Rick Steves Recommends This Historic German City As 'The Best Side-Trip From Berlin'

Just outside Berlin lies Potsdam, one of the most historic destinations in Germany, with a royal past and Cold War history that captivated travel guru Rick Steves enough to call it "the best side-trip from Berlin." Though it's just a quick drive on the S-Bahn or train ride away, Potsdam feels like an entirely different world — one where Prussian kings built palaces and spies once swapped secrets across the Glienicke Bridge. "I was walking across the bridge, playing spy exchange (my role: the American U-2 spy plane pilot, Gary Powers), when a party raft equipped with a cool keg of beer distracted me," Steves recalled. "This was one of those times when I wish I could just be on vacation."

Once at the heart of Prussia's ruling dynasty, Potsdam is well known for Sanssouci Palace, the 18th-century rococo summer home of Frederick the Great. Set amid rolling gardens and vineyard terraces, the palace offers guided tours of its lavish interiors, including an opulent concert hall and Voltaire's guest suite. The surrounding parklands stretch for miles and also include the Chinese Tea House, the impressive New Palace, and the Bildergalerie — a historic museum built for Frederick II's art collection. The grounds are also home to the Lustgarten, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. 

But Potsdam isn't all about the royal past — the city played a pivotal role in modern history, too. At Cecilienhof Palace, leaders from the US, UK, and Soviet Union met in 1945 for the Potsdam Conference that helped shape the post-WWII world order. Whether you're a history buff or looking to take a break from Berlin's crowds, Potsdam makes a perfect day trip filled with architectural splendor, history, art, and more — including party raft rentals like the one that distracted Steves.

With 17 palaces to see in the area, Potsdam is one of the best European cities for history buffs. Sanssouci alone deserves several hours, if not a full day — especially if you plan to tour more than one palace. Insider tip: combination tickets like the Sanssouci+ ($26) snag you discounted admission fees if you're planning on visiting several or all of Potsdam's palaces. Other stately attractions worth checking out include Babelsberg Palace, the Marble House, the Belvedere, and the Bornstedt Royal Estate.

Beyond the glitzy palaces, Potsdam has several cool neighborhoods worth wandering through. The Dutch Quarter, or Holländisches Viertel, is filled with red-brick 18th-century townhomes originally built for Dutch artisans. Today, it's home to a number of boutique shops and restaurants. History buffs can check out the Jan Bouman Haus for a better look into the everyday life of these early Dutch settlers. For more somber history, an exhibition at the Lindenstraße Memorial goes through Germany's history of political persecution.

Potsdam is on the small side, so it's easy to get around and enjoy yourself without feeling rushed. For a day trip by train, buy a Berlin ABC ticket (about $5), which covers the S-Bahn fare from Berlin to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof station. From there, it's just a short walk or bus ride to many local attractions. If you're short on time, consider joining a guided bike tour from Berlin to Potsdam that includes stops at major landmarks and lets you cruise alongside the river and through tree-lined streets.

While many visit Potsdam as a day trip from Berlin, it's worth staying overnight to see the city at a slower pace. After the day-trippers return to the capital, the parks and cobblestone plazas quiet down, leaving you to enjoy an evening stroll along the Havel River or sip wine at a sidewalk cafe without crowds. If you spend the night, you'll also have more time to explore lesser-known spots like Alexandrowka, a 19th-century Russian colony built for Tsarist singers, with traditional log cabins and an Orthodox chapel still standing today.

Cinephiles will be interested in exploring Potsdam's role in film, going all the way back to some of cinema's earliest silent films. The Film Museum Potsdam has a permanent exhibition on the region's cinematic history called "Dream Factory: 100 years of film in Babelsberg." Studio Babelsberg, one of Europe's largest film studios, has been involved in lots of big name projects. Just walking around the city, you'll spot famous movie locations and backdrops from titles like "The Grand Budapest Hotel," "Inglourious Basterds," and "Bridge of Spies." Movie buffs can also visit Filmpark Babelsberg to explore old sets and see live shows.

Accommodations range from boutique hotels in the Dutch Quarter to Airbnb rentals for local-style living. Many visitors are surprised by how affordable it is to stay in Potsdam rather than central Berlin — on average, hotels will cost between $120 to $230 a night. No matter how long you stay, Potsdam will leave a lasting impression as a unique place where Baroque opulence and Cold War history share the same streets. As Steves would likely agree, it's a journey into the many layers of Germany's complex and fascinating past.