fritzrl

I'll be in Berlin mid-month for several days, and plan to spend a day of that visit touring Potsdam.

In doing some reading, it's become obvious to me that the Sans Souci 'complex' is immense, and I've concluded it's probably hopeless to try to enjoy all of it in only one day.

Does anyone who's familiar with the site have any pointers or tips regarding what's most interesting or worthwhile seeing for a first-timer? Also: any hints or recommendations for a lunch spot, either in Potsdam itself or at the palace, would also be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Fritzrl

Intrepid1

I suggest you do research about <b> both </b> the Sans Souci palace and the Nieuw Palace. You can walk between the two through the gardens; Sans Souci may very well be the more popular of the two. Both have guided tours as specific hours.

I've done both in one day but I had to schedule the tours accordingly so I had time to get between the two to do both.

Once you know about the interiors of the two it may help you decide which one you can easily do without.

WillTravel

I'd suggest considering Brewer's Best of Potsdam walk. Terry Brewer, who does these tours, can very efficiently dispatch a group through most of the various buildings, with cogent commentary on the way. He is a real expert on Berlin, World War II, the Allied role, etc.

It's a strenuous day (although not so strenuous as his Best of Berlin walk), but worth it, in my opinion. If you do this tour, be sure to get updated meeting point information (the web site was wrong before).

Georgine

Fritzr,

Yes--Sans Souci is immense, not even including a side trip to Schloss Cecilenhof where the Potsdam treaty was signed. (Very worthwhile, in my estimation.)

If your are alone and without a car,
I think Will Travel's idea to take a tour is an excellent idea.

I know that the Potsdam Tourist Office offers a tour and also has guaranteed space to get into the palaces. That alone will save you time. They also provide transportation from a central meeting point.

If you are with a tour, you can expect they will schedule lunch or break at a convenient spot along the route for meal time. (There are several sit down restaurants, and stand-up eating wagons along the perimeter of San Souci.)

Wear very comfrotable shoes, most of Sans Souci's paths were rocky gravel--hard on the feet.

With a car, we started at 10:00am and barely got through Schloss Cecilenhof before it closed at 5:00pm.

It was a physically exhausting day, and we did not get into the New Palace, the Picture Gallery or the Roman Baths.

If you are still in Potsdam at thedinner hour, try one of the many streetside cafes/restaurants in the four-square block Holland district of downtown---lovely, and the current &quot;in&quot; spot in Potsdam.

fritzrl

Thank you, all of you.

Take a tour. An excellent idea, not one to which I'm normally drawn, to be honest. The tours I've taken I've often found to be not as informative as I'd hoped, providing little more information than a guidebook on the subject, but more slowly.

However, I've heard good things about Brewer's tours, and I'm glad to hear that he offers one for Potsdam. I definitely will give that some serious consideration.

Georgine -- special thanks re the lunch and dinner tip. I only hope the weather is warm enough for a leisurely dinner at a sidewalk cafe. One of my favorite treats to myself, but the forecast for the week I'll be in Berlin doesn't look hopeful! Good thing most restaurants are also cozy inside!

Fritzrl