Creative Leipzig – 10 attractions in Germany's trendiest city

The visit to Leipzig was part of a press trip organized in collaboration with the German Tourist Office. However, as always, all opinions and thoughts shared are entirely my own.

Leipzig is Saxony's largest city and one of Germany's most exciting cities. Here, tradition and modernity come together—Renaissance architecture meets Brutalism, and rich musical heritage blends seamlessly with vibrant street art. Leipzig pulses with creativity and innovation, earning its well-deserved reputation as "Little Berlin."

During a day trip on my way to Berlin, I make a stop in Leipzig, expecting just a brief visit. However, within only a few hours, it becomes clear that one day is far from enough. Leipzig is a captivating city, rich in history and charm, the kind of place that steals your heart at first sight and makes you reluctant to leave.

Music that changed the world

To truly understand Leipzig, you must first grasp the city's colorful history.

Leipzig is not only one of Europe's most important cities for classical music – it is a destination for music lovers from all over the world. Johann Sebastian Bach lived and worked here for his last 27 years, and the city still bears his imprint. But Leipzig is also a place where Felix Mendelssohn, Richard Wagner and many other musical masters left their mark. And the music culture in Leipzig extends far beyond just the classical masters.

Ever since the Middle Ages, Leipzig has been a city of culture, largely due to the city's strategic location on the major trade routes Via Regia and Via Imperii. Leipzig became a melting pot for influences from all over Europe. Art and music from all over the continent spread in Leipzig's neighborhoods, and inspiration and creativity flourished throughout the centuries. Until World War II, the city's future was bright, but after the war, Leipzig became part of the GDR. During this period, art and music were censored, and both critics and dissenters were severely persecuted.

But it would prove impossible to take the music from Leipzig. In the 1980s, music took on a new role and became a symbol of resistance, as well as a force in the fight for freedom – a fight that ultimately led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and a unified Germany. Music is simply a big part of Leipzig's soul.

Hypezig and the time after the GDR

Leipzig is today often referred to as Hypezig – the trendy and green city where everything is possible. But after the fall of the Berlin Wall, life in Leipzig was anything but glamorous. Unemployment was sky high, the buildings dilapidated and the air almost unbearable to breathe due to dirty industry. Leipzig was a city in crisis.

Today are new times. The city is one of Germany's fastest growing cities and all of the city's significant buildings and public places have been restored to their former glory. One third of the inner city consists of green areas and the air is fresh and clear. One of the reasons for the transformation is the urban and economic plan that was launched at the turn of the millennium, which led, among other things, to BMW and Porsche building new factories in town. The money started to flow in and Leipzig's revival took off.

Leipzig is once again a place where creativity flows and artists and visionaries from all over Europe gather. A place with faith in the future and a lot of entrepreneurial spirit, where everything you need is available in the compact city centre. Concerts and events replace each other and there are plenty of cozy cafes and unique shopping. An incredibly exciting city for a weekend trip, also within easy reach of Berlin.

Sights in Leipzig

Thanks to Leipzig’s compact city center being conveniently located next to the central station, you can get straight into the heart of the city by train from Berlin in just over an hour. You can then easily explore the city on foot. Many sights are connected to the GDR era and it is a powerful experience to follow in the footsteps of the events in Leipzig that led to the Germany we know and love today.

1. Cafe Riquet and Leipziger Lerche

I arrive in Leipzig by train early on a Sunday morning. No shops are open, though Café Riquet with its classic elephant head on the facade is already well visited. A perfect first stop in Leipzig.

Café Riquet is one of Leipzig's most historic cafés and both the building from 1908 and the interior are well-preserved and stylish. The well-decorated art deco wall panels are magnificent, the chandeliers glitters in the warm light and the cake counter is well stocked. Here, Leipzig residents have gathered for over a hundred years for a good cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

Here at Café Riquet, one of Leipzig's specialties is served -Leipziger lerche– the pastry that was once baked with a live lark in it. Nowadays, fortunately, the cake is baked with almond paste instead and is a really good little bite to go with coffee.

2. The market square and the town hall

The beautiful and well-preserved town hall is the first thing that catches your eye at the market square in the heart of Leipzig. The imposing building began its history as early as 1556 and is today one of Europe's best-preserved Renaissance buildings.

The morning is still young and a large number of market stalls are slowly coming to life in the square. On the stage, a quartet of harp players is practicing and in the food stalls the grill tables are starting to heat up. The week-long one Leipzig Market Days, a market with crafts, food and music, is a popular weekend pastime. Maybe even a little extra popular today, as it's Sunday and everything else in town is closed.

In the square, the long tables are set and there is almost a bit of an Oktoberfest atmosphere, although it seems that mostly wine is served. A large and very popular Christmas market is held here on the market square every year, but here you will also find an Easter market and wine festivals. The square is rarely quiet and peaceful during the weekends.

I decide to have a quick lunch at the market to have time to explore as much of Liepzig as possible. The options are many, but one of the most popular places is a sausage stand by a large charcoal grill. The varieties of sausages are many, but I order the sausage that feels most local – sachsenknacker – a lovely red sausage with a light and fluffy bread. A grated mustard on top and the happiness of my stomach is complete.

3. Bach museum and statue

In the city of music you will find The Bach Museum, a tribute to Johann Sebastian Bach. In a beautiful yellow building in the center of the city, you can follow his life and history, from works to musical instruments. An interactive museum that also tells about how our modern music today is still influenced by Bach. Did you know that Bach notes can be heard, among other things, in Lady Gaga's Bad Romance?

Opposite the museum, at the Thomaskirche, you will find one of the city's statues of Bach. A popular spot for a selfie with the master.

4. Mädler passage

One of Leipzig's most elegant places for shopping is the historic indoor mall Mädler passage from the 1910s. Large panes of glass let in light on the floors of the passage with columns and art deco details.

You can also stroll here on Sundays, although most are closed. One of the mall's most famous locations is Auerbach's Keller, a restaurant known from the work Faust by Goethe.

5. St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche)

One of the places most associated with Bach in Leipzig is the Thomas Church, where he worked as a cantor for over 25 years. Bach has also been buried here since 1950, after St. John's Church was destroyed during the Second World War.
The church was consecrated in 1496, after many reconstructions and corrections. Today, the building is an excellent example of Gothic architecture with its impressive vaulted ceilings and beautiful windows.

6. The Old Stock Exchange (Alte Handelsbörse)

The old stock exchange for trade from the 17th century is like a small palace in the middle of Leipzig. The building was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, but was rebuilt to its current glory in the 90s. With its double staircase and baroque facade, it is a grand entrance to what are today concert and lecture halls.

7. Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig

Leipzig has plenty of museums and one of the most interesting is Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig - a museum about the city's history located in the beautiful town hall. The museum takes you back in time with the permanent exhibitions From medieval times to the Battle of Leipzig and Modern times.

What gives me the biggest impression is the exhibition Modern times, which tells about the time from the 19th century to the present day and about the impact of the war, life during the GDR and the peaceful revolution. The museum tells the story of how the communist regime shaped daily life and how the city's residents started the peaceful revolution that brought down the Berlin Wall. Strong narratives and many photographs bring history to life.

8. St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche)

Nikolaikirche is the oldest church in Liepzig, dating all the way back to the year 1165. Johann Sebastian Bach has also left his mark here, as a large number of his cantatas have been written to be performed here. The church's large organ is one of the most prominent in all of Germany and is an attraction in itself.

The Nikolaikirche played an important role during the end of the GDR era. Every Monday in 1989 and 1990, a large number of residents gathered in the Nikolaikirche for prayer. The church was a sanctuary where you could say things that you otherwise didn't dare to in the controlling GDR. After the service, they went out together on peaceful demonstrations for democracy and freedom. The demonstrations were named The Monday demonstrations and the information about the discontent in the city spread to West German TV and newspapers. Soon other East German cities started with similar demonstrations and the ball towards a united Germany was in motion.

9. Augustusplatz

The peaceful Monday demonstrations started from the prayer in the Nikolaikirche Karl-Marx-Platz - nowadays Augustusplatz. The demonstrations grew bigger and bigger every Monday, and by October 9, 1989, more than 70 people had gathered in Karl-Marx-Platz to show their dissatisfaction with the regime. "We are the people!” echoed over the rooftops. Two weeks later, 320 protesters showed up. The criticism was massive and the East German political leader Erich Honecker was forced to resign.

Today, Augustusplatz is a very modern square, with the Leipzig Opera House and trams gliding past. You will also find here Panorama tower, where on the 31st floor you are treated to magnificent views of the city from above.

10. The central station and the underground mall

If you come to Leipzig by train, you will arrive directly at the central station, which is not only one of Germany's busiest hubs, but also one of Europe's largest train stations. Every day over 120 people pass through this busy station, making it the beating heart of the city's transport system. The great underground shopping mall which stretches through the station is a destination in itself and offers everything from fashion to food. In addition, the mall is also open on Sundays, giving visitors the opportunity to explore and shop at any time of the week

As you move through the station, you can hear classical music playing on the speakers – a detail that creates a unique atmosphere and reminds all travelers of Leipzig's strong musical tradition.

Bonus: 7 attractions I didn't have time to visit

To explore all the museums and monuments, at least one more day is needed in Leipzig. Here are the places I'm saving for my next visit!

Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of the Nations)

Europe's largest war memorial and one of Leipzig's most important sights. Monument to the Battle of Nations and the park was built to commemorate the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, where 600 people fought against Napoleon's armies during the Napoleonic Wars.

GRASSI Museum

GRASSI Museum is not a museum, but a large museum complex with three museums – the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Applied Arts and the Museum of Musical Instruments. One of Leipzig's most appreciated museums.

Karl-Liebknecht-Straße

Leipzig's busiest street is Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, commonly called KarLi. Here you will find the city's nightlife, restaurants, unique shops, second-hand shops and street art.

Mendelssohn House 

The former residence of the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn is today a museum Mendelssohn House which tells about his life and music.

Museum of Fine Arts (Mdbk)

Museum der bildenden Künste is one of Germany's most important art institutions and a must for art lovers. Here you will find a large collection of art from the late Middle Ages to the present.

cotton mill

Baumwollspinnerei, or officially called Spinnerei, is a young art center that grew up in an old factory. A place with many exciting workshops and exhibitions.

Belantis theme park

The theme park Belantis with about sixty rides is the largest amusement park in eastern Germany. The park has affordable entry and a large family focus on the rides.

How do I get to Leipzig?

Leipzig is located in eastern Germany in the state of Saxony. The easiest way to get here is by train from Berlin (1h 15 min). There is an airport in Leipzig/Halle, but a stopover is required to fly here.

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