2 to 3 days Leipzig itinerary

So you have decided you want to visit Leipzig, a very good choice. This city is Germany’s hidden gem among big cities. Nicknamed “the new Berlin” for its youthful and creative atmosphere, Leipzig offers everything travelers and backpackers alike might need. To help you plan your trip, I have handcrafted a 1, 2 and 3 day Leipzig itinerary for your visit.

Having relatives in Leipzig, I have visited many times, and using this knowledge, the itinerary covers absolutely everything you need to see in your 2 or 3 days in Leipzig. From the top things to do in Leipzig to hidden gems and everything in between!

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How many days should you spend in Leipzig?

Two to three days is a good amount of time to get to know the city’s history, feel its artistic energy, and explore trendy neighborhoods. You’ll be able to tick off the must-see sights in Leipzig, explore some museums, and discover some hidden gems. However, as always, if you have more time, take it slow and spread the itinerary across more days. More days will also give you the option of exploring more hidden gems and taking day trips.

Getting to & around Leipzig

Leipzig is very well-connected by train, with direct high-speed links to major German cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. Long-distance busses like Flixbus stop right next to Leipzig Central Station. If you’re arriving by plane, Leipzig/Halle airport is 15 minutes outside of the city center using the S5-train. The city itself is compact and easily walkable. For longer distances, you can hop on the efficient tram system. Find more details on public transport in Leipzig in my Ultimate Leipzig Guide.

Is Leipzig worth a visit?

The short answer is: absolutely! Leipzig’s nickname is “the new Berlin” for a reason. It’s a beautiful city with laid-back vibes and a lot of creative energy. Plus, it tends to be more affordable than other big cities in Germany.

What is the best Leipzig itinerary for 2 or 3 days in the city?

This itinerary works whether you have 1 day, 2 days or 3 days in Leipzig. We will cover most of the must-sees in day 1, expand them on day 2 and then do some exploring in Leipzig Plagwitz on day 3. Feel free to mix and match the days as you wish, depending on personal preferences, weather conditions or opening times. But without further ado, here’s how to make the most of your time in Leipzig:

Day 1 – Leipzig City Center Highlights

Leipzig Central Station

Putting a train station into an itinerary may seem odd – until you have been to Leipzig’s Central Station. This beautiful (and ginormous) train station is worth a stroll. There is a whole mall inside! If you’re in need of breakfast, my suggestion would be a fresh pretzel from Ditsch (located beneath platform 16). They’re cheap, delicious and usually still warm.

Leipzig Opera

A 10-minute walk across the street and through the park leads you to the Leipzig Opera House, which is a very important asset to Leipzig’s cultural scene.

St. Nicholas Church

Leipzig’s biggest and oldest church is a 5-minute walk from the Opera House. It is most commonly known for being the starting point of the peaceful revolution in the GDR that eventually led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. While the outside is inconspicuous, the inside blew me away. The combination of pink and green pastels is very unusual, making it even more special. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to take pictures inside unless you purchase a permission for a small fee.

Old Stock Exchange

You will need to walk less than 5 minutes to admire the Renaissance architecture of this former trading center. The beautiful Old Stock Exchange building is a clear stylistic break with the buildings surrounding it, making it stand out even more.

Old Town Hall and Market Square

Admire the city’s Old Town Hall from Naschmarkt, Leipzig’s Market Square. The market takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Forum of Contemporary History

Learn about the social and political developments of the 20th century, with a particular focus on East Germany during the Cold War era. The free museum will help you understand the city’s complex past and its transformation after the reunification of Germany.

Mädlerpassage

Walk into this historic arcade right next door, and find a (window) shopper’s paradise with elegant boutiques and the iconic Auerbach’s Keller restaurant, famous for its appearance in Goethe’s Faust.

St. Thomas Church

Less than 5 minutes away, you can visit Leipzig’s other famous church and pay homage to the place where Johann Sebastian Bach served as cantor and where his remains lie.

New Town Hall

Again, the walk to the New Town Hall is less than 5 minutes (this is what I meant by walkable). Admire the castle-esque looks of this building, that was built in the style of historicism. The tower is open for climbing Mondays to Fridays at 2 pm for a fee of 3 €.

Panorama Tower

In my opinion the better choice for views, head to the 31^st floor of the “Uniriese”, the only high-rise in the city. The entry fee is 5 € and an elevator will take you to the 29^th floor. Try to be on time to catch the sunset behind the New Town Hall!

Carl-Liebknecht Street (Carli)

End the day with a dinner of your choice along Carl-Liebknecht Street. There are plenty of restaurants (even multiple fully vegan restaurants) to choose from. Before you head back to your accommodation, make sure to check out the “Löffelfamilie” (Spoon family) neon sign and the façade of the building across the street. They are located between the tram stations “Hohe Straße” and “Leipzig Südplatz”.

Day 2 – More Highlights outside the very center of Leipzig

Monument to the Battle of Nations

Head straight to one of Leipzig’s main landmarks in the morning. This towering monument commemorates the “Battle of the Nations”, a pivotal clash in 1813 that marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. Standing at 91 meters tall, it offers panoramic views of the city from its observation deck. The entry fee is 10€ but doubles as admission into Forum 1813, a small museum detailing the battle and its significance. Tram lines 2 and 15 as well as bus 76 serve the station “Leipzig Völkerschlachtdenkmal”.

Panometer Leipzig

This former gas storage facility’s cylindrical building houses 360-degree panoramic paintings or images, depending on the current exhibition. Historical cityscapes and exotic landscapes come to life through thematic background noises, music recordings and light simulations. Check the current exhibition here.

Lunch

There aren’t many lunch places around, so I’d suggest going to the HIT supermarket that is on the way to the next stop for a quick and budget-friendly lunch option. Apart from options like salads and wraps, you can go to the in-store bakery for some cheap and delicious food.

Old National Library

A 30-minute walk from the Panometer or a 5-minute walk from HIT, the Old National Library is an impressive half-modern, half-historic building that houses and archives all German-language literature. You cannot access the library without a pass, but the German Book and Writing Museum right next door is free to enter.

Gohlis Palace

Hop on a tram back to the city center and transfer to line 12, which will take you to “Fritz-Seger-Straße” station. From there, it is only a short walk to Gohlis Palace. This beautiful Renaissance palace has a stunning facade, a quaint garden and elegant interiors. While guided tours of the inside are only offered on Sundays and are in German, the palace grounds are still worth a visit to soak up the historic atmosphere.

Zooschaufenster (Window to the zoo)

Leipzig Zoo is one of the major attractions of the city, but at a price point of 23 € it is expensive and I am generally not the biggest fan of zoos. However, getting to see the animals for free is a great way to get the best of both worlds. You can get to this hidden gem by taking a walk in Rosental park, just south of Gohlis Palace. The spot is marked as “Window to the zoo” on Google Maps. I managed to see giraffes, a rhino, cheetahs and zebras, all for the budget-friendly price of a free walk in the park.

Day 3 – Creative Neighbourhood of Plagwitz

Cotton Spinning Mill (Baumwollspinnerei)

Start your day at this former cotton spinning factory, that has now been transformed into a cultural center brimming with art galleries, studios, workshops, and event spaces. Guided tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays, but you can also individually visit the factory grounds and its galleries for free.

Kunstkraftwerk

Another former industrial powerhouse reborn, the Kunstkraftwerk is a mere 10-minute walk from the Cotton Spinning Mill. Nowadays it is a center for contemporary art, housing immersive exhibitions. Check the current exhibition and ticket prices on their website.

Karl-Heine Canal and Philippus Church

Take a leisurely 10-minute stroll along the Karl-Heine canal towards Philippus Church. There is a spot marked as “Stone staircase on the canal” on Google Maps that will give you a unique perspective of the Philippus Church.

Karl Bridge

Keep following the canal for 20 minutes and you will arrive at Karl Bridge, which will give you a great view on the Saxon Woll Yarn Factory. No wonder this is a popular spot for enjoying the canal views and the neighborhood’s atmosphere. 

Saxon Wool Yarn Factory (Sächsische Wollgarnfabrik)

Another relic of industrial times in Plagwitz, the Saxon Wool Yarn Factory is an iconic sight with its bridge over the canal. Today, it is Germany’s largest industrial monument and Europe’s largest building complex from the Wilhelminian era. You can walk around, but you won’t be able to visit the inside, since it has been completely transformed into apartments.

Könneritz Bridge

This intricately designed bridge is another landmark in Plagwitz. From here, take in a different perspective of the Wool Yarn Factory and capture some more photos of the canal. You should be able to spot the kayaks already.

Kayaking on the canals

Rest your feet and relax on the canals for a bit. You can rent a one-person kayak for 6 € per hour or a two-person one for 9 € per hour. Depending on how late it is and how you are feeling, go for anything between 1-3 hours. There are plenty of canals and waterways to explore, but the people at the rental can tell you the best way to go.

Clara-Zetkin Park

In the evening, why not have a picnic in Clara-Zetkin Park? Leipzig’s main park is a green oasis with plenty of walking paths, greenery, lakes, and a horse racing track.

You have more time in Leipzig? Options for Day 4

More time is usually better. With four or more days available, you can stretch the above Leipzig itinerary out a bit. You could also consider visiting:

Markkleeberg Lake

Looking for a swim in the lake? “Strandbad Ost” is easy to get to using public transport. Simply take tram line 11 all the way to its last stop “Markkleeberg Ost, Schillerplatz” and then walk down the road for 10 minutes. If you aren’t up for a beach day, you could opt into a walk around the lake, renting a boat or making your way to the whitewater rafting facility on the other end of the lake.

Bach Museum

Discover the life and works of musical genius Johann Sebastian Bach. This museum showcases his original manuscripts, musical instruments from his era, and interactive exhibits that bring his music to life. Tickets are 10 €, unless you are visiting on the first Tuesday of the month, when free entry is offered.

Stasi Museum “Round Corner”

Learn about the chilling realities of East Germany’s secret police, the Stasi. Housed in their former headquarters, the museum explores Stasi surveillance methods, everyday life under communist rule, and the fight for freedom. The audio guide is 5 € which doubles as entrance fee.

Museum of Fine Arts

This is the museum for art lovers. Housing various types of exhibits such as paintings and sculptures, the collection spans centuries. You can check current exhibitions here. All permanent exhibitions are free to visit.

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