From Bach's church to hip Neustadt bars - your complete Leipzig itinerary with secret spots most tourists miss
City of Leipzig (Germany)
Leipzig (German: Leipzig) is a city in central Germany, located in the western part of the federal state of Saxony. It is one of the country’s most dynamically growing cities and the largest in the region. Leipzig boasts a rich history, founded over 1,000 years ago at the crossroads of trade routes, and has always played a significant role in Saxony. Today, it is an important economic and cultural center of Germany.
Leipzig is one of the country’s most unique cities—a hub of cosmopolitanism, open to creativity and new ideas. Here, tradition meets modernity, classical culture blends with avant-garde, and history coexists with cutting-edge technology. Throughout its history, Saxony’s largest city has earned many epithets: the City of Music, the City of Justice, and the “Little Paris.” Visit Leipzig and see for yourself.
Leipzig is situated at the confluence of three rivers, about 160 km from Berlin, in the southern part of the North German Plain. The area is covered with forests and marshes. The climate is temperate with some maritime influence. Summers are warm, with average temperatures of 17–20 °C (63–68 °F), while winters are relatively mild, hovering around 0 °C (32 °F). Annual precipitation is just over 500 mm.
Practical Information
- Population – nearly 570,000.
- Area – 298 km².
- Language – German.
- Currency – Euro (€).
- Visa – Schengen.
- Time zone – Central European Time (CET), UTC +1 (UTC +2 in summer).
- The historic center has numerous shops. Souvenirs can be bought near the Old Town Hall.
- The Christmas Market opens in late November and runs almost until Christmas.
- Major shopping centers within the city: Paunsdorfer and near the main train station. West of Leipzig lies one of Germany’s largest retail complexes—Nova Eventis.
- Traditional foods: Lerchen (sweet pastries with marzipan), Quarkkeulchen (a dessert), Leipziger Allerlei (a vegetable dish), and Reformationsbrötchen (cookies).
History & Interesting Facts
Settlements around Leipzig date back to Roman times. The city emerged at the intersection of two major medieval trade routes. Its name derives from the Slavic word “Lipsk,” meaning “place where linden trees grow.”
The first written mention of Leipzig dates back to 1015. In 1165, it was granted city rights. During the Middle Ages, a trade fair was established here, which continues to this day and is one of the oldest in the world.
In 1409, Leipzig University was founded, playing a major role in European education and becoming a center of German law. During the Thirty Years’ War, two battles took place near the city, both won by the Swedes. In 1701, Leipzig introduced an oil-fueled street lighting system. During the Napoleonic Wars, a major battle occurred here between France and a coalition of Prussia, the Russian Empire, Austria, and Sweden. This was the largest battle in Europe until World War I.
In the 19th century, Leipzig became a center of German liberal movements and a major industrial and transport hub. In 1839, the first railway connecting Leipzig to Dresden was built.
During World War II, Leipzig suffered heavy damage from Allied bombings, but largely retained its original historical appearance.
How to Get There
Leipzig is one of Germany’s largest transport hubs. The city is easily accessible by air, train, car, or bus. It is connected to the A14, A9, and A38 autobahns. Intercity bus routes link it to many major German cities. Buses stop between the main train station and the opera house. Leipzig is one of Germany’s largest railway centers and a key high-speed rail hub, with connections to Munich, Berlin, Nuremberg, and Frankfurt. Leipzig has a major airport, with buses and trams running to the city center. Berlin Airport is a two-hour train ride away.
The main public transport is the tram, supplemented by buses. A single ticket costs €2.40 and is valid for one hour after activation. Tickets can be purchased on trams, at stops, or in some kiosks. Many ticket machines only accept coins.
Popular Leipzig Hotels
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Sights & Attractions
Most of Leipzig’s main attractions are concentrated in its compact historic center.
Old Town Hall – One of the largest in Germany, built in 1556 in Renaissance style. The building stands on a beautiful market square and is an excellent starting point for exploring the old town. The town hall is 90 meters long, features arcades, six gables, and a Baroque tower. Today, it houses the City Museum, displaying fascinating medieval art and Leipzig’s history.
New Town Hall – A stunning early 20th-century building with a 115-meter tower.
St. Thomas Church – One of Leipzig’s oldest and most important churches, founded in the 12th century. The original Romanesque church was rebuilt in Gothic Revival style in the 14th–15th centuries. Its tower stands 68 meters tall. From 1723 to 1750, the famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach worked here and is buried in the church.
St. Nicholas Church – Leipzig’s largest church, founded in the late 12th century after the city was granted its charter.
Among the city’s sacred buildings, the Russian Memorial Church of St. Alexei stands out, built in honor of Russian soldiers who died during the Napoleonic Wars.
Famous Houses:
- Mendelssohn House – Home of the famous composer who wrote the “Wedding March.”
- Schiller House – Former residence of one of Germany’s greatest poets.
- Schumann House – Where composers Clara and Robert Schumann lived.
Monument to the Battle of the Nations – A national memorial built in 1913 to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous battle between Napoleon’s forces and the coalition.
More to See in Leipzig:
- Modern and early high-rises on Augustusplatz, Wintergartenstraße, and Nordstraße.
- Gohliser Schlösschen – A beautiful summer palace.
- Bavarian Station – One of the oldest railway stations in the world.
- Court Building – Former imperial palace, a monumental structure in French Renaissance and Baroque style.
- Moritzbastei – A 16th-century fortress near the university, the only remaining part of the old city walls.
- Zoo – One of the oldest in the world, spanning over 23 hectares.
Why Leipzig is Worth Visiting at Least Twice
Leipzig is a city that doesn’t reveal all its secrets at once. It’s like a multi-layered symphony where every instrument plays its part. Here, a thousand-year history of trade routes intertwines with the spirit of student protests, while majestic Gothic spires overlook modern shopping centers with subtle irony.
Interestingly, Leipzig manages to be both traditional and contemporary. This is where Bach composed his immortal works, and two centuries later, students fought for freedom. It’s a city where you can enjoy organ music in St. Thomas Church in the morning and explore one of Europe’s most modern shopping centers in the evening.
Leipzig doesn’t force its uniqueness upon you—it simply lives it. That’s why, once you return home, you’ll undoubtedly want to come back to discover the aspects of the city you missed the first time.
