Patricia B.United States
Matt is great. He is interesting and extremely informed. He entertained our history buffs and recommended some additions to the agenda. I highly recommend using him.
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Private tour in Berlin Matthew R
The Parks & Palaces Of Potsdam - The Glory Of Prussia Tour | 6 Hours - Day Trip from Berlin
5.0
(9) reviews
-
6 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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6 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Matthew R.
5.0
Guide rating
83
Reviews
Tours delivered
3 hrs
Avg. response time
A chance encounter with a Cold War spy in Berlin led me to stumble into tour guiding 19 years ago after moving to the German capital as an aspiring writer from my native England. Assured that not only did I. . . "know a lot about German history" but also. . . "didn't mind embarassing myself in front of large groups of people" - the basic requirements for a Berlin tour guide at the time - I was hired by a local tour company and began what has since turned into my passion and profession. Over the years I have introduced thousands of visitors to Berlin: from independent travellers, families, companies and schools - to Holocaust survivors rediscovering the streets they once called home and the relatives of Nazi perpetrators seeking answers to the crimes within their families. Although due to my professional background I specialise in Berlin's 'heavy history' of the 20th century (the era of Adolf Hitler's so-called 'Third Reich' and 'Cold War' period), I also understand it would be impossible to understand the big picture when it comes to Berlin without the context of previous chapters in say Prussian and early medieval history - and the city's more uplifting contemporary realities. Adding context to Berlin's history is, for me, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a tour guide. As such, although I do offer historical experiences of Berlin exploring the distinct periods in the city's past, I always tailor my tours to my clients wishes, expectations, and previous knowledge. Of course, we can visit the major places in the city - the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie etc - but the quirky, comical, and often secret details are what many people will remember beyond these sights. As Berlin is a city that is more than the simple sum of its landmarks, and is best experienced that way. There is something for everyone here; and the stories of this city echo across the world. Come explore and find your Berlin. 20 years experience (Berlin guide since 2005) President Emeritus - Berlin Guides Association (BBS) 2018-2020 Rick Steves Partner Guide 2023-25 Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial License Former East German Secret Police Headquarters - Stasi Museum Historical Consultant BA Journalism (Hons) First Aid Certified I am not a driver, but can arrange for a vehicle and driver at an additional cost - upon request.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Matthew R.
Explore the parks & palaces of the former Prussian royal city of Potsdam
Overview of your Berlin tour
Home to the opulent summer residences of the Prussian kings & German emperors, Potsdam is flush with regal splendour and tranquil sculpted parks and gardens. A city of kings and emperors, often referred to as Berlin's equivalent of Versailles, Potsdam housed Prussia's royal House of Hohenzollern family on the edge of Berlin until the fall of imperialism in 1918. The city has retained much of its old world splendour - visible in its luscious lakeside parks, castles, and its charming historical centre. This tour is a relaxing day out from Berlin to this beautiful city, boasting architectural wonders of Baroque, Rococo & Neo-Classical style. Beyond the famous Sanssouci Palace, constructed by Frederick the Great in 1747, we will also have time to visit the exterior of the Cecilienhof Palace - site of the 1945 Potsdam Conference attended by Truman, Stalin and Churchill (note the palace interior is unfortunately under renovation until 2027...)
Recent Reviews
Gary S.United States
We enjoyed our day with Matt and his driver Marcus. We were able to explore Potsdam via the comfort of their van and had ample time to walk around many landmarks and palaces. Matt brings history alive as he shows the sights that so many historic events have occurred and has vast knowledge of the history of the area. Matt tailored the tour to our interests and gave us just the right amount of time to enjoy the many interesting sites. We would highly recommend this tour.
Kate D.
Our group of six spent two full days with Matt and unanimously agreed he was an outstanding guide. His deep and wide-ranging knowledge of Berlin and German history—spanning centuries—enriched every moment of our time together. He answered every question with clarity and offered concise, engaging explanations of even the most complex topics. Matt was also incredibly flexible, effortlessly adapting each day’s agenda to suit our group’s interests. His restaurant recommendations were excellent as well. All in all, Matt was one of the best guides we’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering.
Nancy B.United States
I highly recommend Matt as a tour guide if you are staying in Berlin or wanting a tour outside of the city as well! He has a wealth of knowledge about history and is excited to share it. You can tell he not only enjoys giving tours and the history he is presenting, but also being with his clients. He is easy going but at the same time incredibly professional. We booked the Potsdam tour with him and wish we had more time to do other tours with him such as a Cold War tour, and a WW2 tour. Thank you Matt for a great day in Potsdam for our family.
Jackie H.United States
We had a group of 9 on the tour. Matt was sure to keep us all included with any facts given & answered all our questions. We all felt he was the best guide we could have hoped for on our tour. 100% recommend Matt as a guide!!
James G.United States
We absolutely loved doing this tour and would recommend it to anyone who wants to experience Pottsdam. Our guide Matthew was brilliant - super friendly, helpful, considerate and extremely knowledgeable. He used a great mix of history, local knowledge and personal stories to keep us entertained and engaged throughout. He also offered recommendations of other things to do/ see and places to eat during our stay. Thank you again Matthew we wouldn't have wanted anybody else to show us around!
Your Berlin tour itinerary
Berlin to Potsdam - The Charlottenburg Palace - The Bridge of Spies - The Glienicke Palace - The Babelsberg Palace, the childhood residence Of Wilhelm I - the first German Emperor - The former Emperor's train station - The impressive New Palace on the west side of the Sanssouci Park - The Orangerie Palace - The Chinese Tea House - The Sanssouci Palace, the most renowned of Potsdam's former royal residences, built by Frederick the Great - The grave of Frederick the Great - The panoramic vista of the terraced vineyard in front of the Sanssouci Palace - The Bildergalerie, with its world-class collection of Flemish & Dutch Baroque art and Italian Renaissance masterpieces - The Church of Peace - The quaint cobbled-streets of Old Town Potsdam - Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate - The Dutch Quarter - The Alexandrowka Russian Colony - The New Gardens - The Schloss Cecilienhof, site of the 1945 Potsdam Conference attended by Truman, Stalin and Churchill Return to Berlin
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Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Van
The tour will be both with private transportation and on foot (as we exit the vehicle to explore some of the sites). I only use German vehicles (unless specified) such as Mercedes Benz Vito/Viano and Volkswagen Caravelle through reputable professional private transportation companies - with separate chauffeur included. All vehicles are air-conditioned and can hold 6 people.
What's included
Private Guide
Private Transportation
Tickets: Includes entrance to Sanssouci Palace (Frederick the Great's palace) for an unguided audio tour. How long this visit takes depends on your interest inside the palace. Usually max 30 minutes.
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location
Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Hotel/accomodation in Berlin
Other details
Tour categories
Art And Culture
History
Architecture
Layover
Tour reference number
556135
Languages
German
EnglishActivity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Traveller reviews
5.0
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Berlin best suited for?
This private tour is perfect for travellers who are interested in history, architecture, and the regal splendour of Prussian royalty. It's also ideal for those who want a relaxing day trip from Berlin to explore the beautiful city of Potsdam with its parks, palaces, and historical sites. Families with children will find it suitable as well, given its kid-friendly nature.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Berlin be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
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What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
6 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
6 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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