Lake Cospuden - The all-rounder near Leipzig
Key facts about Lake Cospuden at a glance
Lake Cospuden is located on the southern outskirts of Leipzig and is one of two genuine Leipzig lakes alongside "Kulki" . The circular route covers a whole 11 kilometers and is therefore not easy to walk. Around 436 hectares of water underpin its rather comfortable size for an urban body of water.
The Cossi was Leipzig's first open-cast lignite mine, which was flooded to form a lake after reunification in 1989. The raw material was mined here from 1981 to 1992 and only flooded in 1993 with groundwater and water from the open-cast mines in Zwenkau, Profen and Schleenhain. This process continued until the turn of the millennium and was finalized with Expo 2000 - since then, the lake has been used as a local recreation area and one of the city's most beautiful leisure oases.
The end of the flooding in 2000 also ensures that 2025 anniversary - the Lake Cospuden is turning 25! A lot has happened here since the flooding of the open-cast mine and its transformation into a leisure hotspot: today, the "Cossi" attracts around 600,000 visitors every year. Cafés, boat hire, a sauna in the lake, vacation apartments and lots of water sports make the lake the perfect destination for a day out.
The Hafen Pier 1 has also been part of Lake Cospuden ever since. The family business was established following an international tender at the end of the 1990s - and has shaped the Markkleeberg waterfront ever since. Today, you will not only find boat moorings and a beach here, but also vacation apartments, restaurants, a beer garden, sauna and club life.</p
This is how you get there:
Despite its proximity to the city center, Lake Cospuden is part of Leipzig Neuseenland and borders the town of Markkleeberg on the east side and the town of Zwenkau to the south.
Leipzig residents can easily and conveniently get there by bike. The lake is also easy to reach by car - plenty of parking spaces at the lake and in the immediate vicinity ensure that you can park your car safely and enjoy your trip to the water. Parking spaces directly on Lake Cospuden can be found at Nordstrand Cospuden, Hafen Zöbigker (Süd), Hafen Zöbigker (Pier 1), Oststrand Cospuden and Belantis (Neue Harth).
If you don't want or need to use your car, you can also get to the lake by public transport: bus line 105 (Freizeitpark Belantis stop) will take you to BELANTIS, line 106 (bus stop Zöbigker, Schmiede) to Zöbigker Hafen and line 65 (bus stop Cospudener See or Nordstrand) stops at Nordstrand. You can also take the S-Bahn from the city center in the direction of Markkleeberg (Markkleeberg, Großstädteln stop) - from here, however, it is a good 2 km walk to the lake.
A barrier-free access to the water is provided by the inclined bathing jetty at Strandblick, the eastern beach pavilion. Here, wheelchair users can easily enter the water in a wheelchair and swim from the end of the jetty.
There is also a wheelchair-accessible changing room and a toilet with a Euro key on the north beach. Parking is also possible near the barrier-free jetty. You can find more information about the jetty in this video from Behindertenverband Leipzig e.V.
Pure nature around Lake Cospuden
Today, Lake Cospuden is a beautiful local recreation area and is located directly on the southern Auwald. Particular attention is paid to the Cospuden Landscape Park, which, with an area of around 300 hectares, was part of the "Landscape Use - Landscape Conservation" project during Expo 2000. The northern part of the lake is connected to the Pleiße via a newly created canal (the Floßgraben) and to the Weiße Elster via a lock at the Connewitz weir.
The water quality of the lake has been rated "very good" - the Cossi has maintained this standing for years. Swimming, splashing around and water sports are therefore possible, permitted and absolutely welcome here!
On the southern shore of Lake Cospuden
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Bathing - beach feeling on the doorstep
If you want to cool off and jump into the cool water, Lake Cospuden is just the place for you. Two sandy beaches invite you to relax and linger, while the Cossi with the Nordstrand is even home to the longest sandy beach in Saxony. With a length of around 1 kilometer and a width of 70 meters, it beats any competition. On the eastern side is the East Beach, the second bathing beach for visitors, which is 100 meters long and 30 meters wide.
Whether you want to swim, lie in the sun, build sandcastles or simply enjoy life - in Leipzig you don't have to book an expensive flight, because you have a sandy beach and water almost right on your doorstep.
Tip: There is a separate area on the north beach that is reserved for nudists. You will also find a separate dog beach in the western part of the north shore, near the Beach Lounge. It is spacious, clean and quiet. So your four-legged friend can let off steam during your holiday with dog. Another small dog beach is located south of Zöbigker harbour. Watch out! At all other bathing spots dogs are prohibited or must be kept on a lead.
It's getting sporty - activities on land and water
If you've ever been to the Cossi, you've probably noticed the many visitors who don't just lie around on their "lazy skin", but are active in and around the lake. The topic of sport is written in capital letters here, because the 11-kilometre circular route and the asphalt surface throughout is perfect for jogging, inline skating, cycling and actually (almost) all other means of transport that you can use to get around the lake.
The entire route is probably a little long for beginners - but experienced runners should have no problems with the distance. It's always a great route and the varied landscape is the icing on the cake.
Activities in the cool water
So now that you know how to meander around the lake, it's time to dive straight into the cool water - it's water sports time! As with any body of water, the Cossi also has a wide range of activities on offer for all water lovers. One location you should definitely remember is Zöbigker Hafen, also known as Pier 1: Here you will find a wide variety of water sports stores where you can find everything you need for your next water adventure - from information to rental to purchase, everything is available here!
You can boats can be rented, diving and sailing courses can be booked and passenger boat trips can be taken on the lake. Lake Cospuden is a popular destination for sailing adventures in particular: simply hire the necessary equipment from Segelshop Herold and glide into the water with the wind. And if you've always wondered whether you can compete with the beach boys on their surfboards and move just as elegantly over the gentle waves of the water: At Surfcenter Leipzig on Pier 1, you have the chance to do just that. Sailing, surfing and boating without having to travel far to the sea or the coast? It's possible at Cossi!
By the way: at the northern beach, the Hacienda Cospuden, there is also a stand-up paddling (SUP) rental service - recommended for all those who prefer to take the helm themselves in the water and want to take it easy for the time being. In addition, pitches for beach volleyball and beach soccer can also be hired here.
Gastronomy - Where can I find delicious food?
You won't go hungry after all the activities on Lake Cospuden - especially on the north and east side you will find numerous restaurants with great lake views and an atmospheric vacation feeling.
But let's start on the north beach of the lake, where the popular Hacienda Cospuden is located. The area borders directly on the longest sandy beach in Saxony and offers a snack bar with barbecue and beach BBQ, which can draw from the full range of delicious summer refreshments and hearty delicacies to go. Numerous seating options, either shaded with shade or comfortable deckchairs in the sun, invite you to relax and linger. A DJ also plays fresh and summery beats for your ears - what more could your heart desire?
A few meters further east, the next snack bar with feel-good flair awaits you: The "Strandblick" lives up to its name, because here too you can sit almost directly on the beach, in the sand, on the lakeshore and simply enjoy yourself. What's on offer? Ranging from a huge portion of chips and delicious cakes to cool Fritz Kola and refreshing ice cream, it covers the usual repertoire for a quick bite to eat or to sit down on one of the sun loungers and enjoy the breathtaking ambience in the sun. Pure summer!
The highlight of the culinary delights can be found further south at Pier 1. You could call it the Mekka of gastronomy at Cossi, as the finest eateries can be found here - all in one place. Do you like fresh, Mediterranean delicacies with a view of the lake? Then Sole Mio - the Italian restaurant on Lake Cospuden - with its inimitable lakeside terrace is the place for you. It's especially romantic in the evening, when the sun is about to set and the sky is bathed in a deep red-orange color.
For the small appetite
During the day, the beer garden at Pier 1 invites you to enjoy cool drinks and refreshments, as well as fish, coffee, cake and good music. Café Kandler and the Pressoway coffee shop are available for the often much-needed coffee break. The Café Kandler on Pier 1 also has a large terrace and is known not only for its delicious coffee but also for its appetizing cake creations. With a freshly made ice cream, you can enjoy the wonderful view over the lake and let the breeze blow around your nose. The Pressoway Coffee can be reached via the entrance to the large jetty on the pier - in addition to iconic coffee specialties, you can also enjoy croissants, donuts, paninis and hot dogs here.
If you're not on the north or east side of the Cossi, then keep an eye out for the mobile ice cream vans that chug around the lake. These are perfect for a little refreshment between meals and are always parked for a while in bays away from the well-known restaurants - so keep your eyes peeled!
In case you didn't know: Barbecuing on Leipzig's lakes is officially forbidden. If you don't comply and get caught, you can expect to pay a hefty fine. So if you want something tasty from the barbecue, you should stick to the locations mentioned above!
Our recommendations
Tips for a family outing
Are you wondering whether your kids will feel at home at Lake Cospuden? Then we'll give you a clear YES as an answer! The two sandy beaches on the north and east shores alone will provide plenty of opportunities for playing, digging, building sandcastles and splashing around at the "edge of the pool" - just like you would on vacation at any beach or hotel pool.
You will also find small and large playgrounds on the walk around the lake: on the east shore path you will find a small climbing facility made of walls, nets and poles, which is accessible all year round. Further south - at Zöbigker Hafen - a huge sandpit invites you to play and run around. Here, your children can climb over a suspension bridge, slide, swing, seesaw or dig around in the sand. There's something for all ages!
Sights around Lake Cospuden
Did you know? You can also combine your trip to Lake Cospuden with other activities. The adventure kingdom BELANTIS is located in the immediate vicinity and you can see the highest peaks of individual roller coasters from almost anywhere on the Cossi. Located in the south-west of the lake, it is particularly suitable for a trip in advance of your visit to the lake, so that after all the adrenaline you can ride back down properly on the beach at the end of the day.
If that's not enough, you should take your relaxation level to a whole new level with the sauna in the lake. Sauna IN the lake? Yes, you heard right! Here you can sweat all the stress out of your body and then cool off with a dip in the lake if necessary. In between, you can relax on the terrace, which offers an incredible panoramic view of the lake. The sauna is located at Pier 1, so you can't miss it.
An absolute must: The Bistumshöhe. From this viewing platform, you have a fullminant view over the entire lake and can also spot one or two of Leipzig's buildings on the horizon. A feast for the eyes, especially at sunset!
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Conclusion - is Lake Cospuden YOUR lake?
The fact is: Lake Cospuden is probably the most popular of all Leipzig's lakes and attracts many locals and tourists every day, especially in summer. In addition to its proximity to the city center, it also owes its great popularity to these numerous other factors. Leisure activities, gastronomy, relaxation: you really can find everything here. The Cossi is a real all-round talent. Why not pay the lake a visit and find out for yourself.
Have we managed to convince you to take a trip to Lake Cospuden? Or have you already been there and would like to explore the Leipzig New Lake District further? Then take a look at the Zwenkauer See, Kulkwitzer See, Lake Markkleeberg, Lake Störmthal or Lake Schladitz and embark on a new lake adventure in the Leipzig region!
Do you still have questions? Then get in touch with us!
Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
Tourist Information
Tel.: +49 341 / 7104 - 260
E-mail: info@ltm-leipzig.de