Famous for its museums, churches, and cafés, Leipzig is one of the best cities in Germany to visit. Sometimes overlooked for its big-hitting siblings, like Berlin, Leipzig is a smaller but mighty German city that you should definitely visit. There are heaps of the best things to do in Leipzig all over the city – making it a great place to explore. With a rich cultural, historical and musical heritage to be proud of, Leipzig has a taste of something for every kind of visitor. History, check! Culture, check! Views, check! Trust me, Leipzig has it all. In many ways, Leipzig is a wonderful German city to visit if you want to see a glimpse of old Europe. With its long-established bookstores, open-air markets, publishing houses, and museums, it’s where you’ll easily fill a weekend getaway. Not only that, Leipzig is quite an iconic city and its artists have embraced it as their home. This, along with all the places to see in Leipzig, makes it quite eclectic and not just your average city. So, to help you make the most of your time, take a look at some of the top things to do in Leipzig that we loved during our visit. I wish you a wonderful trip to Germany. 1.) Bach Museum: Leipzig is where the famous musical genius Johann Sebastian Bach died, but more importantly, this city was also where he lived and called home. During his tenure, Bach composed much of his instrumental compositions in the city of Leipzig, which he considered his home from 1723 to 1750. So, you can count him as a Leipzig native! Today, Bach-Museum Leipzig is dedicated to the life and work of Bach, and houses a heap of musical instruments and manuscripts from Bach himself. Now, one thing to remember is that the meticulous manuscripts of music Bach wrote can only be viewed for a few months at a time, so be sure to check the museum’s schedule for a chance to view these treasures up close. The Bach family is filled with talented musicians in almost every generation, and you can trace their musical legacy by looking at the Bach family tree on display in the museum. It is a unique place and well worth taking a jot while in Leipzig. Next, book this amazing canal tour by boat through Leipzig. The tour takes about 70 minutes and is a good way to get to know Leipzig. Further Read: Best Cities In Germany To Visit 2.) Old City Hall Constructed, all the way back in 1556, visiting the Old City Hall (or Rathaus) is one of the best things to do in Leipzig when you visit. In fact, you can’t miss it. To this day, the Leipzig Rathaus is one of Germany’s most recognizable Renaissance buildings and is just as magnificent. Now, one thing to look out for is the impressive exterior of the old town hall which is dominated by a tower featuring a Baroque crown. You see, at the top of the tower you can see a roofed balcony where public pronouncements are held and have done so for many years. Inside the Old City Hall, you’ll find a museum with artifacts that tell a lot about Leipzig’s history and the city’s development. So if you are a history buff and also interested in architecture, the Old Town Hall will be a great treat for you. It is a suitable backdrop for the market, a large square where festivals, concerts, markets and fairs are held throughout the year. It’s always very noisy and no doubt you’ll get some good stuff on the weekends. Further Read: Best Places In Germany To Visit 3.) St. Thomas Church Over the Years St. Thomas Church has seen the flourishing of many wonderful musical and religious personalities over the years since its founding in the 12th century. When you step inside and marvel at its Gothic interior, you will be amazed to know that great composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner and Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy played within these very walls. Best of all, Bach, made his mark here, serving as music director of his time and is buried here. Once inside, you’ll be able to peek at the Gothic paintings that line the walls. It is one of the best things to do in Leipzig if you want to explore the history of the city. Also, if you’re religious, you’ll check worship schedules and attend one, and you’ll also be able to see the Thomanerchor, one of the oldest boys’ choirs still in existence today. 4.) The Grassi Museum The Grassi Museum can be found on Johannisplatz and is actually a combination of three museums: the Museum of Ethnography, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Leipzig Museum of Applied Arts. Not just a place to rest on a rainy day, the Grassi Museum(s) are worth a visit and one of the best things to do in Leipzig that houses artifacts from around the world. The building itself is impressive and still very well preserved from the 1920s, featuring a nice mix of Art Deco and New Objectivity styles. Inside, you’ll find that the Leipzig Museum of Applied Arts houses ceramics, furniture, and glassware from the 1920s and 1930s. In another hall, you can find Roman artifacts recovered from Eythra, a town near Leipzig. All in all, about 200,000 items, tools and artefacts are on display in the Museum of Ethnography, and they came from all over the world. Just don’t expect to see everything in one visit! 5.) Coffe Baum Coffee Museum Do you like coffee? Then you’ll want to pop into the Coffe Baum Coffee Museum in Leipzig. Founded in 1717, Coffe Baum is considered one of the oldest coffee houses in all of Europe and something of an institution. Moreover, the entire building is still in its original form. The upper floors of Coffe Baum have been transformed into a museum dedicated to the history of coffee and how coffeehouse culture began in Saxony. More than 500 artifacts are on display filling 15 rooms at Coffe Baum; You’ll see early porcelain cups along with their leather cases, old coffee containers, old posters, advertising materials, toasters, and brewing machines. Totally cool to see. Oh, and don’t forget to stop for a coffee and a slice of Baumkuchen in the café itself. Yum! 6.) Completed in the 20th century, the New Town Hall or Neues Rathaus is a landmark in Leipzig that you cannot miss. In fact, you can see its tower from all over Leipzig. At 377 feet tall, it is the tallest town hall tower in all of Germany. Looking more like a palace than a town hall, the Neues Rathaus has witnessed important historical events in Leipzig’s history. Inside, the ornate marble staircase is a must-see, and the building’s intricate architectural details are hard to miss. Next, take a trip to the Monument to the Battle of the Nations (Battle of Leipzig 1813). Completed in the early 20th century, it is set in extensive gardens which are wonderful to explore on a sunny day. To get here, take public transport to Leipzig Völkerschlachtdenkmal – everything is really easy from there. 7.) City-Hochhaus Leipzig There may be no greater view of the city than that of City-Hochhaus Leipzig. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the best things to do in Leipzig if you’re looking for views across the city. A modern skyscraper with a height of 36 floors, it is the tallest and one of the newest buildings in the city. After riding upstairs, you’ll climb a flight of stairs to reach the outside balcony. And watch the entire city sprawl in front of you. We loved going up at sunset. From here, you can admire the famous landmarks of Leipzig. From green parks and modern buildings to monuments far from the city centre. Further Read: Best Places In Germany To Visit 8.) Mädler Passage Auerbach’s Keller, the basement wine bar made famous by Goethe’s Faust, has evolved over the centuries since it first opened in 1529. Now, it has an arcade-shaped extension Madler, a luxury shopping arcade between Grimmaische Straße and Neumarkt. Obviously, shopping is the main draw for tourists to Madler Passage, but architecture and literary fans stroll along the pass for entirely different reasons. As you can see, the Mädler Passage is an impressive blend of Art Nouveau and Neo-Renaissance architecture, and is a total gem to see. Bronze statues illustrating scenes from Faust adorn the corridors. If Goethe were alive today, Madler would be confused and distraught. If you want to stay a little longer, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops to spend your free time. Just take your cards or coins with you – you’ll end up buying some stuff. 9.) Mendelssohn House Known as the only authentically preserved residence of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, the Mendelssohn House is now a beautiful museum dedicated to his life and work. It is one of the best things to do in Leipzig if you are interested in the life of this world-famous composer. The house itself is designed in the style of late Biedermeier architecture, a style popular during the Mendelssohn era. Nowadays, you can take a tour inside the house and check out Mendelssohn’s personal effects, especially the sheet music and watercolors. A video library has been added to the museum, as well as an Effektorium or conductor’s stand where you can try your hand at a virtual orchestra. It’s very stylish! 10.) St. Nicholas Church St. Nicholas Church has gone through many architectural developments since the 12th century. Originally Romanesque, it has gone through the Gothic era, and is now in the Baroque style. I mean, someone obviously can’t make up their mind! Interestingly, the first Lutheran service in Leipzig was held here, and the pulpit in the North Church is named after Martin Luther. Historically, St. Nicholas Church was the starting point for the Monday demonstrations. These are all important because they were the spark that led to the country’s reunification in 1989 and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Read more: Leipzig and the Monday 11 demonstrations.) The Cotton Mill in Leipzig The cotton mill in Leipzig is a haven for artists – although it may not look like much from the outside. A former industrial site, it’s now the heart of the city’s arts and culture scene, with around 100 artists setting up various shops – from art galleries and galleries to pottery shops, goldsmiths’ shops and ceramic makers. There are more than 240,000 spindles in some 20 cotton mills within Leipzig’s cotton mill, a powerhouse of commerce and industry in the city. Nowadays, you can also find cute cafes, delicious restaurants, and much more in this vast complex. While you’re here, don’t miss the huge art supply store, where thousands of different art supplies, craft supplies, and tools are sold. Further Read: Best Places In Germany To Visit 15 Of The Best Places In Germany To Visit Check Out The Best Places In Great Britain! Head over to our YouTube channel for travel videos!
