The 48 Hour Creative & Historical Guide to Leipzig

Oozing with cool, Leipzig is a city that should not be overlooked. Often dotted ‘the next Berlin’ or ‘Berlin’s little sister,’ Leipzig manages to channel the grit and charm of Berlin while also being something uniquely their own to the table. If you love a city that values their murals and art as much as their monuments and history then this is the city for you. It’s a city that you can see plenty of in one day, but if you prefer to take your time and get to know the city at a more relaxed place then I’d definitely recommend at least two days or a weekend trip (ie arriving in the morning, staying the night, and leaving the next day sometime in the late afternoon).

In this guide you’ll find everything you need for an excellent one to two day trip to Leipzig, which details some of the top historical, artsy, and local spots you can find in the city. Scroll to the end of this post for additional potential attractions to visit in case you have a little extra time or want to familiarize yourself with more options.

St. Thomas Church | Thomaskirche

Where to stay in Leipzig?

If you’re arriving via train or bus then you’re most likely arriving via Leipzig’s central station, Leipzig Hauptbahnhof. If you’re just here for a night then it could be worth staying somewhere around the central station.

Even in and around the city center you’ll find a number of affordable options, particularly during off season. I really liked my stay at the Art Hotel City Leipzig. The rooftop room was just €110 for my overnight weekend trip in February, and the rooms started at around €85 in general. In the summer these prices certainly increase, but weekdays typically offer lower prices. It’s about a ten minute walk from the train station and city center which worked perfectly for us.

Other hotels we considered located in and around the city center include:

How to get around Leipzig?

You can see plenty of Leipzig just by walking. However, I recommend that for your first day in Leipzig you acquire a 24-hour ticket in order to see more neighborhoods and make the best use of your time. The day ticket covers basically all public transit in the city including buses, trams, and S-Bahn (city trains). You can get a Zone-110 24-hour pass for €8 with €4 added on for each additional person. Zone-110 will cover everything listed in this guide, other than day trips. You can buy your ticket when arriving to the city at a ticket machine which are located at tram stops and train stations. Bus drivers sell tickets too, but not day passes. Alternatively get a day pass on the Leipzig Move app.

Your second day in the city will focus on more central spots and therefore you should be fine on foot this day.

Leipzig Day 1: Altstadt

After arriving in Leipzig make your way over to your accommodation to drop your bags off before making your way back to the city center. Preferably start your day around 10ish, just in time for breakfast in the city center.

Altstadt

Start your day with breakfast and a wander around old town. Carb up at Bagel Brothers with a tasty bagel sandwich. They have pre-built sandwiches and you’re also welcome to customize your own. Wait on coffee though, there’s a great kaffee und kuchen place to come soon.

After fueling up get on with exploring Altstadt. Here are a few places to check out on your wander:

  • Marktplatz is a medieval square that serves as the main square in the city. This square has been a central hub for Leipzig since the first settlers arrived in 1015 and over the years has worn a number of hats such as being a place for executions, demonstrations, jousting tournaments, festivals, and food markets. These days more tame events take place here including an annual wine festival, Christmas market, Easter market, and a bi-weekly farmer’s market.

  • Altes Rathaus, the old mayor’s house is a Renaissance period landmark of the bourgeois city of Leipzig.

  • At Naschmarkt you’ll find this small square behind the old town hall with a statue of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the Lion Fountain being the most memorable pieces here.

  • Nikolaikirche’s interior details a tea green colored and beautifully detailed ceiling paired with a checkered floor, making it a more unique look than your usual Christian place of worship. It’s free to enter, but you have to pay €2 to take photos. This church is best known for being the site of the Monday demonstrations which took place throughout Germany, but were spearheaded by the people of Leipzig. These peaceful protests were aimed at the German Democratic Republic and helped lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Their largest demonstration was estimated to have around 120,000 participants.

  • The Mädler-Passage boasts grand architecture, as well as a few high-quality retail shops. There’s not a ton to see, but it’s worth popping in and taking a look around.

  • Weitladen Connewitz Zentrum sells fair trade and local items like coffee, tea, chocolate, and kitchenware.

  • Thomaskirche is fully free to enter and photograph. It’s the church where Johann Sebastian Bach worked for nearly thirty years before he passed away in 1750. During this period he was the musical director of the city of Leipzig and this church is now his final resting place. Depending on when you visit you might even happen upon musical rehearses which may involve the grand organ being played or the St Thomas’ boys choir practicing.

After finishing up at Thomas Church, it’s time for that promised kaffee und kuchen. The Café Kandler outside of the church is an excellent choice. Be sure to try a Kandler Lerche, which is a marzipan-filled pastry made in-house by their pastry team. The Lerche is a Saxon pastry which originates from Leipzig. I also must recommend their marzipan cake. Enjoy it all with a cup of hot coffee.

Tip: If you’re still feeling a bit peckish pick up a bite at Sushi Wrap in Messehofpassage. They have plenty of satiating sushi rolls for just €2 to €3 that you can quickly pick up and take on the go. Vegan options available.

South of Altstadt: Zentrum Süd, Südvorstadt & Connewitz

Now that you’re all fueled up with breakfast, coffee, and cake start making your way south of the city’s old town to take a long stroll though Leipzig’s more creative, artsy, and cool neighborhoods. You’re going to want to start heading south on Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz, which will eventually turn into Peterssteinweg, which will in turn become Karl-Liebknecht-Straße which is the street you’ll be heading down for most of your walk.

Karl-Liebknecht-Straße or ‘Karli’ as the locals call it connect the neighborhoods of Zentrum Süd (south of center), Südvorstadt and Connewitz. It’s the main street in both neighborhoods and will give you a nice taste of what the area has to offer. If you see something interesting on a side street feel free to head down one of them to get a more holistic view of the neighborhoods. I imagine cycling around the neighborhood would be fun too, but I’m not a cyclist so I prefer walking.

Along the way you’ll see some memorable street art and murals. On the corner of Karl-Liebknecht-Straße and Braustraße you’ll find two lovely murals diagonal from one another at the cross street. The pastel one with a woman holding a mirrorball surrounded by geometrical creatures is perhaps the prettiest piece I saw in Leipzig. Keep up with ever evolving street art in Leipzig here.

There are also some nice shops in the area you can take a peek into:

  • Tee Contor Leipzig: Classic and quaint shop selling tea, biscuits, and jams.

  • Café Maître: Open in 1904, this art nouveau café is a cute spot to pick up a souvenir like local chocolate, truffles, and even tinned fish.

  • Secondhand & Cafe Gold: Come here for coffee, cake, and thrifting.

  • Weitladen Connewitz: Previously mentioned, this local shop offers fair trade goods.

You’re sure to happen on a couple tempting eateries and cafés while wandering around the neighborhood. I love to snack my way through a trip, so I try out as many food spots as I can when I visit a new city.

If you’re plant-based (or a fan of plant-based food) then you’re in luck! Leipzig is one of Germany’s top vegan cities (sometimes even beating out Berlin in rankings!) and is home to tons of great vegan eateries, with Connewitz being particularly known for great plant-based goodies. Here are a few spots (that I’ve either visited or bookmarked) that might catch your eye:

  • Atacolypse: Casual vegan Mexican food

  • Deli: Classic vegan burger and salad joint

  • Big B Burger: Burger stall with a large variety of options

  • Café NiMo: Café known for cake with a few vegan and gluten-free options

  • Carls Laden: Eclectic café in the neighborhood

Probstheida: Völkerschlachtdenkmal & Südfriedhof

After your romp around Karli you’re going to want to head on over to the Probstheida neighborhood to visit Leipzig’s oldest cemetery and historical Battle of the Nations Monument. I like ending my walk around the cross streets Mathildenstraße and Wolfgang-Heinze-Straße, near the vegan Mexican spot Atacolypse. Of course, you’re free to choose if you want to walk this far south (around 45 minutes from old town) and can always end your time in Connewitz elsewhere. If you do end here it’s easy to get to Probstheida by hopping on the 70 bus. You can get on at the Connewitzer Kreuz stop in the direction of Mockau-West. You’ll ride for around ten minutes (or six stops) and can get off at Naunhofer Straße.

Once off the bus walk over to Völkerschlachtdenkmal or the Battle of the Nations Monument. This monument was built to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of defeating Napoleon in the city, and was later home to some intense historical events like Hitler’s rallies when he was in town. There are a few plaques around the monument detailing its history and there’s additionally a museum inside. You can walk up a decent chunk of the way without having a museum ticket, but be careful! The stairs are quite steep and the monument is much bigger in person than photos suggest.

Next take a stroll around the neighboring southern cemetery, or Südfriedhof. The cemetery is quite inviting, with plentiful flora and fauna, acting more like a peaceful city park than a solemn resting place. The chapel complex, Mahnmal Kapellenangale or Memorial Chapel, looks more like a Disney castle than your usual chapel. Although I don’t think you can visit inside, you can roam around the complex and take in the tranquil energy.

Lindenau & Plagwitz

Time to explore some hip eastside neighborhoods! You can get on over to the east from the Südfriedhof tram stop by either taking the 2 tram towards Grünau-Süd for fourteen stops until you reach Holbeinstraße or hopping on the 15 tram towards Miltitz and staying for fifteen stops until you reach Angerbrücke.

From this point walk along Karl-Heine-Straße and take in the eclectic and effortlessly cool neighborhoods of Lindenau and Plagwitz, both known for their thriving art scene, abandoned industrial buildings, funky coffee shops, and locally-owned shops. Mono Loco Kaffeebar is a nice place to grab a cup of joe and Westwerkhalle Plagwitz is a food and drink hall located in a 1900s industrial building. You’ll find beer, coffee, snacks, and good vibes. If you’re feeling snacky you can try a snack there or down the road. There’s a mix of great neighborhood options like the hot dog joint Beard Brothers & Sisters. WestFach is a lovely concept store home to craft items, local art, records, and trinkets. Many of the prices aren’t half bad either so it’s totally worth taking a peek in.

Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei

Once your neighborhood stroll is complete head on over to Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei, a former cotton mill turned into an art center. This center is home to over one hundred artist studios, with over a dozen of those studios having galleries that are free to enter and open to the public during operational hours. The galleries are listed here. You can also pay €11 for a guided tour. At a few of these galleries you might get to meet the artists who are sometimes onsite creating more art. The artists we met were all very welcoming and happy to talk to visitors in between sessions.

It can be a bit hard to tell which galleries are open, but if you enter via Spinnereistraße there’s a large map that should detail where the open galleries are located. We entered via Alte Salzstraße so we didn’t see that map until we were leaving. We proceeded to wander around a bit until we noticed some cracked open doors and headed that way. Once deeper in we saw people entering and exiting through various doors and followed along. It’s all part of the experience. We were on the grounds for less than an hour, but for me it was totally worth the visit since I was quite curious about the type of art I’d find here.

Evening

Now that you’ve spent your whole day out head back to your hotel to properly check in and chill before heading back out for dinner. Daytrippers are probably coming close to the end of their day at this point so if you’re limited for time pick up a quick bite to eat before leaving via Leipzig Hauptbahnhof. Hallo Döner is just steps away from the main station and promises a hearty meal before your journey home.

For those spending the night in town, there are plenty of options for where to visit for dinner. If you’re staying centrally you can possibly head back to the old town and surrounding area to grab a bite to eat. Most of these spots are walkable, but there are some trams available that will shorten your walk if desired.

A few potential eateries in and around the city center:

  • 60 Seconds to Napoli: Yummy traditional and creative Neapolitan pizzas. I recommend you make a reservation if you’re visiting on a weekend night or avoid visiting between 6:30PM and 8:30PM.

  • Gao Vegan: Great for tasty and fresh vegan Vietnamese and mixed Asian food. Try the seitan chicken wings!

  • Hallo Döner: Living in Berlin means I’ve tried a lot of döner. This one was surprisingly quite good! Great for a quick budget-friendly din.

  • Ratskeller der Stadt Leipzig: I haven’t tried them, but they seem like a pretty good choice if you’re in the mood for German food.

However, if you’re feeling up for it there’s also the option of heading further out into the city. You still have a valid 24-hour ticket after all! Head back to a neighborhood you visited earlier like Südvorstadt or Lindenau to check out the food scene and nightlife there (check out the restaurants previously mentioned!) or hit up an area you haven’t had the chance to explore yet like Alt Lindenau. I haven’t had a proper night out in Leipzig yet, but Plagwitz is known for having some cool spots. I hear Liqwe is a vibrant and youthful spot in the neighborhood.

Leipzig Day 2:

Bakery

Start your morning the German way with a trip to a bakery to pick up a few fresh baked goods. I decided to head on over to Handwerksbäckerei & Café Kleinert to try tasty homemade pastries including their claim to fame: the original Leipziger Lerche. The bakery didn’t seem too special on first glance, but all the pastries we tried ended up being so fresh and tasty, especially the Lerche and quark pastry we tried. We visited the location on Gohliser Straße, but they also have a convenient location in Altstadt, which looks like it carries even more variety so I’d recommend visiting that location.

Museum

An extra day in the city means you have more time to learn about the city and its history by visiting a museum. Leipzig has no shortage of history and art so you’ve got some options. The following are all located within or easy walking distance from Altstadt:

  • Bach Museum: Classical music lovers can appreciate Bach’s legacy and learn more about his impact on Leipzig and the world of music composition.

  • Grassi Museum: Perhaps the most well known museum in the city, the Grassi Museum offers exhibits on applied arts, athnology, and musical instruments. You’ll also find inner courtyards and gardens you can linger in.

  • Museum der Bildenden Künste: Here you’ll find art from the late middle ages to more modern pieces. The museum primarily focuses on German artists.

  • Stadtgeschichtliches Museum: This museum tells the story of Leipzig’s history, with especially informative exhibits on the German Democratic Republic, Cold War, and Berlin Wall. This museum requires no reservation and is free to visit.

Zentrum West

If you’re here for just an overnight trip then you’re probably on your way out of town soon. End your day with a wander and a café around Zentrum West, the neighborhood west of the city center. Here you’ll find cute cafés like Café Glücksbringer and historical places like a Holocaust Memorial built on the former site of a Jewish temple that was burned down during the Holocaust. If you’ve got time you can wander as far as Schleußig, a neighborhood known for being surrounded by green spaces and having an organically relaxed atmosphere. If you’re in the area you can stop at local Leipzig roastery RöstGut for a slice of coffee and cake.

If you want a nice walk in the park in this area then you’re in luck:

  • Clara-Zetkin-Park: Forest filled and river adjacent

  • Volkspark Kleinzschocher: Green space with a large meadow

  • Elster-Pleiße-Auwald: Ample wildlife nature reserve with walking and bike trails

  • Palmengarten: Riverside park with gardens and pond

Finish Up Your Day

Time to leave lovely Leipzig! I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay.

More Leipzig Options:

Have a little extra time in the city or want to replace part of this itinerary with spots that make more sense to you? Here are a few things you can check out if you want to see a little more of Leipzig:

  • You can visit a park, restaurant, café, museum or neighborhood you didn’t get the chance to visit before.

  • You can visit the Leipzig Zoo, which is home to over 850 species and is widely regarded as the best zoo in Germany. It’s conveniently quite close to Altstadt making it very easy to get to.

  • You can visit Auensee and pay €4 to ride the charming and historic steam train around the little lake.

  • You can take a day trip to a city like Dresden, which is an easy 90 minute direct train ride away.

  • You can take a day trip to a lake. Germans love their lakes and Leipzig is surrounded by quite a few good ones. In the summertime you can go for a swim and in the colder months you can go for a walk. Markkleeberger See is a popular one and you can easily get there with the direct 11 tram!

  • You can visit a flea market or a farmer’s market.

  • Keep in mind that there are a number of great seasonal activities to enjoy as well. During the warmer months there are plenty of great beer gardens and outdoor cinemas you can visit. In late November and December you’ll be treated to Christmas Markets. Throughout the year there are a number of events and festivals as well that celebrate food, drinks, art, and culture.

Marktplatz Leipzig

Where to next?

Extend your trip! You can get to plenty of great cities like Berlin, Dresden, and Prague with a direct train or bus from Leipzig.

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