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Things to do in Potsdam

Our most recommended things to do in Potsdam

Potsdam by Boat: Island Cruise

1. Potsdam by Boat: Island Cruise

On this boat trip, enjoy the beauty of the river landscape around Potsdam with its Havel lakes and picturesque villages surrounded by great scenery. Hop on board, lean back and drive through the village of Caputh, the fishing and vine town of Werder, and pass the Sacrow–Paretz Canal in the north of Potsdam as well as the buildings, castles and manor houses of the Hohenzollerns on the banks of the Havel. See the impressive Caputh Castle, the Marble Palace or Cecilienhof Palace in the New Garden. Cruise past Glienicke park with its casino built by Schinkel, and discover Babelsberg Castle near the river. Finally, your journey takes you to famous Glienicke Bridge. Enjoy the unique panoramic view of Brandenburg's capital.

Potsdam: 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket

2. Potsdam: 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket

Explore one of the most beautiful cities in Germany with a 1-day ticket to the hop-on and hop-off bus in Potsdam, capital of the state of Brandenburg. You can jump off at any of the 12 stops along the route, and with buses every 30 minutes (1 hour in winter) discover the shops and stylish alleyways surrounding Brandenburger Strasse and the famous Dutch Quarter. Hop off at Schloss Sanssouci Palace, Friedrich the Great's amazing 18th-Century palace, reminiscent of the grandeur of Versailles, and stroll through the magnificent 600-acre park. Walk through richly furnished chambers, and step out onto flowery terraces and beautiful gardens. Or visit the Raphael Room at The Orangerie, home to dozens of Raphael copies. A full tour lasts 105 minutes and includes entertaining commentary from a live guide. Alternatively, hop-off within a 1-day period at any of the following stops: 1. Luisenplatz 2. Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station) 3. Filmmuseum 4. Dutch Quarter 5. Glienicker Brucke 6. Marble Palace 7. Cecilienhof 8. Alexandrowka 9. New Palais 10. Orangerie 11. Sanssouci 12. Grand Obelisk

Potsdam: City and Castles Tour

3. Potsdam: City and Castles Tour

Experience the beautiful sights and impressive castles of Potsdam on this interesting and entertaining city tour on the trail of "Old Fritz" (Frederick II). Drive through Potsdam's inner city and through the Dutch Quarter to the Glienicker Bridge. Learn more about the "Forbidden City" and walk around the Cecilienhof Castle. Visit Alexandrowka, the colony of traditional Russian wooden houses known as "Little Siberia." Finally, discover the famous terraces of Sanssouci as well as the grave of Frederick II. Walk past beautiful gardens and admire the biggest palace in Potsdam before spending the afternoon as you wish.

Berlin: Seven Lakes Tour from Berlin's Wannsee

4. Berlin: Seven Lakes Tour from Berlin's Wannsee

Enjoy a 2-hour tour of the idyllic Havel Lakes, the chain of lakes so rich in traditions that not just locals are drawn to them. Venture beyond Little Wannsee to Pohlesee, Stölpchensee, Griebnitzsee, Glienicker Lake and Jungfernsee, before returning to Wannsee. Relax with the whole family on the beach or enjoy a walk into the picturesque wilderness along Wannsee and Oberhavelsee. See where such famous personages as the painter Max Liebermann or the dramatist Heinrich von Kleist lived and worked and get to know the historic significance of the lakes. Discover the rich history of the regions southwest and north of Berlin from the water. Travel back in time at these historically-significant sites and experience the history anew. The tour takes place from Wannsee across the Havel to Potsdam. Enjoy the tours through the idyllic Havel Lakes and many historic buildings like the Babelsberg Palace or the Church of the Redeemer, Sacrow. See the fascinating island landscape in the north of Berlin. Valentinswerder, Baumwerder and Scharfenberg are just a few must-sees for nature-lovers. The tour operator's dock is located across from the Pfaueninsel. The island can be reached by ferry for a small fee. It is not possible to reserve outdoor seats.

Potsdam: Palace Tour by Boat

5. Potsdam: Palace Tour by Boat

Discover Potsdam from the water and admire the wonderful parks and palaces of the Hohenzollern Dynasty. See the most beautiful sights from the water in just 90 minutes in the morning or the afternoon. Cruise by Babelsberg Park with its imposing palace, see the Flatow Tower and the Hofdamenhaus, then pass under the historically-significant Glienicke Bridge to Jungfernsee. Ride along the former border between east and west and get a glimpse of the impressive palaces and gardens. See the Church of the Redeemer, Sacrow and discover the fairytale castle on Pfaueninsel. Further high points of the tour include the New Garden with its marble palace and the Cecilienhof Palace, where history was made in 1945 with the signing of the Potsdam Agreement.              

Berlin: World Heritage Cruise to Potsdam

6. Berlin: World Heritage Cruise to Potsdam

This boat cruise takes you from Wannsee along the Havel River to Potsdam and back. Cruise through the palaces and gardens of Potsdam and Berlin, a UNESCO World Heritage region. Here you’ll have the opportunity to experience Prussia’s history. The chain of lakes in and around Berlin attracts visitors from all over the world. Visitors can relax at one of the lidos or walk around the picturesque natural landscape that extends along Wannsee and the Oberhavel lakes. Discover the rich history of two regions near Berlin: the southwest and north. Famous personalities, such as the painter Max Liebermann or the playwright Heinrich von Kleist, lived and worked in Wannsee, making it a place of historical importance. The historical places give you the opportunity to go back in time and relive history. The cruise takes you from Wannsee to Kladow, passing by Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island), Nikolskoe, and the Church of St. Peter and Paul. Continue on towards the Savior's Church, Cecilienhof Palace and its old dairy farm, and the Glienicke Bridge. Float by the Babelsberg Palace, Flatow Tower, Hans-Otto-Theater (Schiffbauergasse), "Freundschaftsinsel" (Friendship Island), and Potsdam/Lange Brücke before returning back to Wannsee.

Potsdam: Sanssouci Palace Guided Tour from Berlin

7. Potsdam: Sanssouci Palace Guided Tour from Berlin

Explore Sanssouci Palace and Park on this guided day trip. Travel in an air-conditioned bus and see the most important sights of Potsdam. Admire the Dutch Quarter and stroll through Sanssouci Palace and Park. Board the bus in the central Kurfürstendamm district of Berlin and travel to Potsdam. Your tour of Potsdam's sights begins in Berlin and listen to the fascinating stories of your tour guide. Admire the Dutch Quarter along the way, see its magnificent buildings, and admire the Russian colony of Alexandrovka. Drive to Sanssouci and pass the magnificent buildings that were once the focus of Prussia's imperial splendor. Stroll through the impressive gardens of Friedrich II's legendary Sanssouci Palace and experience a true piece of history. Our local guide will be happy to answer your questions or provide exciting reports about the history. At the end of your tour, return to your meeting point.

Berlin WelcomeCard: Discounts & Transport Berlin Zones (ABC)

8. Berlin WelcomeCard: Discounts & Transport Berlin Zones (ABC)

The Berlin WelcomeCard, available as a 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6-day option, offers a great, cost-effective means to explore the city in-depth. Travel on public transport in fare zones Berlin ABC and receive exclusive discounts of up to 50% with many participating partners. Whether you're taking a city tour or visiting a museum, theater, or restaurant, when you use the Berlin WelcomeCard, you can see all Berlin has to offer at an amazing price. You'll also receive a pocket-size travel guide with lots of tour suggestions and insider tips. Each WelcomeCard includes free transport for up to 3 children between 6 and 14 years old. Children under the age of 6 generally travel for free. Enjoy discounted rates for the following activities and attractions: • Sightseeing tours • Guided city tours • Bike tours • Boat rides • Various attractions • Museums • Theater/stage performances • Palaces • Restaurants & bars  • Shopping & souvenirs • Fun, sport & relax Visit sights and attractions, such as the following: • Berlin Dungeon • Olympiastadion Berlin (Olympic Stadium) • Berlin Dom  • German Spy Museum • Madame Tussauds Berlin • Legoland Discovery Centre Berlin • Tierpark Berlin • Anne Frank Center • Charlottenburg Palace • Comedy tour Berlin • German Opera • Friedrichstadt-Palast • TimeRide Berlin • TV Tower • Botanical Garden • German Historical Museum, German Museum of Technology • Asisi Panorama „Die Mauer“ • Panoramapunkt • DDR Museum • Fork & Walk Tours Berlin • and many more! And of course, you should not miss the following free sights and locations when visiting Berlin: • Brandenburg Gate & Unter den Linden • Reichstag & German Parliament (pre-booking required) • Checkpoint Charlie • East Side Gallery • Gendarmenmarkt • Kurfürstendamm • Potsdamer Platz & Alexanderplatz • Berlin Wall Memorial

Berlin: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Potsdam Tour

9. Berlin: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Potsdam Tour

Acquire deeper knowledge of World War II history and understand the cruelty of the crimes committed against the victims of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp with a guided visit. Afterward, explore the ancient Slavic town of Postdam and its royal palaces and gardens. Board your bus at the TV tower at Alexanderplatz and begin your drive to the first stop. Meet your Sachsenhausen Memorial guide and enter the camp to understand the dimensions of the cruelty that took place there. Learn about how jobs were distributed and how the camp was run. After your visit, set off towards Potsdam. Hear the story of how it went from being a Slavic town to becoming a royal residence. See the palaces and gardens where the royal families and their courts ruled and walked. Take a guided walk and enjoy some free time to discover the area on your own.

Potsdam: Biosphäre Potsdam Entry Ticket

10. Potsdam: Biosphäre Potsdam Entry Ticket

Get entry tickets to the Biosphäre, an indoor tropical botanical garden located in the Volkspark Potsdam. Experience the jungle landscape with over 20,000 beautiful plants and many exotic animals. Begin your journey at the waterfall and continue on intertwined paths to the butterfly house and all the way to the high trail up in the treetops. Witness an hourly thunderstorm with thunder and lightning. Discover colorful orchids, climbing plants, and vines, along with cocoa and coffee plants. See free-flying birds, terrariums with insects and reptiles, bird aviaries, and an underwater world. Experience the magic of the Butterfly House as big, colorful, fluorescent, and camouflaged butterflies float above you.   In the Aquasphere, experience the sea in a whole new way. Wander through the mangroves and dive into the mystical deep sea. It is shaped by darkness, but also by the illuminating colorfulness of the deep sea fish. 

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What people are saying about Potsdam

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 12,977 reviews

It is fantastic to have the travel card and to just get on and off public transport without worrying about buying a ticket first. You just carry the ticket with you at all times. Although we never had to show it peace of mind knowing you have it and didn’t get on a train and forget to get a ticket as transport system in Berlin is so efficient.

We always use the Berlin card for travel and discount, used to get discount for admission to the zoo but not anymore this was a disappointment but we still visited the zoo anyway. And the travel system around Berlin is amazing and well worth every penny.

It was an interesting tour, but since we had to use the audio guide for the activity which missed a few spots and there wasn’t any available at the castle or location, the experience was not that satisfactory.

Having the card did greatly help to get around without worrying about paying for tickets .. very convenient

Great if you will be in Berlin for a few days. The public transport is super easy to use.