Why Leipzig, Germany, Is a Music Lover’s Dream
The city that nurtured several of history’s greatest composers is offering more ways than ever to connect with their legacy.
To walk through central Leipzig is to be surrounded by musical history. The legendary composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and Richard Wagner all lived here, and the city celebrates their legacy in concert halls and museum exhibitions throughout the city. Their influence can also be heard in a new generation of musicians performing in jazz clubs and bars, and even on street corners. 2027 will see numerous festivals celebrating Leipzig’s musical heritage as well as an expansion of the Music Trail, a route that takes visitors to numerous key historical sites.
(See all 25 of the destinations that made our list of the best places to visit in 2027.)
When to Go
Spring, summer, and fall are the best times to visit Leipzig, a city that takes advantage of its temperate climate with dozens of outdoor cafes and public parks. Music lovers should plan a visit around one of the city’s many festivals: Bachfest in June, Jazz Days in October, and the Mendelssohn Festival in November. A bicentennial Beethoven Festival is slated for May 2027, and the Leipzig Opera’s biennial festival celebrates Guiseppe Verdi in May 2028. While December is cold, it can be worth braving the elements for the city’s charming Christmas market.
What to Do
Walk the Music Trail:
A 4.5-mile extension of the beloved walking path, which was inaugurated in 2012, will more than double its length. The route leads visitors to the Thomaskirche, where Bach led the boys’ choir; the Bach Museum; the Mendelssohn House Museum; the Leipzig Opera; the Gewandhaus performance hall; and the campus of the 800-year-old St. Thomas Choir.
Shop the City Center:
In this historic pedestrian zone visitors will find arcades like the Mädler Passage, a farmer's market Tuesdays and Fridays, and the 16th century city hall that is now home to the City History Museum. Restaurants and cafes are plentiful here. The annual Christmas market takes over the square in December.
Take in the Museums:
Don’t be fooled by the contemporary glass cube design at the Museum of Fine Arts (Museum der bildenden Künste); the collection is of historic masterpieces, including 17th-century Dutch Old Masters and Renaissance painter Lucas Cranach. Exhibits at the Forum of Contemporary History (Zeitgeschichtliches Forum) trace the history of the former East Germany from the end of World War II to the fall of the Berlin Wall, an event that was in part precipitated by peaceful protests in Leipzig.
Dine at One of the World’s Oldest Restaurants:
Dig into traditional wild boar, sauerbraten, and local fish at Auerbach’s Keller, a 500-year-old subterranean restaurant. Guests have included Martin Luther, Mendelssohn, and Goethe, who set a portion of Faust in the space.
Getting Around
Fly into Berlin Brandenburg Airport, then travel one hour via high-speed train to reach Leipzig, or into Airport Leipzig/Halle, which lies 11 miles northwest of the city and offers connections to Frankfurt and Vienna. Leipzig is also home to Europe’s largest train station, with rail connections to destinations across the continent. Within the city, excellent subways, trams, and buses make a car unnecessary. Download the LeipzigMOVE app for real-time options and mobile tickets.
