The big science park on Telegrafenberg hill is named after the physicist and Nobel Prize win­ner Albert Einstein. It is also the location of the Einstein Tower, itself an architectural sight from the Bauhaus era that is worth seeing (Science Park / Wissenschaftspark "Albert Einstein", Albert-Einstein-Straße). The site is one of the oldest and most impor­tant scientific areas in Germany.

The foundation of the first astrophysical obser­vatory in the world in 1874 and the foundation of Potsdam University in 1991 stand symbolically for the historical and the contemporary in research and education. The dynamic profile of Potsdam is essentially characterised by high tech and software devel­opment today. Connoisseurs of technical monuments come to Potsdam to visit the giant refracting telescope in the Science Park, the pumping sta­tion for the fountains of Sanssouci in the form of a mosque, the windmill at Sanssouci Palace or with a cruise on a coal-fired Havel steam ship.

Potsdam is not only the gladly chosen host of numerous sporting events, such as the World Championship of show and marching bands, the Friedensfahrt cycle race, “Open Water”, the “Preußische Meile” city run or the European Championship of senior track and field athletes, but has also garnered world fame through the achieve­ments of the city's sportsmen and women. Rowers, canoeists, track and field athletes and swimmers have earned a good reputation in the international arena.  The great variety in the more than 100 sports clubs extends from Bundesliga football to senior gymnastics and is overseen by more than 2000 volunteer officials.