Hotels in Potsdam

If they told you that instead of vacationing in a busy European capital, you can travel by local train, and at a distance of only a few stops to reach the vacation spot of one of the European royal families, what would you say? This is exactly the case of Potsdam. This small city, which today looks almost like a part of Berlin, the capital of Germany, was the place where the Prussian royal family came to rest for centuries. Potsdam got its current form mainly thanks to King Frederick II (the Great), who built his summer palace there and founded a lot of beautiful gardens and buildings in the baroque and harcoco styles.

There is no doubt that the most significant attraction in Potsdam are the Sanssouci Palace (Schloss Sanssouci) and the gardens surrounding it, which are recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

When is it recommended to visit Potsdam?

Everyone knows that the peak tourism season in the Northern Hemisphere in general, and in Europe in particular, is in the summer months. The vacation from educational institutions, the comfortable and non-rainy weather and the long days, all of these make the months of July and August the annual peak of tourism in the continent. Potsdam not only does not deviate from this rule, but it obeys it enthusiastically. Potsdam’s most famous festival, the Postadmer Schlössernacht (Potsdam Castle Night) is held every year in August, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world.

The significant increase in the number of tourists in Potsdam during the summer months is what leads to the fact that the costs of tourism services in the city (including the prices of flights to Berlin’s airports, the costs of accommodation in Potsdam as well as the local attractions) increase significantly during this period. It’s a matter of supply and demand, and with the strong increase in demand, prices also rise. Keep in mind that if you are interested in traveling to Potsdam in July and August, the price tag on your trip is going to be high.

In addition, the fact that Potsdam is so close to Berlin makes it a favorite day trip destination for the many visitors to the German capital, which leads to the fact that the tourist sites in the city (with an emphasis on the Sensouci Gardens) are very busy during these months.

The overwhelming recommendation is to come to Potsdam in the months of the transition seasons, that is, from mid-September to the end of October, and from the end of March to the middle of May. In these months, there is a wonderful balance between the number of tourists visiting the city (whether they sleep there or not), the comfortable weather and the hotel prices which are more reasonable than in the summer. Of course you can also come in the winter, when the hotel prices drop even more, but your chances of enjoying a beautiful sunny day in the Sensouci Gardens in the winter are very low.

Where do you sleep in Potsdam?

Potsdam is not a big town, so you can get from anywhere to anywhere relatively easily. In addition, it is characterized by efficient public transportation services, which helps even more the traffic between the neighborhoods and the various tourist sites.

The area where most of the visitors to Potsdam, who also sleep in the city, are concentrated, is the area around the Sensoussi Gardens. Here you will find the lively atmosphere that characterizes destinations with an abundance of tourists from all over the world, a variety of cafes and restaurants, historical monuments in addition to the Sensouci Palace and its gardens, and more. In addition, the selection of accommodation and accommodation in this area is relatively large, as the demand for rooms there is high. However, keep in mind that this is the most sought-after part of the city among tourists, which increases accommodation prices on average, compared to other parts of the city.

Sanssouci Palace and the surrounding area are well connected to a variety of public transport services, including light rail (Tram), buses and regional rail. You can go anywhere you want from here, in Potsdam and Berlin.

If you prefer to be better connected to other parts of the district and the city, and do not want to crowd in the same place with all the crowds of tourists visiting the palace and gardens, the recommendation is to look for a hotel or guest house in the part called the Innenstadt (inner city).

Here you will find both the old town of Potsdam, and the main commercial areas of the city. The amount of historical and cultural sites here is amazing, and it includes (just for example) the Barberini Museum, the Market Square, the Potsdam Cathedral, the Potsdam Art Museum, and many more. Brandenburg Boulevard and the famous gate, with its many cafes and restaurants, are also not far away.

And finally, for those looking for a relatively cheap place to stay, the recommendation is to go towards the iconic Babelsberg district. This district, located east of the city center, is a magnet for film lovers from all over the world, as it is home to a park and the film studios of Babelsberg, which are the oldest in the world on a large scale (founded in 1912). In addition, the huge Bubblesberg Park is a perfect place for an afternoon picnic, especially if you are traveling with children.

Due to the fact that the Bablesberg district is mainly characterized by locals who live there, the offer of accommodation there is characterized by cheaper costs than in more touristic parts of the city. This is the right place if you prefer to keep your money for use on the trip itself, and not spend it on fancy accommodations.

In addition to all these areas, it is important to remember that Potsdam is not far from Berlin. It is certainly possible to find a hotel in any style and in any budget range, and use the efficient public transportation network to get to Potsdam.