Potsdam, City of Kings: Private Tour with a Vehicle

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 tour with a car takes you to Potsdam to experience the pomp and grandeur of Prussia and explore the origins of the Cold War. With your own private vehicle, you have the opportunity to explore much more of the UNESCO-listed palace gardens than would be possible by just walking. Your professional, local guide will provide an in-depth commentary throughout and lead you to the heart of German royalty, over the 'Bridge of Spies', and much more. Please note that his tour does not include inside visits to Potsdam palaces. For palace interiors, we recommend our 8-hour private tour with dedicated time for visits.

1. 1

   Sanssouci Palace

   20 min

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

2. 2

   Schloss Cecilienhof

   15 min

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

3. 3

   Glienicke Bridge

   10 min

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

4. 4

   Neues Palais

   15 min

   Stare up in awe at the imposing New Palace, largest of the residences on the Potsdam grounds, and witness where Kaiser Wilhelm II signed the declaration that sent the Germans to war in 1914.

5. 5

   Orangerie im Park Sanssouci

   Pass by

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

6. 6

   Marmorpalais

   10 min

   Gaze out over the Heiligen See (the 'Holy Lake') from the veranda of Frederick William II's Marble Palace, and see where Frederick William III learned of Prussia's liberation from Napoleonic occupation at the neighboring Orangerie.

7. 7

   Potsdam Friedenskirche

   10 min

   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.

8. 8

   Brandenburger Tor

   10 min

   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.

9. 9

   Dutch Quarter

   10 min

   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.

10. 10

    Old Market Square

    Pass by

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

11. 11

    Nauen Gate

    5 min

    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.

12. 12

    Alexandrowka

    Pass by

    Drive around the thirteen charming wooden houses of the 'Russian Village', originally the home of the home of the Russian singers of the First Prussian Regiment of the Guards.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.