Sanssouci Palace, the summer residence of Frederick the Great built in the middle of the 18th century, sits at the top of its vineyard terraces above Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, about thirty minutes by train from Berlin. The palaces and gardens of Potsdam are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are managed by the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation (SPSG). The palace is open Tuesday to Sunday, and only with a ticket for a fixed admission time; the park, on the other hand, is free and open every day. On the same day you can go on to the New Palace, the Picture Gallery and the Chinese House, all covered by the sanssouci+ ticket. It is the natural follow-up to a visit to [Charlottenburg Palace](/fr/attractions/palais-de-charlottenbourg), run by the same foundation.
Highlights
The palace and the vineyard terraces
The single-storey rococo palace comes into view from the foot of the six stepped terraces, above the great fountain. Inside, the tour takes you through the king's apartments, the Marble Hall and the library. On the upper terrace, the grave of Frederick the Great is often covered with potatoes left by visitors.
The New Palace
At the western end of the park, this vast baroque palace, which Frederick the Great had built after the Seven Years' War, was used for court receptions. It closes on Tuesdays, which makes it an option if you come on a Monday between April and December. From November to March it can only be seen on a guided tour.
The Chinese House
This garden pavilion surrounded by gilded statues reflects the 18th-century taste for Asia. It opens from May to October, Tuesday to Sunday.
The Picture Gallery
Built next to the palace, it displays around 180 Flemish and Dutch baroque paintings, including works by Rubens and Van Dyck, as well as Caravaggio's "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas". It opens from May to October, Tuesday to Sunday.
The New Chambers
The former orangery, turned into a palace for the king's guests, keeps rococo interiors such as the Jasper Hall. It opens from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday.
Sanssouci Park
The main avenue crosses the park from east to west, from the palace to the New Palace, past fountains, statues, the historic windmill and pavilions. The Orangery Palace is currently closed for renovation work.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Prices checked in October 2026: Sanssouci Palace €14 (reduced €10); sanssouci+ ticket €22 (reduced €17), valid for one day at all SPSG palaces open in Potsdam, with a fixed admission time at Sanssouci Palace; sanssouci+ family ticket €49 for two adults and up to four children; Picture Gallery and New Chambers €8 each. Admission is free for children under 7. As the number of palace tickets is limited each day, buy them in advance from the official SPSG ticket shop: the day's time slots may be sold out when you arrive. The sanssouci+ ticket pays off as soon as you visit at least two palaces. The free "SANSSOUCI" app works as a multimedia guide in 12 languages. Allow a full day for the palace, the park and the New Palace. For transport tickets, see our guide to [public transport in Berlin](/fr/articles/transports-berlin).
How to get there
Schloss Sanssouci, Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam. From Berlin Hauptbahnhof, allow about thirty minutes to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof on the RE1 regional train or the S7 S-Bahn; until 12 December 2026, because of works on the Stadtbahn, the RE1 starts from Berlin-Charlottenburg rather than Hauptbahnhof: take the S7 or board the RE1 at Charlottenburg. Potsdam is in zone C: you need a Berlin ABC ticket (€5.00 single, €5.20 from 1 January 2027, valid for 120 minutes; €12.90 for the 24-hour ABC ticket), which also covers buses and trams in Potsdam. From Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, bus 695 runs every day to the Schloss Sanssouci stop, and bus X15 does the same at weekends and on public holidays from April to October; bus 605 goes to the New Palace. The RE1 also stops at Potsdam Park Sanssouci station, close to the New Palace.
Opening hours
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