Is Potsdam Worth Visiting After Seeing the Sights in Berlin?

Are you wondering is Potsdam worth visiting? I can definitely say, yes! It’s an elegant small city near Berlin that is worth a visit.

Living in Berlin, I frequently visited Potsdam. Not only is it easily accessible, but there’s so much to see and do that a single day wouldn’t suffice.

This article will hopefully convince you to add Potsdam to your Berlin itinerary as I share the top 10 reasons why Potsdam is worth a visit. Plus, I’ll share some insider tips to help you plan your trip.

1. The Palaces

Potsdam is regal! That’s because of a high concentration of Potsdam palaces where former kings and queens lived.

Often dubbed the Versailles of Germany, it’s dripping in grandeur, opulence and awe-inspiring things of beauty with all these palaces:

2. The Parks & Gardens

The green spaces in Potsdam are among the prettiest I’ve seen. They display the elegance of royal extravagance and are made for strolling.

3. The History

Potsdam’s long history unfolds with pivotal events, like the Treaty of Potsdam in 1685.

Another interesting piece of history was the building of Gedenkstätte Lindenstraße, which served as the former political prison used by Nazis, Soviets, and the East German Stasi Police during the Cold War. If you are interested in this period, I highly recommend visiting the Stasi Museum in Berlin.

4. The Dutch Quarter

Fondly referred to as “Little Amsterdam,” the Dutch Quarter is a delightful neighbourhood in Potsdam adorned with 134 red-brick houses that easily stole my heart and stands out as my favourite place to explore because of its quaint charm.

Originating in the 18th century, these houses were home to Dutch residents who relocated from Holland to Potsdam, forming the largest settlement of the Dutch outside of the Netherlands.

5. The Gates and Squares

Potsdam, formerly encircled by a protective wall with multiple entrances, now preserves only three of its original five city gates (Tor in German).

• the Jägertor stands as the oldest
• the Nauener Tor, was transformed in 1755 into a neo-Gothic style
• the most famous, and not to be confused with the famous landmark in Berlin, is the Brandenburg Gate of Potsdam

In the heart of Potsdam are two historic and impressive market squares. I have to say, that most tourists pass by this altogether. It seemed empty and didn’t have the same life as other squares in Germany.

• Alter Markt, where a central 16-meter obelisk adorned with carved portraits of Potsdam’s architects Knobelsdorff, Schinkel, Gontard, and Perseus
• Neuer Markt, dates back to the 17th century and is known as one of Europe’s best-preserved Baroque squares

6. The UNESCO Status

Potsdam’s collection of palaces and parks, earned it UNESCO World Heritage status, recognizing the city’s role as a key cultural center during the Enlightenment but also how it helped shape European landscape design.

7. The Architecture

Potsdam is a gem waiting to be explored if you love architecture as much as I do. With so many different styles all coexisting in one city, it’s a pleasure to walk around and admire them all. There is even a Russian Colony that features thirteen 19th-century wooden houses built for Russian settlers named Alexandrowka after the Tsar of Russia.

8. The Arts

9. The Food & Drink

There is no shortage of cozy cafes and delicious restaurants in Potsdam. I recommend a visit to Altstadt and the Dutch Quarter for endless selections, like some of these that I’ve tried:

• Poffertjes en Pannekoeken: for their famous Dutch pancakes
• A Slice of Britain: if you’re craving a classic English breakfast
• Cafe KieselStein: perfect for afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen or a light lunch
• La Maison du Chocolat: for their decadent hot chocolate
• Maison Charlotte: serving classic French cuisine for lunch or dinner this is my top pick

Yes, Potsdam Is Worth Visiting, But Know This Before You Go!

Potsdam is an absolute must-visit! Right after you’ve seen the top sites in Berlin, of course. It’s such a welcome change of pace and let’s face it, Potsdam is a much more attractive city than Berlin is.

Helpful Tips for Exploring Potsdam:

• Potsdam’s attractions are spread out: Plan your day accordingly, focusing on either the palaces and gardens or the Old Town. Walking between these two areas takes about 30 minutes.
• Allocate a full day: Both the palaces and gardens and the Old Town are worth a full day of exploring.
• Prioritize palaces and gardens: If time is limited, focus on the palaces and gardens first, then end your day in Old Town.
• Potsdam is walkable: Take advantage of the city’s walkable distance, but to maximize your time consider taking the city bus, which runs frequently.
• Factor in travel time: Account for the time it takes to reach the Altstadt or Sansoucci Park from the main train station of Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (roughly 3 km to the attractions).
• Plan realistically: Given the travel time and the depth of attractions, focus on one main area per day for a more immersive experience.

How to Visit Potsdam From Berlin

Potsdam is about 30 km southeast of Berlin and is reachable by train.

Take the S-Bahn (S7) which takes approximately 35 minutes or the Regional Express which takes 25 minutes (ticket prices will be higher than the S-Bahn).

• If you take the S-Bahn option, purchase a Berlin ABC ticket (single ticket: €3.80 or day ticket: €10)
• If you have a travel card for areas A and B, you only need to purchase a ticket for zone C which costs € 1.60
• If you have a Berlin Welcome card, it includes transit to Potsdam

Final Thoughts

Seeing that getting to Potsdam is easy, this is a day trip I recommend you add to your Berlin itinerary.

If you enjoy touring this Palace, I think you will enjoy visiting Charlottenburg Palace and the gardens in Berlin too.

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