Potsdam Royal History and Cold War Tour

Potsdam was a city of kings – a German Versaille where the Hohenzollern monarchy of Prussia constructed lavish palaces in which they could spend their summers. It was also the setting for the Potsdam Conference, where geopolitical giants Josef Stalin, Harry Truman and Winston Churchill met in the summer of 1945 to seal the post-war fate of Germany and Europe.
This 6-hour tour with a car takes you to Potsdam to experience the pomp and grandeur of Prussia and explore the origins of the Cold War. With your own private vehicle, you have the opportunity to explore much more of the UNESCO-listed palace gardens than would be possible by just walking. Your professional, local guide will provide an in-depth commentary throughout and lead you to the heart of German royalty, over the 'Bridge of Spies', and much more. Please note that his tour does not include inside visits to Potsdam palaces. For palace interiors, we recommend our 8-hour private tour with dedicated time for visits.

What's included:

• Private vehicle with professional driver
• Professional, local guide

Not included:

• Gratuities
• Food and drink
• Entrance fees (none required for the tour)

What to expect:

Duration: 6 hours

Sanssouci Palace

Maulbeerallee, Potsdam, 14469, Brandenburg

Climb through the tiered vineyard up to Frederick the Great's iconic summer palace. Visit the grave of Prussia's most famous monarch, and learn how he became a legend. Palace admission will need to be booked prior to your visit – we're happy to help you organize your booking.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Schloss Cecilienhof

Im Neuen Garten 11, , Potsdam, 14469, Brandenburg

Stand where Truman, Churchill and Stalin stood, when they met to shape the fate of post-war Germany and Europe at the Potsdam Conference.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Glienicke Bridge

Konigstrasse, Potsdam, 14467, Brandenburg

Cross the 'Bridge of Spies', from West Berlin into East Germany, where the US and USSR swapped captured agents during the Cold War.

10 minutes

Neues Palais

Am Neuen Palais, Potsdam, 14469, Brandenburg

Stare up in awe at the imposing New Palace, largest of the residences on the Potsdam grounds, and witness where Kaiser Wilhelm II signed the declaration that sent the Germans to war in 1914.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Orangerie im Park Sanssouci

Maulbeerallee, , Potsdam, 14469, Brandenburg

Drive past Frederick William IV's grandiose architectural folly – primarily used, then and now, to store exotic plants for the duration of Berlin's bitter winters.

Pass by without stopping

Marmorpalais

Im Neuen Garten 10, , Potsdam, 14469, Brandenburg

Gaze out over the Heiligen See (the 'Holy Lake') from the veranda of Frederick William II's Marble Palace, and see where Frederick William III learned of Prussia's liberation from Napoleonic occupation at the neighboring Orangerie.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Potsdam Friedenskirche

Am Gruenen Gitter 3, Potsdam, 14469, Brandenburg

Explore the private church of the Prussian monarchy, and descend into the crypts to visit the graves of Frederick William IV and his wife Elizabeth, queen of Prussia and former princess of Bavaria.

10 minutes

Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

Luisenplatz, Potsdam, 14467, Brandenburg

Walk beneath the towering arch of Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate – built to celebrate the Prussian triumphs in the three Silesian Wars, and predating Berlin's Brandenburg Gate by roughly 20 years.

10 minutes

Dutch Quarter

Mittelstrasse, Potsdam, 14467, Brandenburg

Wander through the close-set streets of picturesque, red-brick houses in the Dutch Quarter and learn how Dutch craftsmen were drawn to Potsdam in the early 18th century to contribute to the expansion of the then garrison town.

10 minutes

Old Market Square

Potsdam, 14467, Brandenburg

Drive past Potsdam's 'Alte Markt' and see the Nicholas Church, the Old Town Hall, and the former Potsdam City Palace – now the Brandenburg State Parliament building.

Pass by without stopping

Nauen Gate

Nauner Srasse, Potsdam, Brandenburg

Pass beneath another of Potsdam former city gates, built to designs created by Frederick the Great and the first example of British Gothic Revivalist architecture appearing in Germany.

5 minutes

Alexandrowka

Alexandrowka 2, Potsdam, Brandenburg

Drive around the thirteen charming wooden houses of the 'Russian Village', originally the home of the home of the Russian singers of the First Prussian Regiment of the Guards.

Pass by without stopping