Leipzig
Leipzig is a Saxon city where Bach worked, the 1989 Monday demonstrations began, and the book trade has run for centuries.
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Leipzig is the largest city in the German state of Saxony, about 150 km southwest of Berlin. It is Germany's seventh-largest city by population and forms the core of the Leipzig-Halle conurbation. Medieval trade routes crossed here, and the Leipzig Trade Fair traces back to 1190. For centuries the city was a center of German publishing, and the German National Library's main seat is still here.
Music is the other draw. Johann Sebastian Bach was cantor of the Thomanerchor at St. Thomas Church from 1723 until his death in 1750, and the Bach Museum documents his life and work. Mendelssohn and Wagner also have strong ties to the city. In 1989, Monday prayers at St. Nicholas Church began demonstrations that helped bring down East Germany's government, and Leipzig was later called a Hero City for that role. Summers average about 19 °C and winters about 1 °C. ICE trains link Leipzig with Berlin and Munich.
Leipzig in five
- Stand in the NikolaikircheThe church was a gathering place for the 1989 peace prayers and prayers still take place on Mondays. Check opening hours; it is a short walk from the Marktplatz.
- Follow Bach at the ThomaskircheJ. S. Bach worked here for 27 years. Check the choir schedule if you want to hear the Thomanerchor, which sings at services on set days.
- Climb the Monument to the Battle of the NationsThe huge 1913 monument sits southeast of the center and gives a view over the city. Allow 1.5 hours with the tram.
- Cross to Plagwitz or the Spinnerei for the art sceneFormer factories house galleries, cafés and studios on the west and east sides. Check gallery opening days, which cluster around weekends.
- Use Leipzig as a rail stop to Dresden and BerlinDresden is about 1 hour by train and Berlin about 1.2 to 1.5 hours by ICE. Leipzig/Halle airport has a direct S-Bahn link.Dresden travel guide
Things to do in Leipzig
See all attractions in Leipzig
Need to know
- Airport
- Leipzig/Halle (LEJ), about 15 to 20 minutes by regional train
- Getting there
- ICE: Berlin about 1.2 to 1.5 hrs, Dresden about 1 hr, Munich about 4 hrs
- Getting around
- Trams and S-Bahn; the center is compact
- Best base
- Near the Marktplatz or the Hauptbahnhof
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days; 3 with Dresden
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low0°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Cold, greyFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, grey
- MarchRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low2°Cool, Book FairMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, Book Fair
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Mild, springAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Warm, Wave-GotikMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, Wave-Gotik
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Warm, lakesJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, lakes
- AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, quieterAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- SeptemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, goldenSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, darkNovemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dark
- DecemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Christmas marketDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Leipzig, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: May Wave-Gotik-Treffen · Jun Wave-Gotik-Treffen, Bachfest Leipzig
Right now in Leipzig
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Leipzig
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°4°0%Monday: Rain. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue9°3°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed9°3°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu6°2°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri9°0°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat5°1°0%Saturday: Fog. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun5°0°14%Sunday: Fog. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 09:32 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- May–JunWave-Gotik-TreffenLeipzig
- JunBachfest LeipzigLeipzig
Before you go to Leipzig
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Rules for Leipzig, checked
- Germany is part of the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Federal Foreign Office travel page before you book.Source
- Dial 110 for police and 112 for fire or an ambulance anywhere in Germany.
- Part of the city center is an environmental zone (Umweltzone). Check whether your vehicle needs a green sticker before you drive in.
- Declare cash above the legal limit at customs when entering or leaving the EU. Check the rules with German customs (Zoll) before you travel.
Plan around Leipzig
Cities, castles and the Rhine
Read the guideDresdenBaroque old town, 1 hour away
Read the guideCentral GermanyLink Leipzig with the Harz and Hanover
Read the guideBerlinCapital city, about 1.3 hours away
Read the guideHanoverRail pivot, 2 hours west
Read the guideIs a Eurail pass worth it?Point-to-point ICE or a pass
Read the guideLeipzig FAQ
Is Leipzig worth visiting?
Yes. It has Bach history, the 1989 sites, a strong music scene and lower prices than Berlin or Munich. It is less polished than Dresden but easy to enjoy on foot.
How many days do you need in Leipzig?
Two days cover the center, one museum and a district such as Plagwitz. One day works for the Nikolaikirche, the Thomaskirche and the Marktplatz.
Is Leipzig or Dresden better?
Dresden for baroque views and the old town; Leipzig for music, arts and day-to-day life. They are an hour apart by train, so many trips include both.
Where should I stay in Leipzig?
Near the Marktplatz for sights, or near the Hauptbahnhof for early trains. Plagwitz and the Südvorstadt suit longer stays with cafés and bars.
When is the best time to visit Leipzig?
May to September for lakes and festivals, and December for Christmas markets. Pentecost weekend brings the Wave-Gotik-Treffen, so book rooms early.