Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car
Local costs

Leipzig travel guide

Leipzig Tourism | Leipzig Guide

You're Going to Love Leipzig

A place where cathedrals echo with the gorgeous harmonies of J.S. Bach, modern art spaces open every week, and elegant passageways are full of intriguing stores, Leipzig is one of Germany (and Europe's) most exciting cities.

Article

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Leipzig

1. Its Fabulous Classical Music Heritage

Leipzig has had a large impact on global culture thanks to famous sons like J.S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and Richard Wagner. Annual festivals commemorate all three musical geniuses.

2. Artistic Riches from All Eras

See wondrous paintings from the 15th to the 20th centuries at the Museum of Fine Arts, or dive into modern galleries like Spinnerei - home to the New Leipzig School.

3. Plenty of Other Museums

Aside from the galleries, Leipzig hosts other must-see attractions, like the stuffed creatures at the Naturkundemuseum and the quirky Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum - Europe's oldest coffee house.

4. Shop in Beautiful Covered Passageways

Central Leipzig is criss-crossed by covered arcades like Mädler-Passage and Jägerhof-Passage, where shopping is a magical experience.

5. Get Out to Gorgeous Lakes and Stunning Cities

Within a few miles of Leipzig, you'll find some breathtaking scenery, particularly near Kulkwitzer See (where you'll also encounter swimming beaches). The baroque city of Halle is also just a short drive away.

1. Its Fabulous Classical Music Heritage

Leipzig has had a large impact on global culture thanks to famous sons like J.S. Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and Richard Wagner. Annual festivals commemorate all three musical geniuses.

2. Artistic Riches from All Eras

See wondrous paintings from the 15th to the 20th centuries at the Museum of Fine Arts, or dive into modern galleries like Spinnerei - home to the New Leipzig School.

3. Plenty of Other Museums

Aside from the galleries, Leipzig hosts other must-see attractions, like the stuffed creatures at the Naturkundemuseum and the quirky Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum - Europe's oldest coffee house.

4. Shop in Beautiful Covered Passageways

Central Leipzig is criss-crossed by covered arcades like Mädler-Passage and Jägerhof-Passage, where shopping is a magical experience.

5. Get Out to Gorgeous Lakes and Stunning Cities

Within a few miles of Leipzig, you'll find some breathtaking scenery, particularly near Kulkwitzer See (where you'll also encounter swimming beaches). The baroque city of Halle is also just a short drive away.

What to do in Leipzig

1. Völkerschlachtdenkmal: A Turning Point in History

The Völkerschlachtdenkmal, or Monument to the Battle of the Nations, is a Leipzig monument commemorating the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. It was completed in 1913 and celebrates the defeat of Napoleon at Leipzig. The impressive structure is 299 feet tall with 500 steps up to the viewing platform. There you can enjoy panoramic views across the city and surrounding area. After the battle, Napoleon was forced to return to France and the following year he was exiled to Elba. Visiting the Völkerschlachtdenkmal is a great way to understand more about this pivotal moment in European history.

2. Stadtgeschichtliches Museum: Leipzig Up Close and Personal

To learn about this fascinating city, you can't do better than a visit to the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum. This is a museum dedicated to the history of Leipzig, tracing its progress from the Middle Ages to the present. It is actually a collection of different museums, each focusing on a different aspect of the city. It's a comprehensive, imaginative and frank collection that does justice to the city's long and eventful history.

3. Nikolaikirche: A Cocktail of Architecture

The Nikolaikirche, or St Nicholas Church, was built over an astonishingly long period. Construction started in 1165 but it was not finished until the 18th century. During this time it developed from the Romanesque style through Gothic influences and finally adopted Baroque touches. The architectural cocktail is completed by a Neoclassical interior, resulting in a unique building that neatly sums up the various periods in the city's history. More recently, it became famous as the focus for the 1989 demonstrations against communist rule in East Germany.

4. Grassimuseum: Crafty Culture

The Grassimuseum is one of the world's great craft museums. It has more than 90,000 pieces in its collections covering everything from ceramics and porcelain to fabrics, textiles, jewelry, metal work, sculpture and wood carvings. It is particularly strong in Art Deco and Art Nouveau objects and has an important photography collection. This is an excellent place to go to gain a more practical perspective on Leipzig's culture and history.

5. Museum der bildenden Künste: Art in a Box

The Museum der bildenden Künste, or Museum of Fine Arts, houses a vast array of artworks from the Middle Ages to modern times. The original building was destroyed in WWII but in 2004 the city gave the collection a stunning new home in the form of a vast modernist rectangular structure on Augustusplatz. The museum is recognized in the Blue Book as one of Germany's most important cultural institutions. It has more than 60,000 exhibits including paintings by the Old Masters, Modern Art, sculpture and graphics. The Museum der bildenden Künste is a must for any visitor to the city with an interest in the arts.

1. Völkerschlachtdenkmal: A Turning Point in History

The Völkerschlachtdenkmal, or Monument to the Battle of the Nations, is a Leipzig monument commemorating the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. It was completed in 1913 and celebrates the defeat of Napoleon at Leipzig. The impressive structure is 299 feet tall with 500 steps up to the viewing platform. There you can enjoy panoramic views across the city and surrounding area. After the battle, Napoleon was forced to return to France and the following year he was exiled to Elba. Visiting the Völkerschlachtdenkmal is a great way to understand more about this pivotal moment in European history.

2. Stadtgeschichtliches Museum: Leipzig Up Close and Personal

To learn about this fascinating city, you can't do better than a visit to the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum. This is a museum dedicated to the history of Leipzig, tracing its progress from the Middle Ages to the present. It is actually a collection of different museums, each focusing on a different aspect of the city. It's a comprehensive, imaginative and frank collection that does justice to the city's long and eventful history.

3. Nikolaikirche: A Cocktail of Architecture

The Nikolaikirche, or St Nicholas Church, was built over an astonishingly long period. Construction started in 1165 but it was not finished until the 18th century. During this time it developed from the Romanesque style through Gothic influences and finally adopted Baroque touches. The architectural cocktail is completed by a Neoclassical interior, resulting in a unique building that neatly sums up the various periods in the city's history. More recently, it became famous as the focus for the 1989 demonstrations against communist rule in East Germany.

4. Grassimuseum: Crafty Culture

The Grassimuseum is one of the world's great craft museums. It has more than 90,000 pieces in its collections covering everything from ceramics and porcelain to fabrics, textiles, jewelry, metal work, sculpture and wood carvings. It is particularly strong in Art Deco and Art Nouveau objects and has an important photography collection. This is an excellent place to go to gain a more practical perspective on Leipzig's culture and history.

5. Museum der bildenden Künste: Art in a Box

The Museum der bildenden Künste, or Museum of Fine Arts, houses a vast array of artworks from the Middle Ages to modern times. The original building was destroyed in WWII but in 2004 the city gave the collection a stunning new home in the form of a vast modernist rectangular structure on Augustusplatz. The museum is recognized in the Blue Book as one of Germany's most important cultural institutions. It has more than 60,000 exhibits including paintings by the Old Masters, Modern Art, sculpture and graphics. The Museum der bildenden Künste is a must for any visitor to the city with an interest in the arts.

1. Völkerschlachtdenkmal: A Turning Point in History

The Völkerschlachtdenkmal, or Monument to the Battle of the Nations, is a Leipzig monument commemorating the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. It was completed in 1913 and celebrates the defeat of Napoleon at Leipzig. The impressive structure is 299 feet tall with 500 steps up to the viewing platform. There you can enjoy panoramic views across the city and surrounding area. After the battle, Napoleon was forced to return to France and the following year he was exiled to Elba. Visiting the Völkerschlachtdenkmal is a great way to understand more about this pivotal moment in European history.

2. Stadtgeschichtliches Museum: Leipzig Up Close and Personal

To learn about this fascinating city, you can't do better than a visit to the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum. This is a museum dedicated to the history of Leipzig, tracing its progress from the Middle Ages to the present. It is actually a collection of different museums, each focusing on a different aspect of the city. It's a comprehensive, imaginative and frank collection that does justice to the city's long and eventful history.

3. Nikolaikirche: A Cocktail of Architecture

The Nikolaikirche, or St Nicholas Church, was built over an astonishingly long period. Construction started in 1165 but it was not finished until the 18th century. During this time it developed from the Romanesque style through Gothic influences and finally adopted Baroque touches. The architectural cocktail is completed by a Neoclassical interior, resulting in a unique building that neatly sums up the various periods in the city's history. More recently, it became famous as the focus for the 1989 demonstrations against communist rule in East Germany.

4. Grassimuseum: Crafty Culture

The Grassimuseum is one of the world's great craft museums. It has more than 90,000 pieces in its collections covering everything from ceramics and porcelain to fabrics, textiles, jewelry, metal work, sculpture and wood carvings. It is particularly strong in Art Deco and Art Nouveau objects and has an important photography collection. This is an excellent place to go to gain a more practical perspective on Leipzig's culture and history.

5. Museum der bildenden Künste: Art in a Box

The Museum der bildenden Künste, or Museum of Fine Arts, houses a vast array of artworks from the Middle Ages to modern times. The original building was destroyed in WWII but in 2004 the city gave the collection a stunning new home in the form of a vast modernist rectangular structure on Augustusplatz. The museum is recognized in the Blue Book as one of Germany's most important cultural institutions. It has more than 60,000 exhibits including paintings by the Old Masters, Modern Art, sculpture and graphics. The Museum der bildenden Künste is a must for any visitor to the city with an interest in the arts.

Where to Eat in Leipzig

Check out foodie highlights like Auerbachs Keller (which dates back to 1525), and Cafe Puschkin on Karli (Karl-Liebknecht Strasse) - the city's best street to grab a beer. Expect meals to come to around EUR20-25 per head.

When to visit Leipzig

Leipzig in February
Estimated hotel price
£11
1 night at 3-star hotel
Leipzig in February
Estimated hotel price
£11
1 night at 3-star hotel

Generally, the city's music festivals start around March and run through the summer, so visit them if you want to catch a concert. Otherwise, there's no bad time to visit.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Leipzig

Plane

Most people fly into Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ), which is 15 miles northwest of the center of town. From there, take the train into Leipzig for EUR4.

Train

Leipzig's mammoth Hauptbahnhof has connections to all corners of Germany, as well as Prague and Vienna. Berlin is only 80 minutes away.

Car

Take the A9 from Berlin, the A14 from Dresden, or the A5 then the A4 if you are driving from Frankfurt.

Bus

Flixbus and Eurolines provide bus connections to most German cities, offering a cheaper alternative to the train.

Plane

Most people fly into Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ), which is 15 miles northwest of the center of town. From there, take the train into Leipzig for EUR4.

Train

Leipzig's mammoth Hauptbahnhof has connections to all corners of Germany, as well as Prague and Vienna. Berlin is only 80 minutes away.

Car

Take the A9 from Berlin, the A14 from Dresden, or the A5 then the A4 if you are driving from Frankfurt.

Bus

Flixbus and Eurolines provide bus connections to most German cities, offering a cheaper alternative to the train.

Airports near Leipzig

LEJLeipzig/Halle
DRSDresden Arpt
BERBerlin Brandenburg

Airlines serving Leipzig

Lufthansa
Good (7,159 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,364 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,033 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,964 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,637 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,859 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,779 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,466 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,810 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (804 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,590 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,572 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,394 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,081 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (355 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,246 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,292 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,895 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,215 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,310 reviews)
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Find flights to Leipzig

Where to stay in Leipzig

Zentrum - the heart of Leipzig and home to most of the museums and galleries, Zentrum features the city's iconic shopping arcades and the main city market.

Popular Neighborhoods in Leipzig

Musikviertel - what other city has a "music district"? This upscale area south of the center is home to many great bars and restaurants like Killiwilly, an excellent Irish pub.

Zentrum-Ost - just east of the center, Zentrum-Ost is more diverse and a good place to grab a bite to eat, with places like Zunftkeller and Chinas Welt.

Musikviertel - what other city has a "music district"? This upscale area south of the center is home to many great bars and restaurants like Killiwilly, an excellent Irish pub.
Zentrum-Ost - just east of the center, Zentrum-Ost is more diverse and a good place to grab a bite to eat, with places like Zunftkeller and Chinas Welt.
Most popular hotel in Leipzig by neighbourhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Leipzig

Most booked hotels in Leipzig

See all
Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof Leipzig
5 stars
Excellent (9.1, Excellent reviews)
£125+
View
H2 Hotel Leipzig
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£81+
View
Five Elements Hostel Leipzig
2 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£30+
View
Hotel Aviva
4 stars
Good (6.7, Good reviews)
£39+
View

How to Get Around Leipzig

Public Transportation

Trams and S-Bahn trains are run by LVB and charge EUR2.50 for a single ticket.

Taxi

Taxis in Leipzig should charge no more than EUR3.50 for the flag drop, followed by around EUR2.50 per mile.

Car

You can rent a car from companies like Hertz, Europcar, and Avis for around EUR15-20 per day.

Public Transportation

Trams and S-Bahn trains are run by LVB and charge EUR2.50 for a single ticket.

Taxi

Taxis in Leipzig should charge no more than EUR3.50 for the flag drop, followed by around EUR2.50 per mile.

Car

You can rent a car from companies like Hertz, Europcar, and Avis for around EUR15-20 per day.

Find car hire in Leipzig

The Cost of Living in Leipzig

Shopping Streets

Zentrum is the city's shopping hub. The passageways are the most atmospheric places to shop (and host a Passagenfest every fall), but Augustusplatz also hosts regular markets, including a Christmas spectacular.

Groceries and Other

Leipzig's supermarket selection includes REWE and Lidl, and 12 eggs should cost around EUR1.50.

Cheap meal
£6.59
A pair of jeans
£64.43
Single public transport ticket
£2.15
Cappuccino
£1.96

Everything you need to know for your stay in Leipzig

Leipzig Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Leipzig city guide for the best Leipzig travel tips. To help you organise your Leipzig trip ideas, this Leipzig visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.