Visit the University of Potsdam (Universität Potsdam) to enjoy an educational experience and drink in the atmosphere of its various campuses. Spend a day here and watch students go about their daily activities, appreciate the architecture of the faculty buildings and discover an impressive botanical garden. Established as recently as 1991, the University of Potsdam is today the biggest academic institution in the state of Brandenburg.
The university spreads across three separate city locations. Its main campus is Am Neuen Palais, set at the western edge of the glorious Sanssouci Park. Here you’ll find a blend of modern faculty buildings and grandiose 18th-century Baroque edifices. The most notable is the Neues Palais, a huge residential complex commissioned by Frederick the Great. Pay the admission fee to peek inside the palace’s chambers and browse art exhibitions.
A short walk from here, through the wooded lawns of Sanssouci Park, is the Botanic Garden of the University of Potsdam. Spot around 10,000 tropical and subtropical plants displayed in eight greenhouses. Ask at the entrance about events such as concerts, lectures and workshops. From the garden it’s possible to continue exploring Sanssouci Park and its historic monuments.
Go to the Golm campus, situated at the city’s western edge. It presents an impressive array of state-of-the-art research facilities encompassed by picturesque countryside. On the east side of the city is Griebnitzsee campus. It’s recognizable for its position at a historical border between East and West Germany. Combine your visit to this campus with a wander around nearby Park Babelsberg.
All of the university’s campuses are easily reachable via public buses and trains. A pleasant way to get to Am Neuen Palais is to walk along Hauptallee, a promenade that cuts through the heart of Sanssouci Park.
The University of Potsdam is open to visitors year-round. Neues Palais is open from Wednesday to Monday. The Botanical Garden of the University of Potsdam is open daily and has an admission fee.
