Leipzig is another fun city in Saxony and is known as “the city of music, creativity, and peaceful revolution.” It is an artists’ haven, with an impressive assortment of galleries, concert halls, and museums. Leipzig is second only to Vienna as the cradle of classical music and was home to Johann Sebastian Bach, who was choirmaster and organist for the local boys’ choir. Bach actually created one new piece of music a week for seven years!

In addition to arts and culture, Leipzig has a great amount of green space set aside for parks and recreation. Johanna Park and Clara Zetkin Park are two of the most popular with locals and great people-watching for travelers. Leipzig is also where I had one of my favorite travel experiences ever, but we’ll get to that!

Things to Do in Leipzig, Germany

Panorama Tower

For a birdseye perspective of the city, Panorama Tower is a great place to start your Leipzig trip. The granite and glass skyscraper was once the tallest building in Germany; today, you can ascend 31 floors for a magnificent view of Leipzig. The viewing platform has a nominal entrance fee, or you can dine at one of the restaurants for an exquisite meal with a view.

Leipzig Canal Cruise

Leipzig has many canals and the best way to see the city is from a canal cruise. There are several tour operators offering tours along the canals of Leipzig. You will see many different parts of the city, and perhaps this will help orient you to finding your way around Leipzig.

Plagwitz

During your Leipzig trip, make sure to set aside time to explore Plagwitz, the creative quarter of the city. This formerly industrial area is now home to startups and artists, reminding me of New York’s Williamsburg.

Spinnerei

Another former industrial district that has been recently revitalized is Spinnerei, Leipzig’s artistic hub. This site was once the largest cotton mill in Europe until it was decommissioned in 1992. Spinnerei now houses dozens of galleries and studios.

Mendelssohn House

Bach wasn’t the only famous musician from Leipzig; Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy was another famous musician from Leipzig. His private residence in Leipzig has been preserved as an important cultural attraction. Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of artifacts and interactive displays. You can even try your hand at conducting in the virtual concert hall.

St. Nicholas Church

This 800-year-old church in Leipzig is home to the largest organ in Saxony and is where Johann Sebastian Bach debuted many of his original pieces. More recently, the fall of the Berlin Wall started here with a peaceful revolution. Over 70,000 protestors gathered here in October 1989 and became the crucial starting point that led to peace in Europe.

Porsche Experience Center Leipzig

One of my all-time favorite travel days was the day I spent at the Porsche factory in Leipzig. This Porsche factory produces the Cayenne, Panamera, and Macan. It’s more than a factory, though. There are several race tracks and they let you out on the track!

The Porsche Track Experience lets you take a Porsche out on a test track. While you can drop in for this experience, it’s recommended to book online. You can pilot your own, or go along for the ride. I got to do both and experienced different parts of different tracks. The track is actually made up of some famous turns from around the world, including Monaco and Laguna Seca, which I actually got to drive once; it was amazing!

In the market for a new Porsche? You can factory order a new car from Porsche Leipzig and spend some time at the facility getting to know your new car before setting off on a European road trip. When you’re done, drop the car back at the factory and they’ll ship it to you in the United States.

When you visit, don’t miss out on a meal at the Carrera Cafe. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner overlooking the racetrack, this is an unforgettable formal dining experience. Lunch and dinner are a prix fixe menu, with a very reasonable price for fine dining!

Leipzig Museums

Of course, a city of great culture has some fantastic museums to explore. Here are a few of the top recommended museums in Leipzig:

The Museum of Fine Arts (MdbK) has 80,000 square feet of exhibition space and includes an extensive collection of Flemish, Dutch, German romantic, and French impressionist art.
Stasi Museum in the Round Corner has a permanent exhibition featuring the history, structure, and practices of the GDR’s secret police.
Zeitgeschichtliches Forum is a visitor-focused museum commemorating the resistance and opposition shown during the German division.
GRASSI Museum Leipzig has three permanent exhibitions. Art Nouveau has over 1,500 pieces of work. The Museum of Musical Instruments has a massive collection of musical instruments, arranged chronologically. And the Museum of Ethnology tells the story of local culture through clothing, jewelry, weapons, and vases.

Where to Eat in Leipzig

Besides the aforementioned Carrera Cafe at the Porsche Experience Center, I found a few other spots to recommend for where to eat (and drink) in Leipzig.

Auerbach Keller is almost 500 years old and it’s still the second oldest restaurant in the city! They serve hearty German cuisine and an assortment of local beers. It’s a bit of an older crowd, but still worth checking out.
BarCabana (rooftop bar at INNSIDE by Melia) is a great rooftop bar to enjoy a few cocktails looking out over Leipzig.
Heimathafen Kö is a darling spot along the canal. This local hangout is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a German beer.
Barfußgäßchen is a fun area to explore; this district has several bars, restaurants, and cafes, offering a wide variety of cuisine types.

Getting to Leipzig

Leipzig is just far enough off the beaten path to not be overrun with tourists like many cities in Europe. Leipzig has an airport with flights from other major cities, it’s also easily accessible from Berlin and Prague. Berlin is just under 140 kilometers, while Prague is just under 200 kilometers from Leipzig. I arrived from Dresden via train and then took a three-hour train to Frankfurt for my departure flight.

Once you’ve arrived in Leipzig, the tram and streetcars are the best way to get around. nextbike is another fun option for getting around Leipzig.

Fun Things to Do in Leipzig