The Real Beth R.

From the moment I found out I would be traveling to Germany, I immediately began researching things to do and places to visit. One of the places that caught my attention was the Sanssouci Palace, located in Potsdam, Germany.

Where is it? Potsdam is a city that is located on the border of Berlin, Germany. It is about 36 to 40 minutes by car or about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes by train from the Berlin Brandenburg airport. It is a beauiful city with gardens, palaces, and lakes. If that is something you are interested in seeing and exploring I highly recommend visiting the city. Plan to stay several days because the city is rich in history and there are many places to visit. Some known places to visit include: cecilienhof palace, Sanssouci palace, Neues Palais, Babelsberg palace, Brandenburg gate, and historical Neighborhoods such as the dutch quarter. The places we decided to visit for one day was the Sanssouci palace and the Neues Palais.

I believe it’s free to walk around the palace grounds and explore the gardens, but you do need a ticket to tour the interiors of the palaces. I can imagine that visiting in the spring or summer would be especially beautiful. We decided to go during the winter since we were in Germany visiting family for the holidays and chose one day to see the palace. Even though it was cold and overcast, the visit was absolutely worth it—the scenery felt unreal and breathtaking. We purchased the Sanssouci+ Ticket, which grants access to most of the palaces and buildings. It cost about 22 euros per person. You can probably buy it online in advance, but we bought ours upon arrival.

Sansoucci Palace

The Sanssouci Palace served as the summer residence of King Frederick the Great of Prussia and is often referred to as the “Prussian Versailles.” The palace was originally built between 1745 and 1747 and was later redesigned and expanded by Frederick’s successors. Inside this particular palace, there are 12 rooms in total. The surrounding grounds feature a beautiful terraced garden that descends toward a charming fountain at the base.

We began our tour at the Sanssouci Palace, where each visitor received an audio guide device and could choose their preferred language. Although we toured in a group, everyone was free to explore the palace at their own pace, which I really appreciated. The audio guide was very informative, but I often found myself so mesmerized by the beauty of each new room that I forgot to listen. The palace was absolutely stunning.

Neues Palais

After strolling through the terraced gardens and taking photos, we made our way to the Neues Palais.

The Neues Palais is one of the grandest royal residences in Potsdam, Germany, located at the western end of Sanssouci Park. Construction began in 1763 and was completed around 1769. It was commissioned by Frederick the Great to celebrate Prussia’s military victories, serving as a symbol of power and resilience despite the costs of war. Unlike Sanssouci Palace, the Neues Palais was designed to impress visiting dignitaries and royalty, functioning more as a guest palace than a royal home.

Architecturally, the palace is a stunning example of Baroque and Rococo design, known for its grandeur and intricate detail.

Upon entering, visitors present their tickets and are admitted in small groups—these aren’t assigned, but rather based on arrival order. Each person receives an audio guide, though you can also choose to follow the live tour guide. Our guide spoke mostly in German, so I spent much of the time simply admiring the incredible architecture (especially since my audio device wasn’t working).

My favorite parts of the palace were the Marble Hall, the sparkling chandeliers, and a particularly floral room that stood out for its dome ceiling and floral art.

Right next to the Neues Palais is the University of Potsdam, housed in two magnificent buildings known as the “Communs.” Imagine attending classes in a place like that! I’m not sure what the interiors look like, but from the outside, the architecture is absolutely stunning.

After a full day of touring, we stopped by an outlet shopping area on our way home, where we had dinner and did a bit of shopping. For dinner, we chose a lovely Vietnamese restaurant, which was the perfect way to end the day.

It was such a memorable day trip. I’d love to return during the spring or summer to explore more of the Sanssouci Parkgrounds. Next time, I hope to visit other sites in the park, including the Charlottenhof Palace, Orangery Palace, Chinese House, Roman Baths, Picture Gallery, and the historic windmill.