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

Herlíkovice ski resort is located about 3 km from Vrchlabí. The town Vrchlabí itself is one of the most visited places in summer and winter in Krkonoše. The ski resort Herlíkovice is recommended to more advanced skiers.

The Heutal is a high-valley in the community-region of Unken in the Salzburger Land at the border to Bavaria.

The skiing resort Hinterstoder offers 30 km slopes and perfectly prepared runs (with snow making systems). The cable car carries you from the village center Hinterstoder to the ski resort.

Skiing is usually possible throughout the year in the glacier ski area Hintertuxer Gletscher.

No matter whether you prefer the sun or sports: The Tegernsee is always a special experience during the winter season. Enjoy the fresh breeze and the nature of the mountains!

Only 60 kilometres away from Graz, the ski resort Hirschegg is located. Whoever is on skiing-vacation in the wintersport area Hirschegg, will find several lifts and well prepared slopes in easy and semi-professional difficulty.