Accommodation in Leipzig

Leipzig has now evolved from its status as a dreary bastion of former East Germany, to a thriving university city with modern architecture, an eclectic nightlife and a positively cosmopolitan air. In recent times it has also been given the honour of being labelled ‘The New Berlin’, spurring further competition and posturing with its more illustrious neighbour to the north.

Leipzig’s most famous student, Goethe, once labelled the city ‘klein Paris’ (miniature Paris). The lovingly restored Art Nouveau Arkaden (arcades), including the most impressive, Madler Mall, lace through the city centre and are a joy to explore. * Am Markt is the city’s best-known square and is bordered by the Königshaus, which was built in the late 18th century. * The Königshaus was once the city’s guest house for distinguished visitors to the city and has hosted the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte and Richard Wagner.

While there are accommodation options in the city centre, many of Leipzig’s prettiest neighbourhoods can be found in the ‘viertels’ (quarters) that flank the centre. Bachviertel, Musikviertel and Waldstrassenviertel are home to many of Leipzig’s well-heeled residents who reside in the pretty, renovated ‘altbau’ buildings that characterize these neighbourhoods. The Reudnitz is where the majority of students reside, due to cheap rents and proximity to Leipzig’s largest university campus. In comparison to other cities, Leipzig’s rentals are not expensive. There is a good spread of properties for every budget throughout the city and the ruthlessly efficient transport system that criss-crosses it makes every district easily accessible. This enables you to choose your accommodation based on facilities, atmosphere and what you desire from your neighbourhood.

Leipzig’s railway station is one of the largest in Europe and is a few minutes’ walk from the city’s lovingly restored Old Town. There is a vast range of architectural styles to see, from Art Nouveau to Post-Modernism, which combine to make the city a joy to wander. The glamorous heritage of the city dates back to the Grunderzeit period during the 19th century, when Leipzig flourished during the post-industrialisation boom in Germany and nearby Austria. The Madler Mall is Leipzig’s most famous shopping arcade, and was immortalized by a scene from Goethe’s ‘Faust’. Outside the stunning Art Nouveau entrance are bronze sculptures that pay homage to the Goethe’s famous text. The main reason to visit today, other than the high-end shops, is the historic tavern ‘Auerbach’s Keller’ that the author frequented.

For those interested in Leipzig’s history, a visit to the Nikolaikirche is a must. Like many churches in the former East, Nikolaikirche played a prominent role in bringing an end to the Soviet regime. It was here that 600 members of the SED came to break up the non-violent demonstrations and, rather than follow this rule, they ended up joining forces with those inside. This was historic moment in the lead up to the collapse of the SED party and the fall of their dictatorship.

Leipzig has a rich culinary history and there is a wealth of local specialties for you to hunt down on a visit, from ‘Leipziger Allerlei’ (a mixed vegetable dish), to ‘Leipziger Lerche’, delicious short-crust pastries. All should ideally be washed down with a glass of Leipziger Gose, the locally brewed beer. Auerbach’s Keller is without doubt Leipzig’s most famous restaurant. Martin Luther, Tsar Peter the Great and Queen Elizabeth II have all dined at her tables. Barthels Hof is one of the oldest restaurants in town and serves traditional Saxon cuisine. Here you can dine on Leipziger Allerlei, as well as a roast leg of rabbit cooked from a recipe concocted in 1658. In the summer, the outdoor terrace is a great place to people watch from. The Gosebrauerei is a brewery that has been located here since 2000, producing a speciality beer that has been brewed in Germany for over 500 years. It is served either pure or with a fruit syrup or liqueur. Traditional Saxon food is also served here.

Leipzig’s efficient public transport system relies heavily on a large tram network. There are a total of 13 different lines and this, combined with 61 bus lines, cover every corner of the city. The Bayrischer Bahnhof (Bavarian Railway Station) dates back to 1842 and not only one of the oldest but also one of the largest in Europe. The operator is known as the Central German Transportation Association or MDV and day tickets can be bought that include travel on all the city’s buses, trams and regional trains. Leipzig is also a great city for cycling and this is often the fastest way to get around the city. It’s easy to get to Leipzig - the city is a central point on the national autobahn network, while Leipzig Airport has connections to all of Germany’s main cities as well as Vienna and Istanbul. The airport lies 18km from the city centre.