Interactive discovery of the city of music
Experience extraordinary soundscapes
Have you ever stood under a “sound shower”? If not, then head to Leipzig city centre. Like taking a shower, the soundscape of centuries past will rain down on you. Step back in time to the first half of the 18th century or the second half of the 19th century. You will hear music from the period – by the likes of Johann Sebastian Bach, Edvard Grieg and Bernd Franke – accompanied by the sounds of the city. Just round the corner, a Chinese-style singing bowl filled with water awaits you in the Hansa House. By rubbing the handles with slightly damp hands, you can create unusual sounds and find out why this installation has earned itself a light-hearted nickname – the Rubbing Well – from the people of Leipzig.
Become a conductor in a unique, multimediainstallation in the Effektorium of the Mendelssohn House. Leap Motion technology translates your baton movements into music. A touchscreen lets you control instrument groups, volume and lighting mood. Create stunning soundscapes and follow in the footsteps of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, one of the most important music directors at Leipzig’s Gewandhaus. Want to know more about Leipzig as a city of music? Then follow the Leipzig Music Trail. The team at the Leipzig Tourist Information Centre can provide you with all the information you need and even more inspiration for your own individual tours.
Discover the green
Idyllic spots in central Leipzig
Attending a conference means a lot of sitting and concentration. So it’s all the better that Leipzig provides the perfect change afterwards. How about a walk? Just behind the Grassi Museum, somewhat hidden, is the Old St John’s Cemetery. An almost enchanted atmosphere greets you in the shade of stately trees. The city’s oldest cemetery is the final resting place of some of Leipzig’s greatest figures. It’s definitely worth taking a close look at the ornate graves. Are you a fan of this special kind of atmosphere? Then don’t miss the Südfriedhof either. Leipzig’s largest cemetery, at the foot of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, covers an area of 78 hectares and is one of the largest park cemeteries in Germany. Two themed gardens are waiting to be discovered in the Peace Park: the Apothecary Garden features a collection of around 300 medicinal and toxic plants. This hortus medicus is still used for medical and pharmaceutical training. The Scent and Touch Garden was specifically designed to cater to the needs of the blind and partially sighted. Seeing this world of scents, sounds and different materials is also an experience.
Even more to discover outdoors
Animal encounters, street art and surprising views
Moose in Leipzig? Look no further than the wildlife park. Up to 250 Central European wild animals representing 25 species live here. And in spring, a typical Leipzig scent will fill your nostrils. Wild garlic, native to Leipzig’s floodplain forest, smells much like its more common kitchen counterpart. Clara Zetkin Park offers abundant greenery and plenty of opportunities to relax in the heart of the city. From gastronomy to culture and sport, this green oasis is the perfect place for a wide range of activities. One of the most popular meeting places is the Sachsenbrücke. Especially on summer evenings, you might catch street performances and impromptu concerts here. Elsewhere, climb the Fockeberg for a surprising view. At 153 metres above sea level, this hill is a striking landmark in the otherwise very flat city of Leipzig. Built in the 1950s from the rubble of wartime ruins, it has since become a popular tourist destination. From here you have a wonderful view of Leipzig.
A special kind of heritage protection
Spoon Family, Madonna with Child and fairy tales
Electronic signs were once an integral part of the Leipzig cityscape. One of the most famous of these can still be seen on Karl-Liebknecht-Straße: the Löffelfamilie, or Spoon Family. Unveiled in 1973, the illuminated sign featuring a family enjoying bowls of soup originally promoted canned goods from the state-run company Feinkost. Today, the protected sign is only illuminated for a few hours each day due to cost reasons. Our insider tip: you can make the Spoon Family light up by donating via SMS or making a phone call. And if you do happen to stop by, take a look at the Feinkost site and explore the colourful shops.
For those interested in street art, there is a gem a few metres further on: the Madonna with Child by street artist Blek le Rat. The Frenchman illegally sprayed the stencil graffito with the words “Pour Sybille” on the wall of the Wilhelminian-era house in 1991 as a declaration of love. After being covered by posters for many years, it is now one of the few graffiti in Germany to be protected under heritage regulations. Another monument on the city centre ring road tells a familiar story: the Fairytale Fountain features motifs from Hansel and Gretel – including, of course, a wicked witch. Like the Pied Piper Fountain at the New Town Hall, the fountain commemorates the work of the Brothers Grimm in Leipzig.
A mecca for coffee lovers
Coffeehouses, concept cafés and roasters
Coffee and Leipzig – a dream team. Opened in 1711, Zum Arabischen Coffe Baum is the oldest coffeehouse in Germany. It is currently closed to the public. However, there are other recommendations for that special coffee moment. Café Grundmann is one of the few coffeehouses with over 100 years of history to be completely preserved in the Art Deco style. Café Maître offers an authentic French café experience. Dankbar Kaffee Leipzig offers a unique atmosphere in a former butcher’s shop. For coffee in the company of feline friends, head over to Katzentempel. And if you fancy a green jungle feel and plenty of hygge, you should try Roots. Plantcafé. The city’s long coffee tradition is also carried on by a large number of coffee roasters. Franz Mohrisch, Elstermühle, Röskant, Brühbar and GANOS all combine the finest craftsmanship with maximum enjoyment. Here you can often sample the in-house roasts. You will see that not all coffees are the same – but they are invariably delicious.
P.S. When it comes to coffee, indulgence and relaxation, we have even more insider tips for your stay in Leipzig.
Insider tips made in Leipzig
Souvenirs and local products
Would you like even more made-in-Leipzig moments? For arguably the best Leipziger Lerche, or “Leipzig lark”, visit Bäckerei Kleinert. This traditional Leipzig pastry is baked here according to an old family recipe. You can buy Bachtaler chocolates, created in honour of Bach, at Café Kandler. This combination of nougat and coffee is a popular souvenir. Watch delicious chocolate creations being made at the Goethe Chocolaterie. Many original products from Leipzig make great giveaways. But it’s not always about the food. Beti Lue. Ointment Manufacturer has made a name for itself with exquisite natural cosmetics. And there are many more local producers to discover.
Ideas for ice-cold indulgence
Eisbrennerei, Likken and Pfeifer ice cream parlours
Calling all ice cream lovers! Surprising taste experiences await you in Leipzig. Eisbrennerei serves cocktails by the scoop. How about a blood orange Aperol spritz or strawberry daiquiri in an ice cream cone? Similarly creative flavours are served at Likken. You can choose between dairy ice cream and vegan flavours ranging from pineapple-basil to carrot. Our favourite: “Omas Teigschüssel” – “Grandma’s batter bowl" – in a black wafer. Another crowd-puller on warm summer days is the Pfeifer ice cream parlour. This little corner shop has been selling homemade ice cream since 1953. Expect charming nostalgia, ice cream in a conch shell and spoons with names on them.
Fancy even more tasty treats? Then we have more great places for culinary experiences and restaurants in Leipzig for you.
Insider tips for the evening
Historic cocktails, industrial flair and unforgettable moments
Why not round the evening off with a delicious cocktail? The historic cocktail menu is popular at Rorschach. We recommend the Twentieth Century Cocktail, made according to a recipe dating from 1937. Stallwache at Westwerk serves cocktails in the unique atmosphere of an old industrial hall. The room was once the foreman’s office of the Leipzig industrial fittings factory. The wide window front gives a clear view of the former production area inside Westwerk. The name says it all at Vodkaria: take a high-percentage trip around the world. You can choose from around 700 types of vodka in all sorts of combinations. And these are just three of the many unusual bars in Leipzig.
Conclusion
Even more tips from local experts – the Leipzig Convention Team
Have we whetted your appetite? Would you like some more ideas for the time before, during and after your conference in Leipzig? We would be happy to give you suggestions for supporting programmes, evening events, sightseeing in the city centre, surprising venues and more. Just get in touch with us by phone or email.
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