Potsdam in 1 day: Royal Palaces & Gardens Tour

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by Anthony

May 8, 2024 · 1 min read

Potsdam 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day royal adventure in Potsdam, a city steeped in history and architectural marvels. Your journey begins at the Schloss Cecilienhof, a palace with significant historical relevance, where you'll spend an hour immersed in its grandeur. Next, enrich your cultural experience at the Museum Alexandrowka for 1.5 hours, delving into the unique Russian influence on Potsdam. The iconic Sanssouci Palace awaits you next, offering a swift yet breathtaking 30-minute glimpse into the life of Prussian royalty. As the afternoon unfolds, take a leisurely 2-hour stroll through the serene Park Charlottenhof, a city park that doubles as a national treasure. Conclude your day with a visit to the majestic New Palace, where you'll spend an hour marveling at its opulent design and historical significance. This itinerary promises a day filled with elegance and enlightenment, perfect for those who appreciate the grandeur of the past.

Top 6 Hotels in Potsdam
TOP 1
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Potsdam
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Potsdam
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3/5
51 reviews
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Mercure Hotel Potsdam City
Mercure Hotel Potsdam City
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Seminaris SeeHotel Potsdam
Seminaris SeeHotel Potsdam
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Vienna House by Wyndham Havelufer Potsdam
Vienna House by Wyndham Havelufer Potsdam
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NH Potsdam
NH Potsdam
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Hotel Ascot Bristol
Hotel Ascot Bristol
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1 Day in Potsdam Itinerary: Day 1

1

Schloss Cecilienhof

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Begin your Potsdam journey with a visit to the historical Schloss Cecilienhof, nestled in the lush surroundings of the New Garden. This grand estate is not just a feast for the eyes with its Tudor-style architecture, but it's also steeped in history, having hosted the Potsdam Conference in 1945. Spend an hour exploring the rooms where world leaders once negotiated the end of World War II and the shape of the post-war world.

Attraction Info

  • Im Neuen Garten 11, 14469 Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
  • Suggested tour duration: 1 hour
  • Open on Tue-Sun,10:00am-5:30pm

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Moevenpick Restaurant Zur Historischen Muehle
Moevenpick Restaurant Zur Historischen Muehle
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Kades Restaurant Am Pfingstberg
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Mecklenburger Backstuben
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Restaurant-Waage
Restaurant-Waage
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Peter Pane - Potsdam
Peter Pane - Potsdam
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Mylia Vietnamese Fusion Grill
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7 min,2.49 km
2

Museum Alexandrowka

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Next, delve into the cultural heritage of Potsdam at the Museum Alexandrowka, a tribute to the Russian-German friendship. This museum, housed within a picturesque Russian colony, offers a unique glimpse into the lives of Russian singers who settled here in the 19th century. Allocate 1.5 hours to immerse yourself in the fascinating exhibits that showcase a blend of Russian architecture and Prussian history.

Attraction Info

  • Russische Kolonie 2, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
  • Suggested tour duration: 1.5-3 hour
  • Open on Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun,10:00am-6:00pm
4 min,1.85 km
3

Sanssouci Palace

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Midway through your day, make your way to the resplendent Sanssouci Palace, a jewel in Potsdam's crown. Although a brief half-hour visit, it's ample time to marvel at the Rococo splendor and the terraced vineyards of Frederick the Great's favorite sanctuary. This palace is a testament to the era's extravagance and a must-see for any Potsdam itinerary.

Attraction Info

  • Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
  • Open from 4/1-10/31,Tue-Sun,10:00am-5:30pm;Closed from 4/1-10/31,Mon;Open from 11/1-3/31,Tue-Sun,10:00am-4:30pm;Closed from 11/1-3/31,Mon;Closed all day on 10/16,Wed;Closed from 12/24-12/25,Tue-Wed;Open 10:00am-2:00pm on 12/31,Tue;Open 11:00am-4:30pm on 1/1,Wed,Please refer to the official website for holiday opening information.
7 min,2.65 km
4

Park Charlottenhof

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After the opulence of Sanssouci, unwind in the serene expanse of Park Charlottenhof. As both a city park and a national treasure, it offers two hours of leisurely strolls through meticulously landscaped gardens and past classical statues. It's the perfect spot to relax and reflect on the day's earlier historical excursions.

Attraction Info

  • Geschwister-Scholl-Strasse 34A, 14471 Potsdam
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open 24 hours
15 min,1.15 km
5

New Palace

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Conclude your day with a visit to the majestic New Palace, an impressive display of Baroque architecture. With an hour to explore, you'll be captivated by the palace's grandeur, from its ornate interiors to its vast collection of artworks. The New Palace stands as a symbol of Prussian strength and resilience, providing a fitting end to your Potsdam adventure.

Attraction Info

  • Am Neuen Palais, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open on Mon, Wed-Sun,10:00am-5:30pm
3.6/527 Reviews
3.6/527 Reviews
Potsdam
|0.86km from New Palace
3.9/52 Reviews
3.9/52 Reviews
Potsdam
|1.31km from New Palace

Top Things to Do in Potsdam-2024

TOP 1
Sanssouci Palace
Sanssouci Palace
4.6/5 · 121 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 2,863 review
Highlights:
Sanssouci Palace is located in the northern suburbs of Potsdam and was built by King Frederick II of Prussia to imitate the Palace of Versailles in France. The name of the palace comes from the French word for "carefree". The entire palace and garden area is 90 hectares. Because it was built on a dune, it is also called "Palace on the Dune". Sanssouci Palace is dominated by Rococo architecture, and the rooms still maintain an elegant and harmonious arrangement. In the large park are other palace buildings such as the Neues Palais, the Neue Kammern, the Chinese Pavilion (ChinesischesHaus), the Orangerieschloss or the SchlossCharlottenhof. On the east side of the palace is a gallery (Bildergalerie) that houses 124 famous paintings, most of which are masterpieces by Italian and Dutch painters during the Renaissance.
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TOP 2
Museum Island
Museum Island
4.7/5 · 333 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 9,033 review
Highlights:

Museum Island is located in the center of Berlin, on the north side of Spree Island, where many of Germany's leading museums gather, headed by the Pergamon Museum. The five museums on the island are different in shape but harmoniously unified. Flowing from both sides makes them even more majestic. In 1992, Museum Island was included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. It may take several days to appreciate all the treasures on display on the museum island, and you can choose to visit the areas you are interested in. There are five museums on the Museum Island, which concentrate the best of German museums: next to the Palace Bridge and the Berlin Cathedral is the Alte Museum of Berlin, and in front of it stretches the Lustgarten. At the northern end are the Neues Museum and the Old National Art Gallery. On the west side is the Pergamon Museum, and on the outside is the Baud Museum.

The Pergamon Museum can be described as one of the most popular museums, and it is also one of the archaeological museums in the world. This gray building has a solemn appearance, which is easily reminiscent of various ancient buildings. After entering through the central gate, the left is the ancient Roman and Greek collection exhibition hall, the right is the ancient West exhibition hall, and the second floor is the Islamic culture exhibition area. Among them, the treasure of the town hall, the Pergamon-Altar, is not to be missed. The history of the altar can be traced back to the 2nd century BC. The height of the altar is 9.66 meters. In addition, the market gate of Millet in West Asia Minor around the second century BC and the city gate of Ishtar in Babylon are also worth seeing.

The classical building, the Altes Museum (Old Museum), designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1830 was the first museum building on the island. The museum inherits the neoclassical architectural style, the front is supported by 18 columns juxtaposed, the inner main hall is spherical, and the huge circular vault above is very eye-catching. The old museum displays art treasures of ancient Greece and Rome, and the exhibits are very rich.

In the Old National Art Gallery, you can admire masterpieces by Impressionist masters such as Manet, Monet and Renoir. It is considered to be one of the most comprehensive collections of art from the period between the French Revolution and the First World War.

The Bode Museum is located on the outside of the Museum Island. It was built between 1898 and 1904. This Baroque building adopts a triangular arrangement and contains 3 unique small museums: the Byzantine Art Museum in Germany, which gathers the Byzantine Empire period. A variety of fine art; the Currency Museum displays 500,000 ancient coins and exhibits, and the Sculpture Museum houses Germany's premier collection of medieval sculptures.

The Neues Museum (New Museum) was built by 1855. It was severely damaged by the bombing of World War II and became a ruin. After reopening in 2009, it was used as an Egyptian museum and a papyrus exhibition. The exhibits include the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep IV. Bust of wife Nefertiti, and other artworks from the time of Amenhotep IV. In addition, the new museum also exhibits unearthed artifacts from prehistory, ancient history and the Stone Age.

In addition to visiting museums, it is also a good choice to stroll and relax on Museum Island. Luster Garden is lined with trees and has a very beautiful environment. Street performers playing beautiful music are also a beautiful scenery.

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TOP 3
Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburg Gate
4.6/5 · 574 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 46,524 review
Highlights:
The Place de Paris has been a popular tourist destination since the 18th century, and was once known as "The King's Reception Room". It is a square in the center of Berlin, inside the Brandenburg Gate. The war leveled most of the square in Paris, only the Brandenburg Gate survived. After continuous capital investment, the square slowly returned to its former glory. Beginning Brandenburg Gate is a gate in the Berlin city wall, named after the entrance to Brandenburg. The reconstructed Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of the Cold War, is now a testimony to the reunification of Germany. The Brandenburg Gate is 26 meters high and is a neoclassical sandstone building modeled after the gates of the Acropolis. The flat roof is supported by 12 pillars, 6 on each side of the east and west. There is a wall between the front and rear pillars, which divides the gatehouse into 5 gates. The passage in the middle is slightly wider. It is designed for the passage of royal family members. Only the royal family and guests invited by the royal family can pass. The inner wall of the gate is painted with reliefs of Hercules, the great hero of Roman mythology, Mars, the god of war, and Minova, the protector of artists and craftsmen. In addition, the north and south wing houses connected to the Brandenburg Gate gatehouse were used for guards and checkpoints. After the Berlin City Wall was demolished, it was converted into an open column hall to match the style of the Brandenburg Gate. Today's Brandenburg Gate and Paris Square have become Berlin's city symbols and are visited by tourists from all over the world every day. There are many street performers performing here every day in the square. You can take a photo with the "big soldier" who is covered in copper paint, and let the street artist paint a portrait for you. Or you can take a horse-drawn carriage to tour the whole square. Of course these all require additional fees. Due to its special status in Berlin and even Germany, the Brandenburg Gate has become the venue for many celebrations in Germany. Every year on December 31st, an open-air New Year's party will be held here. When the square and the street are full of people, a grand live performance will be held on the stage to add to the fun, and people will welcome the New Year together in the fireworks tour at midnight. . In addition, the world's largest electronic music festival is held in front of the Brandenburg Gate every July, if you happen to be traveling at this time, you can join it.
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TOP 4
Berlin Cathedral
Berlin Cathedral
4.7/5 · 476 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 10,673 review
Highlights:
The Berlin Cathedral is located on the east side of the Museum Island in downtown Berlin, with the Spree River as its back. The Berlin Cathedral was built from 1895 to 1905. It was destroyed in World War II. The repair work continues to this day, but it is still an eye-catching landmark in Berlin, known as the "Museum Island entrance": three large Baroque domes The four-story building facing the Spree River is decorated in the style of a Baroque palace and is brilliant; the bell tower on the west side has been in service so far, and the bells of prayer are long and long; after climbing 260 steps, you can admire the city of Berlin at the top of the cathedral. Stunning views of the area. The steps on the front facade of the church are paved with granite, and the curved arches are quite striking, supported by Greek-style Koslin stone columns on both sides, and the doors are decorated with bronze reliefs and mosaic frescoes. The altar is set on a high platform that is seven steps higher than the mission hall. The altar is made of white marble and onyx, surrounded by a gilded fence, overflowing with golden light. The 72-meter-high dome is the most essential part of the Berlin Cathedral. The dome is decorated with gold-encrusted mosaic paintings, also by Wiener, depicting the scene of the saints' cloths. Each painting is 39 square meters. More than 2,000 colors are shared, which is very shocking. The dome is surrounded by glass windows, and the holy light is poured through the windows, as if the Holy Spirit descended. Next, you can move to the baptistery to visit, on both sides of the entrance are the coffins carved by the German sculptor Andreas Schlüter for the king. The second floor is the Cathedral Museum, which displays models, historical drawings, designs, original parts and carvings of Berlin Cathedral buildings. The photos on the walls record the bombing and damage of the church during World War II. There is also an interesting multimedia "simulation table" in the museum, where you can lean in and feel the charm of the dome of Berlin Cathedral up close. Going up the stairs and crossing the 270th steps, you will come to the vaulted corridor at the top of the church. Standing here, you can clearly see the angel statue at the top of the church, the icon and the cross at the top of the main entrance. The view of the cloister is very broad, with beautiful landscapes such as the Spree River, the German History Museum, the Humboldt University of Berlin, and the Old Museum of Berlin. Before leaving, don't forget to visit the underground Hohenzollern tomb, where 94 members of the Hohenzollern royal family from the 16th century to the early 20th century were buried, Friedrich III. , Elector John Cicero, Elector Elector, etc. are all buried here. After the visit, you can take a break in the square in front of the church and feel the leisurely pace of life in Berlin.
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TOP 5
Berlin Wall Memorial
Berlin Wall Memorial
4.7/5 · 228 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 18,153 review
Highlights:
The Berlin Wall was built on August 12, 1961 and collapsed on November 9, 1989, with a total length of 176.8 kilometers. At present, most of the Berlin Wall has been pushed, and only this monumental park shows visitors the original structure and history of the Berlin Wall. The memorial site is located between the Nordbahnhof and the Bernauer Straße subway station. A section of the Berlin Wall with a partition and guard boxes is preserved here, allowing visitors to touch the historical objects on the spot.
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Potsdam 1 Day Itinerary