Sanssouci Palace in Sanssouci Park in Potsdam
Discover the highlight of every trip to Potsdam in Sanssouci Park: Sanssouci Palace. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of this summer residence of Frederick II. Here you will find everything you need to know about the palace, as well as useful tips and information about how to get there, opening hours, tickets & tours, and events. Let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of this historical site and experience unforgettable moments.
Table of contents
Sanssouci Palace: Summer Palace of King Frederick II
The castle was built from 1745-1747 based on ideas by King Frederick II and plans by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff and is the center and highlight of the entire park. The castle is located northwest of the then city of Potsdam and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
The famous garden view of Sanssouci was created after Frederick the Great’s decision to plant a terraced vineyard on the southern slope of the Bornstedter ridge. Oaks used to stand on the hill.
After Frederick the Great had the mountain terraced in 1744, wine was grown there. On top of the vineyard, he had the castle built in the Baroque style. Frederick and Knobelsdorf were in a violent argument before the building. Because the master builder wanted to build a cellar under the castle, but Frederick did not. For this purpose, the castle should be built at ground level. Knobelsdorf bowed to Frederick and so the castle was built according to his wishes. It was inaugurated on May 1, 1747 by Frederick II with a banquet.
Sanssouci Palace: Architecture and construction
Sanssouci Palace is a one-storey, elongated palace. Originally it was only intended as a summer palace, but Frederick II spent most of the year there. The castle was built according to a model of a French “Maison de plaisance”.
The famous garden facade, which is often used as a photo motif and faces south, is crowned by a domed central building. The garden facade is decorated with 36 sandstone heaters by Frederick Christian Glume d. J. decorated. The courtyard connects to the north with a two-armed colonnade.
Sanssouci Palace was expanded in 1841 by King Frederick Wilhelm IV. With a western wing for ladies and an east wing for kitchen and wine cellar.
Interiors of the castle
The interiors include the anteroom, the ballroom (marble hall), the royal apartment and five guest rooms.
In the middle part of the castle lie the vestibule (vestibule) and the marble hall facing the garden on the north-south axis. To the east is the royal apartment, with reception room / audience room, concert room, study and bedroom, library and an elongated gallery on the north side. There are also five guest rooms to the west of the two central halls.
The interiors of Sanssouci Palace are still richly furnished with furniture, porcelain, paintings and sculptures, mainly from the 18th century.
Concert room
The concert room is one of the most beautiful rooms in German Rococo. It was optically expanded by mirrors and houses painting, sculptures and handicrafts. The reception room / audience room adjoins the concert room. In this the guests waited for an audience with the king.
Marble hall
The marble hall served as a ballroom and was on the garden side. The marble room has an oval floor plan. The Pantheon in Rome was the model for the dome opened by a light opening at the apex. The marble of the marble hall comes from Carrara and Silesia and was processed in the columns, walls, window reveals and in the ornamental inlay work of the floor.
Library
The library was designed based on a floor plan of a study at Rheinsberg Castle. It houses around 2,200 books, which originally came from the city palace.
Study room and bedroom
This room is the only castle room that no longer shows the original interior. The room was redesigned in the classicist style by his successor and nephew Frederick Wilhelm II.
Sanssouci Palace had no living quarters for his wife, Queen Elisabeth Christine. Frederick II pushed her to Schönhausen Palace in today’s Berlin district of Pankow.
Graves & crypt
The “Old Fritz”, as he was known in the vernacular, died on August 17, 1786 in the armchair of his study in Sanssouci Palace. At his own discretion, he wanted to be buried in a crypt next to his favorite dogs.
He had the underground, brick and burial chamber covered with marble slabs erected on the top terrace of the vineyard just created in 1744, even before the actual construction of the castle began.
Burial of Frederick the Great
Since the king had ordered –
– At midnight on August 17, 1991, the coffin of Frederick the Great was buried in a solemn ceremony on the terrace of Sanssouci Palace. The then Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl and the then Brandenburg Prime Minister Manfred Stolpe were present, as well as members of the government and other personalities, including representatives of the Hohenzollern family.
Address
The castle is located in Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, in Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam. The best way to get there on foot is via the eastern entrance to the Green Grid.
Sanssouci Palace: Opening hours
The Summer Palace Sanssouci can be visited during the summer season from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. In the winter season (November to March), the visiting hours are from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The palace is closed on Mondays. Entry is allowed at fixed times.
For further information and inquiries, visitor centers at the New Palace and the Historic Mill are at your disposal. There, you can obtain all details regarding opening hours and additional visitation opportunities.
Summer Season (April to October)
- Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Monday: Closed
Winter Season (November to March)
November/December
- Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Monday: Closed
- Christmas Eve: Closed
- Christmas Day: Closed
- Second Christmas Day: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- New Year’s Eve: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- New Year’s Day: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
January to March
- Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Monday: Closed
What to consider regarding opening hours?
- Last entry 30 minutes before closing time.
- Visiting the Summer Palace is subject to fixed entry times. Tickets are available, among other places, at the castle ticket office on the respective day. As the number of entry tickets per day is limited, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg recommends booking tickets early.
- Unless otherwise stated, the weekend opening hours apply on public holidays.
You can find information on purchasing tickets here. You can find out about the opening times of Sanssouci Palace here.
Sanssouci Palace: Tours and tickets
| About this activity | Book now / informations |
|---|---|
| Tickets | |
combination ticket sanssouci+ The combination ticket sanssouci+ allows for a one-time visit to all* open palaces of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg in Potsdam, including Sanssouci Palace, on a single day. (GetYourGuide, free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.) |  |
Potsdam: Sanssouci Palace Guided Tour from Berlin  Experience the gardens and majestic architecture of the Sanssouci Park on this tour from Berlin. Explore the highlights of Potsdam, the Sanssouci's palace, and the beautiful Peace Church. (GetYourGuide)) |  |
| Guide Tours | |
Berlin: Potsdam - Kings, Gardens & Palaces 6-Hour Tour Explore the city of Potsdam with a English-speaking guide on a half-day tour of its picturesque palaces, lakes and gardens. Steeped in history, from Frederick the Great to Churchill, Truman and Stalin, you will take a trip back in time. (GetYourGuide) | |
Potsdam: Private Sanssouci Palace Walking Tour Visit Potsdam on a private walking tour through the over 1,000-year-old city center and stroll through the manicured gardens of the historical Sanssouci Palace. (GetYourGuide). | |
From Berlin: Potsdam & Sanssouci City of German Kings Tour Explore one of the most beautiful and interesting places in Germany, Sanssouci, with its large palaces and gardens. Hear the fascinating story of how Germany and Prussia came into being. Appreciate the architecture as your guide takes you around Potsdam. (GetYourGuide) | |
From Berlin: Potsdam Private Guided Tour in English Explore the former royal residence of the Prussian kings on a private 6-hour tour of Potsdam from Berlin. See the UNESCO World Heritage palaces and parks, and learn the city’s history from your guide. Go to the Marble Palace, Schloss Cecilienhof, and more. (GetYourGuide) | |
Gardens & Palaces of Potsdam Bike Tour from Berlin Potsdam is Berlin’s most popular destination for day trips and a playground for a bicyclist, with many Prussian and Cold War sights tucked deep in verdant parks and along quiet alleyways. On this 6.5-hour tour from Berlin, explore Potsdam’s many sights. (GetYourGuide) | |
From Berlin: Potsdam city tour of the emperors The former capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, Potsdam's baroque parks and palaces, have received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the city with a guide on this small-group tour by train from Berlin. Hear about emperors, kings, and World War II. Stroll through ornate streets and Sanssouci Park. and skip the long lines for Sanssouci Palace itself. Please note: Entrance fees and train tickets are at your own expense. (from € 50.00, Viator) |  |
Private half-day walking tour of Potsdam and Sanssouci Palace Explore the former seat of the Prussian kings on this private half-day tour of Potsdam, including the magnificent Sanssouci Palace. Follow your guide through Potsdam's old town, stopping to snap photos of the Brandenburg Gate. Stroll through the opulent City Palace and admire the red brick buildings of the Dutch Quarter. Then admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sanssouci Palace and explore the palace gardens, the Chinese tea house, and the tomb of the Prussian King Frederick the Great. (from € 190.00 per group (up to 10), Viator) | |
Berlin: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Potsdam Tour Discover two of the most iconic sights of the Berlin area on the only tour with transport included. Take a guided tour of the Sachsenhausen Memorial and enjoy a tour of the historic city of Potsdam. (GetYourGuide, Reserve now and pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today) | |
Potsdam: Sanssouci Park Self-Guided Gardens Audio Tour Find out what made Potsdam’s Little Versaille so special to several former kings on this self-guided audio tour. Walk around the garden's landmarks and experience the magic of GPS playback. (GetYourGuide) | |
| Sightseeing Tours & Boat Cruises | |
Potsdam: City and Castles Tour Enjoy a fun city tour of the highlights of Potsdam and visit the fascinating castles of Sanssouci, Cecilienhof and the New Palace. Stroll through the Baroque old town and walk in the footsteps of "Old Fritz". (GetYourGuide, Bestseller) | |
Potsdam: 1-day ticket for the hop-on / hop-off bus tour Discover Potsdam at your own pace with a 1-day ticket for the hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus tour. Get live commentary as the bus travels past the main sights and attractions, and jump off at any of the 12 stops. (GetYourGuide) | |
Potsdam: Palace Tour by Boat See the most beautiful sights of Potsdam and discover the hill landscape from the water in only 90 minutes. Admire the countless palaces and wonderful parks from the Hohenzollern Dynasty and see a true piece of history. (GetYourGuide) | |
Potsdam by Boat: Island Cruise Discover all of Potsdam on this very special boat trip and explore the unique riverscape surrounded by impressive manor houses and magnificent buildings. Admire Caputh Castle, Babelsberg Castle and other beautiful sights. (GetYourGuide) | |
| Events | |
Potsdamer Schlössernacht in Sanssouci Park ++ Potsdamer Schlössernacht ++ One of the special highlights is the Potsdamer Schlössernacht in Sanssouci Park in Potsdam. The annual two-day event attracts thousands of visitors to Potsdam every year. Tickets are now available from Eventim. |  |
| City Cards | |
Potsdam & Berlin WelcomeCard:  Explore Berlin with a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6-day Berlin WelcomeCard. Ride public transport in the ABC zones, including Berlin Brandenburg Airport, receive discounts of up to 50% with many partners, and benefit from the pocket travel guide. (GetYourGuide) | |
| Tip: With GetYourGuide you can cancel booked activities up to 24 hours before the start and receive a full refund. | |
| Note: Avoid purchasing tickets on the black market. Our ticket partners are exclusively verified vendors. | |
You can find tours, guided tours and tickets for Sanssouci Palace from our partner GetYourGuide. Or use one of the bestseller offers.
Other top sights in Potsdam and related tours and tickets are also available from our partner GetYourGuide.
Potsdam Castle Night in Sanssouci Park
If you want to enjoy Sanssouci Palace in a different atmosphere, then visit the annual Potsdam Castle Night. If you would like to take part, you can find information on the Potsdam Castle Night and the purchase of Castle Night Tickets in the linked post.
Further information and pictures of the castle are available on our partner page. Further information is available on the website of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Berlin-Brandenburg Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of visiting Sanssouci Park and Sanssouci Palace?
Sanssouci Park is free of charge, though a voluntary contribution to park maintenance is appreciated. You can enjoy guided tours and activities by choosing one of our partners' top offers. The best option for visiting Sanssouci Palace is the "Sanssouci+ Ticket" (including Sanssouci Palace), which grants one-time access to all* open palaces of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg in Potsdam.
How many days should you plan for a visit to Potsdam?
Take your time to explore Potsdam. Plan a multi-day trip to experience the city at a relaxed pace. We have carefully selected the best hotels in Potsdam for your stay. Enjoy your visit!
Which sights should you not miss when visiting Potsdam?
Where can I park near Sanssouci Park?
For a safe arrival by car in Potsdam, we have compiled key information on the best parking lots and parking options around Sanssouci Palace and Sanssouci Park. Enjoy your time in Potsdam worry-free!