Things to do in Potsdam

Activities, attractions and tours

A grand building with a large dome and statues on the roof at dusk.
A modern building with a glass facade and colorful poles in front.
An art gallery with three large abstract paintings on white walls.
A Tudor-style house with a steeply pitched roof, exposed timber framing, and a brick chimney.
A grand building with classical architecture, featuring columns, statues, and arched windows.

Things to do

High Swing Berlin

High Swing Berlin

RM138
per adult
72% of travellers recommend
High Swing Berlin
Picture 2 for Activity Berlin: 3.25-Hour Spree & Landwehrkanal Boat Tour

Boat Tour on Spree & Landwehrkanal with live guide

RM164
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Boat Tour on Spree & Landwehrkanal with live guide
Potsdam: Palace Tour by Boat

Potsdam: Palace Tour by Boat

RM116
per adult
Potsdam: Palace Tour by Boat
Third Reich, Hitler & Cold War – Berlin City Center Walking Tour

Third Reich, Hitler & Cold War – Berlin City Center Walking Tour

RM240
per adult
Third Reich, Hitler & Cold War – Berlin City Center Walking Tour
Berlin: 1-Hour City Tour by Boat with Guaranteed Seating

Berlin: 1-Hour City Tour by Boat including Audio Guide

RM104
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Berlin: 1-Hour City Tour by Boat including Audio Guide
Hop-on hop-off bus in Berlin

Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour

RM125
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Berlin Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour
Berlin: Laughing Spree Comedy Show on a Boat

Berlin: Laughing Spree Comedy Show on a Boat

RM79
per adult
Berlin: Laughing Spree Comedy Show on a Boat
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Top places to visit

1. Sanssouci Palace

Walk in the footsteps of a revered king and military leader at Sanssouci Palace. Admire the palace’s lavish architecture, opulent interiors and art collection. Stroll around vineyards and orderly gardens, scattered with further architectural treasures. Fredrick the Great commissioned Sanssouci Palace in the 1740s as a summer retreat and a place to escape his official duties. Today it is the dominating feature of Sanssouci Park.
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A historic building with ornate sculptures and a green dome.

2. Sanssouci Park

Palaces, art galleries, flower gardens and water features make Sanssouci Park one of Potsdam’s most loved green spaces. The park incorporates almost 741 acres (300 hectares) of grassy lawns and woodland dissected by crisscrossing pathways, including the 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) long Hauptallee promenade. Sanssouci Park began as an orchard and became a favored escape of Frederick the Great in the mid-1700s. Prussian landscaper Peter Joseph Leneé remodeled the park in the 1800s and it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990.
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A statue of a figure with a bow and arrow in front of a large building with two towers.

3. University of Potsdam

Visit the University of Potsdam (Universität Potsdam) to enjoy an educational experience and drink in the atmosphere of its various campuses. Spend a day here and watch students go about their daily activities, appreciate the architecture of the faculty buildings and discover an impressive botanical garden. Established as recently as 1991, the University of Potsdam is today the biggest academic institution in the state of Brandenburg.
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A grand neoclassical building with a dome and statues, featuring a prominent staircase and a green spire in the background.

4. New Palace

Wander the majestic halls and ornate staterooms of the New Palace (Neues Palais), a magnificent royal residence in Potsdam’s Sanssouci Park. The construction of the palace began in 1763 as a celebration of the end of the Seven Years’ War. Frederick the Great ordered the palace’s design to represent Prussia’s power and glory through the lavish use of marble, stone and gilt. Stroll around the palace grounds admiring the building’s grand façade and enter the complex to see its opulent interiors.
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A grand palace with a large dome, symmetrical facade, and statues lining the front.

5. Schloss Cecilienhof

Discover the quaint English gardens and Tudor-inspired architecture of Schloss Cecilienhof, a palace in Potsdam’s captivating New Garden. The picturesque palace was completed in 1917 as the residence of Crown Prince Wilhelm and his wife Cecilie. Today, the palace is a fascinating historic memorial dedicated to the 1945 Potsdam Conference, which decided the fate of postwar Germany.
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A courtyard with a Tudor-style building, a well-manicured lawn, and a stone wall.

What to do in Potsdam

Stay near popular Potsdam attractions

A historic building with ornate sculptures and a green dome.

Sanssouci Palace

9.2/10 (782 reviews)
Explore the resplendent rooms and picturesque terraces of this Rococo-style palace, built as a summer house for Frederick the Great, King of Prussia.
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Where to stay in Potsdam

Find the best Potsdam areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Potsdam
Learn more about Potsdam
A tall tower with a weather vane and three spires, surrounded by lush green trees.

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.

A large historic building with a green dome and a smaller dome, surrounded by red and white buildings.
Photo by Bohao Zhao
Open Photo by Bohao Zhao

Innenstadt Potsdam

Discover Innenstadt Potsdam, memorable for its historical 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.

A historic building with two towers and arched gateways.
Photo by Bohao Zhao
Open Photo by Bohao Zhao

Nördliche Innenstadt

Nördliche Innenstadt is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Potsdam Christmas Market and Museum Barberini.

A grand neoclassical building with a central dome, a green spire, and a staircase leading to the entrance.

Westliche Vorstadt

While you're in Westliche Vorstadt, take in top sights like Templiner See and jump on the metro at Schloss Charlottenhof Tram Stop to see more of the city.

A cobblestone street lined with red brick buildings, a cyclist, parked cars, and a 'sale' sign on a storefront.
Photo by Behzad Golshaei
Open Photo by Behzad Golshaei

Dutch Quarter

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

The Brandenburg Gate at night with illuminated columns and statues.

Berlin

A large, yellow castle with a prominent arched entrance and multiple towers.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Potsdam worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Potsdam is explore Babelsberg Film Park. Tick this leading attraction off your itinerary, then discover more of the area's history and shopping.
How do I spend a day in Potsdam?
Once you've visited top attractions like Babelsberg Film Park and Strandbad Wannsee, spend the rest of your day experiencing Potsdam's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Potsdam?
Don't go home without exploring Babelsberg Film Park, rated the top tourist attraction in Potsdam.
Is three days enough to stay in Potsdam?
Three days will be enough time to check out many city highlights, such as Babelsberg Film Park, Strandbad Wannsee and Sanssouci Park. The average stay in Potsdam is three days. If you feel the urge to extend your holiday, Berlin isn't far away.
Is Potsdam a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and top sights within walking distance of the city centre, Potsdam is a great place to discover on foot. Enjoy wandering between Babelsberg Film Park and Sanssouci Park. Then take a stroll through Innenstadt Potsdam, located 0.97 kilometres from the centre, and Westliche Vorstadt, which is about 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Potsdam with kids?
Whether you're travelling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, an itinerary filled with fun activities is the key to a stress-free getaway. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Potsdam with kids.

What to do in Potsdam for adults?
Klosterhof Töplitz Winery and Historic Mill of Sanssouci are just a few of the things to do in Potsdam. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Potsdam?
In Potsdam, Sanssouci Park is an unmissable spot for anyone wanting to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for recommendations. It's a simple way to find out about the best free things to do in Potsdam.