Berlin is an incredible place where you can eat schnitzel, enjoy giant steins of beer, take in the local art scene and learn about the dark history, which shaped the look of the city today. While there’s a long list of things to do, it’s highly recommended to switch up the metropolis scenery for a day to stroll in the stunning gardens and parks in Potsdam.
The former Prussian royal city is about an hour away from Germany’s capital and the best way to experience it is by a guided tour. After taking a free walking tour with Sandemans, I signed up for their Potsdam tour, which was 15 euros plus a 10 euro tip. My tour started at 11:00am and we left promptly for the train station. You’ll need the all day ABC pass to get to Potsdam. You can use it for any means of public transportation and it’s less than 8 euros, so it’s a good deal. Your guide tells you how to buy your ticket if you don’t already have one and your group will take the train together, which is about a 40 minute ride. From there you’ll take a bus for about 10 minutes and you use the same ticket.
Duarte was my guide for both of the tours I took with Sandemans, and he was great! He’s very attentive to everyone on the tour, made sure we all got on the train okay and had seats. He directed us to Potsdam every step of the way, and those who were older in the group or were nervous to use public transportation were well taken care of. Our first stop on the tour was where the Oscar-nominated movie “Bridge of Spies” was filmed. The iconic location is just outside of Potsdam and Duarte told us interesting details about the area and Cold War era before we wandered towards the Old Dutch Quarter.
As we marveled at the red-bricked Dutch architecture and colorful streets, Duarte, who is incredibly knowledgable about historical events, talked about the significance of Potsdam and gave us time to walk around the fairy-tale buildings.
Since it was raining in Potsdam we didn’t get to see a few things that we would normally on the tour. But we did make it to the Cecilienhof Palace. This is where Allied leaders Harry Truman, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill gathered for the Potsdam Conference in 1945. We also saw the magnificent gardens and the Sanssouci Palace, which was the summer residence for Frederick the Great, King of Prussia.
We didn’t go inside any of the palaces since that’s an additional entrance fee, which isn’t included. However, the tour ends around 3:00pm so you’re free to explore anything else in Potsdam you’d like. If you want to head back to Berlin, the guide gives directions to where you’re going and helps you navigate the bus and train.
I thought it was a great tour to Potsdam and would encourage anyone to go. I was bummed the weather wasn’t better. But considering I still feel like we saw a lot of things, and I was happy I went.