Charlottenhof Palace Visit Guide

Charlottenhof Palace is a beautifully preserved Neoclassical villa in Potsdam’s Sanssouci Park, originally the summer residence of Crown Prince Frederick William (later King Frederick William IV) and his wife, Elisabeth Ludovika. It was designed by the famous architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who remodeled an old farmhouse into an intimate and elegant palace in the 19th century.

Visiting the palace and grounds

Operating schedule: The palace interior is open to the public from May to October, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. It is closed in winter (November to April) and on Mondays.
Tickets: A standard ticket for Charlottenhof is €8 (reduced €6). You can also use the Sanssouci+ ticket, which grants single-day access to all open palaces in Potsdam, including Charlottenhof.
Tours: Access to the palace interior is through a mandatory guided tour. Tours are primarily conducted in German, but English information is provided. Tours are typically about 30 minutes long. For conservation reasons, visitors must wear felt slippers over their shoes inside the palace.
Grounds: The palace is set within its own peaceful, idyllic gardens, which feature a variety of beautiful landscapes and are perfect for a stroll. Entrance to the park is free.
Combined visit: Many visitors combine a trip to Charlottenhof with the nearby Roman Baths, also designed by Schinkel, as well as the main Sanssouci Palace and its more extensive grounds.

What to see

Neoclassical interior: The palace’s interior is an exquisite example of Neoclassicism and is filled with authentic furnishings. The simple, thoughtful design by Schinkel is visible throughout.
Tent Room: The most distinctive room in the palace, the Tent Room was designed to evoke a Roman emperor’s tent and is a highlight of the interior tour.
Gardens: The picturesque, landscaped grounds were created by Peter Joseph Lenné and blend harmoniously with the palace’s Neoclassical design.
Roman Baths: This picturesque group of buildings is located nearby and was also designed by Schinkel. It was created to look like an Italian country villa.

Getting there

Charlottenhof Palace is located on the western edge of Sanssouci Park.

From Berlin: Take the S7 S-Bahn or a regional train (e.g., RE1) to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof.
From Potsdam train station:
- Train: Take a regional train to “Potsdam Park Sanssouci” or “Bahnhof Charlottenhof”. Both are about a 5–10 minute walk from the palace.
- Tram: Take tram line 91 or 94 to the “Schloss Charlottenhof” or “Luisenplatz” stops, which are both within walking distance of the palace.
Walking: The palace is about a 15–20 minute walk from Sanssouci Palace, making it an easy addition to a tour of the park.