Potsdam Classics (Sanssouci / New Garden) + Cycling Back to Berlin + Highlights of Teufelsberg
To the Place Where the Potsdam Declaration Was Issued
My time in Berlin was coming to an end. Leaving behind the intense energy of Mitte and Kreuzberg, I decided to venture a little farther out today—to the old royal city of Potsdam.
It’s about a 30-minute ride from Berlin by S-Bahn. With its beautiful palaces scattered throughout the city, Potsdam is also known to many Japanese visitors as the place where the Potsdam Declaration was issued.
This post is a record of a day in Potsdam—rich in both historical weight and elegance—done in a slightly unusual way: train on the way there, bicycle on the way back.
The Dutch Quarter: A Foreign Atmosphere in the Middle of Germany
After arriving at Potsdam station, I headed toward the city center. The first thing that catches your eye is the Dutch Quarter (Holländisches Viertel), lined with rows of red-brick buildings.
It feels strangely like walking through a Dutch town while still in Germany. On this particular day, a market happened to be open—tents were set up, and the area was lively with locals. Unlike Berlin’s sharper, edgier atmosphere, the time here felt calm, warm, and gentle.
World Heritage: Sanssouci — Two Seasons, Two Kinds of Beauty
When you think of Potsdam, you think of Sanssouci Palace (Schloss Sanssouci)—Frederick the Great’s summer residence. I actually visited this place both in summer and winter.
The yellow palace sits atop the terraced vineyard steps. Under a bright summer sky, it looks radiant and sunlit; in a snowy winter landscape, it becomes quiet and dreamlike, wrapped in stillness. Even without touring the interior, simply walking through the vast gardens feels cleansing.
Note: The photo below is of the New Palace (Neues Palais).
New Garden and the Marble Palace: A Quiet Hidden Gem
Another place you shouldn’t miss is the Marble Palace (Marmorpalais) in the New Garden (Neuer Garten).
Standing by the shore of Heiliger See, it reflects on the water like a painting. Because it’s less crowded than Sanssouci, you can enjoy the beauty of the architecture in peace—which is part of what makes it so special.
Cycling Back to Berlin: Through Forests and Lakes
Now for the highlight of this trip. Instead of taking the train back, I rode a bicycle all the way to Berlin.
The route from Potsdam to Berlin is surprisingly perfect for cycling. You pass through lake areas such as Wannsee, then ride through the deep green forest of Grunewald. The feeling of cutting through the air as you ride is a kind of luxury you simply don’t get from trains or buses.
Teufelsberg: A Spy Ruin Hidden in the Woods
After climbing the small hill in the forest known as Teufelsberg—“Devil’s Mountain”—a cluster of white domes suddenly appears. It’s the remains of a former listening station.
It’s the complete opposite of Potsdam’s elegant royal palaces: a Cold War relic. Today it’s a ruin, its walls covered in graffiti from end to end. From the rooftop, you can take in a panoramic view of Berlin, and the decayed-but-cool atmosphere felt like a symbol of a “hidden” side of the city.
Note: The site is now managed, and there may be an entrance fee. It’s best to check the latest information before you go.
Wrap-up
Royal elegance and the Cold War’s tense memories—two completely different faces of history. On this trip, I connected them with my own legs (and a bicycle).
Berlin isn’t only fascinating in its center. If you venture just a little farther out, you’ll find “fragments of history” scattered all around the suburbs. If you’re confident in your stamina, I highly recommend experiencing this contrast while feeling the wind on your ride.
One-Day Sample Itinerary (Potsdam + Cycle Back to Berlin)
Morning (Potsdam): Dutch Quarter → Sanssouci Park → New Garden & Marble Palace
Afternoon: Cycle back via Wannsee and Grunewald
Evening: Teufelsberg for Cold War ruins → Finish with German food
DDR Museum / Museum Island aren’t part of this day—this route focuses on Potsdam → Berlin by bike.
Half-Day Version
If you only have half a day:
Dutch Quarter → Sanssouci Gardens → New Garden (Marble Palace)
And if you still have energy, upgrade the return trip to cycling:
Wannsee → Grunewald → Teufelsberg to end the day.
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