Sanssouci Palace
Potsdam, Germany
Frederick the Great’s rococo summer palace above terraced vineyards, the centrepiece of a huge UNESCO-listed park. Entry to the palace is by timed ticket, so book ahead in summer; the park itself is free.
Frederick II of Prussia had Sanssouci Palace built between 1745 and 1747 to plans by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff as a private summer residence; the French name means "without care". The single-storey rococo building has just ten principal rooms and stands above six vineyard terraces with 168 glazed niches. The park covers some 290 hectares and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin" since 1990. Frederick was laid to rest here in 1991, in the tomb he had chosen.
Allow about an hour for the palace itself, and half a day to a full day for the park with the New Palace, the Orangery and other buildings. The park is open daily until dusk. It gets very busy, especially in summer and at weekends; early morning is the quietest time. Entry to the palace is by timed-slot ticket, so check tickets and opening days with the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation before you visit.
- Nearest town
- Potsdam, Germany
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 52.4043, 13.0384
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Campingpark SanssouciCampsite5 km from Sanssouci Palace · 170 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- DCC-Campingplatz KladowCampsite7 km from Sanssouci PalaceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Blütencamping RiegelspitzeCampsite8 km from Sanssouci PalaceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Campingclub - Flottstelle 90 e.V.Campsite10 km from Sanssouci Palace · 7 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowersNo dogsWi-Fi
- Campingplatz GatowCampsite11 km from Sanssouci PalaceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Campingplatz Neue ScheuneCampsite12 km from Sanssouci PalaceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Sanssouci Palace?
Sanssouci Palace is in Potsdam, Germany, at GPS 52.4043, 13.0384. It is about 28 km from Berlin.
Can you camp near Sanssouci Palace?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Campingpark Sanssouci, about 5 km away; within 25 km there are 36 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Sanssouci Palace?
Sanssouci Palace is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Potsdam palaces and the Spreewald.
What is there to see near Sanssouci Palace?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cecilienhof Palace (3 km), Glienicke Bridge (4 km), East Side Gallery (29 km) and Rheinsberg Palace (78 km).
When is the best time to visit Sanssouci Palace?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)