Schloss & Park Sanssouci

Top choice in Potsdam


This glorious park and palace ensemble is what happens when a king has good taste, plenty of cash and access to the finest architects and artists of the day. Sanssouci was dreamed up by Frederick the Great (1712–86) and is anchored by the eponymous palace, his favourite summer retreat, a place where he could be 'sans souci' (without cares). His grave is nearby.

Frederick's great-great nephew, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV (1795–1861), added a few more palaces and buildings, which reflect his intense love for all things Italian.

The palaces are fairly well spaced – it's almost 2km between the Neues Palais and Schloss Sanssouci. Take your sweet time wandering along the park's meandering paths to discover your personal favourite spot.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Potsdam attractions

1. Chinesisches Haus

0.17 MILES

The 18th-century fad for the Far East is strongly reflected in the adorable Chinese House. The cloverleaf-shaped pavilion is among the park's most…

2. Neue Kammern

0.18 MILES

The New Chambers, built by Knobelsdorff in 1748, were originally an orangery and later converted into a guest palace. The interior drips with rococo…

3. Park Sanssouci

0.19 MILES

Park Sanssouci is the oldest and most resplendent of Potsdam's many green patches. It's open from dawn til dusk year-round and is dotted with numerous…

4. Orangerieschloss

0.19 MILES

Modelled after an Italian Renaissance villa, the 300m-long Orangery Palace (1864) was the favourite building project of Friedrich Wilhelm IV – a…

5. Historische Mühle

0.19 MILES

This reconstructed 18th-century Dutch-style windmill contains exhibits about the history of the mill and mill technology, and offers a close-up look at…

6. Schloss Sanssouci

0.3 MILES

Frederick the Great's famous summer palace, this rococo gem was designed by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff in 1747 and sits daintily above vine-draped…

7. Römische Bäder

0.39 MILES

Karl Friedrich Schinkel, aided by his student Ludwig Persius, dreamed up the so-called Roman Baths in Park Charlottenhof. Despite the name, it's actually…

8. Bildergalerie

0.4 MILES

The Picture Gallery shelters Frederick the Great's prized collection of Old Masters, including such pearls as Caravaggio's Doubting Thomas, Anthony van…