Things to Do in Leipzig: Top 9 Sights & 1–2 Day Itinerary
Leipzig packs a lot of history into a walkable centre. Johann Sebastian Bach worked here as cantor of St Thomas from 1723 until his death in 1750 and is buried in the church. In autumn 1989, the Monday demonstrations that helped bring down the GDR began at St Nicholas Church. On the edge of town, the 91-metre Monument to the Battle of the Nations recalls the defeat of Napoleon in 1813.
This page gives you our nine picks for a first visit, itineraries for one and two days, train connections and practical tips, followed by every Leipzig attraction in our catalogue. Opening hours and prices are listed on each place's page; please confirm them with the venue, as several museums close on Mondays.
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Why visit
- Follow Bach from his grave in St Thomas Church to the Bach Museum directly opposite.
- Stand where the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 began, at St Nicholas Church in the pedestrian centre.
- The old town is compact: the main sights are about ten minutes' walk from Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.
- Several highlights are free, including the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts and the city history exhibition in the Old Town Hall.
Top 9: what to see first
Our picks for a first visit — each with a short reason why.
Churches & monasteries
St. Thomas Church, Leipzig
Leipzig
St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche) in Leipzig is where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as cantor for the last 27 years of his life, and where he is buried today. Home of the famous St. Thomas Boys Choir (Thomanerchor), founded in 1212, this lat…
30–90 min Free entry1. Bach's church from 1723 to 1750 and his burial place. Free for individual visitors; the St Thomas Boys Choir usually sings motets on Fridays at 18:00 and Saturdays at 15:00.
Churches & monasteries
St. Nicholas Church (Leipzig)
Leipzig
St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche) in Leipzig is where the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 began. Weekly prayers for peace held inside this church grew into the Monday Demonstrations that helped bring down the East German regime and, ultimate…
30–90 min2. Weekly peace prayers held here from 1982 grew into the 1989 Monday demonstrations. Inside, white columns end in green palm fronds.
Monuments
Monument to the Battle of the Nations
Leipzig
The Monument to the Battle of the Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkmal) in Leipzig is a colossal stone memorial, 91 meters (299 feet) tall, built to mark the centenary of Napoleon's decisive defeat near Leipzig in October 1813. With its brooding…
90–180 min3. A 91-metre monument completed in 1913, with a crypt, colossal stone figures and about 500 steps to the viewing platform. The base exhibition opened in August 2026.
Landmarks
Old Town Hall (Leipzig)
Leipzig
The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) in Leipzig is the city's most photographed building and one of the finest Renaissance town halls in Germany. Its long facade, decorative gables, arcades and off-center tower dominate the Markt, Leipzig's m…
60–120 min Free entry4. The Renaissance town hall on the Markt houses the city history museum, with free entry to the permanent exhibition (closed Mondays).
Museums
Bach Museum Leipzig
Leipzig
The Bach Museum Leipzig occupies the Baroque Bose House on St. Thomas Churchyard, right across from the church where Johann Sebastian Bach served as cantor for 27 years. Original manuscripts, a historic organ console and interactive media…
60–120 min5. Original manuscripts and listening stations in the Bosehaus opposite St Thomas. Free for under-18s, and free for everyone on the first Tuesday of the month.
Museums
Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig
Leipzig
The Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig (Museum der bildenden Künste, or MdbK) is one of Germany's major art museums, housed in a striking glass cube in the middle of the old town. Its collection runs from late medieval art and Old Masters such as…
90–240 min Free entry6. A glass cube in the centre with Cranach, Caspar David Friedrich and the Leipzig School up to Neo Rauch. The collection is free to visit.
Landmarks
Auerbach's Cellar (Auerbachs Keller)
Leipzig
Auerbachs Keller in Leipzig is probably the most famous restaurant in Germany. Goethe immortalized this vaulted wine cellar beneath the Mädler Passage in his drama "Faust," and visitors from around the world still come to dine where the le…
30–150 min Free entry7. The cellar restaurant under the Mädler Passage that Goethe wrote into Faust. Look at the bronze figures at the entrance and book a table for dinner.
Zoos
Leipzig Zoo
Leipzig
Leipzig Zoo is one of the most highly rated zoos in Europe and one of the best things to do in Leipzig, Saxony. Just a short walk from the main train station, it swaps old-fashioned cages for immersive themed worlds, including the giant tr…
240–480 min8. Ten minutes' walk from the main station: the Gondwanaland tropical hall with a boat ride, and Feuerland with an underwater tunnel, open since September 2026.
Museums
Leipzig Panometer
Leipzig
The Leipzig Panometer is a former gas holder in the south of Leipzig where artist Yadegar Asisi displays his gigantic 360-degree panoramas. You climb a viewing tower in the middle of the round hall and find yourself surrounded by a strikin…
90–120 min9. Yadegar Asisi's 32-metre 360-degree panorama of Antarctica inside a former gasometer. Tickets are sold only at the door; last entry 16:00.
Top sights on the map
Open the full map1-day itinerary
Morning: St Nicholas Church
Walk from the main station along Nikolaistrasse. The column in the churchyard marks where the 1989 protests spilled onto the streets.
Places: St. Nicholas Church (Leipzig)
Late morning: Markt and Old Town Hall
Photograph the long Renaissance facade, then step inside for the free city history exhibition.
Places: Old Town Hall (Leipzig)
Lunch: Auerbachs Keller
A few steps from the Markt in the Mädler Passage. Tables are easier to get at lunchtime than in the evening.
Afternoon: Bach
Visit St Thomas Church and Bach's grave, then the Bach Museum across the square. On Fridays, stay for the 18:00 motet if the choir is in town.
2-day itinerary
Day 1: The old town
Revolution and city history
St Nicholas Church, then the Old Town Hall on the Markt.
Places: St. Nicholas Church (Leipzig) Old Town Hall (Leipzig)
Museum of Fine Arts
A short walk north of the Markt; two hours give you a good overview of the free collection.
Places: Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig
Bach and dinner
St Thomas Church and the Bach Museum, then dinner at Auerbachs Keller (reserve ahead).
Places: St. Thomas Church, Leipzig Bach Museum Leipzig Auerbach's Cellar (Auerbachs Keller)
Day 2: Napoleon, Antarctica and the zoo
Monument to the Battle of the Nations
Tram 2 or 15 takes you to the south-east of the city. Allow one to three hours for the crypt, the climb and the new base exhibition.
Panometer
Bus 70 runs two stops to Altenburger Strasse. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours and arrive by 15:00.
Places: Leipzig Panometer
Leipzig Zoo
Head back towards the centre and take tram 12 to the zoo. Gondwanaland alone can fill two hours and stays warm in winter.
Places: Leipzig Zoo
Getting there
From Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ): The airport station is directly beneath the terminal. Two S-Bahn Mitteldeutschland lines connect it with Leipzig and Halle; the ride to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof takes about a quarter of an hour. Intercity trains on the Dresden–Magdeburg–Hanover–Cologne route also stop here.
By train: Leipzig Hauptbahnhof is Europe's largest railway station by floor area. Deutsche Bahn ICE lines link it with Berlin, Frankfurt, Dresden and Munich, among others. Since December 2013, S-Bahn trains have run through the City Tunnel, with a stop at Markt in the heart of the old town.
Getting around: The old town is best explored on foot. Tram 12 serves the zoo, trams 2 and 15 the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, and trams 9 and 16 the Panometer. The Deutschlandticket (63 euros a month in 2026) covers the S-Bahn, trams and buses, but not ICE or IC trains.
When to go
April to October is the best time for the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, which opens daily until 18:00 in that period (until 16:00 from November to March). Around 9 October each year, Leipzig holds its Festival of Lights in memory of the great demonstration of 1989. On grey or cold days, the Gondwanaland hall at the zoo and the Panometer are good indoor options.
Plan around Mondays: the Old Town Hall, the Bach Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts are closed. The choir's motets in St Thomas Church do not take place during school holidays or tours, so check the church calendar before you plan around them.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Leipzig?
One day covers the old town: St Nicholas Church, the Markt, St Thomas Church and the Bach Museum. A second day lets you add the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, the Panometer and the zoo.
How do I get from Leipzig/Halle Airport to the city centre?
Take the S-Bahn from the station beneath the terminal. The journey to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof takes about 15 minutes, and the Deutschlandticket is valid.
Can I do a day trip to Leipzig from Berlin?
Yes. Direct ICE trains link Berlin and Leipzig, and the main sights of the old town are within walking distance of Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.
Where can I hear Bach's music in Leipzig?
At the motets of the St Thomas Boys Choir, usually on Fridays at 18:00 and Saturdays at 15:00. On Saturdays entry is by a 3-euro programme booklet sold at the church doors from 45 minutes before the start; children and students are free.
What can you do in Leipzig with kids?
Leipzig Zoo with the Gondwanaland boat ride is the top choice. Children under 6 get into the Panometer free, and under-18s visit the Bach Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts collection without paying.
All attractions (17)
Monuments
Monument to the Battle of the Nations
Leipzig
The Monument to the Battle of the Nations (Völkerschlachtdenkmal) in Leipzig is a colossal stone memorial, 91 meters (299 feet) tall, built to mark the centenary of Napoleon's decisive defeat near Leipzig in October 1813. With its brooding…
90–180 min
Churches & monasteries
St. Thomas Church, Leipzig
Leipzig
St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche) in Leipzig is where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as cantor for the last 27 years of his life, and where he is buried today. Home of the famous St. Thomas Boys Choir (Thomanerchor), founded in 1212, this lat…
30–90 min Free entry
Zoos
Leipzig Zoo
Leipzig
Leipzig Zoo is one of the most highly rated zoos in Europe and one of the best things to do in Leipzig, Saxony. Just a short walk from the main train station, it swaps old-fashioned cages for immersive themed worlds, including the giant tr…
240–480 min
Churches & monasteries
St. Nicholas Church (Leipzig)
Leipzig
St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche) in Leipzig is where the Peaceful Revolution of 1989 began. Weekly prayers for peace held inside this church grew into the Monday Demonstrations that helped bring down the East German regime and, ultimate…
30–90 min
Landmarks
Old Town Hall (Leipzig)
Leipzig
The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) in Leipzig is the city's most photographed building and one of the finest Renaissance town halls in Germany. Its long facade, decorative gables, arcades and off-center tower dominate the Markt, Leipzig's m…
60–120 min Free entry
Museums
Bach Museum Leipzig
Leipzig
The Bach Museum Leipzig occupies the Baroque Bose House on St. Thomas Churchyard, right across from the church where Johann Sebastian Bach served as cantor for 27 years. Original manuscripts, a historic organ console and interactive media…
60–120 min
Museums
Leipzig Panometer
Leipzig
The Leipzig Panometer is a former gas holder in the south of Leipzig where artist Yadegar Asisi displays his gigantic 360-degree panoramas. You climb a viewing tower in the middle of the round hall and find yourself surrounded by a strikin…
90–120 min
Landmarks
Auerbach's Cellar (Auerbachs Keller)
Leipzig
Auerbachs Keller in Leipzig is probably the most famous restaurant in Germany. Goethe immortalized this vaulted wine cellar beneath the Mädler Passage in his drama "Faust," and visitors from around the world still come to dine where the le…
30–150 min Free entry
Museums
Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig
Leipzig
The Museum of Fine Arts Leipzig (Museum der bildenden Künste, or MdbK) is one of Germany's major art museums, housed in a striking glass cube in the middle of the old town. Its collection runs from late medieval art and Old Masters such as…
90–240 min Free entry
Theme parks
Belantis
Leipzig
Belantis on the southern edge of Leipzig is the largest theme park in central Germany and a popular family day out in Saxony. Built on a former open-cast lignite mine next to today's lake district, it spreads eight themed worlds across the…
240–480 min
Gardens & parks
Leipzig University Botanical Garden
Leipzig
The Leipzig University Botanical Garden is a calm green pocket close to the city center. On about 3.5 hectares you will find roughly 10,000 plant species, from medicinal herbs and water lilies to tropical greenhouse plants. If you are look…
60–150 min
Landmarks
Gewandhaus Leipzig
Leipzig
The Gewandhaus in Leipzig is the city's great concert hall on Augustusplatz and home of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, one of the oldest and most celebrated orchestras in the world. The striking 1981 building, with its huge glass front and the…
60–180 min
Palaces
Gohlis Palace
Leipzig
Gohlis Palace (Gohliser Schlösschen) in the Leipzig district of Gohlis is a small Baroque summer palace from the 1750s. It is described as the last surviving Baroque palace and estate complex around Leipzig. If you are looking for things t…
45–120 min
Landmarks
Leipzig Central Station
Leipzig
Leipzig Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) is the largest terminal station in Europe by covered floor area and one of Germany's most impressive railway buildings. A sandstone facade 298 meters wide, soaring halls and a three-level shopping mal…
30–90 min
Industrial heritage
Leipzig Cotton Mill (Spinnerei)
Leipzig
The Leipzig Cotton Mill (Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei) in the Plagwitz district is an industrial monument that now thrives as an art district. On about ten hectares of red-brick halls, artists work in studios while galleries and workshops o…
120–180 min Free entry
Landmarks
Mädler Passage
Leipzig
The Mädler Passage (Mädlerpassage) is one of the most beautiful shopping arcades in Germany and a highlight of any walk through central Leipzig. Between Grimmaische Straße and Neumarkt, boutiques, cafes and restaurants line a glass-roofed…
20–45 min
Museums
Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig
Leipzig
The Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig (Forum of Contemporary History) is a free museum in the heart of Leipzig that tells the story of dictatorship and democracy in East Germany after 1945. Located on Grimmaische Strasse between the Market…
90–150 min Free entry