Cecilienhof Palace (Schloss Cecilienhof) is an English Tudor-style country house on the shore of the Jungfernsee lake in Potsdam's Neuer Garten (New Garden), and the last palace ever built by the Hohenzollern dynasty (1913–1917). It is world-famous as the setting of the Potsdam Conference of 17 July–2 August 1945, where the 'Big Three' — Truman, Churchill (later Attlee) and Stalin — met, and its round conference table is preserved just as it was. As of 2026, however, the palace interior is closed for a major restoration under the Prussian Palaces Master Plan, while the surrounding park stays open. So for now, plan a visit around the exterior and a lakeside walk, and check the reopening schedule before counting on seeing the interior.
The Conference Hall: the large round table, chairs and national flags where the Big Three sat in 1945, preserved in place (viewable once the interior reopens)
Tudor-style exterior and courtyard: half-timbered walls, red brick and 55 distinct chimneys evoking an English country manor — visible even during closure
The Red Star flower bed: the giant red star planted in the courtyard garden by Soviet forces for the conference
Private rooms of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess: early-20th-century interiors including a study modelled on a ship's cabin (viewable after reopening)
Neuer Garten and the Jungfernsee: the English landscape park and lakeside paths around the palace, extending toward the nearby Marble Palace (Marmorpalais)
Good to know
RulesAs of 2026 the palace interior is closed for restoration (since November 2024), with reopening planned around 2027. Always check the official SPSG site (spsg.de) for current access and tickets before you go.
RulesEven with the interior closed, the Neuer Garten park, gardens and lakeside paths remain open, so exterior views and walking are still possible. Frame your visit around the park and grounds to avoid disappointment.
MannersGerman public transport requires buying a ticket before boarding and validating it where needed; fare-dodging is fined. Check whether you need an ABC-zone ticket when travelling between Berlin and Potsdam.
SeasonSummer (July–August) is peak season with very long daylight, but the Neuer Garten is large and involves a lot of walking — bring comfortable shoes, water and an umbrella for summer showers. Winters are grey and cold, less ideal for a grounds-only visit.
SafetyPotsdam is generally safe, but stay alert to pickpockets at Potsdam main station and in crowded tourist and transit areas — keep your bag in front of you.
CautionBuy tickets only through official SPSG channels (spsg.de / tickets.spsg.de) or authorised resellers, and avoid unofficial resale or products with inflated surcharges.
Practical info
The palace sits in the Neuer Garten north of central Potsdam: from Berlin take the S-Bahn or regional train (RE) to Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, then a tram/bus (e.g. bus 603 toward Schloss Cecilienhof) or walk through the park. Because the interior is closed in 2026, always confirm opening hours, tickets and the reopening date on the official SPSG website for the latest information.
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