Potsdam—on the outskirts of Berlin—is the perfect place for a day trip to escape hipster Berlin. I took my bicycle on a particularly sunny day last month and discovered Potsdam isn’t only a cool city but it’s actually quite pretty. Maybe even beautiful. It’s a lot more colorful than I would’ve expected: orange-brick buildings, pristine green lawns, yellow concrete walls, orientalist architecture. Much of the 1,000 year old city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The yellow Sanssouci palace is particularly pretty. The summer home of Prussian emperor Frederick the Great, Sanssouci is built in the Rococo style which I often find obnoxiously ostentatious, however, here in Potsdam it was a welcome sight. Much of Berlin’s architecture, personally I find quite boring, so to see something so elegant and beautiful was a relief. The prettiness of the Sanssouci palace is made even more so when you realize that “sans souci” means “no worries” in French!
Getting to Potsdam
The city is easily accessible by train from Berlin. For a day trip, you just need a ticket that covers zones ABC of the Berlin metro. If you take a bicycle, be sure to by your bike an add-on ticket as well so you don’t get stuck with a fine! Or if you want, it’s possible to rent a bicycle a the Potsdam S-bahn station—right on the train platform.
Read more: A photo tour of Potsdam Sanssouci Park
Blogs published by Adam Groffman • Please note some posts do make me some money, but I never sacrifice my integrity in exchange for a favorable review. Read the full disclosure policy.
nicoleisthenewblack
17 July 2012
love the bigger ictures. potsdam is lovely! been there a few times
Read nicoleisthenewblack´s last post… My Amazing Day In The Hermitage Museum
Adam
18 July 2012
Thanks Nicole! It was much more pretty than I expected.
Cheryl
1 July 2012
Nice pics Adam! It’s so sad that I haven’t made it there yet. Need to change that ASAP.
Read Cheryl´s last post… Impressions Of Amsterdam.
Adam
3 July 2012
Well I didn’t make it until after being here a year either – but now that I’ve been I can definitely recommend it. It’s a great place to visit on a sunny afternoon—just be sure to rent a bike!
Arti
30 June 2012
Really pretty shots! Seems very picturesque and beautiful.
Read Arti´s last post… My Yatra Diary Goes International!
Jennifer
29 June 2012
Looks like a great day trip from Berlin! We haven’t been to Berlin yet but when we do, we’ll have to make sure we have time for Potsdam as well. Thanks for the suggestion!
Read Jennifer´s last post… Champs de Lavande!
Adam
3 July 2012
Glad you liked it Jennifer. Definitely worth checking out if you want to escape Berlin for an afternoon—it’s so close to the city it’s easy to visit on a short trip!
Ali
29 June 2012
I like the new layout Adam! Looks like an interesting city to visit, hopefully whenever I get up to Berlin I can add Potsdam to the trip as well.
Read Ali´s last post… Istanbul in Photos – Blue Mosque
Adam
3 July 2012
Thank you Ali! You seriously need to get to Berlin soon – before the weather turns bad again!
Christy @ Technosyncratic
29 June 2012
I’m bummed we didn’t make it to Potsdam when we were there! We had plans to during our last week in Berlin, but then Kali got sick. =( Next time, though!
Read Christy @ Technosyncratic´s last post… Tulips and Windmills in Holland: A Photo Essay
Adam
3 July 2012
Still impressive that you were planning to visit. There’s not much to see there except the pretty buildings but now that I’ve been, I can see why so many people like it.
Abby
28 June 2012
Gorgeous! What a bright, happy place. Your site is looking great, Adam!
Adam
28 June 2012
Thanks Abby! I’ve made a ton of adjustments the past few months.
Ryan at Travel and Graphs
28 June 2012
Looks like such a cool trip! Will definitely be somewhere highly considered if I ever want to escape Berlin for a few days.
Read Ryan at Travel and Graphs´s last post… Photo and a Quick Story: An Uncomfortable Ride Through The Marshes
Adam
28 June 2012
It’s really close to Berlin – only like 45 minutes and still on Berlin’s metro line – so it’s definitely an easy place to get to for an afternoon!
Efrutik
27 June 2012
Beautiful pictures! Reminds me of the time I’ve been to the grand Sanssouci in winter time. I hope to visit it more often once back Berlin. Had no idea about the no worries translation; pretty neat! I guess the place was intended for pure enjoyment hence the name? In any case, it sure is beautiful and my favorite part are the steps toward the orangery. It’s so captivating even in the winter time. Speaking of Potsdam it’s such an interesting place. Did you know that on Lindenstraße 54 – there is a museum for the former GDR state security prison ? It is so creepy but if you are into something like that it could make for an interesting return visit to explore Potsdam. I sure had fun being the only “visitor” when I went there. I think the fact that I couldn’t understand German made it less creepy to be at the museum. Let us know if you make it out there :)
Adam
3 July 2012
Thank you!
I’d be curious to see Potsdam during winter. I imagine it’s REALLY cold because of all the open spaces. Didn’t know about the GDR museum in Potsdam – I’ll have to look into it.
Jaime
27 June 2012
See always finding amazing things in or around Berlin. Ahh I will have to go back one day that is for sure. Nice photos. Seemed like a very nice day trip!
Read Jaime´s last post… Faces of India in photos.
Adam
3 July 2012
Yep – Berlin is amazing. You’re totally missing out.
(come back for a visit, will ya?!)