Potsdam Private Walk Tour from Berlin: Unravel the Mysteries of History & Heritage
4.5
26 Ratings
Potsdam
Unravel the mysteries of Potsdam's history and heritage on a private walk tour from Berlin. Explore picturesque palaces, serene lakes, and lush gardens while discovering the captivating historical tapestry of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sanssouci Park - More than 30 palaces and gardens in Berlin and Brandenburg invite visitors to go on lively time travels back into the brilliant era of the Prussian kings and queens. Testimonies to the accomplished architecture and landscape gardening in Prussia, they have largely belonged to the UNESCO World Heritage since 1991. Their paradisiacal beauty is in keeping with their sobriquet “Prussian Arcadia.”

Among these are the world renowned Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam and Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin.

  • Sanssouci Palace - The pleasure palace of Frederick the Great features beautiful Rococo-style architecture and a magnificent palace garden. On April 14, 1745, the foundation stone was laid for today’s world famous Sanssouci Palace. Sanssouci is an masterpiece ensemble of architecture, sculptures and garden art.
  • Neues Palais - A colossal palace building, its high tambour dome recognizable from afar, rises up at the western end of the Hauptallee (the main promenade) in Sanssouci Park: the Neues Palais (New Palace).

In strong contrast to the intimate and rather modest Sanssouci Palace the large palace complex served official, representational needs. Grand banquet halls, splendid galleries and regally designed suites, not to mention Sanssouci’s Baroque palace theater in the southern wing, await visitors in its interior. Select works of 18th century art and decorative arts can be viewed at the palace in their original contexts.

The New Palace is the last royal residence Frederick the Great would have built in his park. It was a demonstration of the Prussian state’s undiminished power and wealth following the deprivations of the Seven Years’ War (1756–63).

  • Dutch Quarter - The Dutch Quarter, colloquially also known as the Dutch Quarter, is a district in the center of Potsdam that was built between 1733 and 1742 as part of the second city expansion under the direction of the Dutch master builder Jan Bouman from Amsterdam.[1] The quarter consists of 134 brick houses, which are divided into four squares by Mittelstrasse and Benkertstrasse. Under Friedrich Wilhelm I, known as the “soldier king”, the district was planned and the two western squares were built. After his death in 1740, his son and successor Frederick II had the quarter with the two eastern squares completed largely according to his father’s plans.
  • Schloss Cecilienhof - Cecilienhof Country House, built from 1913–17 according to plans by Paul Schultze in the style of a country manor, was the last palace erected by the Hohenzollerns.
    From July 17 to August 2, 1945, the summit meeting of World War II’s victorious powers took place here, attended by the “Big Three” – the American president Harry S. Truman, the British prime minister Winston Churchill (followed by his successor Clement Attlee), and the Soviet head of state Joseph Stalin.

The Potsdam Conference was one the most important historical events of the 20th century. It is seen around the world as a symbol of the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War, which led to the division of Europe and the erection of the Berlin Wall. The Potsdam Agreement adopted at Cecilienhof laid the groundwork for a new order in Germany, Europe, and the world after World War II.

What's Included
  • Free public transportation included.
  • Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • Enjoy the expertise of a private tour guide from Berlin to Potsdam.
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Entry to the Palaces- it cost around 10 to 14Euro per person
  • In case car request fuel cost 50€ need to be paid upon arrival.
Additional Information

Immerse yourself in the charm of Potsdam’s UNESCO World Heritage brilliance. Potsdam is a city decorated with beautiful palaces, tranquil lakes, and verdant gardens, as well as a fascinating historical narrative. Take a stroll through the Dutch Quarter, a distinctive collection of European red-brick architecture.

Uncover the interesting remnants of Frederick William I, known as the ‘Soldier King’. Tour the magnificent Sanssouci Palace, the favorite dwelling of Frederick the Great, located in a garden filled with temples and churches.

Traverse the iconic Glienicke Bridge, renowned for Cold War-era ‘spy exchanges,’ and explore history at Cecilienhof, the grand residence of Germany’s last Crown Prince. This residence held the renowned Potsdam Conference in 1945, where Churchill, Truman, and Stalin mapped out the future of Cold War Europe.

Partake in a journey that blends Potsdam’s scenic allure with the mystery of its historical events, offering an experience you won’t forget.

Location
Sanssouci Park
Zur Historischen Muhle,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(26 Ratings)
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462donnaw
Jun 5, 2024
Beautiful day in Potsdam - We enjoyed our day with Shadi. Potsdam is lovely with many beautiful places to see. We were, however, disappointed that we did not get to see inside Sanssouci Palace. That was a priority for me, but the timing of the ticket didn’t work with the timing of the tour. There wasn’t the flexibility in the day and tickets aren’t purchased ahead. But, as Shadi reminded us, Potsdam requires more than 6 hours. It is well worth the time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jchatmanj
Jun 3, 2024
Potsdam private walking tour - Shadi was very friendly and enjoyable to spend time with. He knows the employees at the castles very well and they go out of their way to accommodate him. It was a nice tour and well worth the cost for a private tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sherri_s
Dec 14, 2023
Berlin to Potsdam private tour - Shadi was an amazing guide! The personalized tour from East Berlin to Potsdam just for me and my 10-year-old…both history buffs. Shadi was professional and knowledgeable, as well as flexible with respect to the weather. While a hiccup with tickets at the Old Palace, Shadi made sure we made the tour. My one and only comment - on me 100% - I wish I would have requested a few formal moments at another tragic historically significant site in the route. But Shadi awesome, patient with children, flexible. Highly recommend!!!
Review provided by Viator
570faridt
Nov 9, 2023
Amazing Tour of historical sites at Potsdam - We had a wonderful experience with our tour guide (Shadi) who was very helpful and well-informed. He showed us some amazing places such as Cecilienhof palace and Sanssouci palace, which were both very impressive and significant in history (especially for those who are interested in the second world war, Cecilienhof Palace is a must-see). He gave us enough time to explore these places and then he took us to the charming Potsdam old town, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a great Italian restaurant. He also fulfilled our request and took us to the bridge where the US and Soviet used to exchange prisoners during the cold war, as shown in the bridge of spies' movie. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who is visiting Berlin.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bob
Oct 22, 2023
Shadi was great - Very enjoyable day. Shadi was on time, very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw all the highlights of Potsdam and more. Didn’t feel pressed for time
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dbishop0706
Oct 6, 2023
A very enjoyable day - thanks Shadi! - The highlights of our visit to Potsdam were visits to the impressive 176 room Cecilienhof Palace, built by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the more intimate Sans Souci Palace, built by Prussian King Frederick the Great as his summer retreat. We also stopped for a stroll in the Dutch Quarter which is full of shops and restaurants. The principal Potsdam attraction for me was Cecilienhof, site of the two-week Potsdam Conference attended by Churchill, Truman and Stalin as they discussed the shape of post-war Europe in the mid-summer of 1945. The conference room and the leaders’ respective offices are available for public viewing and, for those with an interest in history, are very interesting to visit. Shadi, our driver/guide, met us on time at our hotel in Berlin and provided great service from 9:00am until about 3.00pm. He speaks English very well and provided helpful commentary throughout the day. His car was spotless and very comfortable. Shadi encouraged us to take as much time as we needed to enjoy each site and, while he offered an opportunity for us to enjoy lunch in Potsdam, we opted for an earlier return to Berlin.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melindad430
May 9, 2024
Great Day Trip from Berlin - This is an enjoyable tour and a wonderful city to visit. We really enjoyed the city and look forward to a return trip to visit more of the castles and buildings.
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Mohamed_l
Oct 18, 2023
Relaxing - It was a fantastic tour in a very romantic city. The guide was super and the tour was sutisfying, but needed more time.
Review provided by Viator
Jeany_b
Oct 19, 2023
Potsdam Private Walk Tour Disappointment - This is the first tour through Viator I've been really disappointed in. It was supposed to be 6 hours not the 4 1/2 hours he gave us. Also we never stopped at 3 of the places included in the description - Neues Palais (45 min), Dutch Quarter (30 Min) of the Schloss Celienhof (45 min). I really wanted to spend time in the Dutch Quarter which he just drove by and pointed to. For $256 I would have been better off taking public transportation to Potsdam and then taking the bus or a cab to the various sites!
Review provided by Viator
Jeanyb2013
Oct 19, 2023
Potsdam disappointing tour - I was very disappointed in this tour. We didn't go to 3 of the places mentioned in the description and also we were back at our hotel in 4 1/2 hours instead of the 6. For what we did I could have used public transportation to get to Potsdam and then cabs or local buses to get around. For $256 for 2 of us I was very unimpressed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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