Potsdam
Royal palaces, formal gardens and lakeside parks, a day trip from Berlin by train or S-Bahn.
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Potsdam is the capital of the German state of Brandenburg, about 25 km southwest of Berlin's center. The city sits on the River Havel, in a hilly landscape of lakes left by glaciers. Until 1918, it was a residence of the Prussian kings and German emperors, and their palaces, parks and gardens are the main reason to visit. The S7 S-Bahn makes it a day trip from Berlin.
Sanssouci Park, about 2 km west of the center, is the city's best-known site. Its Rococo summer palace, built for Frederick the Great between 1745 and 1747, stands among formal gardens. Other highlights include the New Palace, which has over 200 rooms, and the Dutch Quarter, with about 150 red-brick houses. Plan a full day for the main palaces and parks, and add time for the lakeshore if you want a slower pace. Spring to early autumn is the best season, when the palaces and gardens are open and the lakes are warm.
Potsdam in five
- Check your Berlin ticket covers zone CPotsdam lies in the outer zone of the Berlin network, so a basic AB ticket needs the C extension. The S7 reaches Potsdam Hauptbahnhof in roughly 30 minutes, and regional trains are faster.Plan transport
- Reserve a time slot for Sanssouci PalaceEntry to the main palace is sold by timed slot and fills on weekends. Buy on the foundation's official site the day before at the latest, and check which weekday the palace is closed.
- Pick two palaces, not fiveThe park holds many palaces, and each has its own ticket. Sanssouci plus the New Palace or Cecilienhof fills a day with walking in between.
- Add Cecilienhof for 1945 historyThe 1945 Potsdam Conference took place in this half-timbered royal house. It lies in the New Garden, on the lakeshore, a bus or tram ride from the station.
- Spend the afternoon in the Dutch QuarterA district of red brick houses built in the 18th century, with cafés and small shops, close to the center. It is a good late-afternoon stop after the park.Berlin travel guide
Things to do in Potsdam
See all attractions in Potsdam
Need to know
- Airport
- Berlin Brandenburg (BER), about 1 hour by regional train
- Getting there
- S7 or regional express from Berlin; about 20–35 min to the main station
- Getting around
- Walking, trams and buses between the palaces; bikes in the park
- Best base
- Berlin, unless you want a quiet night near the parks
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with Cecilienhof and the lakes
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low0°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low1°Cold, bareFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, bare
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low2°Cool, thawMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, thaw
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring, blossomAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, blossom
- MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Gardens bloomMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Gardens bloom
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Hot, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Hot, busyAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Mild, clearSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Fall colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Gray, dampNovemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray, damp
- DecemberCloudy12 rainy daysHigh5°Low1°Advent marketsDecemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Advent markets
Average daily high and low in Potsdam, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Potsdam
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 64%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Potsdam
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°5°3%Monday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue10°4°8%Tuesday: Rain. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed10°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°3°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°1°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat5°2°0%Saturday: Fog. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun6°1°3%Sunday: Fog. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 05:42 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jan–FebtransmedialeBerlin, a day trip
- MayBerliner TheatertreffenBerlin, a day trip
- JulLesbian and Gay City FestivalBerlin, a day trip
- AugBerlin AtonalBerlin, a day trip
- SepBerlin International Literature FestivalBerlin, a day trip
- Oct–NovJazzFest BerlinBerlin, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Berlinabout 30 min by S-BahnMuseum Island, the Wall memorial and the Brandenburg Gate.Read the guide
- Spreewaldabout 1.5 hours with a changeA canal landscape of punt boats and pickles.Read the guide
- Berlin & Brandenburgfrom 30 min by trainLakes, palaces and small towns around the capital.Read the guide
Before you go to Potsdam
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Potsdam, checked
- Visa-exempt visitors from non-EU countries can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check current entry rules with the Federal Foreign Office.Source
- Validate paper tickets in the machines on platforms before boarding S-Bahn, regional trains or trams. Inspectors check tickets on board.
- Opening hours and rules differ for each palace and park, so check the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation before you go.
- Unexploded World War II bombs are still found in Potsdam; if police close an area, stay out and follow their instructions.
- Dial 112 for fire or an ambulance and 110 for police anywhere in Germany.
Plan around Potsdam
The capital, 30 minutes away by S-Bahn
Read the guideBerlin & BrandenburgThe region around the capital
Read the guideSpreewald travel guidePunt boats in a forested wetland, 1 hour from Berlin
Read the guideRügen Island travel guideChalk cliffs and beaches on the Baltic coast
Read the guideAll of GermanyRegions, trains, entry rules and money for Germany
Read the guideIs a Eurail Pass worth it?When single tickets beat a pass in Germany
Read the guidePotsdam FAQ
Is Potsdam worth a day trip from Berlin?
Yes. It is the easiest day out, with a UNESCO park, palaces and lakes in a few square kilometers. Go on a weekday to avoid the queues for Sanssouci timed slots.
How do you get from Berlin to Potsdam?
By S-Bahn S7 or a regional train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof. The S-Bahn takes about 30 minutes, the regional express less. Your Berlin ticket must cover zone C.
How long do you need in Potsdam?
One day for Sanssouci Park and a palace, plus the Dutch Quarter. Two days only if you want Cecilienhof, the lakes and a slower evening before the last train.
Can you see Sanssouci without paying?
The park is open to walk, and you can see the palace exterior and the terraces without an entry ticket. Check the foundation's official page for any park entry rules or fees on the day.
Should I stay in Potsdam or Berlin?
Berlin for nightlife, museums and transport. Potsdam only if you want quiet evenings by the parks and a short walk to Sanssouci at opening time.