Leipzig is a city in Germany located in the state of Saxony. It is one of the most important tourist destinations in East Germany.
Leipzig Germany – Photo Credit: Dirk Pohlers
How to spend 1 day in Leipzig Germany
In this 1-day itinerary in Leipzig, discover the main attractions of the city.
Day 1 in Leipzig
Start the day by visiting the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, one of Leipzig’s most important monuments commissioned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Napoleon’s defeat in the Battle of Nations. The monument has an observation platform.
Head to Neues Rathaus, which has the highest city hall tower in Germany. In Leipzig’s old town, visit Augustusplatz, where Leipzig University is located.
Also, visit St. Nicholas and St. Thomas churches, pass the Goethe statue, and visit the Altes Rathaus which now houses the city’s History Museum.
Located 2.7 km (1.7 miles) from St. Thomas is the Schiller House, where poet Friedrich Schiller stayed in 1785. At the Schillerhaus there are around 100 exhibitions that bring to life the atmosphere of the time.
Near the Schiller House is the beautiful Gohlis Palace, which now houses a café and restaurant.
Things to see
- Monument to the Battle of the Nations
- Neues Rathaus
- Augustusplatz
- St. Nicholas
- Goethe Statue
- Altes Rathaus
- St. Thomas
- Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig, Schillerhaus
- Gohlis Palace (Gohliser Schlösschen)
Day 1 Itinerary Map
Sights in Leipzig
1. Neues Rathaus
The Neues Rathaus has been the seat of the Leipzig City Council since 1905.
It is one of the most important landmarks of the city and also the highest city hall tower in Germany.
Martin-Luther-Ring 4, 04109
2. Monument to the Battle of the Nations
The Monument to the Battle of the Nations is one of the most important monuments in Leipzig.
It was completed in 1913 and commissioned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig in 1813.
There is an observation platform at a height of 91 meters.
Str. des 18. Oktober 100, 04299
3. Altes Rathaus
The Altes Rathaus is located in the heart of the city. It is a Renaissance building erected in 1556 that underwent many changes in the later centuries.
Since 1909 it serves as the city’s history museum.
Markt 1, 04109
4. St Thomas
St Thomas is a famous church for being where Johann Sebastian Bach worked as a conductor and for having his remains buried there.
Another fact is that in 1539 Martin Luther preached here.
Thomaskirchhof 18, 04109
5. Gohlis Palace
The Gohlis Palace was commissioned in 1756 by the merchant and architect of the city Johann Caspar Richter.
Today the palace is a venue for concerts and theater performances.
Menckestraße 23, 04155
6. Opera
The Leipzig Opera was founded in 1693, becoming the second-oldest musical theater in Germany.
The building is also home to one of Europe‘s largest ballet ensembles, the Leipzig Ballet.
Augustusplatz 12, 04109
7. St Nicholas
St Nicholas is the largest church in Leipzig.
It was built in the 12th century and was also graced with Bach performances.
Nikolaikirchhof 3, 04109
8. The Russian Memorial Church
The Russian Memorial Church was erected in 1913 to commemorate the 130,000 Russian soldiers who fought for the liberation of Germany against Napoleon in the Battle of the Nations.
Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 51A, 04103
9. Augustusplatz
The Augustusplatz is the largest square in Leipzig.
The new campus of the University of Leipzig is located in the square.
The University of Leipzig is considered one of the oldest universities in Europe and the second oldest in Germany.
Augustusplatz, 04109
10. Statue of Goethe
The Statue of Goethe is located on the Alte Börse – Naschmarkt, 280 meters from St Nicholas.
Alte Börse, Naschmarkt 1, 04109
Where to stay in Leipzig
1. Mercure Leipzig am Johannisplatz
©Mercure Leipzig
The Mercure Leipzig am Johannisplatz is located near the Central Station.
The hotel has 174 rooms equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar, and work desk.
Stephanstraße 6, 04103
2. Best Western Leipzig City Center
©Best Western Leipzig City Center
The Best Western Leipzig City Center is located near the Central Station.
Rooms are equipped with a TV, minibar, and safe.
Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 3, 04105
3. Marriott Leipzig
©Marriott Leipzig
The Marriott Leipzig is located in the heart of the city.
Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, work desk, and minibar.
Am Hallischen Tor 1, 04109
Shopping in Leipzig
1. Mädler Passage Leipzig
The Mädler Passage is located 280 meters from the Thomaskirchhof.
Brands: Scala, Swarovski, Picard.
Mädler Passage, 04109
2. Allee Center Leipzig
The Allee Center Leipzig was opened in 1996. It has more than 100 shops.
Brands: Bonita, Adler, Camp David, New Yorker, Gina Laura, Tom Tailor.
Ludwigsburger Str. 9, 04209
3. Galeria Kaufhof Leipzig
Galeria Kaufhof is a German department store chain with many stores in Germany.
The company features brands like Esprit, S. Oliver, Tom Taylor, Gerry Weber, Tommy Hilfiger, Bugatti, Olymp.
Neumarkt 1, 04109
4. Höfe am Brühl Leipzig
The Höfe am Brühl is located 600 meters from the Thomaskirchhof.
Brands: Adidas, Pandora, Tom Tailor.
Am Hallischen Tor 2, 04109
Plan your Trip
Leipzig has easy train access from various cities in Germany. Famous cities nearby: Dresden, Hannover, Berlin.
Distances
Dresden – 112 km (69.6 miles)
Hannover – 262 km (163 miles)
Berlin – 190 km (118 miles)
Potsdam – 160 km (99.5 miles)
Braunschweig – 212 km (132 miles)
Bremen – 373 km (232 miles)
Cologne – 497 km (309 miles)
Leipzig Germany Map
Book Your Trip
Book Your Accommodation
Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.
Book Your Flight
Find cheap flights to Germany by using Momondo. Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many budget carriers.
Book a Train Ticket
Check the train routes and schedules with Omio. Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com.
See also
10 Suggested Itineraries for Germany + Top Destinations
Outlets & Department Stores in Germany: Shopping Guide
