What Is There to Do in Leipzig, Germany?

If you are wondering what to do in Leipzig, Germany, you may be surprised by what you find. This Saxon city has much to offer.. Leipzig has a remarkable musical heritage and an important place in modern German history. Its compact historic center also makes it easy to explore.

Johann Sebastian Bach spent the last 27 years of his life here, and Felix Mendelssohn also called Leipzig home. Centuries later, Leipzig became the center of peaceful demonstrations that helped bring about the end of East Germany. Those events also contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Today, you can experience both sides of Leipzig’s story, from its churches and musical landmarks to places that tell the story of the Peaceful Revolution.

Getting To and Around Leipzig, Germany

Leipzig is easy to reach by train, with Leipzig Central Station located just a short walk from the historic city center. Leipzig/Halle Airport also serves the area, with direct train connections to the city.

Once you arrive, Leipzig is an easy city to explore. Many of the places you’ll want to see are within walking distance of one another in the city center. Trams and buses make it easy to reach sights farther away.

Where to Stay in Leipzig

For a first visit to Leipzig, I would stay in or near the historic city center. You’ll be within walking distance of many of the city’s major sights, including St. Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church and the Old Town Hall. Leipzig Central Station is also nearby, making this a convenient location if you arrive by train or plan to take day trips.

Things to Do in Leipzig, Germany

One of the pleasures of visiting Leipzig is discovering how much of its history is concentrated in a relatively small area. Music is an important part of that story, and two of the city’s most famous residents were Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn.

St. Thomas Church

Johann Sebastian Bach served as cantor at St. Thomas Church from 1723 until his death in 1750. During those 27 years, he directed the St. Thomas Boys Choir, whose history dates back to 1212 and continues today.

Bach is buried inside the church, making St. Thomas an especially meaningful stop for anyone interested in classical music. If you would like to hear the choir during your visit, check the current performance schedule before you travel.

The Bach Museum

Directly across from St. Thomas Church, the Bach Museum explores Bach’s life, family and music during his years in Leipzig. Its location makes it easy to visit the museum and church together.

You’ll also see the Bach Monument outside St. Thomas Church, a reminder of just how closely the composer is associated with Leipzig.

Mendelssohn House

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy also has an important place in Leipzig’s musical history. The Mendelssohn House was his final home and is now a museum devoted to the composer, his family and his work.

One of the more unusual experiences is the interactive Effektorium, where you can step up to the conductor’s podium and use a baton to lead a virtual orchestra. The museum also hosts concerts, giving visitors another opportunity to experience Mendelssohn’s music in the city where he lived and worked.

St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig, Germany

When considering what to see in Leipzig, Germany, St. Nicholas Church belongs near the top of the list. The church played an important role in the Peaceful Revolution that helped change the course of German history.

Peace prayers began at the church in 1982. Over the years, the gatherings became a place where people could openly discuss peace and change in East Germany. In 1989, they helped give rise to the Monday demonstrations.

On October 9, 1989, more than 70,000 people gathered in Leipzig for a peaceful demonstration. There were fears that authorities might respond with violence.

The demonstration remained peaceful and became a pivotal moment in the movement. One month later, the Berlin Wall fell.

Make time to appreciate St. Nicholas Church itself. Inside, beautiful palm-shaped columns rise toward the ceiling. The palm is a symbol of peace, which gives the columns even greater meaning in light of what happened here.

Outside, you’ll find another palm-topped column. Erected as a memorial to the Peaceful Revolution, it represents the many people who could not fit inside the overcrowded church during the demonstrations of 1989. It is more than a beautiful architectural detail; it is part of the story of what happened here.

To learn more about what happened at St. Nicholas Church, I recommend this BBC article. “Did a prayer meeting really bring down the Berlin Wall and end the Cold War?”

Museum of Contemporary History

When deciding what to see in Leipzig, Germany, include the Museum of Contemporary History (Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig). It is a natural next stop after visiting St. Nicholas Church. Its permanent exhibition explores life in East Germany, including political repression, everyday life, opposition and resistance, the Peaceful Revolution and German reunification.

The museum helps put what happened at St. Nicholas Church into a much broader context. It is one thing to stand where the Monday demonstrations began; it is another to understand the circumstances that led thousands of people to take that risk.

Outside the museum stands Wolfgang Mattheuer’s sculpture The Step of the Century. The striking figure represents the conflicts and contradictions of the 20th century and is difficult to miss as you approach the museum.

Admission to the permanent exhibition is free.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Germany’s 20th-century history, you may also want to read about the Topography of Terror in Berlin.

Monument to the Battle of the Nations

If you’re looking for what to see in Leipzig beyond the historic city center, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations is one of the city’s most imposing landmarks. It commemorates the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, when coalition armies from across Europe defeated Napoleon’s forces in one of the largest battles of the Napoleonic Wars.

The monument itself is enormous, rising more than 90 meters above the surrounding area. You can explore the interior and make your way to viewing platforms for sweeping views over Leipzig.

Even if Napoleonic history isn’t a particular interest, the sheer scale of the monument makes it worth seeing.

Mädler Passage

If you’re deciding what to see in Leipzig, Germany, Mädler Passage deserves a place on your list. Walk through and look up at the glass roof and architectural details, but don’t just admire the passage and continue on your way.

Mädler Passage is also home to Auerbachs Keller, one of Leipzig’s most famous restaurants and a place with a connection to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and his Faust. That makes this a good place to combine a little sightseeing with a taste of Leipzig’s history.

Auerbachs Keller

While you’re exploring Mädler Passage, you can also stop at Auerbachs Keller, one of Leipzig’s best-known restaurants. Its history dates to the 16th century, but its most famous connection is with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Goethe knew Auerbachs Keller during his years as a student in Leipzig and later included it in Faust. Scenes from the story are depicted near the entrance to the restaurant, adding another layer of history to your visit.

This is also a place to try traditional Saxon and German dishes. It’s an easy way to combine Leipzig’s history with a meal.

What to See in Leipzig, Germany

Leipzig is a city where knowing the stories behind the places you visit makes all the difference.