Potsdam is a town located near Berlin with more than 1000 years old history. It was a residence of the Prussian kings that now houses 16 (!!!) majestic palaces, castles, and many other royal buildings. Stepping into Potsdam feels like stepping into a wonderland. There are spacious parks and unrealistic buildings. It's such an impressive and rich city which is not possible to explore in only one day! Nevertheless, Potsdam is a great escape from the daily routine, especially for everyone living or visiting busy Berlin.

About Potsdam

Firstly, Potsdam is the largest city and the capital of Brandenburg, the German state. Secondly, Potsdam is the birthplace of European film production, or more precisely, you can find here Europes oldest and biggest film studio. Thirdly, Potsdam is a city of UNESCO World Heritage, full of unique buildings and royal residences. Potsdam is characterized by a 1000-year-old history that has been very well preserved till nowadays. Yes, this city really has 16 palaces (of which 3 are castles) and 3 historical parklands, but that's not all!

But why Potsdam is so full of royal buildings, parks, and gardens? Because Potsdam was a residence of the Prussian kings and emperors. Every Prussian ruler wanted to leave something behind himself, so they started to build amazing palaces and stunning buildings reflecting their power, wealth, and love.

How to get there

Not for nothing, Potsdam is one of the first choices when Berliners want to go on a one-day trip! Potsdam is situated only about 35 km from Berlin and you can get there easily by car, train, bus, and even bike. Getting there is really simple and cheap and you can open a totally new world full of magical parks and stunning palaces.

Potsdam is also one of my favorite one-day trips from Berlin. Nevertheless, only one day in Potsdam is too little! Parks are larger, palaces are more majestic and there are a lot more things to see and do, as you could imagine in the first moment. Because of that, I am visiting Potsdam at least once every 3-4 months and almost always I find something new and unseen!

16 Palaces and Castles

Yes, you heard me right, Potsdam houses 16 various palaces and castles! It's an unrealistic number for one city, but exactly this thing makes Potsdam so special! After moving to Berlin and discovering Potsdam, I am visiting this city about 3 times a year, so I have been there at least 10 times. Nevertheless, I still haven't seen all 16 castles, smallest streets, greenest park corners, and all hidden gems. Potsdam is so colorful and rich, that I don't mind leaving something unseen for my next visit!

Most of the 16 palaces are situated in Potsdam's 3 main parks – Sanssouci, Babelsberg, and New Garden. Sanssouci Park is near the city's center and gives a nice opportunity to see at least 5 palaces in one day! But even if the palaces and castles look pretty close to each other, don't let this feeling fool you. In reality, you have to walk enough good pieces to see them all.

Every palace and castle is left by different Prussian rulers, kings, and princes and is dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Every palace and castle is unique and has a different story to tell. But all together, they shape one of the largest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany.

8 more things to see
in Potsdam

Sanssouci Park

Sanssouci Park is the largest park in Potsdam and a place to be proud of! Sanssouci Park takes about 300 hectares from the city's center and in 1990 was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List. For more than 250 years the best architects, sculptors, and gardeners have worked here to make this park perfect. It includes 5 amazing palaces - Sanssouci Palace, New Palace, New Chambers Palace, Orangery palace, and Charlottenhof Palace. There are also many interesting buildings like Chinese House, Temple of Friendship, Dragon House, many beautiful fountains, and more than 230 000 plants. Sanssouci Park is an amazingly large, green, and beautiful park leaving every visitor breathless.

Ruins Hill (Ruinenberg)

Ruins Hill or the Ruinenberg, as you already can imagine, is a hill in Potsdam decorated with artificial ruins - Roman pillars, a round temple, and the wall of the Roman theater. For this hill, Prussian kings in the 18th century had big plans, but due to technical difficulties, projects were abandoned. Since that time, this is one of the best historical viewing points in Potsdam. From above, you can get a stunning view of Sanssouci Park and its surrounding.

Brandenburg Gate and Street

The Brandenburg Gate is a very special place and a culmination of the Potsdam promenade. The Gate is actually a triumphal arch, built in the 18th century. With this arch king, Frederick the Great, celebrates his victory of the Seven Years' War. But the so-called Potsdam promenade actually is the Brandenburger street - a pedestrian street full of smaller and bigger shops, restaurants, cafes, and souvenir stands. It leads you deeper in the center to the Peter and Paul church.

Dutch Quarter (Holländisches Viertel)

Dutch Quarter is a small neighborhood near Potsdams center, consisting of 134 red Dutch brick buildings. They were built somewhere between 1734 and 1740 to attract skilled workers from the Netherlands. Today this quarter is also known as ''Little Amsterdam'' and is one of the largest closed Dutch-style building quarters outside the Netherlands. It is a very picturesque district full of small backyard pubs, cozy cafes, art craft and souvenir shops, galleries, and a special charm.

The New Garden

The New Garden in Potsdam is the newest park, nevertheless already included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed as a modern version of the Sanssouci Park and includes several architectural gems, such as the Marble Palace (Marmorpalais), Gotische Bibliothek, Pyramid (ice house), and Cecilienhof Palace. Cecilienhof here is one of the most famous buildings and has a special charm. It was built between 1913 and 1917 and was famous for being the main location of the Potsdam Conference between the Soviet Union, UK, and USA leaders.

The Old Market Square

The Old Market Square is the historical center and the heart of Potsdam. In this place, the history of Potsdam has begun! And even though the square has been architectural reconstructed many times, some things have never changed - for centuries the square has been the economical and political center of the city. And now, surrounded by buildings like The City Palace, St. Nicholas Church, and The Old Town Hall, this place makes you feel like returning in time and place, where very serious decisions were made.

Alexandrowka

Sounds Russian? Maybe because Alexandrowka is the Russian Colony in the north of Potsdam! When I first heard about this place I was very surprised! A Russian colony near Potsdam's center sounds crazy, but it immediately caught my attention! Alexandrowka was built between 1826 and 1827 on a special wish of the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III. The colony was made from Russian-styled wood houses and originally was the home of Russian singers. Nowadays, there isn't much left, but it's part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Still, you can see there a few houses and visit a museum and a Russian cuisine restaurant.

Park Babelsberg

Park Babelsberg is one of my favorites! It is located on the banks of the Havel River and in 114 hectares includes richly decorated gardens, neo-Gothic Babelsberg Palace, stunning flower terraces, fountains, and numerous footpaths. Since the 1960s, Babelsberg park has been recognized as a historic garden and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also called one of the best world examples of garden designs. Babelsberg park and the palace are really breathtaking sites! And it only takes a 30-60 minute drive from Berlin but feels like in some wonderland! Just come and visit it! I am sure, you will like it!

BUT THAT’S ALL FROM ME TODAY!
STAY SAFE AND DON’T FORGET TO SHARE THIS
POST WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND CASTLE LOVERS! ♥