City or town
Things to see in Potsdam (Germany): 80 places and when to go
Potsdam is a city in Germany with around 218,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 80 places in and around it, mainly History (39), Nature (23), Wildlife (11). The best known are Berlin Wall, Sanssouci and Cecilienhof. The best time to come is April to October and December; also possible: January to March and November. In June there are 16 h 32 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 28. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- Germany · 52.4004, 13.07
- Population
- About 218,000
- Places
- 80 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- History (39) · Nature (23) · Wildlife (11) · Mountains (9) · Food and drink (6) · Stargazing (5)
- Best time
- April to October and December.
- Also possible
- January to March and November.
- Nearest airport
- BER Berlin, 30 km as the crow flies
What to see in Potsdam
The places in and around Potsdam, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- Berlin WallBarrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic, enclosing West Berlin (1961–1989)4.4 km
- SanssouciPalace in Brandenburg, Germany2.2 km
- CecilienhofHistoric Prussian palace and museum in Potsdam, Germany2.1 km
- Einstein TowerAstrophysical observatory in Potsdam, Germany2.4 km
- Glienicke BridgeBridge over the Havel river near Potsdam2.0 km
- Berlin ObservatoryAstronomical observatory2.4 km
- New Palace, PotsdamPalace in Sanssouci, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany3.7 km
- City Palace, PotsdamBuilding in Potsdam, Germany, former residence of the Prussian kings, seat of the Brandenburg Landtag884 m
- WannseeHistory6.5 km
- Orangery PalacePalace in the Sanssouci Park of Potsdam, Germany2.8 km
- Babelsberg PalacePalace in Potsdam, Germany1.8 km
- PfaueninselIsland in the River Havel in Berlin, Germany5.5 km
- Charlottenhof PalacePalace in Sanssouci, Potsdam, Germany3.1 km
- Brandenburg GateTriumphal arch in Potsdam, Germany1.5 km
- MarmorpalaisChâteau in Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany1.4 km
- Museum BarberiniArt museum in Potsdam782 m
- AlexandrowkaRussian architectural ensemble in Potsdam, Germany1.6 km
- Chinese HouseArchitectural monument in Park Sanssouci, Potsdam, Germany2.6 km
- Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics PotsdamResearch facility for astrophysics2.3 km
- Nauener TorCity gate in Potsdam, Germany890 m
- Belvedere auf dem KlausbergBuilding in Sanssouci Park in Potsdam3.5 km
- Historic Mill of SanssouciReconstruction of a Dutch windmill west of Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace2.4 km
- New Garden, PotsdamPark1.5 km
- PfingstbergMountain in Germany2.2 km
And the other 56, by what you come to do:
- Nature: Telegrafenberg, Döberitzer Heide, Kleiner Ravensberg, Tree-top walk Beelitz-Heilstätten, Böttcherberg, Schäferberg, Vorderer Löwendorfer Berg, Wietkikenberg, Backofenberg, Brauhausberg, Ferbitzer Bruch, Glindower Alpen, Falkenrehder Wublitz, Ketziner Havelinseln, Krielower See, Lehniner Mittelheide und Quellgebiet der Emster, Lienewitz-Caputher Seen- und Feuchtgebietskette, Obere Wublitz, Wolfsbruch
- History: Stern Hunting Lodge, Schloss Marquardt, Potsdam Great Refractor, Schloss Genshagen, Kartzow manor, Paretz Palace, Petzow Castle, Burg Zolchow, Dorfkirche Dyrotz, Village church Kanin (Beelitz), Village church Plessow, Village church Plötzin, Hakeburg, Glindow Brickworks Museum, Landhotel Gustav, Satellitenbeobachtungsstation
- Stargazing: Bruno-H.-Bürgel-Sternwarte, Meteorradar
- Temples: Parish church St. Marien-St.Nikolai Beelitz
- Hot springs: Badestelle Nymphensee, EU-Badestelle Groß Glienicker See Nord (Pferdekoppel), EU-Badestelle Groß Glienicker See Süd (Moorloch), Kristall Wohlfühltherme Ludwigsfelde
- Food and drink: Biergarten Forsthaus Templin, Braumanufaktur GmbH, Glina Whisky Destillerie, Kessel und Kelle, Meierei - Brauerei Potsdam, Zum Rittmeister
- Hiking: Fontaneweg F3, Camino de Santiago, JW Berlin - Leipzig Segment Teltow - Beelitz
- With kids: Havel-Therme, Karls Erlebnis-Dorf Elstal, Urania Planetarium
- Diving: Krumme Lanke, Tauch-Club Brieselang/Spandau '92 e.V.
When to go to Potsdam
The best time to visit Potsdam is April to October and December; also possible: January to March and November. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanPossible7:57
- FebPossible9:37
- MarPossible11:31
- AprBest time13:39
- MayBest time15:30
- JunBest time16:32
- JulBest time16:06
- AugBest time14:29
- SepBest time12:23
- OctBest time10:19
- NovPossible8:26
- DecBest time7:28
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 16 h 32 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 28. In June, 78 of the 80 places are at their best.
When to go to Germany in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Potsdam
The nearest main airport is Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER, Berlin), 30 km as the crow flies. How to get around Germany (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Blankenfelde-Mahlow25 places26 km
- Berlin144 places26 km
- Nauen6 places34 km
- Brandenburg an der Havel30 places35 km
- Nuthe-Urstromtal23 places37 km
- Oranienburg15 places42 km
And all of Germany, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Potsdam?
The best known: Berlin Wall, Sanssouci, Cecilienhof, Einstein Tower, Glienicke Bridge. In all, 80 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Potsdam?
April to October and December; also possible: January to March and November. In June there are 16 h 32 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 28.
How do you get to Potsdam?
The nearest main airport is Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), 30 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Potsdam as the destination and these 80 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- GermanyBefore travelling to Germany: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For Spanish citizens, entry only takes an ID card (DNI).
- History4386 places for history in Germany, from Berlin Wall to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to October and December. Each with its own season by altitude and da
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.