Sitting in what was once East Germany, Leipzig doesn’t receive as much attention as some other German cities, such as Munich or Hamburg. However, it’s actually an interesting and diverse city full of culture, history, and character just waiting to be explored. That’s why you should allow at least two days to see Leipzig on your next Germany trip.
This Leipzig itinerary will guide you around the city and show you exactly what to do in Leipzig in two days. It includes not only the city’s main attractions, but also useful advice to make your trip easier and more memorable.
Best Time to Visit Leipzig
Before your weekend in Leipzig, consider the time of year you plan to visit. It’s best to be mindful of weather and crowds, which can really change the experience of visiting a destination.
The bad news about Leipzig is that it’s known for cool, rainy weather. This means that summers are mild but also see quite a bit of rain. Summer is also Germany’s busiest tourist period, so the months of June to August aren’t ideal. Winters aren’t that great either, with Leipzig getting especially cold after Christmas – but it could be worth visiting earlier in December to see the city’s excellent Christmas markets.
The best time to visit Leipzig is during spring, thanks to the comfortable and generally drier weather. It doesn’t hurt that Leipzig is quite a green city that looks very pretty when spring takes hold. Another decent time for a visit is September, which also offers good weather.
How to Get Around Leipzig
Making the most of your time visiting Leipzig will be much easier if you know the best ways to get around. While you can pretty easily find your way around the city’s historic center on foot, the attractions are rather spread out. You could potentially walk to most of them, but it’s unnecessary, given the quality of the city’s public transport.
You can get around Leipzig with the buses, trams, and the suburban train known as the S-Bahn. You probably won’t find much need for the S-Bahn, other than to head out to the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. Most of the time, the trams should get you where you need to go, and the many city buses will work too. The standard public transport ticket in Leipzig is a one-hour pass with unlimited transfers, which costs €2.70.
Recommendation: Another great way to get around is the hop-on hop-off bus – a two-hour Leipzig tour that takes you to all the important sites and provides interesting commentary. You’re free to pause your tour at any of the 10 stops as the mood strikes and continue the journey when you’re ready, for as long as your pass is valid. You can buy your hop-on hop-off bus tickets here.
Where to Stay in Leipzig
Choosing your accommodation is one of the most important steps in planning any trip. The right accommodation in the right location is sure to enhance your visit, which is why we want to show you where to stay in Leipzig. Ideally, you’ll be as close to the city center as possible, making sightseeing and transport easier. Failing that, try to find somewhere to the south or east of the city, as those areas are quite interesting as well.
To call the Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof one of the best places to stay in Leipzig simply doesn’t do it justice. This exquisite luxury hotel has beautifully spacious rooms and the perfect location in the city center. You’ll also have access to its exclusive spa, fitness center, bar, and restaurant if you stay here.
If you want comfort without breaking the bank, try INNSiDE Leipzig by Meliá. This four-star hotel offers big rooms, a central location, and plenty of amenities while still being reasonably priced.
Backpackers and budget travelers should turn their attention to Five Elements Hostel Leipzig, which offers both dorms and private rooms. Sitting right in the heart of the city, this hostel is a great value, especially with the complimentary breakfast.
Naturally, Airbnb is another option for finding affordable places to stay – as well as luxurious or unique ones if you prefer.
For more accommodation options in Leipzig, check out Booking.com. This site consistently offers the best rates, and its customer service is on point.
The Perfect 2-Day Leipzig Itinerary
As this is one of Germany’s most interesting large cities, the best of Leipzig will easily keep you entertained. With two days in Leipzig, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the historic center of the city. Beyond that, you can see what neighborhoods such as Plagwitz are like, not to mention outer attractions such as the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. To find all these attractions right around the city, you’ll need this Leipzig travel itinerary.
However, before we get to our Leipzig itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will happen and, trust us, you do not want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills. As a wise man once said, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” So don’t leave home without it.
SafetyWing offers travel insurance for only about $10 a week, making it a no-brainer to get. You can get a quick, non-binding quote below:
SafetyWing is, of course, not the only option available. Two other popular alternatives are World Nomads and Heymondo.
Now that you’re properly prepared for your trip, let’s get into the best things to do in Leipzig. With so much to do, you’ll have no trouble keeping yourself busy during your 48 hours in Leipzig.
Leipzig Itinerary: Day 1
Your first day will start out strong with many of the best places to visit in Leipzig. For this, you’ll need to head into the historic city center.
Recommendation: If you want to learn more about the history of Leipzig, we highly recommend you book a guided walking tour. This tour will take you to the most important sights in the Old Town, which we cover below. You can book a guided walking tour here.
Market Square
A natural starting point for any big European city is the main square, known as “Marktplatz” or simply “der Markt” in Leipzig. This open marketplace has long been the core of the city’s Old Town and still fills up with market stalls during the weekend. It takes on a slightly different role in winter, when it’s home to the city’s bustling Christmas market.
You’ll find a mix of historical and modern buildings around the square, but its focus is easily the grand Old Town Hall, which dates back to the 16th century.
Museum of City History
While the exterior of the Old Town Hall is beautiful, it’s even more interesting inside. The building now hosts the Leipzig Museum of City History, which explores the city’s past all the way back to its Slavic origins.
But the museum covers much more than just ancient history, with sections dedicated to the city’s musical talents and its role in the 1989 Peaceful Revolution, which led to the reunification of Germany. On the lower floor of the museum, you also have the pleasure of seeing the Old Town Hall’s original interior.
Old Town
Although the Old Town of Leipzig isn’t as well preserved as some others in Europe, it’s still a fascinating place to explore. You’re bound to see buildings from various eras, including ones from before World War II and from the days of East Germany. One of the grander sights is the Old Stock Exchange from the 17th century, which sits behind the Old Town Hall. Another spot worth finding is the Mädler Passage, an old arcade full of boutique shops.
St. Thomas Church
Next, find your way over to the impressive St. Thomas Church, where you’ll see a large statue of composer Johann Sebastian Bach outside. While the mix of Gothic and Romanesque architecture makes this 15th-century church quite a pretty sight, it’s most famous for its ties to Bach. He was the church’s music director for 27 years until his death in 1750, and his remains have been buried there since 1950. The church is also known for its ties to Martin Luther, who preached there, as well as other famous composers, including Richard Wagner and Felix Mendelssohn.
Bach-Museum Leipzig
Speaking of Bach, hop across the road from the church to the Leipzig Bach-Museum. Through its interactive exhibits, you can learn all about the man, his life, and his achievements. Though he was born in Eisenach, Leipzig likes to claim Bach as one of its own, as he spent a large part of his life in the city. The museum includes some of his original manuscripts and instruments, along with audio recordings of everything he ever composed.
Augustusplatz
Stepping out to the eastern edge of the city’s historic center, we come to another main square – Augustusplatz. It may not seem that important at first glance, but this square is surrounded by interesting landmarks. The most obvious is the stately Leipzig Opera, but you’ll soon encounter several unexpected sights. Look for the old-fashioned clock tower of the Egyptian Museum, the gorgeous Mende Fountain, the debatable charms of the Gewandhaus concert hall, and the futuristic design of the University Church St. Paul.
City-Hochhaus Leipzig
To enjoy a spectacular view of Leipzig, make your way to City-Hochhaus. This modern skyscraper features a panoramic terrace on its 36th floor, which provides a brilliant vantage point across the city. You’ll get to see the Old Town landmarks in a new light, while also learning what lies beyond this part of the city. It’s the perfect way to set up your next day of sightseeing.
Recommendation: If you still have some energy, consider booking this fun and atmospheric evening tour with the night watchman Bremme. On the 1.5-hour tour, you’ll get to explore mysterious alleyways and passages in the Old Town, learn interesting facts, and hear curious stories.
Leipzig Itinerary: Day 2
You still have plenty of Leipzig to see on your second day, beginning again in the Old Town before spreading out to other parts of the city.
Museum in der Runden Ecke
As a Communist country, East Germany employed the Stasi – a secret police force that spied on citizens for decades. You can learn about the history of the Stasi and East Germany at the Museum in der Runden Ecke inside Leipzig’s former Stasi headquarters. Nothing in the building has been altered since German reunification, making it an effective time capsule. Unfortunately, much of the information is only in German, but the displays are still quite eye-opening.
New Town Hall
Having seen the Old Town Hall, you may as well complete the set and pay a visit to the New Town Hall. Found at the southern edge of the Old Town, this fanciful building has been the seat of local government since 1905. While its architecture is quite eye-catching, even more impressive is the view you get from its tower when taking a guided tour.
Clara-Zetkin Park
Finally, venturing away from the Old Town, take a gentle stroll out to the expansive Clara Zetkin Park. Though one of many parks that make up this green city, it’s probably the prettiest, thanks to its small lakes, outdoor venues, and bridge over the verdant banks of the Elsterflutbett River.
Plagwitz
To see Leipzig’s alternative and bohemian side, head out to the district of Plagwitz. A former industrial area of Leipzig, it’s been taken over in recent years by the city’s creative community to great effect. You’ll quickly get a sense of the place as you walk along Karl Heine Strasse, the main street through the area.
One of the most popular places to go in this part of the city is the Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei, often just called the Spinnerei. Once the largest cotton mill in continental Europe, this massive industrial site is now home to all sorts of art studios and galleries. Then there’s the Karl Heine Canal, a local waterway that you can explore by kayak or on a gondola cruise. You can book your sightseeing cruise here.
Karl-Liebknecht-Straße
Before Plagwitz was the trendy corner of Leipzig, that honor belonged to Karl Liebknecht Strasse in Südvorstadt. That will become pretty clear as you pass its countless bars and cafes, not to mention all the street art. One place you should stop is Feinkost, an old brewery-turned-cannery that now hosts flea markets, a beer garden, and even an outdoor cinema during the summer.
Mendelssohn-Haus
In terms of Leipzig’s connection to music, the presence of Bach tends to loom over other composers who called the city home. One such composer is Felix Mendelssohn, who lived in Leipzig for several years until his death in 1847. This house just outside the Old Town was his last residence and is the only one still standing. It now houses a museum on Mendelssohn’s life and work – complete with an exhibit on his sister Fanny Hensel, who was an accomplished composer herself.
Monument to the Battle of the Nations
Saving the best for last, head out to the southeast of the city to see the colossal Monument to the Battle of the Nations. Despite its relatively remote location, this is one landmark you’ll want to make the effort to see. Built in 1913, the monument commemorates the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte during the 1813 Battle of Leipzig.
Upon arrival, you’ll find yourself in front of a long reflecting pool that leads to the huge stone monument. Besides seeing the many statues in and around this stone temple, you can enjoy a fantastic view from its terrace.
That’s really all you need to know to see the best of Leipzig in two days. Clearly, Leipzig is quite a diverse city with a nice mix of attractions, so it has something for everyone.
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