“My Leipzig will I praise!”
Germany’s most well-known poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 to 1832) fell for the magic of our city in 1765 while studying law. It’s not for nothing that the following quote can be found in the first part of his tragedy ‘Faust’, even though it doesn’t come directly from him: “My Leipzig will I praise. A little Paris, one that cultivates its people.”
Today, Leipzig is clearly trendier than ever before!
Leipzig sit fourth in Europe
- According to a survey by the European Commission, Leipzig is one of the most liveable cities in Europe, and it and Rostock were the only German cities to make it into the top 10. Leipzig is therefore the most liveable city in Germany!
71,153 inhabitants of 83 cities in the EU, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, the UK, the western Balkan states and Turkey took part in the survey between January and April 2023.
Leipzig occupy fourth place with 95 percent, behind leaders Zürich, Copenhagen and Groningen. It particularly stood out for its family-friendliness and good air quality. Other important parameters were infrastructure, healthcare, culture, safety, environment, education and the work situation.
It’s certain: people are happy in Leipzig and love to live here!
Metropolis in the heart of central Germany
- Leipzig is the biggest city in East Germany with a population of almost 630,000, higher than the equally picturesque capital of Saxony, Dresden (approximately 570,000). Due to its idealistic location directly in the metropolitan region of central Germany, Leipzig is exceptionally well connected to the rest of the country.
It’s hardly surprising that Europe’s biggest terminus station is located in Leipzig, which is certainly worth a visit for its three-storey shopping centre alone. Flights to several countries depart from Leipzig/Halle Airport on a daily basis, offering passengers the chance to explore popular tourist destinations.
Large companies such as Porsche, BMW, Amazon and DHL have held offices in Leipzig for many years, making the city into an attractive and sustainable business hub, which is continuing to grow. Numerous start-ups are also being established in the home of RBL.
Leipzig offers a very high quality of life, with a low cost of living to match. Life in other German metropolises such as Munich or Hamburg is a lot more expensive in comparison.
From the Monument to the Battle of the Nations to Barfußgäßchen
- Leipzig is the oldest trade fair city in the world and is bursting at the seams with culture and history. The Monument to the Battle of the Nations, St. Thomas and St. Nicholas Churches, the Old Town Hall and the Gewandhaus are just some of the sights that you simply have to see when you visit the city.
Right in the city centre, you’ll find the Leipzig Markt. The Mädler Arcade Gallery and the Petersbogen are two retail centres that are located just a few feet away from the Markt, but there are many other places where you can shop to your heart’s content.
If you’re feeling hungry, you can take a trip down Barfußgäßchen, which is lined with a number of restaurants. You can also follow in Goethe’s footsteps and sample the finest food Saxony has to offer in Auerbachs Keller. This cosy spot is just a few metres down the street.
The fact that many of these sights are located so centrally means that you can easily explore Leipzig on foot. It’s a small place with a lot of charm!
At the ‘Cossi’ by day, at ‘Karli’ by night
- A walk through the city’s parks, like for example the Clara-Zetkin-Park or Johannapark, is good for the soul and the perfect counter to fast-paced everyday life. Many lakes, particularly the Cospudener See (‘Cossi’) or the Kulkwitzer See (‘Kulki’) offer a much-needed chance to cool off on hot summer days.
Party animals love to go to Karl-Liebknecht-Straße (‘Karli’), the most popular area of the city for pubs and bars. Conversely, historians can be found in countless museums. There’s even a piece of Venice in Leipzig! You can explore the city on the water in a canoe, for example on the ‘Little Venice’ tour at the Karl-Heine-Kanal and the ‘White Elster`’.
Many young people from various nations can be found in Leipzig due to the university and many other colleges, and they enjoy a worry-free student life here.
It doesn’t matter where how and when: In Leipzig, there’s always something happening everywhere, as the city offers a huge and diverse programme of events!
RB Leipzig: Top-tier sport at the highest level
- Leipzig is a sporting city in every sense of the word, with RB Leipzig being the Messestadt’s athletic flagship. The club has been playing in the Bundesliga, the top division of German football, since 2016 and has gone on to establish itself as one of the best teams in the country in recent years. RBL won back-to-back DFB-Pokal titles in 2022 and 2023.
RBL have also caused a stir internationally. While competing in the Champions League, some of the biggest clubs in world football, like Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, have visited the Red Bull Arena (max. capacity: 47,069) and been defeated after a magical night of football.
Two other well-known clubs in Lok Leipzig and Chemie Leipzig also call the city their home, with both sides playing in the Regionalliga Nordost. Handball is also a big deal in Leipzig, as SC DHfK Leipzig ply their trade in the Bundesliga. Basketball and volleyball are popular activities that residents of the city enjoy doing in their free time.