# Potsdam Great Refractor, Germany: what it is and when to go

> Potsdam Great Refractor is a historic astronomical telescope in an observatory in Potsdam, Germany. Interests: History and Stargazing. The best time to visit is April to October and December. In June there are 16 h 32 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 28. It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Germany: one to enjoy at a calmer pace. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/refraktorgebaude/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-02
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **What it is:** Historic astronomical telescope in an observatory in Potsdam, Germany · History, Stargazing
- **Where:** Germany
- **Best time:** April to October and December.
- **Nearest airport:** BER Berlin, 30 km as the crow flies
- **Website:** [aip.de](https://www.aip.de)
- **Run by:** Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam
- **Protection:** Protected heritage
- **Coordinates:** 52.37974, 13.06423

## What it is and where

Potsdam Great Refractor is a historic astronomical telescope in an observatory in Potsdam, Germany. It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Germany: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

Kuppelgebäude für den Großen Refraktor

It is in [Potsdam](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/potsdam/), where this site lists 80 more places to see, 2.3 km from the centre.

Its coordinates are 52.37974, 13.06423; 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 covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/#moverse).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=52.379738%2C13.064227)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=52.379738%2C13.064227)

- **Run by:** Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam
- **Protection:** Protected heritage

It is one of the [History](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/historia/) and [Stargazing](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/estrellas/) places in Germany. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

## When to go

The best time to visit Potsdam Great Refractor is **April to October and December**.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Possible | 7 h 57 |
| February | Possible | 9 h 37 |
| March | Possible | 11 h 31 |
| April | Best time | 13 h 39 |
| May | Best time | 15 h 30 |
| June | Best time | 16 h 32 |
| July | Best time | 16 h 06 |
| August | Best time | 14 h 28 |
| September | Best time | 12 h 23 |
| October | Best time | 10 h 19 |
| November | Possible | 8 h 26 |
| December | Best time | 7 h 28 |

In June there are 16 h 32 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 28. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

| What you come for | Best time | Possible |
| --- | --- | --- |
| History | April to October and December | January to March and November |
| Stargazing | December | January to March and November |

It is not the same trip whatever you come for: Potsdam Great Refractor has a different season depending on what you want to do here, and [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) puts it in the right month for you.

When to go to Germany in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/#cuando-ir).

## Before you go to Germany

To enter Germany there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid ID card (DNI) or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the Germany checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/#antes-de-salir). Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz; emergencies: 112 · 110 police.

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

## What is nearby

- [Telegrafenberg](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/telegrafenberg/): Hill in Brandenburg · 100 m
- [Einstein Tower](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/torre-einstein/): Astrophysical observatory in Potsdam, Germany · 102 m
- [Brauhausberg](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/brauhausberg/): Hill in Teltower Vorstadt in Potsdam · 545 m
- [City Palace, Potsdam](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/city-palace/): Building in Potsdam, Germany, former residence of the Prussian kings, seat of the Brandenburg Landtag · 1.7 km
- [Museum Barberini](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/museum-barberini/): Art museum in Potsdam · 1.7 km

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the Germany guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/).

## More in Germany: History

- [Berlin Wall](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/reststuck-der-berliner-mauer/): barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic, enclosing West Berlin (1961–1989)
- [Lübeck](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/lubeca/)
- [Baden-Baden](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/baden-baden-2/)
- [Bamberg](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/bamberg-2/)
- [Neuschwanstein Castle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/castillo-del-rey-loco/): castle in Bavaria, Germany, Europe
- [Cologne Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/catedral-de-colonia/): Roman-Catholic cathedral in Cologne, Germany

Every Germany place under History, each with its season, is on [its page](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/historia/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Potsdam Great Refractor?

It is a historic astronomical telescope in an observatory in Potsdam, Germany. It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Germany: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

### When is the best time to visit Potsdam Great Refractor?

April to October and December. In June there are 16 h 32 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 28.

### How do you get to Potsdam Great Refractor?

The nearest main airport is Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), 30 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=52.379738%2C13.064227) opens the route on the map, and how to get around Germany is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/#moverse).

### How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Germany map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

### What else is around here?

Nearby you have [Telegrafenberg](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/telegrafenberg/), [Einstein Tower](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/torre-einstein/), [Brauhausberg](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/brauhausberg/). The rest is in [the Germany guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/alemania/).

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/352224937), licensed under the ODbL, and from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1548928), CC0. More about Potsdam Great Refractor on [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potsdam_Great_Refractor). Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).