What to do in Potsdam

Activities, attractions and tours

Potsdam featuring heritage architecture, a city and night scenes
Potsdam featuring heritage architecture, a city and night scenes
Potsdam featuring city views, a city and modern architecture
Potsdam featuring a monument, heritage architecture and street scenes
Potsdam featuring art and interior views

Places to Visit in Potsdam

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Potsdam, Berlin while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Potsdam attractions from NZ$6, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Potsdam tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 117 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Potsdam. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Sanssouci Palace

Walk in the footsteps of a revered king and military leader at Sanssouci Palace. Admire the palace’s lavish architecture, opulent interiors and art collection. Stroll around vineyards and orderly gardens, scattered with further architectural treasures. Fredrick the Great commissioned Sanssouci Palace in the 1740s as a summer retreat and a place to escape his official duties. Today it is the dominating feature of Sanssouci Park.
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If you feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of Berlin for a davor two, then Potsdam is a laid back alternative. Take a stroll through the Dutch quarter or immerse yourself in the vast parks of Sanssouci Palace. #germany #potsdam #sanssouci #sanssoucipalace

2. Sanssouci Park

Palaces, art galleries, flower gardens and water features make Sanssouci Park one of Potsdam’s most loved green spaces. The park incorporates almost 741 acres (300 hectares) of grassy lawns and woodland dissected by crisscrossing pathways, including the 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) long Hauptallee promenade. Sanssouci Park began as an orchard and became a favored escape of Frederick the Great in the mid-1700s. Prussian landscaper Peter Joseph Leneé remodeled the park in the 1800s and it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990.
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Sanssouci Park featuring heritage architecture, a statue or sculpture and heritage elements

3. New Palace

Wander the majestic halls and ornate staterooms of the New Palace (Neues Palais), a magnificent royal residence in Potsdam’s Sanssouci Park. The construction of the palace began in 1763 as a celebration of the end of the Seven Years’ War. Frederick the Great ordered the palace’s design to represent Prussia’s power and glory through the lavish use of marble, stone and gilt. Stroll around the palace grounds admiring the building’s grand façade and enter the complex to see its opulent interiors.
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New Palace featuring heritage architecture, heritage elements and a castle

4. University of Potsdam

Visit the University of Potsdam (Universität Potsdam) to enjoy an educational experience and drink in the atmosphere of its various campuses. Spend a day here and watch students go about their daily activities, appreciate the architecture of the faculty buildings and discover an impressive botanical garden. Established as recently as 1991, the University of Potsdam is today the biggest academic institution in the state of Brandenburg.
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University of Potsdam which includes heritage elements and heritage architecture

5. Park Babelsberg

Park Babelsberg is one of Potsdam’s magnificent collection of picturesque public parks. It covers undulating and wooded terrain that slopes down to Tiefer See, a lake on the Havel River. Emperor William I commissioned Park Babelsberg in 1833 as the garden of his summer residence. Visit today to enjoy leisurely walks and bike rides, admire striking landmarks, swim in the lake and join scenic boat trips.
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Park Babelsberg which includes chateau or palace and heritage architecture

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Recommended things to do in Potsdam

Number of things to do
117
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Rude Bastards tour of Berlin (CYHIT): NZ$6
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Potsdam

Discover the most popular places to visit in Potsdam

Alexanderplatz which includes modern architecture, a square or plaza and a city

Alexanderplatz

There are many debates about where the real centre of Berlin is, but Alexanderplatz, with its teetering tower and retail therapy, is certainly a contender.

Alexanderplatz
Brandenburg Gate which includes heritage architecture, a city and a monument

Brandenburg Gate

One of Europe’s most powerful landmarks, this German symbol dates back to 1791 and has played a huge role in the country’s political culture ever since.

Brandenburg Gate
Potsdamer Platz showing shopping, modern architecture and cbd

Potsdamer Platz

This public square once lay divided between East and West Germany, now it brings people together in a celebration of their city.

Potsdamer Platz
Kurfuerstendamm which includes street scenes

Kurfürstendamm

Often described as “Berlin’s Champs-Élysées,” this elegant promenade is the city’s premier shopping strip and is punctuated with a moving war memorial.

Kurfürstendamm
Berlin Zoo showing land animals and zoo animals

Zoo Berlin

Visit some of the world’s most exotic animals without leaving the city. Berlin houses one of the biggest and most elegant zoos in Europe.

Zoo Berlin
Berlin_OlympicStadium_6073205_03

Olympiastadion

Catch an event at Olympiastadion during your trip to Berlin. Experience the fascinating museums and acclaimed theatre scene in this vibrant area.

Olympiastadion
Berlin Hauptstadt Skyline Funkturm

Messe Berlin

Learn about the events happening in Messe Berlin during your trip to Berlin. Discover the acclaimed art galleries and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Messe Berlin
Charlie CheckPoint en Berlín

Checkpoint Charlie

You can learn about the history of Berlin with a visit to Checkpoint Charlie. Discover the entertainment choices and notable monuments in this vibrant area.

Checkpoint Charlie
Friedrichstrasse which includes street scenes

Friedrichstrasse

Cutting through Berlin’s Mitte district is a street known equally for its Cold War history and its upmarket department stores.

Friedrichstrasse

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Potsdam

Brandenburg Gate which includes heritage architecture, a city and a monument

Berlin

Kleinmachnow featuring a castle and heritage architecture

Kleinmachnow

Schloss Caputh, Brandenburg, Deutschland

Caputh

Gatower Mühle in Berlin Spandau

Dallgow-Doeberitz

Schwielowsee, Ortsteil Geltow in Brandenburg. Das Haus Am Wasser steht unter Denkmalschutz.

Geltow

Das Dorf Ketzin an der Havel im Havelland

Ketzin/Havel

Grab von Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau auf dem Südwestkirchhof Stahnsdorf, Ehrengrab der Stadt Berlin

Stahnsdorf

This is a picture of the Brandenburger Baudenkmal (cultural heritage monument) with the ID

Priort

Frequently asked questions

Is Potsdam worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Potsdam is explore Babelsberg Film Park. Tick this leading attraction off your itinerary, then discover more of the area's history and shopping.
How do I spend a day in Potsdam?
Once you've visited top attractions like Babelsberg Film Park and Strandbad Wannsee, spend the rest of your day experiencing Potsdam's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Potsdam?
Don't go home without exploring Babelsberg Film Park, rated the top tourist attraction in Potsdam.
Is three days enough to stay in Potsdam?
Three days will be enough time to check out many city highlights, such as Babelsberg Film Park, Strandbad Wannsee and Sanssouci Park. The average stay in Potsdam is three days. If you feel the urge to extend your holiday, Berlin isn't far away.
Is Potsdam a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and top sights within walking distance of the city centre, Potsdam is a great place to discover on foot. Enjoy wandering between Babelsberg Film Park and Sanssouci Park. Then take a stroll through Innenstadt Potsdam, located 0.97 kilometres from the centre, and Westliche Vorstadt, which is about 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Potsdam with kids?
Whether you're travelling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, an itinerary filled with fun activities is the key to a stress-free getaway. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Potsdam with kids.

What to do in Potsdam for adults?
Klosterhof Töplitz Winery and Historic Mill of Sanssouci are just a few of the things to do in Potsdam. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Potsdam?
In Potsdam, Sanssouci Park is an unmissable spot for anyone wanting to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for recommendations. It's a simple way to find out about the best free things to do in Potsdam.

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