Although the palace was built from 1913 to 1917, it appears much older, owing to its Tudor Revival architecture evocative of a fairytale village and its elegantly landscaped New Garden, which predates the structure. The 176-room palace's main draws are the prince's former apartments and an exhibition on the Potsdam Conference in the rooms where it took place.
The palace is one of the more popular sights in Potsdam, and all sorts of half-day and full-day tours from Berlin to Potsdam include a stop here, from private options to group bike or walking tours.
The castle is a must-see for those interested in 20th-century history.
The Postdam Conference exhibit rooms are wheelchair-accessible, but the Crown Prince's apartment upstairs is not. Strollers are not allowed inside the palace buildings.
You can buy tickets just to the Postdam Conference exhibit or the Crown Prince apartments or opt for combo passes that give you access to both.
Large bags and wet items such as umbrellas are not allowed inside, and visitors cannot speak on cell phones while touring the exhibits.
There are a couple of cafes and a restaurant on the palace grounds if you want to grab something to eat, but note that food is not allowed inside.
The palace is located in the New Garden area of Potsdam, about a 10-minute drive or taxi ride away. If you’re coming to Potsdam, you can get there by public transportation in about 20 minutes by taking tram 92 or 96 to Rathaus and then taking bus 603 to the Potsdam, Cecilienhof Palace stop. Potsdam hop-on hop-off buses also stop here.
Cecilienhof Palace is open Tuesday through Sunday and stays open an hour later in the April–October summer season. Public holiday opening hours vary, so checking the website for up-to-date information is best. You must arrive at least half an hour before closing to be admitted.
Visitors to Potsdam will want to take advantage of a chance to visit the city's elegant gardens, part of one of the country's largest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights include the Italianate gardens and fountains of Sanssouci Park, the grounds of Babelsberg Palace, which feature a tiny castle that you can climb to the top of, and—of course—the English-style New Gardens at Cecilienhof Palace.
