🗺️ The Best of Leipzig: Matej's Insider Tips

🗺️ The Best of Leipzig: Matej's Essential Insider Tips

Welcome to Leipzig, the dynamic city renowned for its music, history, and incredibly vibrant arts and culture scene. Forget the daily routine; here are my absolute best tips—from the oldest cellars to the highest viewpoints and the vast new lakes—to help you experience the best that "Little Paris" has to offer.

🍽️ Best Places to Eat (Matej's Picks)

• Restaurant NameVibe & CuisineMatej's TipAuerbachs KellerTraditional Saxon & German; historic and literary landmark.A quintessential Leipzig experience. You must go here, not just for the food but for its connection to Goethe’s Faust. Reservations are recommended!

• Panorama Tower ("Plate of Art")Fine Dining; German/International; highest restaurant in Central Germany.Go for the unbeatable 360-degree view, especially around sunset. A truly spectacular evening.

• GAOCasual; Vietnamese & great Vegetarian/Vegan options.A modern favorite. Quick, fresh, and incredibly tasty. A great option if you need a break from traditional German fare.

• L'Osteria LeipzigCasual Italian; famous for huge pizzas.Great for an affordable and satisfying comfort meal—perfect for a relaxed evening or Sunday lunch.

🏛️ Essential Museums & Historic Sites to Visit

Leipzig is a hub of history, art, and music—you could spend a week just museum-hopping!

• Monument to the Battle of the Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkmal): Europe's largest monument, built to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon in 1813. It's a massive and impressive structure. Matej's Tip: Climb the 364 steps to the viewing platform for a breathtaking panorama of the city and surrounding landscape. Don't miss the FORUM 1813 museum at its base.

• Memorial Museum in the "Round Corner" (Gedenkstätte Museum in der Runden Ecke): A powerful and free museum housed in the former district headquarters of the Stasi (East German secret police). It offers a gripping look into the repression and surveillance of the GDR era.

• Bach-Museum: Explore the life and work of the legendary Johann Sebastian Bach in this interactive museum, located right across from the St. Thomas Church where he worked.

• Museum of Fine Arts (MdbK): Housed in a striking modern glass building, this museum boasts collections spanning from the Old Masters to contemporary Leipzig School artists.

• Grassi Museum Complex: A massive cultural hub featuring three museums under one roof: The Museum of Applied Arts, the Museum of Ethnology, and the Museum of Musical Instruments.

• Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig (Zeitgeschichtliches Forum): An excellent, in-depth look at German history from the end of WWII through the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification.

🌳🛶 Best Outside Activities & Nature (The Green City)

Leipzig is famous for its extensive green spaces and the transformation of its former industrial mining sites into a beautiful "New Lakeland" region (Neuseenland).

The Leipzig Waterways & Canals

Leipzig is crisscrossed by rivers and canals, making water sports a favorite local pastime.

• Canoeing/Kayaking on the Karl Heine Canal: Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle through the former industrial district of Plagwitz. This is a unique way to see the historic brick factories and stylish lofts of the area.

• Motorboat Canal Sightseeing Tour: Take a guided motorboat tour starting from the City Harbor to learn about the history of the waterways and see sights like the Palmengartenwehr.

Parks and Forest

• Clara-Zetkin Park & Johanna Park: These seamlessly connected parks form the "Green Lung" of the city center. Perfect for walking, jogging, cycling, or enjoying a beer garden in the summer.

• Leipzig Floodplain Forest (Leipziger Auenwald): This massive nature reserve cuts right through the city, offering miles of cycling and hiking trails. Keep an eye out for wildlife!

Leipzig's New Lakeland (Neuseenland)

Just south of the city, former open-cast mines have been flooded to create a massive recreational lake district—a must-see for nature and sport lovers.

• Lake Cospuden (Cossi): The most popular lake, featuring a long sandy beach (Nordstrand), Zöbigker harbor with rentals, and a great paved path for cycling and inline skating.

• Lake Markkleeberg: Home to the Kanupark Markkleeberg, an artificial white-water course where you can raft or kayak. It also offers sailing, surfing, and climbing parks.

🌃 Best Places to Go Out

Leipzig's nightlife is famously diverse, from historic cellars to world-class techno clubs.

• Nightlife District / VenueVibeFocusKarl-Liebknecht-Straße (KarLi)Trendy, lively, student-focused.The main street for modern Leipzig nightlife. Filled with casual bars, cocktail lounges (Café Puschkin), and pubs.

• Drallewatsch (Barfussgäßchen)Historic, central, high density of bars.A charming, busy pub street right in the Old Town. Great for bar-hopping and finding a spot with outdoor seating. Includes jazz spot Spizz.Plagwitz DistrictAlternative, artistic, underground.This former industrial area is home to unique bars and clubs in converted factory spaces. The vibe is decidedly cool and non-mainstream.

• MoritzbasteiCultural Center, Historic, Multi-room.A sprawling youth and student club housed in the city's ancient fortifications, offering multiple rooms for concerts, parties, and cultural events.

• Gosenschenke Ohne BedenkenTraditional, relaxed, local specialty.The perfect spot to try Gose, Leipzig's local sour beer, in a rustic, centuries-old tavern setting.

📣 Where to Check for Events

Want to know what's on tonight? From concerts and readings to the best parties and theatre performances, the local events portal is your go-to guide.

👉 Check for Events in Leipzig here!

The best towers in Leipzig

Leipzig, a city steeped in history and culture, is renowned for its stunning architecture and iconic towers that punctuate its skyline. Among these, five towers stand out for their historical significance, architectural beauty, and the breathtaking views they offer. This article delves into the stories and features of Panoramatower, Wackelturm, New Town Hall Tower, Thomas Church Tower, and Bistümshöhe.

1. Panoramatower (City-Hochhaus Leipzig)

The view from Panorama Tower

Located in the heart of Leipzig, the Panoramatower, also known as the City-Hochhaus, is one of the city's most prominent modern landmarks. Originally constructed in 1972 and standing at 142 meters, this skyscraper was designed by architect Hermann Henselmann in the International Style. The building was initially used by the University of Leipzig and is now a mixed-use tower housing offices, restaurants, and observation decks. Visitors flock to the top floors to enjoy a panoramic view of Leipzig and its surroundings, making it a must-visit spot for tourists and locals alike.
Price: 5€

2. Wackelturm

Wackelturm

The Wackelturm, or "Wobbly Tower," is a unique and playful addition to Leipzig's collection of towers. Located in the Leipzig Zoo, this tower is not only a feat of engineering but also a source of entertainment. True to its name, the Wackelturm sways slightly when visitors climb it, offering a thrilling experience. The tower provides a fantastic vantage point to view the zoo and the surrounding areas. Its interactive and dynamic nature makes it particularly popular among families and children.
Price: Free

3. New Town Hall Tower (Neues Rathaus Turm)

New Town Hall Tower

Dominating the skyline with its neo-baroque style, the New Town Hall Tower is a symbol of Leipzig’s rich civic history. Completed in 1905, the tower is part of the New Town Hall, which replaced the old town hall that could no longer accommodate the city's administrative needs. Standing at 114 meters, the tower offers an observation deck that provides a stunning view of the city’s historical center. Visitors can explore the tower through guided tours that include a climb up the tower’s 250 steps, rewarded by spectacular views and a sense of Leipzig’s architectural grandeur.
Price: 3€, open from Monday until Friday at 2pm

4. Thomas Church Tower (Thomaskirche Turm)

Thomas Church Tower

The Thomas Church, famous for its association with Johann Sebastian Bach, features a tower that is both historically and musically significant. The church dates back to the 12th century, though the current tower structure was completed in the late 15th century. Standing at 68 meters, the tower is a testament to Gothic architecture. Visitors can climb the tower to enjoy a panoramic view of Leipzig and gain a deeper appreciation of the church’s historical significance. The Thomas Church Tower is particularly noted for its carillon, which adds a melodic backdrop to the city’s ambiance.
Price: Free, open every Friday and Saturday

5. Bistümshöhe

The view from Bistümshöhe

Bistümshöhe is a lesser-known yet charming tower that offers a different perspective of Leipzig. Located in the northern part of the city, this tower is a favorite among locals who seek a quieter spot to enjoy panoramic views. The tower is nestled within a park, providing a serene environment away from the bustling city center. Bistümshöhe’s relatively modest height does not diminish the beauty of the vistas it offers, making it a hidden gem for those looking to explore Leipzig off the beaten path.
Price: Free

Conclusion

Leipzig’s towers are more than just architectural feats; they are windows into the city’s rich history and culture. From the modern heights of the Panoramatower to the historical significance of the New Town Hall Tower and the musical heritage of the Thomas Church Tower, each tower offers a unique perspective and experience. Whether you are a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone looking to enjoy a great view, Leipzig’s towers provide a diverse and enriching journey through this vibrant city.

Leipzig Beyond Downtown

When visiting Leipzig, it's easy to get lost in the city center and be tempted to not venture beyond the Ring, a multi-lane ring road cyrcling the old city core and thus seperating it from the surrounding neighborhoods. Even though Leipzig's downtowon is rather small – a mere 600 times 800 meters – it is very dense and packed with restaurants, cafes, stores and museums. Nevertheless, it's hard to fully appreciate Leipzig without experiencing its many different neighborhoods which make it a multi-faceted and very diverse urban gem.

Conveniently so, the different characters of the surrounding areas can be more or less associated with the four cardinal directions which we'll be following clockwise. Here's a small introductory guide to some of the most intriguing areas beyond the city center to help you make most of your stay in East Germany's secret capital!

NORTH

The North of Leipzig is generally considered the least exciting part of town, but it may very well be worth a visit anyways!

The Waldstraßenviertel directly borders the city center and historically was where the wealthier portion of the city's population would settle down, mainly factory owners and merchants. Therefore, it never was a particularly urban area, but the architecture is stunning! The Waldstraßenviertel is considered one of the largest Gründerzeit-ensembles in Europe. Since it was fortunately barely affected by the allied bombings of World War II, there are roughly 600 mundain residential buildings built between 1860 and 1914 that you can marvel at today, featuring various architectural styles like Historism, Neo-Classicism and Art Noveau.

Also, it is only a stone's throw away from attractions like Leipzig Zoo or the Zentralstadion (central stadium).

15 mins walk from city centre / 5 mins by bike / Tram 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 & 15 stop 'Waldplatz' or 'Leibnizstraße'

Livia Street in Waldstraßenviertel (Foto: Appaloosa via Wikimedia Commons)

If you're already headed North, you may also pay a quick visit to Gohlis. The neighborhood is quite large so it generally makes sense to stick to the parts that are closer to the city centre. Especially the fromer village center of Gohlis is interesting if you're into the 18th century. The Gohliser Schlösschen (Gohlis Castle) is probably the most impressive Rokoko (or late Baroque) ensemble in Leipzig, though it technically isn't a castle at all but a large mansion erected by one of the wealthies Leipzigers back in the day.

Really close by is the oldest remaining residential house in Leipzig, the Schillerhaus. If the name rings a bell, that might be because it's named after one of Germany's national poets, Friedrich Schiller, who spent an entire summer there in 1785. The building is part of the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum (Museum of Leipzig History) and can be visited!

30 mins walk / 10 mins by bike / Tram 4, 'Stallbaumstraße' or Tram 12, 'Fritz-Seger-Straße'

Gohliser Schlösschen (Gohlis Castle) (Foto: Frank Vincentz via Wikimedia Commons)

EAST

In case you're feeling a little too 'bougy' by now: fear not, just head East! The East of Leipzig historically was (and partly still is) considered a rather rugged part of town. Especially with the rapid growth of Leipzig into an industrial powerhouse throughout the 19th century, the East became a blue-collar, working class part of town. That's also due to the fact that back in the day, there were almost no parks in that part of town (which are otherwise typical for Leipzig), also because the vast track installations of Europe's biggest terminal station – Leipzig Hauptbahnhof – used to dominate the area.

If nowadays you take the roughly 10-minute tram ride from downtown to the East, you might feel like you're in a different city altogether. Especially the neighbouring quarters Neustadt-Neuschönefeld and Volkmarsdorf are today considered to be among the most multicultural and urban in Leipzig. Particularly notorious Eisenbahnstraße (or 'Eisi') and its' surrounding streets are a must see if you're into alternative culture, bustling street life and an international, yet non-pretentious vibe. Just dive in and explore the many galleries, cafes, bars and thrift stores. You'll also find a huge variety of international cuisine and overall a very open minded and diverse local population. Plus, you'll find veggie and vegan restaurants everywhere. Even though some people might tell you otherwise, the 'Eisi' is not dangerous at all. Just politely decline if someone wants to sell you weed on the street and you're all good!

25 mins walk / 10 mins by bike / Trams 1, 3, 4 & 8, 'Einertstraße' or 'Liebmann-Straße'

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Not quite as busy as the 'Eisi'-area, yet still worth a closer look is Reudnitz, lovingly dubbed 'Detroitnitz' for its' underground music scene. There's a nice urban park on a former train station area (Lene-Voigt-Park) where a lot is going on especially in summer. Make sure to also check out Täubchenweg-street with a bunch of cool bars and venues. Sometimes they are not too easy to find, but let's face it: for underground music lovers, that's part of the thrill, right? Just go out and ask around, chances are you'll wind up somewhere chill!

Generally, Reudnitz looks quite different from many neighborhoods in Leipzig, because it was destroyed by around 80 per cent during WW II, so the buildings there are typically more recently built than in other parts of town.

25 mins walk / 10 mins by bike / Trams 12 & 15, 'Gutenbergplatz' or Trams 4 & 7, 'Gerichtsweg'

Lene-Voigt-Park in Reudnitz (Foto: Matej Eber)

SOUTH

The South of Leipzig was considered the subcultural center of Leipzig starting in the 80's (yes, there were subcultures in Socialist Germay!) and at least partly, it still is.

Directly adjacent to the Southern edge of the city center is Südvorstadt. Its' main boulevard is Karl-Liebknecht-Straße or 'Karli'. The 'Karli' is famed for its' many restaurants, bars and venues. Though in the last decade, gentrification took its' toll and some places are a bit upscale (at least in Leipzig terms), Südvorstadt still has a very open minded and colourful vibe. If you're into flea markets and vintage stores, make sure to check out the Feinkost area, a former factory site. There's also regular shows and film festivals happening at many cultural venues like naTo, Werk 2 or Prager Frühling. And if you'd like to get a panoramic view – a rare thing in the overall very flat Leipzig – you can stroll up artificial Fockeberg and enjoy the sight!

10 mins walk / 5 mins by bike / Trams 10, 11 & 16, 'Münzgasse', 'Hohe Straße' or 'Südplatz'

Löffelfamilie on Karl-Liebknecht-Straße (Foto: Pixabay user Orka789 via Wikimedia Commons)

If again Südvorstadt is a little too bougy for your taste, you can just keep going towards Connewitz, one of the main hubs of the alternative and leftist scene in Leipzig and even Germany altogether. As one would think, there's loads of dive bars, subcultural venues, street art and generally street life. As one of the main battlegrounds between leftists and Neo-Nazis throughout the rough 90's in East Germany, the autonomous and leftist scene came out on top, claiming Connewitz largely as their home turf. That has lead to recurrent clashes with police and almost weekly rallies for various causes, but as long as you're not wearing a police uniform or Nazi insignia, it's by and large a super chill and welcoming place. Also make sure to check for cool shows in the biggest venue in Connewitz, Conne Island!

30 to 40 mins walk / 10 to 15 mins by bike / Trams 9, 10, 11 & 16, 'Connewitz Kreuz'

Conne Island in Connewitz (Foto: Zigzagnation via Wikimedia Commons)



WEST

In case some of the neighborhoods above are a bit 'too much' for you in one way or another, no worries, there's one to please them all – the West!

Historically seperated from the city of Leipzig by vast swamps and some major rivers (notably the Elster and Pleiße), the now Western neighborhoods of Leipzig only became integrated into the city from the 1850's onwards. The districts of Lindenau, Plagwitz and Schleußig became rapidly industrialized and are still today characterized by the proximity of factories and residential areas, making for a very particular architectural pattern. Though in the late 80s and early 90s, that heritage was almost lost since most of the buildings were in a very bad state due to neglegience caused by insufficient funds.

Nevertheless, especially Plagwitz managed a complete turnaround into probably the hippest neighborhood in Leipzig today. The former factories were turned into studios, creative hubs, apartments and start up shelters. If you're in Plagwitz, make sure to take time to stroll along Karl-Heine-Boulevard with its' many small stores, restaurants and cafes and marvel at the revived factory premises and renovated Gründerzeit-buildings. On a hot Summer day, you can stroll along the Kanal and even get your own canoe to explore the West from a different angle. Make sure to not miss out on one of Germany's main hubs for contemporary art, the Baumwollspinnerei or check out the Bürgerbahnhof Plagwitz, once upon a time the largest industrial train station in Europe and now an experimental field for civic participation. And the best thing is – you can take a deep dive into the perks of Plagwitz with our very own Alternative Tour!

30 to 40 mins walk / 15 mins by bike / Trams 3 & 14, 'Felsenkeller'

A stop at our Free Alternative Tour in Plagwitz (Foto: Dragos Timofte)

If Plagwitz is a little too busy for you, you might enjoy Schleußig, which is just adjacent to Plagwitz. Basically embedded between the two rivers Weiße Elster and Elsterflutbett, here everything is taken down a nodge, yet still very enjoyable. You can either get a nice drink or coffee on Könneritzstraße (or 'Kö'), rent a boat or start a tour on Bootshaus Klingerweg or venture into the natural reserve of the Auwald, Leipzig's city forest. It's also a nice 30 to 40 minutes walk all through parks from the city centre, crossing Sachsenbrücke, which is one the top alternative hangout spots in Leipzig and might be a good way to kick off your day in the West!

30 to 40 mins walk / 15 mins by bike / 30 mins by boat / Trams 1 & 2, 'Holbeinstraße' or 'Stieglitzstraße'

Private docks in Schleußig (Foto: Andreas Wolf 01 via Wikimedia Commons)

Leipzig’s Delicious Local Specialities

As the saying goes, the path to a person’s heart goes through their stomach. 

Leipzigers are no exception, and the city boasts a few unique local specialities that visitors are encouraged to try.  From sweet treats to speciality beer, Leipzig offers foodie visitors a chance to taste the rich history of this quaint Saxon city.

Window display of delectable Lerche varieties in Handwerksbäckerei & Café Kleinert. Image by Matej Eber.

Leipziger Lerche
The Leipzig Lerche is a delightful local confectionery. The word ‘lerche’ means bird lark in German.  Around 1.5 million of these birds were caught each year in and around Leipzig, baked with herbs and eggs, and served with sauerkraut or wrapped in bacon. Legend has it that in 1860 there was a terrible hailstorm and the streets were littered with thousands of dead songbirds. This led to citizen protests and the banning of lark hunting in 1876. Resourceful bakers created a delicacy from shortcrust pastry with almonds and strawberry jam or marzipan to replace the beloved dish. 

To this day, the Leipziger Lerchen are still made by hand in seven different steps and are more popular than ever before.

Germany knows its beer! Image by Gerrie van der Walt, public domain.

Gose
Leipzig has a saying which loosely translates to, "As a rose among the flowers, so is Gose among the beers!" This top-fermented, slightly sour wheat beer is enriched with coriander. Its name comes from the old imperial city of Goslar, where it originated.  It was quite popular in the Middle Ages, and has been brewed in Leipzig since the mid-eighteenth century.  In 1986 the old Gosen brewery was reopened, and today Gose can be found in more than 100 pubs.  It is often mixed with Leipziger Allasch, syrup and cherry liqueur.

Allasch
Allasch is a caraway liqueur with a high alcohol content, a strong caraway fragrance and heaps of sugar.  It owes its name to the rural estate in Latvia, near Riga, where it was first produced. It was presumably brought to Leipzig by traders around 1830. It is usually served ice-cold to aid digestion after a meal. Locals like to combine it with Gose, a drink known as a "Gose Umbrella".

Leipziger Allerlei with Hollandaise sauce. Image by Kemfar, public domain.

Leipziger ‘Allerlei’
Apparently, Leipzig's best-known speciality is Leipziger ‘Allerlei’, although in my two years of living there I never encountered it!  Legend has it that Allerlei was served as a subterfuge to tax collectors. By serving a humble vegetable main course, wealthy Leipzigers tried to convince them that the household was poor. However, according to a traditional recipe, alongside young vegetables it may also include morels, crayfish tails and bread dumplings. 

Matej and Svetlana in front of the Bach statue next to Thomaskirche. Image by Justine Smiles.

Bachtaler
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 2000, local confectioner René Kandler created a special pastry called the Bachtaler. A chocolate bowl is filled with canache cream, a delectable combination of cream and butter cream. At the center, enclosed in hazelnut shortcrust pastry, nestles a single coffee bean.  

The original Bachtaler is still baked exclusively today by the innovative confectioners of Café Kandler. However, they also have other amazing treats up their sleeves, for example the delicious Bachtorte. Filled with a light mocha coffee cream and served with hot chocolate or a cup of Bach coffee it makes the perfect afternoon treat!

Book a Music tour to explore the rich musical history of Leipzig, considered second only to Vienna for lovers of music and music history.