Leipzig

Discover Saxony’s edgy and creative side

Creative, lively and diverse

Welcome to Leipzig

Leipzig is a city full of surprises. Urban and edgy, but also a traditional city of trade fairs and home to some of the world’s most famous classical composers. It would be easy to label this Saxon city one way or the other but to get to know the real Leipzig, you’ll have to immerse yourself in its wonderful mix of culture and inventive spirit that shapes the city and attracts many artists and creative folk. Add to that a long and eventful history and you have the perfect combination for a city break full of surprises.

bridges can be crossed in Leipzig, more than in Venice!

Karl Heine Canal

museums and exhibitions

Museums in Leipzig

Age of "Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum" coffee house

Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum

Old trade fair city with many highlights

Sights and attractions in Leipzig

Ultimate sound experience

Leipzig Gewandhaus

Leipzig's Gewandhaus concert hall is one of the city's most celebrated cultural landmarks, centrally located at Augustusplatz. It is home to the world-famous Gewandhaus Orchestra. Led by Andris Nelsons, the ensemble brings classical masterpieces to life. Enjoy the concert hall's outstanding acoustics, elegant architecture, and an atmosphere that invites you to relax and listen. For an unforgettable evening in Leipzig, a concert at the Gewandhaus is a highlight you don’t want to miss.

Discover Leipzig Gewandhaus

Remembering Europe's largest battle

Monument to the Battle of the Nations

At 91 metres high, this monumental structure commemorates the decisive battle against Napoleon's conquests in 1813. After making your way up a good 500 steps, you will be rewarded with an stunning panoramic view of Leipzig. A sight that impressively combines historic significance with beautiful scenery.

Discover the Monument to the Battle of the Nations

Historic and modern art in one collection

Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig

Striking architecture meets an extraordinary collection spanning from the 15th to the 21st century: located in the heart of Leipzig, the Museum of Fine Arts invites you to explore the breadth of European art, from Old Masters to modern and contemporary works. Wander through light-filled galleries, discover renowned paintings and sculptures, and enjoy a diverse programme of special exhibitions that regularly brings international perspectives to the city. Whether you are planning a cultural city break in Leipzig or are simply looking for inspiration, the Museum of Fine Arts is an essential stop for art lovers.

Discover the Museum of Fine Arts

Of musical history and Bach

St. Thomas Church

Leipzig's St. Thomas Church is a site of great European importance, closely linked to the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose grave can be found in the church. The composer was the church's music director and hugely influenced the city’s musical legacy. The renowned Thomanerchor (St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig), one of Germany's oldest boys' choirs, continues this tradition, filling the space with music during its regular weekly performances. Leipzig’s long history of learning is reflected in the nearby University of Leipzig, founded in 1409, with the sermons of Martin Luther delivered there playing a role in spreading the ideas of the Reformation. Today, visitors can experience a place where sacred architecture, living musical tradition, and centuries of history come together.

Discover St. Thomas Church

Shopping in historic surroundings

Mädler Passage

Step into the beautiful Mädler Passage, one of Leipzig’s most impressive shopping arcades in the heart of the city centre. Inspired by the elegance of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, this architectural gem combines historic atmosphere with refined shopping. Browse exclusive boutiques, pause in welcoming cafés, and enjoy a relaxed stroll beneath the ornate arcades. The passage is also home to the legendary Auerbachs Keller, one of Leipzig’s most famous dining spots, known for its long history and unique setting.

Discover Mädler Passage

In the footsteps of Goethe’s Faust

Auerbachs Keller

Descend into the historic cellars of Auerbachs Keller, one of Leipzig’s most renowned restaurants, and enjoy regional flavours in a truly atmospheric setting beneath the city centre. Immortalised in “Faust” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, this traditional, 500-year-old dining spot blends centuries of history with warm hospitality. The menu features classic Saxon dishes alongside Mediterranean specialities, making it a favourite stop for visitors exploring Leipzig’s Old Town.

Discover Auerbachs Keller

On Leipzig's market square

Old Town Hall

In the heart of Leipzig’s city centre stands Leipzig's Altes Rathaus, the Old Town Hall, one of Germany’s finest Renaissance landmarks. This historic building offers a fascinating glimpse into Leipzig’s past, from its thriving trade and the impact of the Reformation to the lives of the city’s bourgeoisie. Inside, visitors can explore engaging exhibitions that bring the Leipzig's history to life. Outside, the bustling market square creates a lively backdrop where past and present meet and events and markets take place, making it an essential stop for anyone exploring Leipzig’s cultural heritage and historic centre.

Discover Leipzig's Old Town Hall

Zoo Leipzig Kiwara Savanne — © Zoo Leipzig

All about animals

Leipzig Zoo

Leipzig’s zoo is a must when in town, featuring six exciting “worlds of adventure” for veritable wow moments. Don't miss these highlights:

Gondwanaland, Germany's largest tropical rainforest
Pongoland, a worldwide unique ape enclosure
A historic, newly renovated terrarium, reopened in 2025, featuring Germany’s only Komodo dragon hatchlings
A new “Tierra del Fuego” exhibit for penguins and sea lions is expected to open in late 2026
Zoo expert Anthony Sheridan continuously names Leipzig Zoo the best zoo in Germany and second-best zoo in Europe

Discover Leipzig Zoo

Inspiring days in a buzzing city

48 hours in Leipzig

Discover the rich diversity of Leipzig in the heart of Saxony. Enjoy world-class performances by the Gewandhaus Orchestra at the Gewandhaus concert hall or take in panoramic city views from the towering Monument to the Battle of the Nations.

Stroll through the elegant Mädler Passage with its exclusive shops and cosy cafés, and immerse yourself in Leipzig’s art and history at renowned museums. Round off your visit with a meal at the historic Auerbachs Keller, where centuries of culture meet Saxon and Mediterranean cuisine.

Leipzig offers a vibrant blend of music, architecture, gastronomy and history - experiences that leave a lasting impression on every visitor.

Check out our 48 hrs in Leipzig guide

My Leipzig will I praise! A little Paris, one that cultivates its people.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Travel tips

Discover Leipzig's waterways

Leipzig, often called “Little Venice”, features more than 400 bridges, spanning its waterways and offering countless viewpoints over canals, rivers and green riverbanks.
Exploring Leipzig by canoe, kayak or boat offers a relaxed way to experience historic warehouses, restored brick architecture and leafy floodplain forests, one of the largest urban riparian forests in Europe.
Set off from Stadthafen Leipzig, a modern city harbour that connects visitors to Leipzig’s extensive network of rivers and canals.
Waterside paths and landing points make it easy to combine a boat trip with stops at cafés, beer gardens, and walking routes, adding a leisurely rhythm to any visit in Leipzig.

Kanal-Kanufahrt-Sommer-Wasserstadt-Freizeit-Grünes-Leipzig-Industriekultur-Romeo-Felsenreich-leipzig-travel — © Leipzig Travel

Tapetenwerk Leipzig is a coworking space, workshop location, and art space all rolled into one.

Creative places and events

Spinnerei Leipzig, a former cotton mill, has been turned into a top-notch hub for contemporary art with more than 100 artists' studios, 11 galleries, printer’s and shops. Among the Spinnerei's residents are internationally renowned artists such as Neo Rauch and Michael Triegel.
GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts is one of Europe's leading museums of design, featuring changing exhibitions on arts and crafts, design, photography and architecture.
Since its opening in 2016, Kunstkraftwerk has become a European hotspot for new media art, with a focus on immersive art projects that correspond in extraordinary ways with their industrial surroundings.
The International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film, short DOK, attracts visitors from all over the world. It is one of the leading festivals for documentaries and animated films and unique in combining these two genres.
In the former Herfurth Villa, the Gallery for Contemporary Art shows works from the period after 1945 and promotes contemporary art.
The Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival has been held annually in Leipzig at Whitsun since 1992 and, with over 20,000 visitors, is one of the world's biggest events in the goth scene.

Leipzig for culture buffs

Leipzig’s Gewandhaus Orchestra is a world-class ensemble, considered to be the largest professional orchestra in the world. It also is the oldest civil orchestra worldwide. Gewandhaus, the concert hall where it is based, was inaugurated in 1981 and is known for its excellent acoustics.
Leipzig Opera stands for more than 300 years of opera tradition with highly acclaimed performances featuring renowned soloists, a highly esteemed choir and award-winning ballet. Musikalische Komödie is part of the Leipzig Opera and is considered one of the few dedicated operetta and musical houses in the world.
Leipzig Music Trail, a 3-mile loop, was launched in 2012 and connects 23 places where famous composers lived and worked, including the Bach Museum, Mendelssohn House and Schumann House.
Leipzig Museum of City History shows the city’s history in all its diversity, including a special children’s museum in a neighbouring building on Böttchergässchen. Schiller House and The Monument to the Battle of the Nations, Europe's most imposing monument, are also part of the Museum of City History.
Leipzig’s Museum of the Printing Arts offers fascinating insights into the city's 550 year-old history of printing and publishing. Approximately 90 functioning machines for historic casting, typesetting and printing techniques make this important part of Saxon industrial heritage come alive in an (inter-)active way.

Leipzig’s Gewandhaus – impressive inside and out

City-Hochhaus-Leipzig-Drohnenaufnahme-Sehenswürdigkeiten-Kultur-Philipp-Kirschner-leipzig-travel — © Leipzig Travel

Ausstellung in der Spinnerei // Exhibition at Leipzig Spinnerei — © Andreas Schmidt

Our tip

Affordable Leipzig: how to explore the city for less

Enjoy Leipzig’s free museums and galleries: many museums open their permanent exhibitions for free, showcasing art, natural history and local culture. Don’t miss Spinnerei Leipzig, where dozens of contemporary galleries invite you to explore creativity on a budget.
Leipzig’s centuries-old passages and courtyards invite you to wander, admire ornate architecture and enjoy a coffee while watching city life – a charming experience that’s completely free.
Enjoy Leipzig’s green side as you stroll or cycle along canals, relax in Clara Zetkin Park, or unwind by one of the many lakes at the city's doorstep – peaceful escapes that won’t cost a thing.
Leipzig’s trams and trains make exploring easy and affordable. With a city card, you benefit from unlimited travel and discounts at top sights – perfect for experiencing more while spending less.
Leipzig buzzes with free or low-cost culture all year – from lively markets and festivals to local gigs and art shows, even letting you soak up big-event vibes, like the annual Bach and Wave Gotik festivals, without a ticket.

How to experience the city after dark

Going out in Leipzig

Spend time in the legendary Drallewatsch pub quarter
No night out in Leipzig is complete without a stroll through the Drallewatsch, the city’s best-known pub district around Barfußgässchen. Loosely translated, the Saxon dialect word means “to roam from pub to pub” — and that’s exactly what happens in this part of the city. Within a compact network of historic lanes, you’ll find dozens of bars, restaurants, and beer cellars set against Renaissance and Baroque façades.
Classic Leipzig institutions like Auerbachs Keller, Ratskeller Leipzig, and Zills Tunnel remain popular stops, while spots such as Spizz keep the atmosphere lively late into the night. In summer, terraces spill into the streets and the whole quarter feels like one long open-air gathering.
Bar-hop along Karl-Liebknecht-Straße (“KarLi”)
Locals simply call it KarLi – the beating heart of Leipzig’s nightlife stretching through Südvorstadt towards Connewitz. The street is packed with pubs, cocktail bars, late-night eateries and independent venues, making it ideal for a relaxed pub crawl or a long evening that turns into early morning. Cultural hubs like naTo and Werk 2 add live music and events, giving the area its creative edge.
Discover theatre bars around Münzgasse
Just steps from the Schauspiel Leipzig theatre, Münzgasse offers a cluster of cosy bars and restaurants that feel slightly more tucked away. It’s a favourite for pre-theatre drinks or a quieter evening with good food and conversation.
Explore the creative vibe of Karl-Heine-Straße in Plagwitz
In the former industrial district of Plagwitz, Karl-Heine-Straße blends canal views, street art, and an independent spirit. Converted warehouses now host bars, cafés, and small venues, attracting a creative crowd and offering a more alternative night out compared to the city centre.

For a great night out, head to one of the many pubs on Barfußgässchen.

Memorable days

Discover Leipzig in 48 hours

Explore historic lanes and vibrant neighbourhoods, experience Bach’s legacy listening to the Gewandhaus Orchestra, and find creative energy along the canals of Plagwitz. Leipzig is a city of contrasts, blending cultural heritage, great food and drink options, and green spaces. We have brought together the best sights, restaurants, cafés, and insider spots for a brilliant weekend break in Leipzig.

Day 1 in Leipzig: Friday

Your weekend begins right in the historic heart of the city, which is perfectly compact and easy to explore on foot after checking into your hotel. On Friday afternoon, you will dive straight into the unique charm of Leipzig’s famous covered arcades, indulge in traditional coffee and pastries, and wrap up your first evening with dinner in a historic cellar once frequented by Goethe himself.

Blick in eine Hotelzimmer — © Brera GmbH

Stylish boutique hotel or internationally renowned establishment: Leipzig offers the perfect accommodation for every taste.

Search for accommodation

neues-rathaus-tagung-konferenz-leipzig-convention-tom-thiele — © Leipzig Travel

The perfect starting point for your adventure is the Tourist Information in Katharinenstraße. From here, you can discover Leipzig's historic centre on an expert guided tour with "Leipzig Erleben" or explore at your own pace using the Explore Leipzig app. Make sure to visit iconic landmarks like St. Thomas Church, the Old Town Hall and Naschmarkt square. While exploring, do not miss the chance to browse the boutiques inside the historic Mädler Passage with its spectacular glass vaults.

Leipzig old town walk

Step into Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum (Arabian Coffee Tree), one of Europe’s oldest continuously operating coffee houses. Since 1711, this historic landmark has welcomed guests with coffee, pastries, and centuries of tradition. Over the years, it has been frequented by notable figures including Johann Sebastian Bach and Robert Schumann. Get yourself a "Leipziger Lerche", a local pastry filled with marzipan.

Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum

The legendary Auerbachs Keller is one of Leipzig’s most iconic landmarks and Germany’s oldest wine restaurants. Dating back to 1525, this historic cellar captivated Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and later earned immortal fame through his masterpiece "Faust". Today, visitors can dine beneath centuries-old vaulted ceilings, enjoying authentic local specialties and fine wines in an atmosphere steeped in history, folklore, and literary heritage.

Auerbachs Keller

Day 2 in Leipzig: Saturday

Spend your Saturday exploring Leipzig’s musical heritage and distinct neighbourhoods. Begin the morning in the old town at St. Thomas Church and the Bach Museum, where Johann Sebastian Bach once worked. In the afternoon, take a short tram ride west to Plagwitz to walk along the Karl-Heine Canal and visit the Baumwollspinnerei, a former cotton mill that now houses independent art galleries and studios. Finish your day at Augustusplatz square with an evening opera performance or enjoy the unique sound of Leipzig's Gewandhaus Orchestra.

Thomaskirche in Leipzig // St. Thomas Church Leipzig — © Szymon Nitka Znajkraj

Visit St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as music directo and composed some of his greatest masterpieces. Directly opposite, you’ll find the Bach Museum, offering fascinating insights into the life and legacy of the renowned composer.

Bach Museum

Discover St. Nicholas Church, where the historic Monday Demonstrations of 1989 began, helping to pave the way for German reunification. Just a few steps away, the free-of-charge Forum for Contemporary History offers fascinating insights into life in former East Germany.

Forum for Contemporary History

Altes-Rathaus-Leipzig-Sehenswürdigkeiten-Kultur-Geschichte-Philipp-Kirschner-leipzig-travel — © Leipzig Travel

Choose one of the many cosy restaurants around the historic market square and enjoy lunch against the backdrop of Leipzig's Old Town Hall.

Restaurants in Leipzig

Take tram line 14 from the Central Station or Goerdelerring and get off at the Karl-Heine-/Giesserstraße stop to explore Plagwitz, the city's creative heart. Stroll along the Karl-Heine Canal and visit the Spinnerei Leipzig, a former cotton mill that has been converted into a massive space for art galleries and studios.

Spinnerei Leipzig

Take a stroll along Karl-Heine-Straße, one of Leipzig’s most vibrant and creative streets. Browse independent boutiques, stylish concept stores and specialist record shops, each offering something unique. When it’s time to pause, choose from a wide selection of independent cafés and restaurants, perfect for a relaxed coffee or early evening meal.

To Karl-Heine Straße

Ballet, comedy, or classical music, an evening at Leipzig Opera or the Gewandhaus will make your stay truly memorable. Immerse yourself in world-class music performed by the internationally renowned Gewandhaus Orchestra, whether at a concert hall performance or during a production by the Leipzig Opera or Leipzig Ballet. We highly recommend booking your tickets well in advance, as performances sell out quickly.

Leipzig's Gewandhaus

Day 3 in Leipzig: Sunday

Make the most of your last day in Leipzig with a blend of history and waterside relaxation. Visit the impressive Monument to The Battle of the Nations in the morning, savour lunch at Leipzig City Harbour, and finish your weekend with a leisurely paddle along the city's waterways before saying goodbye.

Völkerschlachtdenkmal-Leipzig-Sehenswürdigkeiten-Kultur-Geschichte-Philipp-Kirschner-leipzig-travel — © Leipzig Travel

The Monument to the Battle of the Nations commemorates the crucial battle against Napoleon which took place near Leipzig in October 1813. Take the lift up to the viewing platform for panoramic views across the entire region.

Discover the monument

Enjoy a relaxed lunch by the water at Leipzig City Harbour, a vibrant place where cafés and terraces offer the perfect setting to unwind. Round off your visit with a scenic boat tour or paddle along the city’s canals for a memorable final glimpse of Leipzig from the water.

Leipzig City Harbour

Blick auf Schloss Colditz // View of Colditz Castle — © Anita Demianowicz

A memorable weekend in Leipzig draws to a close, and it is time to say goodbye. If you have a little extra time, explore the region beyond the city, from the lakes and beaches of Leipzig New Lakeland to the historic splendour of Colditz Castle and the charming towns of Torgau and Grimma.

Leipzig Region

Leipzig

Welcome to Leipzig

Sights and attractions in Leipzig

Leipzig Gewandhaus

Monument to the Battle of the Nations

Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig

St. Thomas Church

Mädler Passage

Auerbachs Keller

Old Town Hall

Leipzig Zoo

48 hours in Leipzig

Discover Leipzig's waterways

Creative places and events

Leipzig for culture buffs

Affordable Leipzig: how to explore the city for less

Going out in Leipzig

Discover Leipzig in 48 hours

Day 1 in Leipzig: Friday

Day 2 in Leipzig: Saturday

Day 3 in Leipzig: Sunday

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