Potsdam vacation rentals

Want somewhere near Berlin but not Berlin?

If you're looking for a German vacation destination that's just a hair shy of that metropolitan hustle and bustle, look no further than Potsdam. Once the summer residence of Prussian King Frederick the Great, Potsdam is a relatively laid-back town just outside the Berlin city limits that's chock-full of storied castles and palaces, sprawling public gardens, and more museums than you can shake a schnitzel at. With a Potsdam vacation rental, you'll be in a tranquil, relaxed suburb, but still surrounded by attractions like the Sanssouci Palace, the Museum Barberini, and the historic Cecilienhof.

Movie it or lose it in cinematic Potsdam

Not to be outdone by the sights in nearby Berlin, Potsdam boasts a wealth of artistic and cultural institutions, too. At the Museum Barberini, you can see works by local and international artists in a striking building overlooking Potsdam's central Old Market Square. At the Filmmuseum, you can explore Germany's rich filmmaking history through exhibits, artifacts, and screenings, all in the former horse of the ruined Potsdam City Palace. For even more moviemaking magic, check out the iconic Studio Babelsberg, a historic movie studio that offers guided tours of its more than 6 acres of lots and production space.

Let's go Dutch—Potsdam's architectural treasures

With a rich local history going back to the middle ages (and beyond), Potsdam is home to a number of royal palaces originally built for the Prussian Royal Family during the 18th century. Walking and sightseeing tours of the city's most scenic buildings are a popular pastime, and architecture buffs in particular will enjoy the cobbled streets and 169 redbrick houses of the charming Dutch Quarter. The city is home to a number of parks and gardens, too. Perhaps the most famous is the sprawling Sanssouci Park, where you'll find greenhouses, landscaped gardens, and rolling lawns.

Snow pain, snow gain in seasonal Potsdam

Potsdam has an oceanic climate, with mild summers and cool, snowy winters, as well as relatively short intermediate seasons. Average temperatures during the summer months peak at 75 in July, through daily highs can occasionally climb into the 90s. Winters are cold and snowy, with average lows in the mid 20s and average highs in the mid 30s between December and February. Visitors tend to agree that Frederick the Great had the right idea, and summer is typically the city's busiest season. You'll find that prices for Potsdam vacation rentals are at their lowest during the chilly winter months.

Potsdam's waterfront—laughing all the way to the banks

In a low-lying area dotted with hills, Potsdam lies along the banks of the River Havel. Although it's just 15 miles from the center of Berlin, the country's capital, 75 percent of Potsdam is made up of parks, greenery, and open space, and only a quarter of the city's overall space is urban. You'll find plenty of rivers and lakes in the area, and water sports like boating, kayaking, and canoeing are popular during the warm summer months. Your Potsdam vacation rental will put you at the heart of one of Germany's most desirable waterfront locations.

Traveling to and around Potsdam

The nearest airport is in Berlin (BER-Brandenburg), located 19.3 mi (31.1 km) from the city center.

If you prefer to travel by train, Potsdam Central Station, Potsdam Charlottenhof Station and Potsdam Park Sanssouci Station are the main stations that serve the city. It's easy to get around Potsdam by catching a ride on the metro at Central Station/H.-Mann-Allee Tram Stop, Schloss Charlottenhof Tram Stop or Babelsberg S-Bahn.