Potsdam is the capital of Brandenburg and borders Berlin. The town has population of approx. 146.500. It is widely known for its castles and landscape as a World Heritage Site. Potsdam ist more than 1000 years old. Many historic buildings are under re-construction after World War Two and the period of the GDR.

Get in

By train

From Berlin: Regional Train "R1" direction "Magdeburg" or "Brandenburg", 20 min from Zoo-Station. Inner-city train "S7"/"S1" direction Potsdam, about 45 min from Zoo-Station. You must have a ticket for the zones A,B and C because the zone C covers from BVG the public transport in Potsdam

Stay safe

Potsdam is a safe city for tourists. During daylight the city is full of tourists that visit the amazing castles and gardens. Sadly since 1998 Potsdam has a scene of rightist extrimist. On Easter 2006 two suspects beaten a German (originally from Ethiopia)nearly to death. The incident happened late at night, when he waited alone at a public transport station. Therefore non-whites should better travel only in groups in public transport in evenings/nights and have a mobile phone with them to call the police.

Get around

The tram and bus system in Potsdam is very modern and pretty much excellent, but confusing. Potsdam is, together with Berlin and parts of Brandenburg, part of the VBB transportation network. That enables you to change trams and busses pretty much at will, as long as your ticket is valid for the zone you're in. The inner city of Potsdam is in Zone A, the outer parts are in Zone B, the hinterland is Zone C. Beware though, as Potsdam itself lies in Berlin's Zone C, Berlin's outer parts are Berlin Zone B and so on. Tickets can be bought at ticket machines in every tram and bus. Unfortunately they're of no big help when it comes to choosing the right ticket, and furthermore they only accept coins and rechargeable "Geldkarten", but no bills. It's best to get detailed information about prices and zones at Potsdam's central station or on the VBB website.

See

Schloss Sanssouci.

• Park Sanssouci - This immense park outside Berlin in the city of Potsdam is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, along with all its outbuildings. Get there early: there is a 2000 person/day entry limit at Schloss (Castle) Sanssouci, a fabulous rococo palace with amazing interiors. One of the most noteworthy rooms in the palace is the Konzertsaal (concert hall) - dripping in rococo glory.

• Gedenk- und Begegnungsstätte Ehemaliges KGB-Gefängnis Potsdam, Leistikowstr. 1 - Literally the Memorial and Meeting-place Former KGB Prison Potsdam. From August 1945 it was occupied by soviet forces und has been reconstructed as a prison for the counterintelligence. Today it's been left standing to remind of the depressing reality of dictatorships. Open from May to October, every Saturday and Sunday 11-17h.

• Holländisches Viertel - Right in the middle of Potsdam are the "Dutch Quarters", build in the 18th century by Dutch master builder Johann Boumann to attract other Dutch artisans. The quarters consist of 134 red brick houses, divided into four blocks. The history of the Dutch Quarters can be seen in the house in Mittelstraße 8.

• Alter Markt, the old market is the historic city center, the Stadtschloss (city castle) is under re-construction. You can visit the Nikolaikirche there.

• Park Babelberg is a beautiful park with an gothic-style castle, it is also part of the World heritage site. One part of the university is placed here, so expect some students.

• The Pfauninsel (Peacockisland) is a small island with free living peacocks.

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Get out