What to do in Potsdam in a day

When recently traveling to Berlin, I used the opportunity to visit Potsdam, the capital of the State of Brandenburg. This city in my mind was mostly the place of Sanssouci Palace, but there is much more to it. So if you have an opportunity to visit it in spring, summer or autumn, do it. This is a time when you can see its parks at their best. But even if you come to Berlin at any other time of the year, still go and see Potsdam. The city of Potsdam is known especially as having once been the favourite residence of the Prussian kings (in the 18th and 19th centuries) but it was more than 1000 years ago when Potsdam was first mentioned in a document. In the early 18th century, the "Soldier King" Frederick William I increased the population by bringing military battalions into the town. At that time each family was required to house from 2-6 soldiers in their attic rooms. When Frederick the Great assumed the throne, he built Sanssouci Palace and also the largest of Potsdam's palaces, the New Palace, in the middle of the 18th century.106 sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660915

In the 19th century, renowned landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné unified the palaces and the gardens into a harmonious landscape.
In 1990, the Potsdam-Berlin park landscape was inscribed on the UNESCO heritage list. Since then, UNESCO World Cultural site “Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin” has been enlarged twice. In 1992, Sacrow Palace and Park was added. Additional areas were integrated in 1999, including Alexandrowka Russian colony. Today the area of this UNESCO heritage site is over 2,000 hectares.
So let’s begin exploring Potsdam from its heart: the Old market square. You will be immediately attracted by the building of St.Nicolas church.

St Nicolas church

St. Nicholas’ Church at the Old Market is the largest church in Potsdam. The Classicist Evangelical Church with its great dome was originally designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Its concept included a large dome that was inspired by St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The building was completed in 1850. During World War II, the church was badly damaged in the bombing of Potsdam. After WWII, the church was largely restored to its original state again and it was re-consecrated in 1981. The rebuilt dome has a diameter of 24 meters and a height of 13 meters, and the impressive interior is 52 meters high. You can climb the Dome for great views over the city or enjoy concerts in the church.30st nicholas church potsdam thesanetravel.com 166034431st nicholas church potsdam thesanetravel.com 166032633st nicholas church potsdam thesanetravel.com 166033434st nicholas church potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660341Then turn to the building of Barberini Museum.

Barberini Museum

The Museum Barberini in the reconstructed palace is located on the square Alte Markt near the Stadtschloss (City Palace) where the Brandenburg Parliament meets. Built at the end of 18th century, the Palais Barberini was heavily damaged during an air raid in 1945 and because of that was demolished in 1948. From 2013 to 2016, the building was reconstructed as an art museum, designed with its historic façade and a modern interior. With the Museum Barberini, the city of Potsdam has gained an excellent new art venue. Centered on works from the collection of its founder and patron Hasso Plattner, the Barberini presents three temporary exhibitions per year, featuring loans from international museums and private collections. Check what is offered and pop in to see the artworks.41potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660349Then walk into the yard of the Brandenburg parliament building.

Brandenburg parliament building

This is a place of the oldest settlements in Potsdam. A number of fortifications, fortresses and castles had been there until Great Elector Frederick William had a new palace built in the second part of the 17th century. The palace was used as a residence until the end of the First World War. The palace is now transformed into an integral part of urban life. A donation of 20 million euros was made by the Hasso Plattner Foundation to the Land of Brandenburg to ensure that the Parliament (Landtag) building conformed as far as possible to the structure and appearance of the facade of the Potsdam city palace. This allowed the outside of the building to be restored in accordance with historic plans, measurements and photographs. It was interesting to notice that sign at the Parliament building was in two languages: German and also Lower Sorbian a Slavic minority language spoken in part of Brandenburg state.42potsdam thesanetravel.com 166035542sign landtag potsdam thesanetravel.com 166049043landtag potsdam thesanetravel.com 166049943potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660356Then walk to the nearby Film Museum.

Film Museum

This oldest film museum in Germany is located in the heart of Brandenburg's capital, so you can go behind the scenes of film and cinema. In a magnificent baroque building, stars of the silver screen shine. The museum shows the long history of the Babelsberg film studios, the oldest film factory in the world located next to Potsdam. The building of the current museum was built as an orangery at the end of the 17th century next to the Potsdam City Palace. It became a horse stable later. It was converted to a film museum in the 70s of 20th century.44potsdam thesanetravel.com 166037746potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660381After admiring this beautiful building and its exhibits, walk to the Dutch quarter.

Dutch quarter

Much of Potsdam was the swampland in the early 18th century so the king sought experts in construction on marshy soil - the Dutch. With the construction of the famous Dutch Quarter, he hoped to attract Dutch immigrants, but he did not succeed fully. In addition to the promised privileges, the willing Dutch settlers had to find dwellings that were modelled on those of their homeland. There are exactly 134 red two-storey brick houses, arranged in four squares. They make up the largest Dutch housing development outside the Netherlands. You can find arts and crafts shops, galleries, workshops, and cosy cafés there, and also two museums. There are three major festivals a year in the Dutch quarter – the tulip festival in April, the potters’ market in September and the Dutch Christmas market in the advent time.60potsdam thesanetravel.com 166057161potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660575When walking the Dutch quarter, notice the sign on the building at Mittelstrasse 3. It marks the place where the Captain of Köpenick (Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt) purchased his uniform from second-hand dealer Bertold Remlinter. Using it in 1906, he pretended to be a Prussian military officer, and with a number of soldiers under his "command" he "confiscated" more than 4,000 marks from a municipal treasury. Although he served two years in prison, he became a folk hero as The Captain of Köpenick.62potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660579Then continue your way to the Russian colony Alexandrowka.

Russian colony Alexandrowka

Alexandrowka is located in northern Potsdam. It consists of 13 wooden houses that were built in the early 19th century in Russian style at the request of the Prussian King, Friedrich Wilhelm III. The colony was built on the model of the park village of Glasovo near St. Petersburg. It served as a home for the Russian singers of the first Prussian guards regiment. "Russian Singer Choir" entertained the Prussian army with "song and tambourine and little bells". According to the will of the king, the Russian singers were allowed to move into the houses only when they were married. The houses could not be sold and could be inherited only in the direct male line. Therefore, many houses fell back to the king. After 100 years, just 4 of the houses were inhabited by direct descendants of the singers, including the 7th generation of the Anisimoff family.70potsdam thesanetravel.com 166062871potsdam thesanetravel.com 166062973potsdam thesanetravel.com 166063474potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660639The Russian village of Alexandrowka is unique and since 1999 it has been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. There are a museum and restaurant in the colony, so maybe you would want to stay longer. Then continue your way to the Cecilienhof Palace.

Cecilienhof Palace

Cecilienhof Palace in the New Garden was the last Hohenzollern palace, built for the crown prince Wilhelm during the years 1913-1917. The prince and his wife Cecilie – after whom it was named – opted for the style of an English country house. The 176 rooms include a smoking lounge, a library, a music salon and a room designed like a cabin on an ocean liner. The interior design is characterised by its simplicity and elegance, with plenty of wood.90cecilienhof potsdam thesanetravel.com 166068991cecilienhof potsdam thesanetravel.com 166068794cecilienhof potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660693Crown Prince Wilhelm and his wife Cecilie lived there until they fled in 1945. After that, the area of the New Garden, including the palace, was closed for many years and was used for military purposes of the Soviet Army.99 potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660651When walking around in the park, notice an interesting summer kitchen building and also the building of the former dairy.103cecilienhof potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660737100cecilienhof potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660686

The Potsdam Conference

After WWII ended, from the end of July until the beginning of August 1945 the Potsdam Agreement was negotiated and signed between Churchill, Truman, and Stalin in Cecilienhof Palace. Each of the “Big Three” was given their own room with its own furniture.96cecilienhof potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660701The great hall of the palace was converted into a conference room with a round table.97cecilienhof potsdam thesanetravel.com 166070798cecilienhof potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660719As the 75th anniversary of this event is approaching, there is one more good reason to visit Cecilienhof. After learning about this important event of the history, head to Palace Sanssouci.

Palace Sanssouci

The most visited attraction in Potsdam is the Palace Sanssouci. It was built in the middle of the 18th century when King Frederick the Great commissioned Rococo style Sanssouci Palace to be built as his summer residence. The last royal resident of Palace Sanssouci was the widow of Frederick William IV. Then the palace was converted into a museum and opened to the public in 1927. Frederick’s desire to be buried in the Palace Sanssouci was finally honoured in 1991, on the 205th anniversary of his death. With some 70km of walkways, Park Sanssouci is the largest park in Brandenburg. Its uniqueness attracts over a million tourists each year.105 sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660949106 sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660915111sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660763114sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660792115sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660796122sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660881 (1)123 sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660825124sanssouci palace potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660980

City gates

While walking in the Potsdam, notice its different city gates located around the city. Like all old towns in Germany, Potsdam used to have a sturdy city wall built in the early 18th century. It was to prevent desertions of soldiers and to ease the collection of taxes. Several gates and a few short sections of the wall still stand.

Brandenburg Gate

Not to be confused with the famous Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, this gate in what is now downtown Potsdam is just 3 years older than its famous namesake. It was built in the late 18th century. The reason for the name is the same in both cases: the roads starting at both Brandenburg gates used to lead to the town of Brandenburg. It was designed after the Arch of Constantine in Rome but it sure has its own characteristics. 130 brandenburg gate potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660997

Nauen Gate

The Nauen gate was designed by Johann Gottfried Büring, after an original sketch by King Frederick the Great. It was built in the middle of the 18th century and is one of the first examples of English Gothic Revival architecture in Continental Europe. 131 potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660583

Hunter's Gate

Built in the early 18th century, the Hunter's Gate is the oldest of Potsdam's preserved gates. It is named for the royal hunting grounds that were located right beyond the gate. 132 potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660605

Neustadt Gate

The original Neustadt Gate was built in the middle of the 18th century. It consisted of two obelisks, adorned with Egyptian looking hieroglyphs. The gate was severely damaged in World War II. Only one obelisk survived. It was restored in 1981 and was placed near the original location of the gate. 133 potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660303

After seeing the incredible sights of Potsdam, you deserve dinner at the Flying Dutchman restaurant.

The Flying Dutchman restaurant

Have a pleasant dinner at Zum Fliegenden Holländer, a historic restaurant-tavern in the Dutch Quarter. Many years ago restaurateur A. Seifert created a new gastronomic quality in the Dutch quarter and Gastronomy Company obtained the face to be recognized with its classic façade with the name of "Flying Dutchman."50flying dutchman thesanetravel.com 166057051flying dutchman restaurant potsdam thesanetravel.com 166040754flying dutchman restaurant potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660417When ordering, remember that portions in Germany are big, with Flying Dutchman being no exception.52 food flying dutchman thesanetravel.com 183757By the way, did you notice an elephant? Look there it is, under the table!55flying dutchman restaurant potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660412There are still many places to see in Potsdam so why not stay there overnight and see more the following day.

Your hotel in Potsdam: Am Großen Waisenhaus

1 grosen waisenhaus hotel thesanetravel.com 1660282Even though I am not a big breakfast eater, if there is just one reason to stay at Am Großen Waisenhaus, it is breakfast. The choice and taste of it is incredible.4grosen waisenhaus hotel potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660431What I liked most of all were wafers with raspberries.9grosen waisenhaus hotel potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660445It was the first hotel breakfast room where I saw two fresh juice making machines: one for oranges and the other for other fruits, not to mention a coffee machine that I just love.5grosen waisenhaus hotel potsdam thesanetravel.com 16604356grosen waisenhaus hotel potsdam thesanetravel.com 16604407grosen waisenhaus hotel potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660438The other thing that appealed to me very much in this hotel was the size of the room. My room was 37 sq. meters.16grosen waisenhaus hotel thesanetravel.com 166029412grosen waisenhaus hotel thesanetravel.com 1660285You could dance in it! The building of the current hotel was originally built as a ‘barracks for married soldiers’ 250 years ago.2grosen waisenhaus hotel potsdam thesanetravel.com 1660427The premises were taken over in the early 19th century by the Great Potsdam Orphanage and converted into a hospital for the orphans. To this day, the building is owned by the charitable foundation Grosses Waisenhaus zu Potsdam. The hotel also offers training to young people in the early steps of their career ladder.

Practical information

Choose your days of visiting Potsdam wisely. Avoid Mondays and Tuesdays if you can because some palaces and other sights might be closed on these days. If you visit palaces in the summertime, buy your ticket on the Internet in advance. Sanssouci and Cecilienhof palaces may be visited only as part of guided tours at certain times and the number of visitors in each tour is quite limited so secure your place in advance. To take photos in palaces, you have to buy a photography permit. Keep it; it is valid in all palaces. For more information to plan your travels, visit Potsdam Tourism and Brandenburg Tourism websites. Want to explore more? Check these exciting day trips from Berlin!

Disclaimer: This article is based on my press trip experience to Potsdam. I was kindly invited by the TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own. I had a great time and I wish you the same! Happy travels!

Like it? Pin it!The  capital of the State of Brandenburg Potsdam in Germany is known for once been the favourite residence of the Prussian kings. In 1990, Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin were inscribed on UNESCO heritage list. Learn how to spend a day in Potsdam. Even more, with so many places to see stay overnight in hotel in Potsdam. #potsdamsightseeing #potsdamtourfromberlin #sanssoucipalace #hotelpotsdam #travelblog #travelphotography

What did you think? Have you been to Potsdam? Or perhaps you’re thinking of visiting there in the near future? Either way, I’d love to hear from you so please add your comments below.

  • Published by Anita on March 15, 2019
  •  

    Author: Anita Sāne

    Anita 03 18

    About the author
    Anita is a part-time traveller, passionate photographer and a retired career woman from Latvia, 
    travelling mostly solo for more than 15 years. She is a skilled travel planner who plans and executes her travels by herself. Anita wants to show you how to travel the world and open your mind to new experiences. Follow her on FacebookInstagramPinterestTwitter and Bloglovin.

     

    Spend a day in Potsdam in Germany, once a residence of the Prussian kings. Enjoy UNESCO listed palaces and parks and more. https://bit.ly/2Feypaa By @thesanetravel #potsdamsightseeing #potsdamtourfromberlin #sanssoucipalace #hotelpotsdam #travelphotography #visitpotsdam

    Gravatar
    Elizabeth K.
    Your post made me want to visit Potsdam! Just small advice, your way to connect your audience from paragraph to paragraph is a bit confusing for me. For example, you wrote "Then continue your way to ... Russian Colony (bolded title)" which looks some sentence fragments. But maybe all the others don't care about such a small thing - I would like to say that your content is so great that you will definitely draw a large audience with this.
    Gravatar
    Alison
    Potsdam is stunning, you've shared such gorgeous photos! Sometimes I feel tourist miss Potsdam and only visit Berlin, which is a real shame, because it is well worth a visit.
    Gravatar
    Alma
    Beautiful photos! Looks like a lovely place to visit
    Gravatar
    Smita
    Potsdam is lovely! Especially in fall. I'd seen only the castle, but there's a lot more to cover I can see from your blog. Will do all the rest next time.

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