Church of Peace

Embark on an unforgettable tour of Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace and Park on a guided day trip from Berlin, with tickets included. Travel in an air-conditioned bus and admire the highlights of Potsdam, including the Dutch Quarter and the Russian Colony of Alexandrovka. Board the bus in Berlin's central Kurfürstendamm district and set off for Potsdam. Admire the scenery along the way while your guide gives insight into the city and its top attractions. Drive through the Dutch Quarter and gaze at its magnificent buildings before seeing the impressive Russian colony of Alexandrovka. Continue to Sanssouci and pass the magnificent buildings that were once the focus of Prussia's imperial splendor. Arrive at the spectacular Sanssouci Palace and begin with a stroll through its imperial gardens. Soak up the history that surrounds you as you roam the historic state rooms and ornate lawns that once belonged to King Frederick the Great. Throughout the tour, your guide will be happy to answer your questions and provide insights into the history of the palace and its grounds. Finally, conclude your trip with a return transfer to the departure point in Berlin.

Embark on an unforgettable guided walking tour of Potsdam from Berlin and uncover the most photo-worthy spots along the way. Explore the grounds of Frederick the Great's beloved Sanssouci Palace, fall in love with the quaint Dutch Quarter, and take photos at the historic Alte Markt. Start your journey at the Alte Markt, a picturesque square filled with architectural gems, each telling a unique story. Snap memorable photos with these charming buildings as your guide brings the city’s rich past to life. As you explore, hear colorful stories of Frederick William I, known as the Soldier King and the Potato King, whose strict rule—and love of potatoes—left a lasting mark on Potsdam’s legacy. Next, wander through the cozy Dutch Quarter, renowned for its red-brick houses and 18th-century charm. Admire some of Potsdam’s most beautiful churches, with their intricate façades and diverse architectural styles reflecting the city’s spirit of tolerance and creativity. Arrive at the magnificent Sanssouci Palace, once Frederick the Great's private sanctuary. Marvel at its elegant Rococo design and stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens, rich with fountains, sculptures, and panoramic views. Discover the best vantage points to capture these iconic sites in all their splendor, then choose to explore more of Potsdam at your leisure or enjoy a comfortable return transfer to Berlin.

Berlin without Potsdam is like Paris without Versailles - leave Berlin without a trip to its royal residence, and you can't say that you've seen it all. Potsdam's fairy-tale landscapes are inviting and playful, and make any walk a delightful experience. Set off with your expert guide to marvel at the impressive architecture of Potsdam's historic city centre. Then, continue through the tree-lined avenues of the famous and impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sanssouci Gardens with decorative fountains, ornate flower beds, and splendid palaces. From the ridiculous to the impressive, from the ineffective to the mighty, you’ll learn how Prussia rose from a minor European power to the foundation of the German Empire! Discover where Wilhelm II fled Germany at the end of World War I, see the impressive Venetian mosaic in the solemn Church of Peace, and find out just why Germans leave potatoes on Frederick the Great’s grave! Enjoy this relaxed 4 hour trip from Berlin ending right in front of Sanssouci Palace. After that, it's up to you if you want to see more of Potsdam or the Palaces on your own, or accompany your guide back to Berlin.

Climb aboard the comfortable VW bus and discover Potsdam, the stronghold of the Hohenzollern for almost 300 years. Admire the fascinating cultural landscape, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprised of almost 20 palaces and extensive park grounds surrounding Baroque architecture. See the beautiful Charlottenburg Palace and head along Königsstraße to the first park in the cultural landscape of Potsdam: Park Babelsberg. Here you will make your first stop before continuing on across the Glienicke Bridge and the Berlin suburb to the old market square with St. Nicholas’ Church, the old town hall, and the new parliament building, modeled closely on the old city palace. Drive through the Dutch Quarter to Bornstedt Crown Estate, where you can stroll towards Park Sanssouci. The first stop there is at the palace of the same name with its fascinating Baroque garden. Depending on the time and your interests, you can explore further attractions in the park including the Marly Garden of the soldier king, the Church of Peace, and Charlottenhof Palace by Frederick William IV, the New Palace, and the gallery of Frederick the Great. Drive in the VW bus through the Russian colony Alexandrowka and the “Forbidden City”, the European headquarters of the KGB during the Cold War, to the New Garden, where you will find the Marble Palace and Cecilienhof Palace. From the nearby Belvedere on the Pfingstberg you will have a fantastic view of Potsdam and its highlights.

Embark on a captivating three-hour walking tour through Potsdam and discover its remarkable landmarks. Begin at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of unity and history, before strolling through the charming Alter Markt square with its vibrant atmosphere and picturesque architecture. Visit the serene Church of Peace, known for its distinctive octagonal shape, and admire the exquisite St. Nicholas’ Church. Conclude the tour at the majestic Cecilienhof Palace, where history was made during the Potsdam Conference. Along the way, soak in the beauty of Potsdam’s scenic surroundings and immerse yourself in its rich cultural heritage.

SANSSOUCI PALACE Prussian King Frederick II (“the Great”, 1712–1786) loved his charming palace above the vineyard terraces as his private refuge. He resided “carefree” in these rooms decorated in the Friderician style. NORMAN TOWER Antique ruins at Sanssouci? This Roman-inspired backdrop architecture, built for Frederick the Great in 1748, was designed for its picturesque effect from a distance. The Norman (lookout) tower was added 100 years later. PICTURE GALLERY OF SANSSOUCI The sculptural decoration around the windows of the garden façade, which makes a theme of the arts and sciences, refer to the inside of the building: In the splendid gallery hall, you may admire the valuable painting collection of Frederick the Great. NEPTUNE GROTTO A jewel of Frederician garden design: Neptune, god of the sea, is enthroned above the portal of the fountain arrangement with its shell-shaped marble basin. Shells of mother-of-pearl, painted reed flowers and crystal shimmer inside the grotto. OBELISK Fantasy hieroglyphs adorn the obelisk which, each together with two double rows of pillars, comprise the Obelisk Portal at the eastern entrance to the park. At the foot of the pillars, the goddesses Flora and Fauna set the mood for your visit to the park. CHURCH OF PEACE Early Christian basilicas in Rome inspired King Frederick William IV (1795–1861) to this ensemble at the Marly Garden. The campanile, 42 meters in height, towers over the Church of Peace with its cloister and atrium. FIRST RONDEL The main axis between the obelisk and the New Palace is structured with hedge-lined enclosures. The First Rondel displays busts of two Roman emperors and four Africans in antique robes. GREAT FOUNTAIN Twelve marble sculptures constitute the French Rondel around the Great Fountain in the garden parterre of Sanssouci Park. CHINESE HOUSE Clear the stage for the Rococo presentation of the Chinese style: Resting in the niches of the garden pavilion are “Chinese” groups of figures in exotic costumes. ROMAN BATHS Italy as a place of longing: Inspired by 15th-century Italian country estates, the architects Schinkel and Persius created the Roman ensemble of buildings and gardens for Crown Prince Frederick William IV, who became king in 1840. CHARLOTTENHOF VILLA This summer residence of the Crown Prince Frederick William IV and Crown Princess Elisabeth reveals itself to be an elegant villa in the Classicist style rising above the grounds with terraces, colonnade, gardens and fountains. TEMPLE OF FRIENDSHIP Frederick the Great dedicated this pavilion rotunda to his favorite sister Wilhelmine: The marble statue shows her as the Margravine of Bayreuth, and the medallion images on the columns commemorate famous friendship couples from Antiquity. NEW PALACE Frederick the Great referred to this representative palace topped with a cupola and adorned with hundreds of sculptures, which he used for his guests as a “fanfaronade” (boastful ostentation).