Cities & Culture
It's on: 48 hours in Leipzig
Leipzig offers a lot of fun. This Saxon city offers an extraordinary natural and cultural landscape. Music lovers in particular get their money's worth here. Give it a whirl with us.
A walk through German history: Leipzig's Old Town
The images of the fall of the Wall went around the world: but it was from St Nicholas' Church in Leipzig that the peaceful revolution in the GDR began. So our tour starts here on Day 1: The oldest church in the city is centrally located in the city centre, alongside many other historic buildings, numerous romantic alleyways and evocative courtyards. Stroll over to Specks Hof, considered one of the most beautiful walkways in the city with stained glass and copper ceilings. Not far away are the Alte Handelsbörse (Old Trade Exchange) and the Mädlerpassage with Auerbach's Cellar, a place where Johann Wolfgang Goethe spent time as a student. Now you'll find yourself on the city's market square, where Germany's oldest and most important Renaissance building stands - the Old Town Hall.
Leipzig: Classic meets Modern
In the afternoon, head to the Museum in der Runden Ecke, which is a memorial site and the former headquarters of the District Administration for State Security. It illustrates the history, structure and working methods of the Ministry for State Security in the GDR. Then it's off to Südvorstadt: here the many renovated old buildings shape the image of this district. And here you'll find the Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse with its bars and lovely cafés. You just might stay there all evening.
Did you know that Leipzig is an important city for music? If you like modern music, you're in the right place here thanks to the vibrant club scene; also for lovers of classical music: in the morning of your second day in Leipzig, you can visit the Bach Museum or Schumann House. This is the former home of Robert and Clara Schumann and includes a small concert hall. Those interested in the composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy can stroll through his final private residence in the eponymous museum. If you happen to be in the city on a Friday or Saturday, visit the Thomaskirche for a performance of the world-famous St. Thomas Boys Choir, which Johann Sebastian Bach originally led as its cantor.
Leipzig: City of Water
Later, continue on to the residential district of Plagwitz. If you are a good walker, the district is also easily accessible through the Clara Zetkin Park. From the city centre, cross the Sachsenbrücke bridge. In the summer, this is a meeting place for students and street artists - until late at night. In Plagwitz, however, one thing in particular catches the eye: Leipzig is truly a city of water with its three rivers and many lakes. Here, tourist boats cruise along the Karl Heine Canal and the Weisse Elster. And in addition, canoeists and rubber dinghies also enjoy themselves here against the most beautiful backdrop. And so should you. But before that, don't forget lunch. You will find restaurants around Zschochersche Strasse. The former cotton mill is also in the immediate vicinity - this now art centre offers galleries and studios as well as cafés.
And in the afternoon: Those who don't want to stay in Plagwitz can once again head for the nightlife and party mile of Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse. A wide variety of shops, cafés and restaurants await you here. Or visit Leipzig's main railway station: it is not only Europe's largest terminus station, but also features a huge shopping centre along the main station promenade. A wide range of culinary delights awaits you in Karl-Heine-Strasse and bars and pubs are waiting to be discovered in the Barfussgässchen. You decide.
Is there anything missing? Perhaps a particularly beautiful view of Leipzig? The 91-metre-high viewing platform of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, one of the city's most important landmarks, offers just that. It is particularly charming there in the evening time. Don't forget to take some photos.