„Athens and Sparta, military camp and garden of Epicurus, trumpets and violins, war and philosophy."
Voltaire, French writer (1694-1778), describing Potsdam
» Potsdam Tours - Palaces and Gardens
A stone’s throw from Berlin along the Havel River, the city of Potsdam is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of lakes, fields and forests. Since the late 17th Century, members of the Hohenzollern Royal Family have carefully sculpted this landscape into a relaxing retreat. Following great construction efforts in the past decade, Potsdam has regained its former glamour and beauty.
Frederick the Great was, like the rest of the Hohenzollern-family, keen on the military. But he also was the first male Prussian ruler who composed flute concerts, wrote philosophy and looked at culture and art not as an expensive and useless thing but as a necessary condition of being human. See these ideas embodied at the palace Sanssouci. We believe that being in Potsdam without seeing Sanssouci is like not being in Potsdam- but there is much more to Potsdam than Sanssouci! Our tour of Potsdam examines the numerous castles, the fascinating history, and the attractive gardens and landscapes of this royal escape. | Prices & Booking
» Tour Options: Duration and Means of Transport
What is the optimal tour duration?
The time you could spend to visit the ample gardens and numerous palaces of Potsdam is rather unlimited. Considering the transfer time of about 40 minutes (by public transportation, van or bus) between Berlin and Potsdam, we recommend 5-8 hours.
Walking tour, bike tour, van or bus tour?
To cover the long distances between the palaces and gardens we recommend either a private bus or van tour. Alternatively, we can lead a walking tour and use public transportation or rent bikes in Potsdam.
Price for our sightseeing tours
Our private guided tours cost 45-75 Euros per hour for a walking tour, depending on group size and duration. For more information see Prices & Booking
“The tour was very good; the guide was extremely knowledgeable and has carefully prepared the tour. His comments and anecdotes were very illuminating. I am sorry we didn't have more time to spend in Potsdam but it was an excellent introduction and made us all want to see it again.” Tour Potsdam, Professor Moshe Gottlieb... read more guests comments
» Sightseeing Attractions: Potsdam Tours - Palaces and Gardens
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Sanssouci Palace: The impressive palace garden is filled with statues of outstanding beauty! This was the favoured home of Frederick the Great, the eccentric leader that placed Prussia on the map as a dominant European power. Let's talk about the quirks of Frederick’s behaviour, his heated relationship with the French philosopher Voltaire, his troublesome and violent relationship with his father and the tale of his delayed burial alongside his beloved dogs. |
Schloss Cecilienhof: This palace was the last the Hohenzollern family built in Germany before they were forced to go into exile in 1918. This is where the last royal baby of the family was born in 1917. The style of the building is English Tudor, popular at the time. The building became famous when the Potsdam Conference took place here in 1945. This is where the decision was made to drop the atomic bombs over Japan (by Trueman), and where Germany and Europe were carved up by the remaining European powers. |
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Marble Palace: Prussian King Frederick William II built the marble palace as a response to Frederick the Great’s Sanssouci. When he couldn’t gather enough marble for the project, he gave orders to take marble from the outlying rows of columns at Sanssouci. He found successors in tending the palace, especially Frederick William IV, who added the fresco of the mythical Nibelungs. The kitchen is remarkable, designed after the ruins of an ancient temple.
Alexandrowka: In 1815 a Prussian field general recovered 500 Russian soldiers who had been prisoners of war of the French. Frederick William III was a great fan of their melancholy Russian songs, and asked the Tsar if he might keep some of them to form a choir. Ultimately 62 men were chosen. One of the conditions the Tsar made before giving away the soldiers was that they would have a place to pray and a place to live. That place was Alexandrowka.
Dutch quarter: Frederick William I, always searching for new citizens to live in his underpopulated Prussia, wanted to attract skilled Dutch engineers, so he made them an offer that he was certain they couldn’t refuse. He would provide a home in their native style, give them the title of “court artisan”, a great honour, and exempt them from the duty of every resident of Potsdam to house soldiers in their homes. Enjoy a walk through a typical Dutch neighbourhood in Prussia.
Church of Peace: When Frederick William IV came to power in 1840 the people hoped for a liberal king. In the end this king was one of the most conservative rulers they ever had. He was also a very religious man, and founded the Peace Church, a place more spiritual than any other in his reign. Here his religion lives on in the stones of his church. Every phrase engraved on the walls, every sarcophagus (including that of Frederick III) sighs with deep Christian belief.
House of the Wannsee Conference: Going to Potsdam by bus enables a stop at this site. In 1942, during a meeting of high-ranking Nazi officials here, the so called "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" was discussed. A visitor to the house where it occurred, now a museum, can still witness the scene as it was in 1942: a long table with a list of names and information about the Nazis involved in the conference. It’s a good idea to visit this site with a guide; we know from experience how many questions come up in this infamous, almost unthinkable setting.
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