Sanssouci Park & Palace

Location

Berlin
Germany
52° 24' 11.9988" N, 13° 2' 18.9996" E
DE
General info: 

Between 1745 and 1747 Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, built a German version of the Versailles to serve as his summer residence. The king wanted to get away from the Berlin hustle and located the palace a little further away from Berlin to get his needed peace. In fact the name of the palace comes from French phrase “sans souci private://that translates to “without concernsprivate://.

The rococo styled palace is amazing. But the park surrounding it does not lag behind at all. The 2,5 long park was initiated immediately after completion of the palace. A baroque flower garden with lawns, flower beds, hedges and trees was created. 3,000 fruit trees were planted in the park, and greenhouses and nurseries laid out, producing oranges, melons, peaches and bananas. Statuary and obelisks were also erected, with representations of the goddesses Flora and Pomona. Frederick had several temples and follies erected in the same rococo style as the palace itself.

Hint: Get there early: there is a 2000 person/day entry limit at the palace.

Getting there: 

Potsdam is about 45 minutes from Berlin by S-bahn. Bus 695 and 606 are running from Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (south side) to Sanssouci.

Costs: 

Entrance to the park is free.
Admission to the Palace:
1st Apr to 31st Oct: 12€, discounted 8€
1st Nov to 31st. Mar: 8€, discounted 5€

Interesting places nearby

Locally renowned for its snow record, a funicular from Partenen accesses the Loipe 2000 high-altitude cross-country circuit on the Bielerhöhe.

In the family-winter-wonderland St. Urban / Simonhöhe everybody has the possibility to ski as the slopes are well prepared and there is no risk of avalanches.

5 ski tows and a modern 4-passenger chairlift with 20 km long wonderful runs makes the heart of the young and the old skier alike leap. Snowboarders are welcome and can romp about to their hearts' content.

The ski center Skalka arena is located in the Kremnické hills. The resort has really good conditions for skiing because of it´s location. Skalka arena is a part of the resort Skalka pri Kremnici.

The ski resort Zverovka – Spálená is located in the beautiful surroundings of the West Tatras - Roháce. Ski slopes are suitable for experienced skiers, beginners and family ski trips.

BASE: 2952ft
SUMMIT: 5085ft
VERTICAL DROP: 2132ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 2
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 0
Surface: 1