Potsdam

Travel Guide

Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board
Photo provided by German National Tourist Board

Discover magnificent Baroque architecture, stately gardens and cobblestone lanes lined with boutiques and cafés on a trip to this one-time royal garrison town.

Resplendent palaces, perfectly groomed parks, UNESCO World Heritage sites and a quaint historic center welcome visitors to Potsdam. This riverside city started life as a garrison town and later became the lavish residence of the kings of Prussia. Potsdam suffered severe damage during World War II and was then left neglected when it became part of post-war East Germany. Today, it’s back to its former glory and is a wonderful place to explore on foot, by tram and by boat on the Havel River.

For many, Potsdam’s greatest touristic appeal is Sanssouci ParkOpens in a new window. This vast green lung with art galleries, ornamental gardens, palaces and vineyards is often labelled as Germany’s answer to Versailles, France. Visit the Rococo-style Sanssouci PalaceOpens in a new window, built as a retreat for Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. Browse art displays at the Bildergalerie and Orangery Palace. Admire remarkable monuments such as the Chinese Tea House, New Chambers (Neue Kammern) and New Palace (Neues Palais).

Spend time exploring the city’s other gardens, including the riverfront Park BabelsbergOpens in a new window. Join a river cruise for impressive views of Glienicke Bridge and Glienicke Park. Take a tour of Cecilienhof Palace, the site of the 1945 Potsdam Conference, in the beautiful New Garden.

Potsdam’s old town is a warren of lanes set back from the City Canal. Marvel at the Church of St. Nicholas, Old Town Hall and Potsdam City Palace, which frame Altes Markt square. Find boisterous bars, cozy cafés and handicraft shops tucked into the corners of the Dutch Quarter.

While here, get a feel for the city’s student lifestyle by wandering amid the campuses of the University of PotsdamOpens in a new window. Learn about local and international cinematography at the Film Museum Potsdam, housed in a former royal stables. Attend film shootings, watch stunt displays and walk on movie sets at Filmpark Babelsberg.

Reach Potsdam by catching trains from BerlinOpens in a new window, DresdenOpens in a new window and HamburgOpens in a new window, among various major German cities. Popular as a daytrip from Berlin, you’ll also find a selection of guesthouses and hotels that allow you to linger a while amid the city’s royal elegance.

Where to stay in Potsdam

Brandenburg Region which includes heritage architecture

Dutch Quarter

5/5(5 area reviews)

Unique features of Dutch Quarter include the shopping and restaurants. Make a stop by Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate or Potsdam Christmas Market while you're exploring the area.

Dutch Quarter
Park Babelsberg featuring heritage elements, heritage architecture and chateau or palace

Babelsberg

Discover Babelsberg, memorable for its restaurants. Popular attractions in Babelsberg include Babelsberg Film Park and Griebnitzsee, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Babelsberg S-Bahn.

Babelsberg
Heiland Kirche at Port of Sacrow - near Potsdam.

Potsdam Nord

While visiting Potsdam Nord, you might make a stop by sights like The Biosphere and Potsdam People's Park and Kloster Zinna.

Potsdam Nord
Brandenburg Region which includes heritage architecture

Innenstadt Potsdam

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Discover Innenstadt Potsdam, memorable for its historic sites. Popular attractions in Innenstadt Potsdam include Museum Barberini and Potsdam Harbour, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Central Station/H.-Mann-Allee Tram Stop.

Innenstadt Potsdam
Brandenburg Region which includes heritage architecture

Nördliche Innenstadt

Nördliche Innenstadt is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Museum Barberini and Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate.

Nördliche Innenstadt
Potsdamer Institut für Klimafolgenforschung - ein schöner Spaziergang durch den Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein.

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research - nice walk along the historical Research Campus Albert Einstein.

Potsdam Süd

While you're in Potsdam Süd, take in top sights like Potsdam Forest and Havel Lake Area and jump on the metro at Zum Kahleberg Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Potsdam Süd
Kongresshotel Potsdam am Templiner See
Kongresshotel Potsdam am Templiner See
4 out of 5
Am Luftschiffhafen 1, Potsdam, BB
$82 nightly
The price is $95 total per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
$95 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Potsdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Templiner See and Charlottenhof Palace ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (614 reviews)
"Nice location for a conference."

Reviewed on Nov 22, 2024

Kongresshotel Potsdam am Templiner See
Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz
Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz
4.5 out of 5
Alexanderplatz 7, Berlin, BE
$107 nightly
The price is $123 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$123 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Berlin. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,647 reviews)
Can't go wrong with Park Inn
"Nice, clean, comfortable, & in a central location with multiple public transport options in immediate vicinity."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz
Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals
Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals
Lützowplatz 17, Berlin, BE
$105 nightly
The price is $121 total per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
$121 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Berlin. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,179 reviews)
"Great location down town Berlin with beautiful hotel."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Elisapart - Apartments am Sommerschloss
Elisapart - Apartments am Sommerschloss
Zeppelinstraße 143, Potsdam, BB
Stay at this aparthotel in Potsdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Charlottenhof Palace and Palaces and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (91 reviews)
"The air conditioning was centrally controlled so at night it was quite still and warm, but you could open a window. There might have been more food options than we found but food options close by were limited."

Reviewed on Sep 17, 2024

Elisapart - Apartments am Sommerschloss
Limehome Potsdam Annemarie-Wolff Platz
Limehome Potsdam Annemarie-Wolff Platz
Annemarie-Wolff Platz 4, Potsdam
Stay at this aparthotel in Potsdam. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and housekeeping. Popular attractions The Biosphere and Potsdam People's Park and Belvedere ...
7.2/10 Good! (11 reviews)
"Das Zimmer war leider sehr klein. Es wirkt auf den Bildern größer als es ist. Das ist aber auch der einzige Kritikpunkt. Alles andere was super und sehr empfehlenswert."

Reviewed on May 4, 2025

Limehome Potsdam Annemarie-Wolff Platz
Waveboard Hotel & Boardinghouse
Waveboard Hotel & Boardinghouse
Schiffbauergasse 13, Potsdam, BB
Stay at this apartment in Potsdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Hans-Otto-Theater and Jan-Bouman-Haus ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (109 reviews)
"This location was perfect for a relaxing vacation in Potsdam. The location staff was very helpful and welcoming. I will definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on Sep 26, 2024

Waveboard Hotel & Boardinghouse
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Potsdam

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 65%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I loved Potsdam. There is so much history and it's very walkable.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Potsdam is a beautiful city with lots of parks and lakes, interesting history with amazing castles, buildings and museums.

5/5 - Excellent

CMFacci

Very pleasantly surprised by Potsdam. Added it as a last minute stop on a roadtrip from Düsseldorf to Berlin. Beautiful, friendly city, would definitely recommend you give it an explore.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Only restaurants are open on Sunday. Complete your shopping on Saturday.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

This is a beautiful city, that has to be visited. Nice parks, palaces, city, food, lakes, history and people. Don’t miss the markets near the hotel.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Loved postdam

Cities near Potsdam