Potsdam, City of Kings: Private Walking 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 walking tour takes you to the heart of Potsdam's UNESCO-listed palace gardens to experience the pomp and grandeur of Prussia and explore the origins of the Cold War. You professional, local guide will provide an in-depth commentary throughout and lead you through lavish gardens, past myriad architectural gems, over the 'Bridge of Spies', and much more.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Sanssouci Palace, Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

Climb through the tiered vineyard up to Frederick the Great's iconic summer palace, and visit the grave of Prussia's most famous monarch to 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.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Schloss Cecilienhof, Im Neuen Garten 11, 14469 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

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

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Glienicke Bridge, Konigstrasse, 14467 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

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


Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Chinesisches Haus (Chinese House), Am Grunen Gitter, 14469 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

See where Frederick the Great would entertain his summer guests when they picnicked in the grounds of the Sanssouci Gardens, and marvel at one of the first and finest examples of 18th century 'chinoiserie' in Germany.


Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Orangerie im Park Sanssouci, Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

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

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Potsdam Friedenskirche, Am Gruenen Gitter 3, 14469 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

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.


Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor), Luisenplatz, 14467 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Hollandisches Viertel, Hollaendisches Viertel 1, 14467 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

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.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Nauen Gate, Nauner Srasse, Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

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.

Duration: 5 minutes

Pass By: Old Market Square, 14467 Potsdam, Brandenburg Germany

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