Potsdam in a Day – History, Gardens and Royal Legacy

Spending a summer day in Potsdam means immersing yourself in one of the most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Germany. Sanssouci Park and its palaces unfold across 300 hectares, forming a unique ensemble of architecture, landscape design and royal heritage. Easily explored on foot, the experience is diverse, tranquil and rich in inspiration.

From the delicate Rococo style of Sanssouci Palace to the imposing New Palace – a symbol of Prussia’s strength after the Seven Years’ War – and the Italian-inspired Orangery Palace, generous pathways lead visitors through a landscape designed with purpose. Historic sightlines guide the eye across manicured terraces, fragrant lime tree avenues and gently trickling fountains. It was here that Frederick the Great brought his vision of a life sans souci – “without worries” – to life. Today, visitors can still discover his summer retreat largely as he left it, complete with original interiors and masterpieces of 18th-century painting.

History lovers may join guided tours through Charlottenhof Villa or the New Palace. Others may choose to pause at the Ruinenberg or beneath the vineyard terraces, enjoying one of the park’s quieter corners. Several cafés around the park invite guests to stop and enjoy a leisurely break.

To help with orientation, the free Park Sanssouci app, created by the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg (SPSG), offers digital tours in English, German, Easy Language and German Sign Language. Free Wi-Fi is available in most palace buildings, allowing easy access to the guide on your own device.

The park itself is open to the public free of charge. Tickets for the palaces can be purchased online, at the Tourist Information Centre Old Market or at the mobiagentur Potsdam – Tourist Information Centre at Potsdam Main Station. The sanssouci+ combination ticket allows access to several palaces in one day, ideal for those who want to experience more, without rushing.

A day in picturesque and regal Potsdam means strolling between history and horticulture, water and wide-open views, baroque elegance and Mediterranean longing. A place where culture, beauty and tranquility create a timeless experience.

Accessibility:

Most pathways in Sanssouci Park are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Between the Green Gate (Grünes Gitter) and the New Palace, SPSG offers a free shuttle service along the so-called Ökonomie Way from April to October, daily from 11:00 to 17:30. As the shuttle is operated by volunteers, it may not always be available, thank you for your understanding.

Many of the SPSG sites offer barrier-free access and guided tours in Easy Language or with sign language interpretation. In front of the visitor centre and near the New Palace, bronze tactile models offer an inclusive way to explore the topography of the park and its buildings.