Potsdam has been on my to-visit list for quite some time now and it doesn’t disappoint. I would recommend to visit combined with visiting Berlin. There is quite a contrast between these two cities. Potsdam has a laid-back feel and wonderful heritage architectures and beautiful gardens, all under the Unesco Heritage and very well worth a visit.
Getting there
From Berlin, buy a day ticket for ABC Zone. At the time of my visit it is 7.70 Euros. This all-powerful ticket will serve you well in both Berlin and Potsdam, you can use the public transportation then in both cities. Take the S-Bahn 7 from the Berlin Central Station, direction Potsdam Hauptbanhof. Instead of going directly to the Potsdam Central Station , I stopped at an earlier station “Berlin-Wannsee”
From the station, look for bus signs and follow it and take Bus 316 heading towards Glienicker Brücke. Takes about 10 minutes to arrive and the stop is directly at the Bridge. Around there , are indicators of where the Berlin Wall used to be.
The Bridge is not very big or grand but hugely significant historically during the Cold War where prisoner exchanges are done here. The movie Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks where the Glienicke Bridge is depicted. It goes across the Havel River.
Walking across the Bridge from Berlin to Potsdam , felt somehow like being back to the past and can easily be imagined how it was in those days. In the middle point there is a plaque , rather discreet on the ground that shows the divide.
After crossing the Bridge, take a right turn along the river’s gravel path will bring you to Neue Garten (New Garden), a Unesco heritage site. Its a big landscaped garden area with plenty of space. We were there in Winter and the wind was ice cold , making it rather uncomfortable to walk really much. In summer time though , it is a very popular place for nude sunbathing. Don’t be too shocked if you come across them. 🙂
There is a small bridge called the SchwanenBrucke where the picturesque Hasengraben flows into the Havel river. On the side of the Hasengraben, stands many beautiful houses.
If you follow the path along the Hasengraben where it ends is the Heiliger See and looking across the lake you will see the Marmorpalais (Marble Palace). That day the Heiliger See was also frozen and people were playing ice hockey and skating on the lake.
Continue along the path towards the Grunes Haus (Green House) which is a summer residence ,
then there are signs to the Schloss Cecilienhof. Its claim to fame is that this is the site of the Potsdam Conference in 1945 where Churchill, Truman and Stalin met to discuss the further administration of post-Nazi Germany. The Schloss has a Soviet red star in the Courtyard. Here is the Link for opening hours and admission fees to Schloss Cecilienhof.
Since it was too chilly , we took the exit out from the park after Cecilienhof . Take the bus no. 603 (Direction : Potsdam, Platz der Einheit/West) and stop at Potsdam Rathaus.
Here is a little walking map of what is described at the top.
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1XIVz1x0NoPw0v6NPUcA8IBFryfUjmI4K&w=640&h=480]
Ahead you can already see the Nauener Tor which is one of the remaining three gates in the city. Go through the gates and you would have stepped into the Netherlands. Well, not quite but this is the biggest Dutch architecture collection outside of the country.
Now you are in what is known as the Dutch Quarter. Its not hard to see why and strolling around this area is nice with shops on both sides of the road.
Or pop in for a short coffee break, that’s what I did at a little bakery with smells of nice fresh bread.
My selections in the end was coffee with Quarktörtchen (cheese cake) which was pretty good and not that sweet (so important!)
After the short break, we carried on walking until arriving at a junction with the road Brandenburger Straße. You can’t miss it because you will see a mini BrandenburgerTor at the end of the road. This road is the site of the Christmas Market during the season.
Walk through the gates and cross the road to the square and continue walking through it , to come to the entrance to the Sanssouci
Near to the gates , there is a small path to the right , an entrance to a garden , go through it and you will come to the Marly gardens and also to the Church of Peace. The architecture here is unmistakably Italian-influenced.
After exploring, exit the gardens to continue towards the Palace, the whole park and Palace is a wondrous site with beautiful gardens. Be prepared to walk a lot as the grounds are huge. Here is the link for opening times and admission fees for the Palace.
Another Link for the New Palace as well.
The Grounds and gardens of course are best visited in the spring and summer months when the flowers are out in bloom.
Since there are so many exits out of the Sanssouci Park, there are as many possible bus stops from there to the Potsdam Central Train Station. Google maps helps a lot here. Most if not all the buses are heading to the Train Station , so you should look out for the Direction Potsdam Hauptbanhof on the buses. If you have the ABC ticket from the morning this is all valid for use here.
Take the S-Bahn7 Direction S + U Berlin Hauptbanhof to return to Berlin.
*Side Note for Malaysians craving for Malaysian food:
The S-Bahn7 stops at -S Charlottenburg Bahnhof on the way back to Berlin. When you get off at the station , look to exit at Stuttgarter Platz. It is very near the station exit – only need to cross the street and a few meters away to the left. It is called Seri Melayu and as the name implies , it serves Malay style food.
Then just take the S-Bahn 7 back to Berlin or if you have other destinations in mind there is also the U-Bahn station nearby.
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Correct me if I am wrong – the Germany used to be divided into two – the East and West, like the South and North Korea?
It was remarkable that now they are as ONE. There are so many places to see, and I understand that this bridge symbolism a strong unity for all. I would love to visit Potsdam soon.
You are absolutely right and the line between EAST and WEST germany is marked in Potsdam – which was so very amazing to see.
The link between easy ans west getmany is such an important place to see. So much hisotry happened there and even those who are not interested in the history I think will be amazed by the place. Potsdam is one of the must see while in germany. I am glad you mention it and give ptactical information.
Wow, Potsdam sounds like a great cultural and historical side trip from Berlin. It must have been amazing to walk through the town and see remnants of the Berlin Wall. Also the bridge is so beautiful.
I would love to spend some time at Dutch Quarter. The shopping and bakery sound so nice. I’d love to get some good coffee and pastries and spend a few hours there!
The view is great and I just came up with a lot of photography ideas at the New Palace Potsdam. Love the details. Will keep in mind to visit during spring or summer months.
Potsdam is such a beautiful place. It is a must-visit place when you are in Berlin. I was there this December and I had a great time in Sanscoucci Palace complex. The place is rich in history and culture. Thanks for bringing back my memories of Potsdam.
We went to Berlin on a daytrip, so we didn’t have time to explore Potsdam though we were aware of it. So thanks for this virtual tour of Potsdam.
OMG! Look at you standing on frozen water! Its so pristine and so charming!!!
I should head to Berlin again to see whatever I missed last time.
It was very good to learn about a new place. I liked Potsdam for its simple, laid-back appeal. And it has so much heritage. I would love to see the Palace complex and the mark that used to divide East and West Germany. My friend has just shifted to Berlin, I will tell her about this place.
Wow postdam sounds like a historical place is berlin. I love history so this place is something which i would love to visit and know more about it. Your pictures are amazing and thanks for sharing.
The whole of Germany is on our travel wish list. Can’t believe we have not visited with so many great spots to see. Good to know you can explore Potsdam as a day trip from Berlin. And using public transit too. I love cities that have kept the old gates intact. Always fun to walk through and see the old town inside. Especially when there are options for nice treats on your walk. We would definitely want to visit the Palace. One for our growing Germany list.
What a historic experience to see the connection between east and west. I’d love to visit the Dutch quarter for that cheesecake and to shop. Potsdam definitely looks like a great day trip from Berlin!
I went to Potsdam as a day trip from Berlin back in 2015 and I knew about the palace but when I arrived, it completely took my breath away. I spent all day checking out the palace, art galley, the park, that I didnt have time to have a wander around the town. This is one of my favourite areas of Germany for historical buildings and I wouldnt mind hitting up the place again. Reading this post and checking out your photos brought back many good memories.
Potsdam looks like a gorgeous city. Seeing the division between east and west Germany would be quite the experience- I can only imagine the wave of emotions that would come over you. That bakery looks incredible! I would have gone with the cheesecake as well. Yum!
This post comes at a great time as I am looking to visit Berlin later this year so a trip to Potsdam would be added to my list . Thanks to posts like these get to know about places like these which I would not have though of visiting otherwise. It does look beautiful and as you say I like places with a laid-back feel and heritage architectures. Great to know it is easily accessible from Berlin and is not to expensive to travel to either.
I have never heard of Potsdam so stumbling upon this blog post is a blessing! It looks like an old, small town? The Quarktörtchen looks amazing! I looooveee cheesecakes but I like mine really sweet.
While I’ve been several times to Germany, I’ve never heard of Potsdam. There are clearly some great things to see here like the new palace. I’ll bookmark this for the future!
I am amazed to learn about the link between East and West Germany. It must have been such an important place to visit. I will surely visit Potsdam and won’t miss this particular site. Even the Brandenburger street looks so interesting.
I’ve never been to Potsdam but this article really makes me want to visit. The Marmorpalais in particular looks cool. It’s probably added with the fact everything was frozen over and people skating though! I’ll be sure to research Potsdam further
About 34 years ago, I crossed from West Berlin to East Berlin at Checkpoint Charlie with snipers pointing their guns at my head as I walked through the barbed wires and 2 story steel gates. I’m glad that it looks so different now and your experience was so nice.
Oh my, what a thing to go through! I would never be able to imagine how it really was at the time. I guess you were visiting the eastern side but stayed at the western end ?
Potsdam has been in my wishlist too for long! I wanted to combine the visit with Berlin as well, but I spent all the time in Berlin and missed Potsdam.
I can imagine your feeling at Glienicker Brücke. I had a similar feeling at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin. Just to imagine how it would have a couple decades back sends a chill down the spine.
I hope to visit Berlin again, this time dedicated to just Potsdam.
Great post!! There is so many places in Germany that has some profound past and Potsdam is one of them. I have always had list of places that I would love to visit while traveling in Germany and potsdam is one of them. I just couldn’t fathom how different everything might have looked just few decades ago.
I just love visiting Germany, but Potsdam is a city I haven’t been to yet. Thanks for a little inspiration, I may have to keep an eye for cheap fares there.
I’m planning a trip to Berlin and am excited to add this to my itinerary! I love UNESCO hertiage sites and this looks fascinating between the history of the Berlin wall and the beautiful architecture. Great tip on the bus pass too!