Potsdam

Prussian palaces and film set charm.

A city known for its palaces, gardens, film history, and the 1945 Potsdam Conference.

5
out of 5

Potsdam, Germany's city of palaces and gardens, sits near the capital Berlin, filled with European history and culture. Known for its UNESCO World Heritage status, the city served as the residence of Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918. Potsdam's film industry is also notable, with Babelsberg Studio holding the title of the world's oldest large-scale film studio.

Potsdam offers a mix of architectural styles and landscaped gardens, presenting a blend of art and nature. The Sanssouci Palace, once Frederick the Great's summer home, stands as an example of Rococo style, surrounded by terraced vineyards and an extensive park perfect for walks. In contrast, the Neues Palais shows off Baroque style, with guest apartments and large ballrooms.

Beyond its palatial offerings, Potsdam reflects a more serious history at the Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference of 1945 divided post-war Europe. Visitors can tour the rooms where Churchill, Truman, and Stalin met.

Modern Potsdam combines its historical background with cultural scenes. The Dutch Quarter’s red-brick buildings have stores, cafés, and art galleries, while the Russian colony of Alexandrowka provides a look into the city's cultural variety.

Local norms include respect for Potsdam's heritage. Photography may be restricted in historical sites and maintaining the peace of its parks is a common expectation.

For film enthusiasts, Babelsberg Film Park offers a look at movie production, with interactive exhibits and studio tours.

Outdoor activities are plentiful. Cycling tours offer a way to explore the paths connecting parks and palaces. Kayaking on the Havel River offers a different view of the city's water-edge sights.

Visitors should account for the temperate climate with cold winters (averaging 0°C or 32°F) and mild summers (averaging 20°C or 68°F). Spring and autumn are especially good for visiting Potsdam's gardens.

Potsdam attracts with its historical narrative and natural beauty. While its closeness to Berlin draws many, its own qualities deserve attention for anyone interested in history, architecture, or film.

Average temperatures during the day in Potsdam.

What people say about Potsdam

5
People
5
Food
5
Spaces
5
Value
4
Safety
4

Potsdam is beautiful, feels cozy, and has Berlin's artsy vibe. I was staying there for a few days to celebrate New Year with friends.

There is a ton of beautiful architecture. Sanssouci and Neues Palaces, University of Potsdam are amazing and can be checked out in one long walk, as they are situated on opposite sides of Park Sanssouci.
If you stay in Innenstad area, you can stumble on beautiful architecture even while having a regular walk to a shop or a parking garage.

Some great places for food are in Dutch quarter.
I fell into a food coma in "Augustiner" restaurant after taking pork cheeks, apple strudel and glühwein with amaretto (many German places have it in winter, even if it’s not on the menu).

My rating for safety is poor, because I was in Potsdam around New Year, and saw some New Year night's madness. It was pretty great to look at all the fireworks from up the hill, but pretty scary to walk through the streets. Enormous amount of fireworks, from around 23:00, and until 3:00. There were some mishandled fireworks, some "sound" firework, the sole purpose of which was to make an extremely loud exploding sound and film the reactions of the people. Rebel teen spirit in it's beauty.
But this is the only negative impression. I guess it is predictable to have some New Year craziness around Berlin. And apart from NY night, the city seemed pretty chill.

5
4
5
5
4
3

I was in Potsdam during New Year's celebrations, and I like the city very much. I was expecting a Berlin suburb, but it feels quite different! It's calm and full of old beautiful architecture. Park Sanssouci is beautiful in winter, but in the summer or spring it should be even nicer. I want to return to see it.

5
5
5
5
4
5

Articles about Germany

Image of Plan your trip to Germany - 11 places you must visit
Image of Plan your trip to Germany - 11 places you must visit

Plan your trip to Germany - 11 places you must visit

August 2023,
Germany has a tough, mysterious and magical atmosphere. In this article you find spots from the northern Lübeck to the fairy tale-castle Neuschwanstein in the south. From energetic city life to walks
Image of The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world
Image of The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

January 2023,
To find the best cities for cycling, we looked at the Copenhagenize Index, a comprehensive ranking of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities based on ambition, culture, and city design. Below you wi
Image of Killing Eve filming locations
Image of Killing Eve filming locations

Killing Eve filming locations

December 2023,
The world of television has opened up new vistas for global travelers, and the hit series "Killing Eve" is no exception. While the series may be better known for its plot twists and character developm
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851
Image of All World Expo locations since 1851

All World Expo locations since 1851

January 2024,
For more than a century and a half, global citizens have congregated at World Expos to celebrate human achievement, explore pressing issues of the day, and experience the cultural expressions of peopl
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe
Image of The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

The best lesser-known places to visit in Europe

December 2023,
In the midst of European explorations, some cities remain less frequented by the throng of tourists yet hold an abundance of cultural wealth, natural beauty, and a compelling history. This guide aims
Popular on Humbo right now
Humbo™AboutSustainable travelPrivacyTerms