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Feel Like Royalty at Sanssouci Palace & Gardens in Potsdam
Published by Jodi Garner, Writer
Country: Germany 
The Experience
Potsdam in northern Germany is home to some of the most beautiful and historical palaces in all of Europe. Sanssouci Palace is one such palace that has survived both world wars and remains in pristine condition, almost unchanged since its infancy in 1746.
Every year thousands of visitors arrive at Sanssouci to bask not only in the Sanssouci Palace's beauty but also in the generous parks and terraced gardens that surround it. Sanssouci Palace was built and designed for the then King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, as a summer home where the king could relax outside the royal obligations of the Berlin court. Sanssouci Palace was named after the French phrase “sans souci,” roughly translated to “without concern” or “carefree,” allowing the Palace of Sanssouci to be seen as a house of relaxation rather than one of power. Today this carefree attitude remains as visitors from all around come to relax in the lush parks and garden that surround the main palace. Nothing in Sanssouci (or Potsdam for that matter) moves quickly, and it is this laidback lifestyle that makes Sanssouci such an ideal destination.
One of the main attractions of Sanssouci is the palace itself. Situated on the brow of a terraced hill, Sanssouci Palace stands out with its golden exterior and large floor-to-ceiling windows. Large colonnades stretch out on either side of Sanssouci Palace, enclosing the inner courtyard. This one-story villa contains only ten principal rooms—a small palace by historical standards. However, this intimate Rococo style was exactly how Frederick the Great conceived Sanssouci, not wanting the palace to overshadow the wonderful parks that would surround it. Even the exterior of Sanssouci Palace highlights the natural elements of Sanssouci, with many architectural details containing the garden façade.
The south slope of Sanssouci contains three larger terraces, each with a unique brickwork wall and several trees once imported from France, Italy and Portugal. Few of these trees remain today but several new fruit-bearing trees line the 130 steps from Sanssouci Palace to the gardens and the Great Fountain. The main center of the Sanssouci gardens is the Great Fountain: a large basin reminiscent of the fountains of Versailles and ornamented with historical gods such Venus, Apollo, Juno, and Jupiter, as well as symbols for the elements earth, air, fire and water.
The Great Fountain and the Palace of Sanssouci sit at the center of what is now called Sanssouci Park. A large avenue extends out from the Great Fountain, containing several gardens with a variety of plants and trees, and several nurseries and greenhouses. In addition to the large gardens, several statues and structures have been erected each with their own story and history. Some of these include the trellised gazebo at Sanssouci, the Temple of Friendship, The Chinese House, the Roman Baths, and the Dragon House. Most of these structures were resurrected between the establishment of Sanssouci and the late 1770s.
Every detail of Sanssouci was designed to maximize the beauty of the park and the relaxation of the area. Frederick the Great had such a strong feeling about Sanssouci Palace, which he called home, that he believed “the palace would die with him”. Fortunately for the two million visitors each year, Sanssouci Palace has remained, and in 1990, the world recognized the beauty and history contained within the walls and gardens of Sanssouci, and named Sanssouci a World Heritage Site. This ensures that visitors for many years to come will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy Sanssouci as the royals did many years ago.
Every year thousands of visitors arrive at Sanssouci to bask not only in the Sanssouci Palace's beauty but also in the generous parks and terraced gardens that surround it. Sanssouci Palace was built and designed for the then King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, as a summer home where the king could relax outside the royal obligations of the Berlin court. Sanssouci Palace was named after the French phrase “sans souci,” roughly translated to “without concern” or “carefree,” allowing the Palace of Sanssouci to be seen as a house of relaxation rather than one of power. Today this carefree attitude remains as visitors from all around come to relax in the lush parks and garden that surround the main palace. Nothing in Sanssouci (or Potsdam for that matter) moves quickly, and it is this laidback lifestyle that makes Sanssouci such an ideal destination.
One of the main attractions of Sanssouci is the palace itself. Situated on the brow of a terraced hill, Sanssouci Palace stands out with its golden exterior and large floor-to-ceiling windows. Large colonnades stretch out on either side of Sanssouci Palace, enclosing the inner courtyard. This one-story villa contains only ten principal rooms—a small palace by historical standards. However, this intimate Rococo style was exactly how Frederick the Great conceived Sanssouci, not wanting the palace to overshadow the wonderful parks that would surround it. Even the exterior of Sanssouci Palace highlights the natural elements of Sanssouci, with many architectural details containing the garden façade.
The south slope of Sanssouci contains three larger terraces, each with a unique brickwork wall and several trees once imported from France, Italy and Portugal. Few of these trees remain today but several new fruit-bearing trees line the 130 steps from Sanssouci Palace to the gardens and the Great Fountain. The main center of the Sanssouci gardens is the Great Fountain: a large basin reminiscent of the fountains of Versailles and ornamented with historical gods such Venus, Apollo, Juno, and Jupiter, as well as symbols for the elements earth, air, fire and water.
The Great Fountain and the Palace of Sanssouci sit at the center of what is now called Sanssouci Park. A large avenue extends out from the Great Fountain, containing several gardens with a variety of plants and trees, and several nurseries and greenhouses. In addition to the large gardens, several statues and structures have been erected each with their own story and history. Some of these include the trellised gazebo at Sanssouci, the Temple of Friendship, The Chinese House, the Roman Baths, and the Dragon House. Most of these structures were resurrected between the establishment of Sanssouci and the late 1770s.
Every detail of Sanssouci was designed to maximize the beauty of the park and the relaxation of the area. Frederick the Great had such a strong feeling about Sanssouci Palace, which he called home, that he believed “the palace would die with him”. Fortunately for the two million visitors each year, Sanssouci Palace has remained, and in 1990, the world recognized the beauty and history contained within the walls and gardens of Sanssouci, and named Sanssouci a World Heritage Site. This ensures that visitors for many years to come will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy Sanssouci as the royals did many years ago.
When to Go to Sanssouci Potdam
While the parks of Sanssouci are open year round, winters in Germany can get cold and receive snow. For this reason, visits to Sanssouci are best done from March to October when the weather is compatible. The spring months of May and June are best for seeing the park come to life. Plants, trees and flowers in full bloom make Sanssouci an even more beautiful place to see.
Summer and fall are also great times to visit the park. The warm weather allows you to stay all day, relax with a book in the gardens, sip a glass of wine in one of Potsdam’s great patios, and simply enjoy the wonders and relaxation of Sanssouci.
Summer and fall are also great times to visit the park. The warm weather allows you to stay all day, relax with a book in the gardens, sip a glass of wine in one of Potsdam’s great patios, and simply enjoy the wonders and relaxation of Sanssouci.
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Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
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Starting from $25.27 per person.
Books and DVDs
- Sanssouci guidebook
- Guide Books on the Heritage of Bavaria & Berlin
- The Neues Palais: Frederick The Great's Palace In Sanssouci Park
- Sanssouci Palace and Park guidebook
- Global Treasures Sanssouci
- DVD documentary on the Prussian kings, including Frederick the Great; and the construction of Sanssouci Castle and gardens.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Potsdam sights
- Tourist information, events, trips and services for Potsdam and Sanssouci Palace and gardens.
- Sanssouci park and palace grounds
- Detailed information on attractions and buildings within Sanssouci park and palace grounds.
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