Palaces, art galleries, flower gardens and water features make Sanssouci Park one of Potsdam’s most loved green spaces. The park incorporates almost 741 acres (300 hectares) of grassy lawns and woodland dissected by crisscrossing pathways, including the 1.2-mile (2-kilometer) long Hauptallee promenade. Sanssouci Park began as an orchard and became a favored escape of Frederick the Great in the mid-1700s. Prussian landscaper Peter Joseph Leneé remodeled the park in the 1800s and it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990.
Begin your tour of the park with a visit to Sanssouci Palace, a hilltop palace built as a summer retreat for Fredrick the Great. Take a moment to appreciate the Rococo façade and then step inside to explore its grandiose rooms. Afterwards, look for a tomb that contains the king’s remains.
Stroll down through the terraced vineyards in front of the palace to discover a series of ornamental and Baroque-style gardens. A team of around 60 gardeners work meticulously to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the many flowerbeds, hedges and lawns. Stroll along the pathways, marvel at the gardens’ varying designs and spot some of the 1,000-plus sculptures. Watch the world go by from the benches that overlook a central fountain.
Set aside some time to visit the park’s other landmark buildings. Find exhibitions of Dutch, Flemish and Italian masters at the Bildergalerie and examples of paintings by Raphael at the Orangery Palace. Gaze in admiration at a Chinese Tea House and the Temple of Friendship. Don’t miss the Neues Palais and Neue Kammern, two remarkable Rococo monuments.
Do as locals do and enjoy a picnic on warm, sunny days with friends and families. Come in the midst of winter to find a mystical snow-covered landscape.
The park is about a 20-minute walk from Potsdam’s old town. Public buses stop at various points around the park and parking is available behind Sanssouci Palace.
Sanssouci Park is open daily, from dawn until dusk, and admission is free. Fees are applicable for the Bildergalerie, Neue Kammern, Neues Palais, Orangery Palace and Sanssouci Palace. Tickets for the Sanssouci Palace are limited so it’s worth arriving early. Combined entrance tickets are also offered.
