Private Potsdam City Tour: Explore the Soviet Legacy and Cold War History

Join us on a fascinating private Potsdam city tour and explore the lesser-known modern history of this historically rich city. Once the heart of the Prussian empire, Potsdam became one of the most significant Soviet military bases in East Germany after World War II.

The tour begins with an introduction to the Potsdam Conference of 1945, where the Allied leaders—Joseph Stalin, Harry S. Truman, and Winston Churchill—met to discuss the post-war world order. After the conference, Potsdam became home to numerous Soviet military establishments, and for nearly 50 years, Soviet soldiers shaped the city's streetscape.

Our private Potsdam tour starts at Potsdam Central Station, leading you to the historic heart of the city at Alter Markt, which was heavily bombed and destroyed during the war. From here, we’ll walk through the city center to the Soviet War Cemetery at Bassinplatz, a poignant reminder of the Soviet presence in the city.

Next, we’ll take a bus to Cecilienhof Palace in the Neuer Garten, where the famous Potsdam Conference was held in the summer of 1945. This palace is one of Potsdam’s most iconic sites, offering a glimpse into the political negotiations that defined the future of post-war Europe.

The tour continues to one of the most significant sites of Soviet espionage in East Germany—the Military Town No. 7. This secretive location housed a KGB detention center and was an essential base for Soviet intelligence operations.

The tour concludes at the Glienicke Bridge, famously known as the Bridge of Spies. This bridge connected Potsdam to the American sector of West Berlin and became a symbol of the Cold War, where spies were exchanged between East and West. The Glienicke Bridge was one of the most significant landmarks of the Berlin Wall era, marking the border between East and West Germany.

On this immersive Potsdam city tour, you’ll discover the Soviet influence on the city’s history, its role during the Cold War, and how Potsdam was intertwined with global events at the height of East-West tensions.

Please note: The permanent exhibition at Cecilienhof Palace, including the conference room, is currently closed due to ongoing construction until at least 2027.

Meeting point:

Potsdam-Hauptbahnhof/Main Station. Exit Babelsberger Straße (north side), across the street, on the left-hand side, next to the bike rental station

End point:

Glienicke Bridge

Duration:

approx. 3.5 hours, five kilometer walk
The tour takes place in all weather. Please think of adequate clothing. A ticket for public transportation (Potsdam AB) is required - please buy it in advance.

Price:

1-4 persons = 220,00 €

5-7 persons = 240,00 €

8-10 persons = 260,00 €

11-15 persons = 280,00 €

16-20 persons = 300,00 €

21-25 persons = 320,00 €

26-30 persons = 350,00 €

Unclear number of persons? No problem. If you end up being more people, you can pay the difference on the spot.

Language:

English (Simple English)

What you can expect:

• + A private group tour exclusively for you

• + A likeable local guide

• + An exciting tour of Potsdam from the specialist for tours about the Soviet history of Berlin and Brandenburg

• + You can see some of Potsdam's most famous sights, The Old Market, the Cecilienhof Palace in the New Garden and the Glienicke Bridge

• + A booking confirmation by email