All the Best Things to Do in Leipzig, Germany

If like me you’re curious about visiting places that were once in East Germany, you can’t skip Leipzig. My anticipation for visiting was fuelled by good worth of mouth and faint recollections from visiting Leipzig as a child. However, unlike cities like Berlin and Hamburg, I wasn’t exactly clear on what the most popular things to do in Leipzig were. Just the way I like it.

Eager to explore and learn more on arrival, I went straight into tourist mode and quickly appreciated just how much character Leipzig has. It may not be your traditional European city, with the textbook river, the old town, and the cathedral. Instead, Leipzig is a multidimensional destination, giving it a lot of interesting depth. Here’s what to do in Leipzig to see its different sides and get the most out of a visit.

Tips for Visiting Leipzig

Rather than simply listing out all of Leipzig’s attractions, I thought I’d first give you advice on how to visit Leipzig. Based on my time there, I think you need to stay more than one day to not feel rushed.

I had two full days of sightseeing and I feel like I still missed so many sights. You won’t find the Museum of Fine Arts, the Baumwollspinnerei Gallery or the Bach Museum below, but by all accounts, they should be. I even missed the whole neighbourhood of Plagwitz, but all these things just make me want to visit again even more.

If you don’t want to miss much, a walking tour is one way to ensure you see the essential sights.

In terms of getting to Leipzig, it’s quite an easy place to reach. The city is home to a moderately large airport with flights from across Europe connecting there. Otherwise, local trains and Flixbus make getting from nearby cities like Berlin and Dresden a cinch.

Where to Stay in Leipzig

Before we delve into all the great attractions and sights to see in Leipzig, a word on something that will make your visit. For my stay in Leipzig, I had the absolute pleasure of staying at the Adina Apartment Hotel Leipzig and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Located inside the city’s ring and mere minutes from the main square and sights, the city was right on my doorstep. In fact, from my room, I was able to look across the rooftops and see the various towers that break free of them.

The studio apartment I had the joy of using had everything I could need, from a fully equipped kitchen to even a washing machine. Travelling for long periods has made me value the comfort of clean clothes so that kind of perk is more than nice.

Being able to prepare food and even dinner in the room also just makes the day out sightseeing so much easier. I was so busy sightseeing I didn’t even have time to use the on-site swimming pool or fitness centre. The air-conditioning, huge buffet breakfast and fast Wi-Fi on the other hand I made good use of.

Even though I stayed as a guest of the Adina Apartment Hotel Leipzig, I have zero hesitation in recommending this excellent hotel. Frankly, I would have moved in if I could. Anyway, onto the best places to visit in Leipzig so that you understand what there is to do here.

What to do in Leipzig

With the planning details out of the way, let’s look at the Leipzig attractions you need to know about. I’ve included both the regular places you should visit and a couple of unusual things to do in Leipzig to round them out.

The Markt Main Square

As with so many places I visit, I think it’s best to start your visit in Leipzig with the city’s main square. Known as the Markt, this historic marketplace is a great wide open space in the heart of the city.

The most attention-grabbing landmark here is the Old Town Hall which dates back to the 16th century. Even though there are several nice buildings to admire, I did find the Farmer’s Market on Thursday to be the next most interesting thing about this square, after the Old Town Hall of course.

Museum of City History Leipzig

While a pretty building from the outside, the Old Town Hall is infinitely more interesting once you’re inside. That’s because it now hosts the Museum of City History Leipzig under its historic roof. The first floor of the museum, set inside medieval halls and chambers, covers the city’s ancient and medieval history.

Here you learn about the city’s Slavic origins, the city’s growth as a trade hub and the many wars that plagued Leipzig over the centuries. There are also sections dedicated to musical luminaries such as Bach, Wagner and Mendelssohn, who each have ties to the city.

The exhibits here are very thorough and do a really good job of exploring different parts of the city’s development. Upstairs, though, there’s an entire floor dedicated to the 19th to 21st centuries of Leipzig and the city’s current shape. While there are naturally large sections devoted to the two world wars and life in East Germany, the exhibit does a good job of showing the in-between moments as well.

Great attention is paid to the Peaceful Revolution, demonstrations during 1989 in Leipzig that spurred on events that led to German Reunification and the fall of the Berlin Wall. But they don’t stop there either, explaining the reality of the 1990s after these events and the struggles that came after 1989. A really insightful museum if you want to understand why Leipzig is the way it is.

St. Thomas Church

Rather than list every single church in the city of Leipzig, let’s focus on just one – the St. Thomas Church. It may be quite a beautiful church inside and out and dates back to the 12th century, but it is better known for the people to whom it’s tied.

After all, this was the church in which Martin Luther famously debated the merits of the Reformation and later preached. The St. Thomas Church was also where Bach worked as the music director for 27 years and where Wagner learned to play the piano. It’s also here that a large Bach statue stands outside the church, drawing wave after wave of tourists to admire it.

Museum in der Runde Ecke

No matter where you go in former East Germany, there’s bound to be some reminder of the infamous Stasi secret police. In many places, like in Erfurt and here in Leipzig, the former Stasi headquarters have been converted into museums that recount the actions of the state security service.

Walking through, the exhibits tell of how this organisation performed surveillance on the people of Leipzig. The building’s interior has been left as it was when demonstrators occupied the office in 1989 to prevent agents of the service from destroying records of their deeds.

That means that both offices and prison cells for political prisoners are just as they were back then, further bringing this history to life. While free to visit, the museum information is only in German so some context may be lost on you. But certainly give it a look as it can be quite an illuminating place.

Old Town Streets

Much like any European city, one of the best things to do when visiting Leipzig is to simply walk around the historic centre. Granted Leipzig’s centre is more a modern area than an “Old Town” nowadays but it’s still home to some major landmarks and the occasional grand architecture.

One look at the ornate stock exchange building from the 17th century by the Old Town Hall will make that clear.

Walking about the Old Town you’ll also start to notice trends emerging; plenty of churches dot the city like the St. Nicholas Church hinting at a strong spiritual presence. At the same time, there are statues of acclaimed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who studied at the local university and has clear pride in the local academic institution.

Then again there is a deep love of music, best represented in the adoration of Johann Sebastian Bach who worked there for decades. It’s really by walking around the city and picking up little hints of these themes that you start to understand what has been important to Leipzig over the years.

Mädler Passage

Wandering around a city it’s always nice when you can stumble upon an elegant passageway. That was my feeling when I noticed the Mädler Passage while exploring the city centre. With light pouring in through the glass ceiling and boutique stores along each side, it’s a really pleasant little corner of Leipzig to find.

Augustusplatz

Just as Markt Square feels like the historic centre of Leipzig, Augustusplatz by the Ring feels like the city’s cultural centre. Sitting neatly between the Leipzig Opera, the Gewandhaus Concert Hall and Leipzig University it feels like the city’s modern hub. Even though it’s divided by bus and tram stops, this great wide square is still quite picturesque, in no small part thanks to the Mendebrunnen fountain and the eye-catching modern University Church.

City-Hochhaus Leipzig Panorama

For some great views of the city around you, head for the modern skyscraper that is City-Hochhaus Leipzig. Tucked away just off Augustusplatz, this 36-storey high building may not be all that much to look at but it offers one hell of a vantage point.

Riding the elevator up to the top floor, a set of stairs brings you to the outdoor panoramic terrace. Taking in the views from up there will really help put the city in perspective and you can clearly make out some of the most important Leipzig landmarks.

It wasn’t until I saw the city from up here that I realised just how green Leipzig is, with parks and trees everywhere.

Monument to the Battle of the Nations

The landmark that took my breath away in Leipzig was the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. This incredible memorial to the soldiers of the 1813 Battle of Leipzig is simply massive and amazed me that I’d never heard of it before.

Somehow I had completely missed Leipzig’s most famous attraction during the research for my trip. Located in the outskirts of the city, you need to get a train to reach the monument but it sure is worth it. Finished in 1913 to commemorate the hundred-year anniversary of this important battle of the Napoleonic War, it was solely funded by the city and its citizens.

With its huge stone form and oversized sculptures of people, it immediately made me think of the dwarves in Lord of the Rings. The monument is 91 metres tall and houses inside it the FORUM 1813 Museum which focuses on the historic defeat of Napoleon. With a visit, you can climb many stairs to reach the viewing terrace on the top and get yet another view of Leipzig.

New Town Hall

Having already seen the Old Town Hall it’s only fair that we also look at its replacement, the New Town Hall. Built in 1905, the elaborate design of this large town hall is quite grandiose.

The most eye-catching parts of the New Town Hall are certainly the bridge between the buildings in Burgplatz and the tall tower rising from its centre. You can see the tower up close with a guided tour that runs every weekday at 2pm.

Federal Administrative Court

While it may only be a sight to appreciate in passing, the Leipzig Federal Administrative Court is hard to miss. This stately building sits just outside the main ring circling the city centre and was constructed in 1895 to house the Imperial Court of Justice. Now though it’s one of Germany’s five supreme courts. For tourists, it showcases yet another style of architecture in Leipzig’s dizzying collection.

Clara-Zetkin Park

Walk about even a little about or look at a map and you’ll realise that Leipzig likes its green space. There are parks in nearly every direction from the city centre, but Clara-Zetkin Park may be the city’s best.

Located behind the city’s Music Quarter, the park is full of lakes and paths for walking or cycling. Deciding on the park’s prettiest spots is tough. I’d say the top contenders are the lake in Anton-Brückner-Allee and the path by the Elsterflutbett River. With plenty of people kayaking in the river, I imagine that would be a fun way to explore Leipzig a little differently.

Alternative Karl-Liebknecht-Straße

Looking at the city as I was sightseeing, it became clear that punk is still alive and well in Leipzig. More than a few people were sporting obviously alternative looks as I wandered the city. It wasn’t until I walked through the city’s southern end that I felt the vibe in full effect.

Heading down Peterssteinweg which quickly becomes Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, the creative bohemian atmosphere just seemed to grow stronger the further I went. Graffiti and street art became more and more frequent until I stopped outside the Feinkost flea market. While the market is only on Saturdays, other businesses are here too, including a beer garden and craft stores.

With plenty of beers and cafes on Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, it seems like a fun place to hang out on weekends. I now know that this isn’t Leipzig’s only alternative neighbourhood and I hear Plagwitz out west is even more interesting. To learn more about the alternative scene in Leipzig, look here.

Have you ever thought of visiting this impressive city in East Germany? What were your favourite things to do when visiting Leipzig? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

*Disclosure: My stay at the Adina Apartment Hotel Leipzig was as a complimentary guest. As always, my opinions are completely and genuinely my own.

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