Entertaining guided tours through Leipzig’s historic centre
Sights and panoramic views
Set off together on an exciting tour of the city and immerse yourselves in Leipzig’s history. Not to be missed are famous sights such as St Nicholas’ Church, the Old Town Hall and the Mädler-Passage with the legendary Auerbachs Keller. And if you’d like to combine your supporting programme with culinary delights, you’ve come to the right place. Fantastic panoramic views await you from the tower of St Thomas’ Church, the tower of the New Town Hall and from Panorama Tower. Or would you like to find out what Luther, Johann Sebastian Bachand Goethe once experienced in Leipzig? What made Leipzig Europe’s book capital? Are you interested in the events of autumn 1989 surrounding the Peaceful Revolution? You can discover all this on city tours with themes ranging from architecture and history to literature. With English-speaking guides, these tours are also ideal for international visitors.
Tour the city with the night watchman – and fun for quiz fans
A real Leipzig highlight are the city tours with night watchman Bemme. Dressed in historical costume and carrying his lantern, he will guide you through the city centre at night. In secluded squares and dark alleyways you’ll hear curious anecdotes from the city’s history and about famous contemporaries.
Our recommendation: the interactive Valued Leipzig Tour is all about smart guesses and creative thinking. How high is the town hall tower? How many musicians play in the Gewandhaus Orchestra? What happened in St Nicholas’ Church? Discover Leipzig in a playful and humorous way – even if you think you know the city already. This tour is one of many options where you and your participants are not only invited to marvel at your surroundings, but also to join in.
Want to explore the city, but not on foot? Then all aboard:
- Explore Leipzig’s sights at your leisure on the blue-and-yellow double-decker bus. The hop-on, hop-off principle lets you discover the city at your own pace.
- Or set off together on a Trabi tour. You decide the route, and the number of Trabants depends on the size of your group – a special treat not only for fans of these iconic vehicles.
- Glide through the city centre, western Leipzig or the New Lakeland region in the eKutsche – a fully electric carriage. Your chauffeurs will share fascinating facts and insider tips along the way – also available in English.
- Do as the locals do and hop on a bike. With rental bikes and multilingual guides, you can explore green oases and hidden gems in Leipzig’s districts at a relaxed pace.
The sound of Leipzig: Experience the city of music up close
Discoveries along the Leipzig Music Trail
Every year, the music city of Leipzig welcomes many thousands of visitors from around the world to the historic sites where famous composers and musicians once lived and worked. For your conference participants too, the city’s musical heritage is well worth an excursion – the perfect way to combine business with personal interests. For example, follow the Leipzig Music Trail. This unique guide leads you through 800 years of Leipzig’s musical history. All you need to do is keep following the sweeping metal arches set into the ground. The Notenspur app can also help you find your way around.
The tours – whether on your own or with a guide – take you on foot or by bike to the key sites of Leipzig’s musical tradition. These include not only the Gewandhaus and the Opera, but also buildings and places closely associated with composers such as Richard Wagner, Robert Schumann and Clara Wieck, J. S. Bach and Edvard Grieg. In Kretschmanns Hof you’ll find an extraordinary sound installation: under the “sound shower”, you can listen to music and city sounds from three centuries.
Our tip: at the Effektorium in the Mendelssohn House you can even become a conductor yourself. This unique installation lets you direct a virtual orchestra or choir performing works by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. Thirteen interactive columns, each linked to different instruments and vocal registers, make it possible – resulting in an impressive sound experience.
The music city in detail: Tips for guided tours
The best way to discover many of Leipzig’s key musical landmarks is on a guided tour:
- At St Nicholas’ Church you can hear the largest organ in the Free State of Saxony – and one of the biggest in Germany. Learn more about its eventful history and distinctive sound.
- Get close to J. S. Bach with a multilingual tour of the Bach Museum and St Thomas’ Church, where the world-famous composer lived and worked.
- Take a guided tour of the Mendelssohn House (also available in English) and enjoy a chamber concert in its music salon.
- Explore the Gewandhaus, one of Germany’s most renowned concert halls. Passing beneath the largest ceiling mural in Europe in the foyer, you’ll enter the Great Hall with its impressive acoustics.
The sound of Leipzig! Our tips for concert visits
Would you like to attend a concert with your delegates? Then we recommend taking a look at these event calendars:
- At the Gewandhaus Leipzig you can experience the Gewandhaus Orchestra, the world’s oldest civic symphony orchestra. Its origins go back to 1743, and to this day it captivates international audiences with its sound.
- Leipzig Opera represents more than 330 years of music theatre in the city. With a repertoire ranging from opera and ballet to musicals, it guarantees high-quality entertainment.
- At St Thomas’ Church, motets give you the chance to experience the St Thomas Boys’ Choir and the music of Bach in an impressive setting.
Take to the water: From relaxed sightseeing to sporty team events
Slow down on a boat tour
Did you know that Leipzig is a city on the water? If not, its many waterways and canals are sure to offer you a refreshing change of perspective after your conference. From pure relaxation to an adrenaline kick – the choice is yours. A good starting point, just a short walk from the city centre, is Leipzig’s city harbour. From here, a sightseeing boat tour will take you past monuments of Leipzig’s industrial architecture and into the city’s unspoilt green lung. The captains also have a wealth of knowledge to share as well as seasonal drinks on board. Even in the colder months you can set off on mulled wine cruises, wrapped in warm blankets and treated to winter specialities. One thing we can promise you: exploring western Leipzig from the water is a fascinating experience at any time of year – and sure to give you plenty to talk about afterwards.
Active supporting programme with an adrenaline kick: White-water rafting
Would you like to use your supporting programme for active team building and give your participants a sporting challenge? Then step into a dragon boat together. To get the twelve-metre-long boat moving, you’ll need above all good coordination and a shared rhythm. Paddling as a group event is also possible on a guided canoe tour in three- or four-seater Canadians. Your delegates’ sporting spirit will also be called for when stand-up paddling on the canals and lakes of Leipzig’s New Lakeland region. Boards and equipment can be hired at many SUP stations. And those in search of a real adrenaline kick will find it with white-water rafting at the canoe park on Lake Markkleeberg. No previous experience is needed for an exhilarating ride by inflatable raft – all necessary equipment is provided on site.
Our tip: a clean-up paddle tour. It combines an active nature experience with environmental protection – sustainability in action. As a team, you paddle along Leipzig’s waterways while collecting drifting litter. Leipzig’s city harbour provides you with the necessary equipment.
Even more inspiration for your supporting programme in Leipzig
Varied city tours, interactive explorations of the music city and experiences on the water: Leipzig offers a wealth of leisure activities that turn the time around your conference into a memorable experience for your delegates – creating shared memories along the way. And these are just three of the many further options available for supporting programmes. Even beyond the duration of your conference, this variety invites you to discover and enjoy the city – and we even have a few insider tips for your stay in Leipzig. We are also happy to provide tailored suggestions for the supporting programme that best suits your conference, put you in touch with personal contacts, and support you in your planning. So what are you waiting for? We look forward to seeing you!
Our recommendations
