Hotels in Leipzig

A destination that often goes under the radar, Leipzig in Germany is a great place to be in. The city has remained to be a bustling multicultural hub, living up to its creative history. Home for the likes of Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn, it is understandable why it attracts people with a penchant for music and history.

But apart from that, the city exudes an air of possibility — a place that is just ripe for cultivating culture and art. They say that every street corner and buildings will surprise you in Leipzig, so prepare yourself for a lot of surprises.

When in Leipzig, it truly isn’t hard to see how the city develops and reinvents itself alongside the past. A place deeply moored in its history, visiting Leipzig is one for the books.

How to Get There

Getting to Leipzig is not complicated at all. For a faster option, there is an airport near the city that is just 26 kilometres away called Leipzig-Halle Airport. Public transportation is quite accessible here to get to the city.

Trains such as the FlughafenExpress and Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn are easily available once you get to the airport and both have an interval of 30 minutes to and from Leipzig Central Station. A one-way trip takes 14 minutes with only one stop.

Flying into Berlin is also a good option since it isn’t far away from each other. It is one of the most recommended ways to get to Leipzig since it is ideal for a day trip from the city. If your starting point is Berlin, you can take the train that departs every hour. The option available for you would be the Intercity Express Train (ICE) and this should take you to the city in just about an hour or 70 minutes.

Getting Around

Once you arrive in Leipzig, it isn’t complicated to go around because of the impressive roads and public transportation available. Renting a car in the city isn’t complicated so once you are done, make sure you just get a map from tourist centres in the city so you can decide on what to see and do.

Hailing cabs are also easy in Leipzig since ranks are located in convenient places. If your budget is a bit constrained, you may opt to take trams, buses, and LRT. The city has an incredible network that covers most of Leipzig and it is the most cost-efficient way to get around. Make sure you avail of the Leipzig Card since this usually has free tram and bus rides available. You may even be able to score discounted or free entry to certain museums in the city. It should cost about €8-24, depending on how long you would be there.

Top Things to Do

Leipzig is a busy city because of its long history of being at the centre of trade and culture for Germany. However, you can still enjoy a nice visit to its different historic buildings and museums to glance into its history.

If you like music and history, find yourself enjoying the edifice of the St. Thomas Church. A 13th-century Gothic church, this was where Johann Sebastian Bach’s final resting place. Richard Wagner was also baptised in this church and years earlier, Mozart performed here. You can also hear the famous St. Thomas Choir performing here from Friday to Sunday.

The St. Nicholas Church is also a must-see being the place here the Monday Demonstrations were held to reunite Germany. This was also the place where Bach performed most of his work.

Across the St. Thomas Church, you will find the Bach Museum. Here, you will find his manuscripts that were all written in his hand kept in glass cases. The Museum der Bildenden Künste is also another impressive place to see. Designed to look like a glass cube, you will find art during the Medieval period up to contemporary times. It is a good range to see the progression of German art.

The Markt is another nice place to visit because of its frequent produce markets. Apart from this, it is also the centre of the Christmas market and the Easter market.

It is also highly recommended to go to Leipzig Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the country, but also remains to be the most modern. The zoo has released new concepts such as Gondwanaland, a biome that tries to simulate a tropical rainforest climate. Pongoland is also a must-see since it hosts some gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos.

What to Eat

Leipzig’s cuisine is also one to be enjoyed when visiting here since most places are also a good mix of past and present. The Bayerischer Gosebrauerei, a refurbished Leipzig-Dresen station is a brewery, beer garden, and restaurant in one. You will be able to enjoy traditional Saxony food here such as schnitzel, goulash, and local fish. Enjoy it with a mug of beer that is brewed in-house, particularly the famous Leipzig Goes beer.

Max Enk is also a good spot to enjoy traditional comfort food. It’s recommended to get the wiener schnitzel and Leipziger Lerche dessert. This is a classic pastry that has nuts and cherries.

For a Michelin star experience, go to the 27th floor of The Westin Grand Hotel to find Falco. Stepping in, you will be greeted by its specials written in its walls. The restaurant is owned by Peter Maria Schnurr, often said to be Saxony’s best cook.

Where to Stay

Being a big city, it will be tiring getting around trying to see most of Leipzig. This is why a lot of accommodations are in the main areas that are just a short walk to a different destination. If you want a luxurious stay in the city, opt for the Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof located at Naschmarkt Square. This hotel boasts a spa and an amazing must-try restaurant. Hotel Michaelis is also recommended for foodies and it’s just outside of the busy city centre.

If you find yourself wanting to stay in the historic quarter, go to Hotel Fregehaus a hotel with the classic high ceilings and parquet floors Germany is known for. All over, it has long windows and an atmospheric ambiance that makes it nice to relax in.

Travel Tips

• The best time to visit is in summer. The temperature is perfect to enjoy and make the most of the city.

• Cooling off in the city’s various lakes is also a good idea since you can enjoy water sports with the family.

• Trabant Tours are a thing to get around the city. Best to enjoy it in the symbolic car of East Germany.