Picturesque coffee houses and trenchant cabaret shows draw a diverse crowd. Modern shopping centres and the Thomanerchor show how well Leipzig can combine new and old. The St. Nicholas' Church and the Grassi Museum display parts of the city's rich history. The Moritzbastei , buried deep in the earth, and the Weisheitszahn ("wisdom tooth"), the high-rise building of the university, combine architectural achievements both across centuries and across altitude differences. The inspirational theatre quarter and the alternative Südvorstadt district mean that the city never gets bogged down in the ordinary - Leipzig is simply a charming coexistence of contrasts. In summer, the open-air nightlife can be found next to the main sights of the city around the Drallewatsch , Leipzig's central nightlife mile (Photo: ©draghicich - Fotolia).

The city of Leipzig is a paradise for shopping lovers - the Promenaden mall in Leipzig Central Station, the Mädler Passage, the Höfe am Brühl and further malls and streets are inviting you to shopping. The Shopping Center Höfe am Brühl are located in the inner city close to Leipzig’s historic core – that underlines the outstanding importance of the Höfe. Today it is possible to visit the historical façade. Since it was unveiled in the autumn of 2012, the heritage-protected aluminum facade has exuded fresh radiance. Now more than 120 shops on three floors, scores of service packages as well as a diversity of indoor and outdoor dining possibilities promise a new shopping experience. (© mfi Shopping Center Management GmbH)

Leipzig is also the ideal place to take in a deep breath: numerous parks, promenades and the zoo, the Auenwald , a riparian zone along the river, and the Rosental Park are spread throughout the city, creating green oases of peace and relaxation. Canals and branches of the two Leipzig rivers, the Elster and the Pleiße, are typical of the western part of the city and offer many opportunities to take a stroll along the water's edge. Excursions with a motorboat or sailboat offer a different perspective.
A short distance from the city centre, the Völkerschlachtdenkmal ("Monument to the Battle of the Nations") is the largest monument in Europe. It remembers the battle of the same name in 1813. The equally architecturally impressive New Trade Fair can be easily reached by public transport (Photo: ©Ellie Nator - Fotolia).

The recreational area Leipzig Neuseenland , can also be reached by public transport without a problem. Here, former open-cast mines have been flooded and now offer a wide range of marinas, restaurants and harbours, as well as numerous water sports options. The Belantis adventure park and the Zoo Leipzig are also close by (Photo: ©Zoo Leipzig GmbH).