Leipzig

Understand

First documented in 1015, and endowed with city and market privileges in 1165, the city of Leipzig has fundamentally shaped the history of Saxony and of Germany. It was founded at the crossing of two ancient trade routes, Via Regia and Via Imperii. Leipzig has always been known as a place of commerce and still has large trade fairgrounds and exhibition halls known as the Leipzig Messe north of the city. Before it became common to dedicate a specific area to trade fairs, they took place in the city. Which is why many of the historical buildings were constructed by merchants, as were Leipzig's unique system of arcades and courtyards. Other forms of exchange soon followed the trade of goods. The University of Leipzig (Latin: Alma mater lipsiensis) was founded in 1409, which makes it the second-oldest university in Germany. University facilities are scattered throughout the city, and you cannot miss the central campus at Augustusplatz. Leipzig acquired the nickname Klein Paris ("Little Paris") in the 18th century, when it became a centre of a classical literary movement largely led by the German scholar and writer Johann Christoph Gottsched. The city is also the home of the Nikolaikirche (Church of St. Nicholas) – the starting point of peaceful demonstrations against the East German regime which led to German Reunification. The collapse of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) regime hit Leipzig's economy very heavily (as had communism), but after being on the mend since 1990, it has emerged as one of the success stories of the "New German States". Traces of Leipzig's history are everywhere: the ring of streets around the city centre marking the former course of the city wall, the city trade houses, abandoned and repurposed industrial buildings in Plagwitz, small town structures in the outskirts where surrounding towns were incorporated during phases of rapid growth, and the battlefields of the Napoleonic wars in the south and southeast of the city. Today it competes with long time rival Dresden for the title of "biggest city in Saxony" . In the 2011 Census, Dresden overtook Leipzig, but according to 2016 estimates, Leipzig has an edge once more. Leipzig's trendy districts are rapidly gentrifying, especially the Südvorstadt neighborhood and it has thus gained the nickname "Hypezig" which is both used derisively and somewhat appreciatively.

Tourist Information 1 Tourist Information, Katharinenstraße 8 (right next to the Museum of Fine Arts in the city centre), ☏ +49 341 71 04-260, fax: +49 341 71 04-271, [email protected]. M-F: 10:00-18:00; Sa-Su: 1

Getting there

Leipzig is a transportation hub in Saxony and offers fast connections by rail, road and air throughout Germany. Important east-west and north-south routes have crossed here for a long time and they still do today.

By car Leipzig can easily be reached by car, as it is very well connected with the Autobahn system. The nearest Autobahns are A14 (North, Northeast), A9 (West) and A38 (South).

By bus

1 Intercity bus station. Long distance buses connect Leipzig with several major German cities. Buses stop at a bus terminal next to the Central Station's east exit and/or at the airport railway station. Bus operators include Flixbus.

By train

2 Leipzig Hauptbahnhof. Leipzig was one of the most important rail travel hubs in Germany as early as the 1830s when the first long distance railway in continental Europe linking it to Dresden was built and it has regained this position after German reunification. Since December 2017, Leipzig has been one of the most important hubs for German high speed rail with the main North-South trunk line linking Munich and Berlin (via Erfurt and Nuremberg) passing through town. Due to the station being a terminus station, some trains are routed via Halle instead, but a quick S-Bahn ride gets you to Leipzig from there. Along the West-East spine from Frankfurt to Dresden high speeds are limited to the Erfurt-Leipzig section, but construction is underway to upgrade the other parts of this route and flights from the airport to Frankfurt are already becoming rarer due to better travel times.Leipzig's Hauptbahnhof is Europe's largest railway station by floor area. It features 21 active platforms (19 in the historic terminal hall and 2 underground for the S-Bahn), though the platform numbering still reaches up to 24. The station also includes a large shopping mall (Promenaden), a good way to waste an hour or two between connections. (updated Apr 2026) Deutsche Bahn operates regular train service between Leipzig and nearby cities such as Halle (€10, 25 minutes), Dessau (€14, 45 minutes), Chemnitz (€23, 65 minutes), Dresden (€23, 65 minutes), Magdeburg (€30, 75 minutes), Weimar (€23, 75 minutes), and Jena (€23, 85 minutes). High speed trains are available to major cities in Germany including Lutherstadt Wittenberg (€19, 30 minutes), Erfurt (€34, 45 minutes), Berlin (€52, 1:15 hours), Nuremberg (€95, 2 hours), Frankfurt (€105, 3 hours), Hamburg (€115, 3 hours) and Munich (€125, 3:15 hours). Tickets can be much cheaper (starting at €17.99) if booked well in advance. Prague (€78, 3:45 hours) can be reached via a direct EuroCity connec

Getting around

Public transport The primary means of public transport is the tram. LVB operates trams and buses in Leipzig. Most lines run every 10 minutes during the day and at least hourly at night. A single-trip ticket costs €3.60. A full day bus & tram ticket, valid until 04:00 the next morning, costs €10.20; a day ticket for 2-5 people travelling together costs €15.30-30.60. A weekly pass costs €37.30. After 20:00, you must enter buses through the driver's door and show/purchase your ticket. The tram network is structured like a star with a circle in the centre. Tram lines generally lead from the outskirts into the city, which they half-circle on the ring, and continue to someplace else in the outskirts. Bus lines provide additional direct connections that often do not touch the centre. Trains ("S-Bahn") cross the city centre in a north-south direction through the city tunnel, connecting Hauptbahnhof and Bayerischer Bahnhof via underground stations at Markt and at Wilhelm-Leuschner Platz. From both ends of the tunnel, lines branch off in several directions towards Leipzig suburbs like Connewitz, Stötteritz, Thekla, fair area and Miltitzer Allee and beyond. The city tunnel provides fast connections north - south, but is not of great help in the east - west direction.

Tickets LVB is part of the regional integrated transport network MDV. Tickets to nearby towns and cities (e.g. Halle) are available at LVB ticket offices, vending machines, or via the official app. They are valid for all participating means of transportation. The fares quoted below are for MDV fare zone 110, which covers the entire city. A single-trip ticket includes transfers to other lines, provided you complete your trip within one hour. Buy tickets from:

Vending machines at many stops and at all train stations (usually accepting coins, bills, and cards). Vending machines inside the trams (mostly accepting coins or contactless card payments). The LeipzigMOVE app. Bus drivers. One of the LVB service offices or some tobacco and press shops. Stamp your paper ticket after boarding the first bus or tram on your itinerary, or on the platform when using a train. Day and week tickets are valid until 04:00 the day after their validity has ended. Ticket and service offices:

1 LVB-Mobilitätszentrum, Willy-Brandt-Platz (Opposite central station towards Nikolaistraße.), ☏ +49 341 19449. M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 08:00-16:00. Main LVB service and ticket office for information, network maps, and regional connections. (updated Apr 2026) 2 LVB-Servicezentrum, Petersstraße / Markgrafenstraße (City centre near Wilhel

See

2 Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), Markt 1, ☏ +49 341 9651320. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, M closed. Built in 1556 in the Renaissance style and remains one of Germany's largest. The position of the tower follows the ancient ideal of "golden mean". Located on the pretty main square of the city, it is a good orientation point. The Old City Hall was built 1556 by Hieronymus Lotter on basements of two Patrician houses. It is a beautiful Renaissance style building, 90 m long with arcades (1906–09), six gables and a tower. In the 18th century the tower was enlarged and it received a Baroque spire. Until 1904 the Old City Hall was home of the city administration. Then it became home of the city museum. The first floor deals with the history of Leipzig from early times to the 1813 Battle of the Nations - while the second floor continues from industrialisation to the present. Most impressive is the huge Banqueting Hall with Renaissance interior (open fireplaces). Many fine works of medieval religious art: altars, paintings, wood-carved sculptures, etc. Most of them were saved from churches which were deconstructed in Leipzig's surrounding. Very impressive are the rooms with interior from old Patrician houses. Also interesting: the treasure chamber (steep and narrow staircase!) This Renaissance building was erected in just nine months in 1556–57 under the direction of the architect Hieronymus Lotter. The municipal government moved into the New Town Hall in 1909. If you have a bit of luck you are allowed to visit the cellar of the building. Here you find the chamber of torture and the jail. Leipzig's Renaissance City hall contains a museum of city history which possesses the original of the only confirmed painting of Bach produced in his lifetime. It contains interesting information regarding the public executions that used to take place in the market in front of the city hall. The most famous execution was that of Woyzeck, which was made famous by the Büchner play and the opera of Alban Berg. The interior of the Old City Hall (built in 1556) is far more interesting than the outside view. It is one of the most touristy places in the city. Free. Although you still have to obtain a ticket!. (updated Jun 2026) 3 New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), Martin-Luther-Ring 4-6, ☏ +49 341 123-2323. Seat of the municipal government since 1905. The building also features a 115-m tower which can be accessed by tour M-F at 14:00. Tower tour: €3. (updated Jun 2026)

Churches

4 St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche), ☏ +49 341 22224-0. Daily 09:00-18:00; churchtower is open weekends only. The church

Do

If you understand some German, get a copy of the monthly city magazine Kreuzer or use the event calendar on their website to get information on upcoming events. You can buy the Kreuzer for €2.50 in press shops and bookstores throughout the city.

Sightseeing tours

1 Sightseeing tour, Katharinenstaße 8 (starts at Tourist Information, ends on Augustusplatz), ☏ +49 341-71 04-230. Daily 13:30 (in German also 10:30). The tour lasts 2½ hours, comprising a 1-hour guided walk through the city centre and a bus tour of 1½ hours to sights elsewhere. You can also book each part of the tour individually. Buy your ticket at tourist information, where the tour starts. €15. 2 Sightseeing by tram, Kurt-Schumacher Straße (coming from Hauptbahnhof/Westhalle, walk a few steps towards Berliner Straße/Wilhelm-Liebknecht Platz), ☏ +49 341-19449. Saturdays, starting at 11:00 and 14:00; May–September also Sundays 11:00. Every weekend, LVB offers sightseeing tours in a modified tram called "Gläserner Leipziger". Buy your ticket in advance from any of the LVB service offices listed above; it includes a day ticket for zone 110 (Leipzig) of the MDV network. The tour takes about 2 hours. €15 per person. 3 videoSightseeing Leipzig, Lützowstr. 19 (you decide where to meet your guide when you book), ☏ +49 341-902 902 89, [email protected]. individual starting time for small groups. In addition to the comments of a live guide in English or other languages, on-screen historic film footage and photographs give you a deeper insight into Leipzig's history and life today. The standard length of the tour is 2 hours. You can also combine it with a walking tour through the historic centre. from €25. (updated Jul 2020)

Concerts Bachfest Leipzig: 11–21 June 2020. International festival with more than 100 concerts of works by Johann Sebastian Bach and other composers. (date needs updating) 4 Gewandhaus, Augustusplatz, ☏ +49 341 1270 280 (Tickets). Mendelssohn's orchestra still exists, but the concert hall is new. Inside is a huge painting by Sighard Gille, visible through the windows from Augustusplatz. Motets in St. Thomas Church, Thomaskirche, Thomaskirchhof. Friday 18:00 and Saturday 15:00; unreserved seating, come early (church opens 45 min before). Listen to the St. Thomas Boys Choir performing Bach's music in its original environment. Be aware that a guest choir may sing instead at any time as the St Thomas Choir travels a lot. Since the motet is primarily a musical form of devotion and not a musical performance for tourists, applause is uncommon and frowned upon. Admis

Buy

There are lots of shops in the city centre, mostly frequented by pedestrians. Leipzig and Germany souvenirs can be found at shops around the Old City Hall. Many independent retailers unique to Leipzig can be found in Südvorstadt; with many interesting clothing stores, food places, and cinemas.

Christmas Market. As in many other German cities, Leipzig hosts the Leipziger Weinachtsmarkt, or Leipzig Christmas Market, which opens in the last week of November, first week of December and continues until a few days before Christmas Day. The Leipzig Christmas Market is a major event in the city and is essentially a large winter-themed carnival, complete with a giant Ferris Wheel on Augustusplatz in between the Opera House and the Gewandhaus, carrousels and other small rides in addition to the usual market stalls and food vendors. The festivities take place throughout the inner city of Leipzig, with a majority of the market stalls stationed on Market Square in front of the Old Town Hall, but also on Petersstraße, Grimmaische Straße and Nikolaistraße next to Nikolai Church. The market stalls sell a variety of gifts unique to the Ore Mountain region south of Leipzig, as well as various traditional market foods such as fried potato pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer), Heurigen (roasted roll with cheese and meat) and Glühwein (a mulled wine). There are also carolers and Christmas-themed events. 1 Paunsdorf Center, Paunsdorfer Allee 1 (tram 3 or 7 to Paunsdorf Center, or train to Engelsdorf). M-Th 10:00–20:00, F Sa 10:00–21:00. Large shopping mall that includes C&A, H&M, Esprit. 2 Hauptbahnhof, Willy-Brandt-Platz 7. The Hauptbahnhof is not only one of the biggest train stations in Europe, it's a great shopping mall as well (on three floors boutiques and restaurants are located next to drug stores and supermarkets) Fresh Food Market (on the market square in front of the old town hall). Tuesday and Friday. local vegetables and all kinds of fruits and flowers. Fresh Food Market (near Leipzig Central Stadium). Saturdays. may be a bit cheaper (mostly lower-grade goods at a lower price and some discount offers) but the atmosphere is not so nice. Sometimes there are market criers around. Antik- und Trödelmarkt (fleamarket), Agra Messepark, Bornaische Straße (tram 11 to Dölitz Straßenbahnhof). last weekend of every month, 08:00–15:00. Westpaket (fleamarket), Karl-Heine-Straße (tram 3, 13, 14 to Felsenkeller). 4 times a year. A nice alternative fleamarket with approx. 100 booths of locals selling handmade stuff, some antiques and second hand clothes on the pavements. the

Eat

Specialities

Try specialities of Leipzig:

Lerchen, a sweet dough-wicker filled with marzipan, sold in bakeries. Quarkkeulchen, served in traditional restaurants as a dessert Leipziger Allerlei, a vegetable dish Reformationsbrötchen, a pastry, sold in bakeries in October prior to Reformation Day

Budget For breakfast or for a snack during the day, turn to one of the many bakery shops you'll find all over the city. Most are open 7 days a week, typically from 06:00 to 18:00 (or from 07:00 to 06:00 on Sundays). €5 buys you a sandwich, a pastry or a piece of cake, and a cup of coffee.

In the city center 1 Zur Pleißenburg, Ratsfreischulstraße 2. (updated May 2022) 2 Wurstmeister, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10A. A Snackbar with German food (updated May 2022) 3 Leos Brasserie, Reichsstraße 20. (updated May 2022) 4 Soup&nem Restaurant, Nikolaistraße 18. Vietnamese-inspired dishes and vegetarian options. (updated May 2022)

Around the Südplatz 5 Gaststätte Kollektiv, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 72. A nostalgic German restaurant (updated May 2022) 6 Schnellbuffet Süd, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 139. (updated May 2022) 7 La Strada Pizzaria & Eiscafe, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 56A. (updated May 2022) 8 Olive Tree, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 38. A kebab restaurant. (updated May 2022)

Mid-range Apels Garten, Kolonnadenstraße 2 (Tram: Gottschedstraße). Saxon cuisine. (updated Sep 2022) 9 Zills Tunnel, Barfußgäßchen 9. Saxon food. Large portions. Outdoor terrace, rustic cellar, or tunnel courtyard. €9–13. 10 Zest, Bornaische Straße 54 (Tram (10 or 11): Pfeffingerstraße), ☏ +49 341 2319126. W-M 11:00–23:00. Vegetarian/vegan restaurant. Try the strawberry basil smoothie. €10–15. Tobagi, Riemannstraße 52 (Tram: Hohe Straße). Korean food. (updated Sep 2022) 11 Barthel's Hof, Hainstraße 1. Exotic Saxon dishes. €8–25. Safran, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße. Indian food. (updated Sep 2022) Ubuntu, Beuchaer Straße 2, Leipzig, Germany, 04318. (updated Apr 2023)

Splurge Medici, Nikolaikirchhof 5. Classy Italian restaurant 3–5 course set: €46–62. 12 Stadtpfeiffer, Augustusplatz 8 (inside Gewandhaus), ☏ +49 341 2 17 89 20, [email protected]. Tu-Sa from 18:00; closed in July and August. 4 course set: €108.

Drink & nightlife

A local beer specialty is Leipziger Gose, a top-fermented brew, containing salt and coriander, with a characteristic, slightly sour flavour, that originated from Goslar but was immensely popular in Leipzig during past centuries. It has however become rather rare and is only served in a few specialised breweries and pubs nowadays, namely Gosenschenke Ohne Bedenken and Bayerischer Bahnhof (see listings below). Gose can be flavoured with green (woodruff) or red (raspberry) syrup, or mixed with liquor. Today, most Leipzigers prefer more mainstream Pils beers and if you just order "a beer" you will most probably get a Pils by default. Ur-Krostitzer, for example, is brewed just a few kilometers north of Leipzig and was purportedly favoured by the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus during his stay in the region. Leipzig's Sternburg Export is one of the cheapest among German beer brands (c. 50 cents a bottle in most supermarkets) and is preferred by the young and poor who want to get lit for little money, while only a few enthusiasts actually appreciate its taste. A local liquor specialty is Leipziger Allasch, a kümmel (caraway-flavoured liquor), and a variety of liquors of Horn's distillery. You can find a lot of pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants and also some smaller dance clubs along the multicultural Karl-Liebknecht-Straße ("Karli"). The street starts in the south of the inner city and leads you to Südvorstadt and Connewitz (student and alternative quarters). Many pubs, bars and cafés can also be found on 1 Barfußgässchen. , a narrow lane in the old town.

Cafés

Leipzig has a long and lively coffee house tradition. Although many of the old cafés have disappeared, this tradition lives on. Besides Zum Arabischen Coffee Baum (listed under Museums above) a number of cafés give you a place to relax and have a cup of coffee during the day.

2 Riquet, Schuhmachergäßchen 1 (city centre), ☏ +0341 9 61 00 00. 09:00–20:00. Built in 1908-09. Two copper elephant heads guard the entrance. The interior is put under preservation and has been restored to its original glory in the 1990s. Wide selection of cakes and gateaux. (updated Dec 2018) Café Grundmann, August-Bebel-Straße 2 (tram 10, 11 to Südplatz, then follow Schenkendorfstraße). Art-deco style. Opened in 1919, refurbished in 1998–2000. Outside the city centre.

Bars and pubs

3 Auerbachs Keller, Mädler Passage, Grimmaische Straße 2-4, ☏ +49 341 21610-0. This pub has been around since medieval times. Opened in 1525, it is among the oldest continuously operated pubs in Germany. The barrel cellar (only opened for pri

Sleep

Leipzig is a major trade fair location: occupancy and rates at hotels may starkly rise during fair periods. Consult the calendar at the website of Leipziger Messe for their dates.

Budget

Camping Campingplatz Leipzig Auensee, Gustav-Esche-Straße 5. Campingplatz am Kulkwitzer See / LeipzigSeen. Caravan-Zentrum Leipzig, Prager Straße 200.

Hostels 1 Hostel & Hotel Five Elements, Kleine Fleischergasse 8, ☏ +49 341355 83 196. Great hostel right in the centre of Leipzig. Extraordinary good breakfast buffet for another €5 extra. €15 for a bed in 6-bed dorm. (updated Jun 2018) Fairschlafen - Ferienwohnungen in Leipzig, Brühl 61 (near Hauptbahnhof), ☏ +49 160 96604793, [email protected]. Good for budget, comfort and ecological visitors. Ferienwohnungen Leipzig (ferienwohnungen-leipzig.net), Wintergartenstraße 2 (Tram 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 16 to Hauptbahnhof), ☏ +49 341 2425951, [email protected]. Popular with families and groups. 2 Central Globetrotter Hostel, Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 41 (Tram 9, 10, 11, 14, 16 to Wilhelm-Liebknecht Platz), ☏ +49 341 1498960, [email protected]. While it's in a somewhat shady area (next to a shop for cannabis paraphernalia) near the main station, the hostel is nice and family-friendly. Dorm bed: €12.50–22; single: €27–31; breakfast €3.50; linen: €2.50; laundry: €3. 3 Sleepy Lion Hostel, Jacobstraße 1 (Tram (several lines) to Goerdelerring), ☏ +49 341 9939480, [email protected]. In a neat, beautifully refurbished old building close to the city centre. Caters to families and culture-lovers, not party animals. The whole hostel is non-smoking. Dorm bed: €14–22; single: €30–31; breakfast €3.50; linen: €2.50; laundry: €3. 4 Jugendherberge Leipzig, Volksgartenstr. 24 (Tram 1 to Löbauer Straße), ☏ +49 341 245700, [email protected]. HI hostel. Popular with school groups and families. 4 km outside the city centre (11 minutes by tram). Dorm bed: €17.50–26.50.

Hotels Hotel Plagwitzer Hof, Gießerstraße 28 (Tram 14 to K.-Heine-/Gießerstraße), ☏ +49 341 4928606. Cheap, but service is lacking. €26–68. Weisses Ross, Auguste-Schmidt Straße 20 (Tram 2, 9, 16 to Roßplatz). Humble accommodations but close to the centre. Owner is very friendly but speaks only German. Single: €28–35; double: €42–55.

Mid-range 5 ACHAT Comfort Hotel Messe-Leipzig, Salzhandelsstraße 2, ☏ +49 341 52460. €45–79. 6 Balance Hotel Leipzig-Alte Messe, Breslauer Straße 33 (Tram 4 to Weißestraße). €43–83. 7 B&B Hotel Leipzig - Hotel an der Messe, Torgauer Straße 277 A (Tram 3, 13 to Portitzer Al

Go next

Nearby

The Central German Lake District surrounds Leipzig Lützen — about 20 km southwest, where two great battles have been fought during the Thirty Years' and the Napoleonic Wars, and where Gustavus Adolphus, one of the most famous kings of Sweden died in the Thirty Years War. Birthplace of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Merseburg – more than thousand-year-old town with interesting old centre, Romanesque/Gothic cathedral and Renaissance palace (30 km west) Halle — Leipzig's "twin city" some great things to see. Largest city in Saxony-Anhalt, birthplace of Händel and has a few castles. The cities are linked by frequent local trains, taking half an hour from one main station to the other (40 km northwest) Colditz — known for its castle that was used as a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II (50 km southeast) Naumburg — with its impressive, UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral, home town of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, centre of the Saale-Unstrut cultural landscape and wine-growing region can be reached in 40–50 minutes by train (60 km southwest) Zeitz Further away Dessau — former residence of the small principality of Anhalt; both the beautiful Dessau-Wörlitz "garden realm" and the Bauhaus school that pioneered modern architecture and arts are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Local trains run every hour, taking 45–55 minutes (70 km north) Lutherstadt Wittenberg — one of the most important sites of Protestant Reformation, is just half an hour away in ICE trains (75 km north) Dresden — a must-see with its old baroque centre, the Frauenkirche and its other attractions. Go there in just over an hour by train or car (120 km east) Weimar — Germany's "classical city", where several poets, philosophers and artists of the classical era lived and worked, is little more than an hour away by train (130 km southwest) Erfurt — the state capital of Thuringia with its medieval old town is 45 minutes away by high-speed train (145 km southwest) Berlin — the German capital is just over an hour away by ICE train (190 km north)