. This hotel is also just 30 minutes by public transport from Berlin, making it the ideal option if you fancy combining time in Berlin and Potsdam in one trip.

Things Helen Loves, image of Kongresshotel Potsdam in Potsdam Germany, Modern bulidings can be seen amongst trees and grass. Water can be seen in foreground, blue sky above.
Image Credit: Booking.com.

If you liked this post you might also enjoy 6 Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Hannover

Until next time,

Helen x

6 thoughts

  1. These are actually good tips:) I have also in mind a trip to Berlin, and then Potsdam and Dresden. Berlin I have visited before, so it will not be the main focus, but I’m so excited for Potsdam and Dresden.

    I also like to use public transport whenever I get the change. However, when in Germany, I always felt the train is really expensive though…

    Would love to stay connected and share inspiration.
    Here is my travel site:
    https://egodiary.com/2017/09/21/veliko-tarnovo-the-town-of-the-kings/

    I would love to have your support and follow as you can count on mine.
    Julia

    Reply
    1. ThingsHelenLoves says:

      Berlin and Potsdam are amazing places, close neighbours but with quite a different feel. Dresden looks beautiful, certainly on my to-visit list. Would love to take a look at your blog, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment

      Helen

      Reply

  2. Looks lovely! Germany is always so clean!

    Reply
    1. ThingsHelenLoves says:

      I always enjoy time spent exploring Germany, and yes, it’s generally pretty clean and tidy!

      Reply

  3. The one and only time that – so far – I’ve been to Berlin, we were only able to spend a day in Potsdam. I think it’s fair to say we did the basics, but there’s so much more to explore. As Berlin is still very much on our ‘must revisit’ list, it looks as though a further trip to Potsdam is a must! Thanks for this post.

    Reply

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