Dutch Quarter

The Dutch Quarter is a neighbourhood of 169 beautifully preserved red Dutch brick houses, built from 1733 to 1740

TravelCurious Tip

The easiest way to get to the Dutch Quarter is on the S-Bahn’s S1 line.

Take a little walk around Potsdam, and at some point you may find yourself in a part of town which somehow doesn’t feel German. The houses are built of red bricks, and in a markedly different style, one which makes you think more of Germany’s neighbours to the West. That’s because you’re in the Dutch Quarter, which has the largest collection of Dutch-style houses outside the Netherlands.


Foreign Talent

In the mid-18th century, King Frederick William I of Prussia was a worried man. Fearing for the security of his city, Frederick decided to expand the military facilities of his garrison as a matter of urgency, and he decided to bring in hundreds of the best Dutch craftsmen to get the job done. In order to encourage them to stay and to do a proper job, Frederick had 134 houses specially built for them in a bid to make them feel more at home. They were designed by the Dutch architect Jan Bouman, and he completed the job between 1733 and 1740.


An Easygoing Neighbourhood

These days, the Dutch Quarter is a firm favourite with tourists and locals alike. Wander through the streets and admire the clean white seams of the houses against their red Dutch brick, or duck into one of the many cosy little coffee shops which pepper the area. Keep your eyes peeled, and you’ll find art galleries, craft shops, antiques dealers and plenty more to while away a pleasant afternoon.


Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Berlin
Sanssouci Palace
Often described as the Versailles of Germany. It is the former summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia
Sanssouci Palace Gardens
Walk by the terraced gardens and see the magnificence of the park surrounding the Palace.
Potsdam
It is now one of the most-visited cities in Germany, home to magnificent palaces and elegant gardens.
Schloss Cecilienhof Palace
The location of the Potsdam conference. Where Churchill, Truman and Stalin partitioned post-war Europe in 1945
Alexandrowka
An old Russian colony, created in 1826-27 upon the request of Frederick Wilhelm III
Stasi Prison
A former East German prison, which cruelly remanded political prisoners secretly for decades

Related Tours

Potsdam & Sanssouci Palace: Private Day Trip from Berlin by Train

Enjoy a private day trip to Potsdam from Berlin by train, one of Europe’s most magnificent royal cities, and discover its rich culture and beautiful architecture, with a guided tour of the stunning Sanssouci Palace.

On your private day trip, you will:

  • Travel by train to Potsdam from Berlin, about an hour away, accompanied by your private tour guide;
  • Visit the magnificent Sanssouci Palace, the summer home of King Frederick the Great and now Germany's largest World Heritage Site at your own pace;
  • Hear about the life of Frederick the Great, born in Berlin in 1712 who was only 28 years old when he became King of Prussia;
  • Tour the picture gallery and see some of the most famous works of Europe’s greatest masters such as Caravaggio, Rubens and van Dyck among others; 
  • Stop for a lunch break in the city at one of the many restaurants with resplendent views where your guide will be happy to give you recommendations;
  • Discover Potsdam, a city of dreams that served as the home of Kings and Emperors for three hundred years, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990;
  • Explore the 18th-century Dutch Quarter and its magnificent red brick neighbourhoods; 
  • After your tour, you may opt to stay in Potsdam to continue exploring on your own, or head back to Berlin with your guide.


Created by the Prussian Kings to rival the Baroque opulence of Versailles, the palaces and parks of Potsdam are spread over 500 hectares and include over 150 buildings dating from 1730 to 1916. The city provides a peaceful and beautiful respite from the hustle and bustle of Berlin.

Full of incredible history, from Prussian royalty to the Cold War, the capital of Brandenburg is as fascinating as it is beautiful. Appreciate the rococo architecture of Frederick the Great’s summer palace: the Sanssouci Palace.

Throughout the day, your guide will tell you a plethora of stories about the people behind the pomp and splendour of the buildings. The life of Frederick the Great, who was a keen patron of the arts and the Enlightenment and commissioned the Sanssouci Palace to be his summer palace.

Your guide will meet you after the audio-guided tour and walk with you through the Sansoucci gardens past the lovely Chinese Tea Room to the New Palace, which you'll explore from the outside.

IMPORTANT: Due to the strict policy at Sanssouci Palace, tour guides are not allowed to guide inside, so you will tour the palace on your own with an audioguide. They will rendezvous with you at the exit to resume your private tour.

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