Leipzig is the largest city in Germany’s state of Saxony. Germany’s eighth most populous city and the second-most populous city in former East Germany right after Berlin.
It lies just above the junction of the Pleisse, Parthe, and Weisse Elster rivers, about 115 miles (185 km) southwest of Berlin. Although surrounded by parks and gardens, the city is a major industrial center and transportation junction and lies at the core of the Halle-Leipzig metropolitan group. Some parts of Leipzig were destroyed in World War II, but have since been reconstructed.
Leipzig has beautiful design architecture with an interesting city center, narrow streets, and coffee and cake temptations on every corner. Now Leipzig carries on the cultural focus with unique music, beautiful churches, theatre, and opera offerings, not to mention fantastic nightlife.
Here are the 25 best things that you can do in Leipzig right (plus one bonus at the end of the article), based upon tourist reviews!
25. Aussichtsturm Leipzig
Whoever wants to have fun here should be free from giddiness. Because once you have fought your way up the small hill near the sewage treatment plant to the foot of the Rosentaler tower, you’ll want to climb it. The strange construction is hardly noticeable from below. Only those who know what is hidden between the leaves on the small hill can enjoy a breathtaking view.
What tourists liked about Aussichtsturm Leipzig
The observation tower is tricky to find, as it is hidden by trees, but it is worth looking for it in the Rose Valley. When you have found it, you have a great view over Leipzig from the top of the tower.
It’s a very simple tower and mostly empty, which is very pleasant!
24. The 300 year-old Leipzig Opera House
The Opernhaus (in German: Oper Leipzig) is an opera house, which oppened its doors in 1693. It was designed by Kunz Nierade, that’s why the opera has a large orchestra theatre.
The opera house has a long musical legacy in the city. It is located right in the center of Augustusplatz and directly opposite the Gewandhaus. The architecture – a work of the transitional epoch – as the architect Hans Hopp described it in 1961, shows its charm, especially at night, when all the windows are lit. The outside areas are also beautifully illuminated.
The Leipzig Opera consists of an opera, the Leipzig Ballet, and a musical comedy. In the opera house itself, opera and ballet can be found right in the center on Augustusplatz, while the musical comedy is located in Haus Dreilinden in the Lindenau district.
The Opera auditorium is divided into two floors: the stalls on the floor and the upper circles which have a total of 13,000 seats.
What tourists liked about Opernhaus
The acoustics in this building is second to none, and the seating in all parts of the auditorium is superb. The opera house is a former GDR building, and you can still feel this GDR charm. But everything is right-wardrobe, bar-nice and friendly staff everywhere.
23. Bergbau Technik Park
The mining technology park between the Markkleeberger and Störmthaler See keeps the region’s industrial history around Leipzig alive. It is one of three West Saxon stations along the route of Saxony’s industrial heritage. And the significant highlights of this exhibition are two large machines, the 2,800 tonnes 1250 heavy spreader, and another 1,500 tonnes 1817 bucket wheel excavator, which was built by one of the unique designers, TAKRAF, in the 1980s.
Bergbau Technik Park is an open-air museum for mining technology, and visitors learn about the technical implications of lignite extraction while providing recreation and spectacular impressions.
Here you can find the giant monsters that have shaped this area for many years. You get an impression of the quantities that these excavators have moved.
What tourists liked about Bergbau-Technik-Park
The mining technology park is an experience for young and old. Anyone in the area should stop by the technology park. Here you can find the giant monsters that have shaped this area for many years. You get an impression of the masses that these excavators moved day in and day out.
22. Peterskirche
The impressive Peterskirche is sometimes also called Alte Peterskirche (Old St. Peter), built from 1882 to 1885 by the architects Hartel and Lipsius in the style of French cathedral Gothic.
It is an Evangelical Lutheran parish church in Leipzig’s southern center, close to several universities, within the Federal Administrative Court’s sight. It is one of the significant inner-city churches alongside the St. Thomas and St. Nicholas Church. and one of the most important churches of the 19th century in Germany. The bell tower is 88 meters high as a dominant feature of urban planning, making it the highest in Leipzig.
The Peterskirche has an extensive range of services such as prayer, church music at a high level, advice and pastoral care, and a wide range of cultural events.
What tourists liked about Peterskirche
It is a church with a massive building just one step away from Karl Liebknecht Strasse. The decoration of the exterior is terrific. Here you can enjoy the flair with great organ sounds.
21. Botanical Garden
Leipzig Botanical Garden is at the University of Leipzig, the oldest at any German university and located near the Linnéstraße. It was founded between 1540 and 1570 they were constructed shortly after the university’s reform in 1539.
A pervasive scientific botanical garden is a collection of tropical plants open to the public. This collection has existed for more than a hundred years. Its greenhouses, outdoor areas, herbal garden, and scent and touch garden are home to a total of more than 12,000 plants over an area spread across three hectares.
This garden’s most popular highlight is the butterfly house, where you can experience butterflies in near-natural surroundings and at close range with hundreds of the creatures fluttering around the canopy. And the collections have a variety of research and educational purposes in biology, pharmacy, biochemistry, and human and veterinary medicine.
What tourists liked about Botanical Garden Leipzig
A pervasive scientific botanical collection open to the public, well cared for and designed to make sense to the public. Beautiful, informative outdoor facilities and magnificently equipped, small Traibhäuser, butterflies, and tropical hall included.
20. Störmthaler See
There are some places where you can enjoy a beautiful lake and visit with your families around Störmthaler Lake. Those who want to experience the 3D archery course in the Leipzig New Lake District can also participate here; around 30,000 visitors take the parts every year in August.
Around the Störmthaler Lake, there are many spots to visit whether you love hiking or cycling. Crystal clear water and empty beaches on the east side of the lake make a relaxing beach day.
What tourists liked about Lake Störmthal
It’s fantastic with opencast mine. You feel like you are in a different environment—an excellent excursion destination with well laid out bike paths. You can look at the lake on the circular route and enjoy the view.
19. Wildpark Leipzig
The Wildlife Park is an attractive place for families and children in Leipzig’s city. The southern floodplain forest is home to one of the city’s most beautiful recreational areas: the Leipzig Wildlife Park is a center for recreational research and over 105 years old. About 30 animals and up to 230 wild animals from Central Europe live in an area of 113 acres.
Leipzig Wildlife Park complements the animal species composition with other animal-keeping facilities in Leipzig such as the Leipzig Zoo, which ostensibly shows exotic animals, or the Bauersfeld Company’s Pet Zoo, where visitors can see different breeds of domestic animals.
What tourists liked about Wildpark Leipzig
Although Leipzig is famous for its impressive Zoo, the WildPark is another option to enjoy the animals in semi-freedom for free and in an environment close to the one they have in their wild state. An excellent park for walking, cycling or picnicking, but if you like animals it’s a great place, and you can’t miss it.
18. Mendelssohn Haus
The Mendelssohn House was the last and sole private residence of the composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and built-in 1844 in the style of Late Classicism, having great historical and cultural significance.
Now the building is used as a music salon and the site of the world’s only Mendelssohn Museum. Visitors can experience the musician and composer’s life and work about the exhibition spaces of around 800 square meters in the main building and approximately 300 square meters in the garden building.
The Mendelssohn House is a museum in Leipzig that offers many different activities for children. These include “Mendelssohn’s World for Children” on every first Sunday of the month, several small events in the Mendelssohn House’s Carriage house during the summer holidays, and some educational activities for kindergarten and school classes.
What tourists liked about Mendelssohn Haus
his Museum is maintained with careful construction of the original building. An excellent way to see, hear, and try how a conductor works. The right mix of modern interactive games and the old representation of the original rooms.
17. Alte Börse (Old Stock-exchange)
The Alte Börse is a block-like complex on a vaulted base, structured by flat pilasters with Ionic capitals, between which garlands are attached. On the surrounding balustrade are Mercury’s statues, Venus, Apollo, and Minerva (Sandtmann, 1683).
Today the stylish hall is often used in various ways, mainly for chamber music and literary events, scientific and specialist lectures, readings, company presentations, festive receptions, and graduation parties. It offers space for 200 people.
What tourists liked about Alte Börse
The old stock exchange stands at the back of the old town hall in the heart of downtown Leipzig, directly behind the Goethe monument. It’s less than five minutes’ walk from Augustusplatz. The old trading exchange is one of the oldest and most beautiful baroque buildings in the city.
16. Red Bull Arena
Red Bull Arena is home to the German Bundesliga soccer team, RB Leipzig. It is the largest football stadium in former East Germany and has also hosted music concerts and football and was built between 2000 and 2004; there were sports facilities on the same spot as the current stadium.
The entire stadium structure was kept, all buildings dating back to 1956 were also retained. And both the stadium’s inner-outer side became public green, while specially-built ramps connect the promenade with the stadium set inside the bowl.
Red Bull knew how to get around the (weird) requirements of the advertising ban, and with RasenBallsport verein, RB comes into its own and creates a smile. The arena is well built, and you feel as if you are in a “forest station” and integrated into the green landscape.
What tourists liked about Red Bull Arena
Nice big stadium. Lots of stairs but the full atmosphere for 90 minutes is hard to beat. Singing and clapping from the first minute to the end. Access roads are very narrow for 42,000 people. In terms of audience, mix of fans and families. Don’t expect this relatively new red bull sponsored club to exude so much atmosphere.
15. Clara-Zetkin Park
The Clara-Zetkin-Park is the largest park in Leipzig. It has a beautiful collection of parks and forest preserves close to the city center. This 7 km run highlights Clara-Zetkin Park, Palmengarten and several adjacent parks just west of the city, a merger of four parks and brought together in 1955 under the women’s rights activist socialists. The quickest way is to cross the Ringstrasse in a westerly direction at the level of the New Town Hall with a walk from the historic city center that combines the landmark Johannapark, Palmengarten, Volkspark, Scheibenholz, and Albert Park. Apart from nature, it is used for recreational purposes, there are areas for children, or bars to drink beer on its terraces, or even with a place for outdoor performances.
What tourists liked about Clara-Zetkin Park
This central park is an immense green forest in summer, lush, with tall trees with river channels where rowing is practiced, with lakes where fish and ducks swim, with running paths and bicycle paths, with meadows to lie down, quiet corners, and with so many things that a walk through it is a beautiful experience.
14. Karl-Heine-Kanal
In the west part of Leipzig, the Karl Heine Canal, an artificial watercourse, runs through the city that connects the Lindenau harbor with the White Elster. The canal is spread by a total of 15 bridges in 3.3 km of water.
During warmer months of the year, the watercourse is navigable with small boats, which can be hired from the Leipzig city harbor, among other places, and numerous other areas. During an excursion on the Karl Heine Canal, water hikers see the bridges and former industrial architecture with artistic facades. Via the connection to the White Elster, you can get to the Leipziger Neuseenland by boat. Today the Karl Heine Canal is a Leipzig cultural monument.
What tourists liked about Karl-Heine-Kanal
Going through this canal is always a wonderful experience, whether walking, cycling, or by the water. You can enjoy the sun and nature. The old bridges are also excellent and complement its magical atmosphere.
13. Grassi Museum of Applied Arts
GRASSI Museum Arts is one of the primary plans of historical centers in Europe which is the home to three Museums; the Leipzig Museum of Ethnography, the Museum of Applied Arts and the Museum for Musical Instruments. It is sometimes called the “Museums in the Grassi” or as the “New” Grassi Museum.,”
The Museum maintains an excellent collection of decorative arts dating back to antiquity. New Objectivity and Art Deco, palace building traditions, magnificent and the Bauhaus all converge uniquely in this building ensemble. The creatively planned permanent exhibition, divided into three collections, is also impressive: Asian Art, From Antiquity to Historian, and Art Noveau to the Present Day.
What tourists liked about the Grassi Museum
This Museum has beautiful design, an ethnographic Museum and a Museum of musical instruments through the ages. It’s all about artistic handicrafts of all kinds. Here you learn a lot about the development of design and commercial exploitation.
12. Nikolaikirche
St. Nicholas Church is one of the famous churches in Leipzig, Germany. Built-in 1165, and is situated in the center of the city. But in the 16th century, it turned into a Gothic hall church.
The St. Nicholas Church is the largest church in Leipzig; it is around 65 meters long and 47 meters wide.
This church is beautifully constructed. From outside, it’s massive and sits in a small square in a trafficated area. Inside it’s majestic with its white pillars topped with its green palms all around the church. The altar is big and wondrous, with many adorable pictures of its walls to large colored windows’ backdrop. The pews are different in a cream color instead of the usual wooden variety. This church is not to be missed because of its splendor and because it was where the locals first started meeting to protest against the regime.
What tourists liked about Nikolaikirche
The interior of the church is a very-well design and has exciting columns. There are posters on the street, but you have to see them and the main starting point for the prayers for peace, which significantly influenced the demonstrations for reunification.
11. Museum in der Runden Ecke
A Memorial Museum in the Round Corner is a former headquarters of the East German Secret Police, based on the Leipzig Museum. This exhibition displays equipment and artifacts once belonging to the feared Stasi. It exhibits equipment for postal surveillance, a masking workshop, and a cell replica, all in the original rooms. The Museum is not so large, but the exhibits are informative and extensive, and you can learn a lot about the GDR.
What tourists liked about Museum in der Runden Ecke
It is an excellent museum as it conveys the history of the Stasi very impressively through the original rooms and the many contemporary documents history Museum. Plenty of stuff on display that catches your eye.
10. Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei – from cotton to culture!
Several galleries and many artists have exhibits on the former Leipzig-Lindenau cotton spinning mill site, including Neo Rauch, probably the best-known representative of the New Leipzig School. With this mixture of art and industrial architecture and the artists’ work, the cotton mill quickly became known as the international art scene and one of the most exciting studios and gallery centers for contemporary art in Europe.
The cotton spinning mill is not just a cultural center, there are also workshops, architects, designers, jewelry and fashion makers, a large art supply, the LURU cinema, the “Residenz” theater, an international dance and choreography center, printing works, and the non-profit HALL 14.
What tourists liked about Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
Old factory grounds converted into studios for artists and art galleries. At the spinning mill site, there are art studios, exhibitions, and sales of design supplies. Also, there is a cafe next to the entrance to have a break if you get tired.
9. Museum der Bildenden Künste
The Museum of Fine Arts in Leipzig represents masterpieces from the 15th to the 21st century and temporary exhibitions with international appeal in its spectacular new building on more than 7,000 square meters of exhibition space.
The highlights of the permanent collection are late-medieval paintings with works by Rogier van der Weyden, Lucas Cranach and Hans Baldung Green, and 17th-century Dutch painting with paintings by Frans Hals, Jan van Goyen, and Jacob van Ruisdael as well as Caspar David Friedrich and Johann Christian Dahl as an essential representative of German romanticism.
What tourists liked about Museum der Bildenden Kunste
The new Museum building’s extensive exhibition offers a wide range of fine arts from Cranach the Younger, both from the actual construction. You can see a nice selection of arts from the Middle Ages to the present.
8. Panorama Tower
Leipzig’s highest viewing platform in the middle of the city invites you to a fantastic view as far as the horizon. See the whole city from breathtaking heights, which is unique in central Germany. According to the architectural design by Hermann Henselmann, the university giant was created in the course of the redesign of the Leipzig university campus. An elevator quickly takes you to the 29th floor, so you only have to climb two floors to the platform on foot.
On the top floor, you can experience the restaurant, and if you wish, you can also get drinks and small dishes here.
What tourists liked about panorama tower
This place shows a beautiful view over the whole city of Leipzig with almost 360 degrees. The elevator takes you up quickly, and after a few steps, you can let your gaze slide over the city. If you go up in the evening when the sky is clear, you will experience an unforgettable sunset.
7. Belantis Park
Belantis are several themed worlds ranging from ancient Egypt to the North American prairie lands. The amusement park entertains visitors with live performances and more than 60 rides and attractions. You can visit here to enjoy the rides, the hilarious shows or interactive attractions, and there is always something for every age group to discover. Adrenaline junkies of all ages will find plenty to do, from toddler-sized bumper cars to topsy-turvy roller coasters.
What tourists liked about Belantis
This place has an excellent choice for a start. It is accessible by car from the Czech Republic, so you can go home in the morning and evening and do not have to deal with the accommodation. Super attraction and a great choice for beginners. There are enormous options for eating and drinking with a good range. The park has small area, so one day is enough for you.
6. Bach Museum
The Bach Museum is one of Bach Archive parts and can be found in the Bosehaus at St. Thomas Churchyard in Leipzig which opened in 1985; the museum has had 945,000 visitors.
The Museum does more than tell you about the life and works of Johann Sebastian Bach and his family in twelve thematically arranged exhibition rooms.
Among other things, you can see musical instruments from his time and sheet music for several of his famous pieces. Also interesting is information about the Thoman Choir and rules for their daily lives.
What tourists liked about Bach Museum
The Museum is recommended for all people interested in music. You can learn a lot about Bach and his music and history via the audio guides in multiple languages.
5. Markt & Altes Rathaus
The old town hall is a landmark of Leipzig’s city, and one of Germany’s most beautiful buildings in the Renaissance style by Hieronymus Lotter. It was built in just eight months during 1556.
From the old prison cells in the basement to the historic rooms on the main floor and the tower, the house is a compendium of Leipzig city history and the most valuable Museum object.
The City history from the Middle Ages to the present invites you to take a tour of the eventful Leipzig history.
Here visitors can experience a special exhibition, guided tours, lectures, concerts, children’s events, tower climbs and city tours.
What tourists liked about Markt & Altes Rathaus
- Beautiful building
- Easy access to restaurants
- Lots of activities within the city hall
- Almost no cars is a huge plus
4. Panometer
The name “Panometer” came from a panorama (a giant 360-degree painting} and a gasometer (a gas tank) and was created in 2003 by the Austrian-born artist Yadegar Asisi. At a height of 32 meters and a circumference of 110 meters.
It is a place for those interested in art and wants to immerse themselves. Panometer provides a magical setting for all kinds of events against the background of the largest 360° panoramic image in the world and gives you the feeling of being part of this superb atmosphere.
But please consider the availability of this place, it’s only available for the events after the regular opening times.
What tourists liked about Panometer
A visit here is always an event, no matter the circumstances. Here you are flashed and distracted simultaneously, and you feel like you are in a different world. Also please visit Carola’s garden – a dream for nature lovers.
3. Thomaskirche
The St. Thomas Church is a Lutheran church and was built as a monastery church in 1212. It is associated with several famous composers such as Richard Wagner and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, but mostly with Johann Sebastian Bach. He worked here as Kapellmeister (music director) from 1723 until he died in 1750. Today the church also keeps its remains.
Martin Luther actually preached here in 1539 and the church is regarded as an impressive classical music center.
A unique attraction of this church is the Vespers, shown in weekly motets on Fridays at 6 pm and Saturdays at 3 pm.
What tourists liked about Thomaskirche
The church is located right next to the Bach Museum. It is the place of work of the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach and the Thomanerchor which is very beautiful from inside as well as outside.
2. Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Battle of the Nations)
The Battle of Nations is one of the most famous landmarks in Germany. It mainly consists of concrete and granite porphyry and was inaugurated in 1913. With its impressive 91 meters in height, the viewing platform offers a magnificent panoramic view of Leipzig and its surroundings.
The impressive monument of the Wilhelminian style is one of the best examples of Wilhelmine architecture, with many Masonic elements. The Wilhelmina is used to describe the other things, a neo-baroque essence, an extraordinarily prestigious style and calculatedly to give expression to the demand of the German state and its imperial power.
Concert events are an unforgettable experiences under the special acoustic conditions in the monumental domed hall.
A visit offers a variety of impressions, at the foot of the monument provides information FORUM 1813 about the Battle of Nations.
What tourists liked about Völkerschlachtdenkmal
An imposing architecture, which also offers a beautiful view over Leipzig and the lake is very clean in front of the monument. From the outside the memorial is striking in its size, inside the Krypt is also impressive. Still, the most memorable is the hike up the spiral staircase to the very top. It is the most remarkable place in terms of scale.
1. Zoo Leipzig
The Leipzig Zoological Garden is also called Leipzig Zoo in Germany and was first opened on June 9, 1878.
Leipzig Zoo has a wide variety of animal species and vegetation that can often only be seen in the wild outside of Europe.
Here the most attractive place is Gondwanaland, a jungly wonderland of 16,000 plants and near about 400 animals. With big cats as its primary specialty, the Leipzig Zoo has bred more than 2,000 lions and 250 rare Siberian tigers.
A mere 20-minute walk from downtown Leipzig city, and you can arrive in one of Europe’s most renowned zoological gardens. Visitors can experience a fascinating world tour through the Zoo’s themed worlds and admire a total of around 700 animal species.
In 2017, Leipzig Zoo opened its Himalayan mountain world, which has become home to red pandas, snow leopards and other animal species.
What tourists liked about Zoo Leipzig
Zoo is a very beautiful place to spend time with your family, friends or children and there are a couple of lovely places to eat with a great view of the park and the animals. Here you can stay half of the day or more. There is so much to experience, and there are also places to relax.
Bonus: Moritzbastei
Moritzbastei was built in the mid 1500th century byHieronymus Lotter, who also happened to build Altes Rathaus. It is located in Leipzig’s center, right next to the new university building and is the largest cultural center.
Whether a concert, theater, parties, pubs, beer gardens – urban life pulsates in the only remaining part of Leipzig’s city wall. The bastion is a popular meeting place for students, tourists and locals to celebrate and experience the culture. The vaulted cellars offer a unique atmosphere. Every Saturday you can take part in historical tours of the almost 500-year-old fortress.
You can also be rented this place for various events, family celebrations and cultural events.
What tourists liked about Moritzbastei
This place has a restaurant/bar where you can select food from the hot plate and along with your drinks. You can see what you’re getting, there are many options (including a vegetarian and vegan selection), and food is available whenever the venue is open.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Leipzig
Is Leipzig expensive?
Leipzig is probably one of the cheapest big cities in Germany. The only expensive thing here is the bus ticket. But you can easily survive here with a cost of around 1300 euros per month for the student, including rent and other utilities.
Is Leipzig safe?
The city of Leipzig is generally a safe place with a very low rate of crime. You will find many visitors from almost every corner of the city working, studying and living there peacefully.
Do they speak English in Leipzig?
You would be glad to know that many of the people in Leipzig speaks English but can’t speak fluently because it’s not the local language of German. They may learn English from around the age of 5.
Is Leipzig worth visiting?
If you are in Berlin then it is worth visiting the place. Leipzig is mostly known for its university and music. The reason why Leipzig is so diverse because it is divided into several quarters and each of them has something different to offer. For example, Plagwitz.
How many days do you need in Leipzig?
I suggest you at least spend 3 days in Leipzig. If you want to know the beauty of this place, it will be easier to know the best ways to get around the city. Leipzig has its architectural delights, full of the cultural and historical centre.
