Visit Potsdam, Journey Through Europe: 12 Places You Have to See

Travel Through Europe Without Leaving Brandenburg’s Capital

This blog post was written in collaboration with Potsdam Tourism. 

Berlin is widely recognized as a multicultural, international city. But did you know that when you visit Potsdam, you’ll be able to travel through Europe – and beyond? 

Many of Potsdam’s lesser-known architectural gems testify to the regal city’s international heritage. Beautifully preserved buildings are scattered throughout the town and in the surrounding countryside, from elegant English castles to Roman ruins and Renaissance palazzos gracing the hilltops. 

In this blog post, we’ll look at 12 places to visit in Potsdam – the perfect cure for wanderlust in between holidays to feel like you are travelling through Europe.

Ancient Roman Influence in Potsdam

Did you know that when you visit Potsdam, you can seemingly travel to ancient Rome?

Ruinenberg Hill

I briefly wrote about Ruinenberg Hill (literally meaning hill of ruins) in my post on the 12 Most Instagrammable Places in Potsdam.

It is one of my favourite places in the area to feel like I’m stepping back in time. And this actually was Prussian King Frederick the Great’s idea when he commissioned the ruins back in the 18th century. At the time, it was trendy for royals around Europe to build their own ruin parks.

Originally, Ruinenberg Hill did have a practical purpose. The site was meant to feature a reservoir, supplying water to the nearby fountain in front of the vineyard terraces of Sanssouci Palace.

However, the project soon had to be abandoned due to technical difficulties.

Today, visitors can amble about the area freely to discover the remains of an amphitheatre, a temple and a pyramid.

Italian Heritage in Potsdam

When you visit Potsdam, you’ll soon notice that Italian heritage abounds. Architectural wonders attest to Mediterranean influences across the centuries.

Museum Barberini

Located at Potsdam’s Old Market, you’ll find the Museum Barberini. The stately mansion is a reconstruction of a villa built 250 years ago to resemble the Palazzo Barberini in Rome.