Vacations in Leipzig: 12 tips for a short break

You will find relaxation in nature closer than you might think. Leipzig has more than 20 beautiful, densely overgrown parks to offer. No matter which part of the city you live in, the nearest green space is not far away in Leipzig. So grab a picnic blanket, relax and watch the clouds in the sky. In the Palmengarten and Richard-Wagner-Hain for example, you can find the quiet you need to read a book - and right by the water, namely the Elsterbecken. The lively Clara-Zetkin-Park is also not far away and invites you to barbecue with friends. Of course, you can also get active. Whether it's slacklining or playing frisbee - there's plenty of space to let off steam.

You can also find out which of the most beautiful parks in Leipzig suits you best on our blog.

Maybe you prefer things a little smaller but at least as green? Then head off to the Botanical Garden of Leipzig University. On 3.5 hectares, you can marvel at around 10,000 different plant species in the oldest botanical garden in Germany. The botanical garden also hosts a variety of interesting events in summer.

Is it possible to combine culture with a child on a short vacation in Leipzig? Definitely! Get an overview of the museums in the city and find your favorite.

You might be thinking: A visit to a museum during the vacations? Perhaps not the most obvious option for children. However, there are numerous facilities in Leipzig that are not only informative, but where inquisitive kids can get active and try things out at the same time. The Mendelssohn House has its own program for children that actively and playfully conveys the life and work of the famous composer, pianist and conductor Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in Leipzig. In the Effektorium you can wield the baton yourself and conduct a virtual orchestra, while the exhibition dedicated to the composer Fanny Hensel, Felix's sister, invites you to slip into 19th-century fashion and have your photo taken. An unforgettable memory of your visit to the Mendelssohn House!

Mendelssohn also plays a formative role in our next tip: The Hochschule für Musik und Theater "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Leipzig (HMT) offers over 600 public events every year, from opera and drama to jazz - many of them free of charge. Around 1,300 students from all over the world regularly present their skills to a large audience here. The traditional university was founded in 1843 by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and is one of the oldest music universities in Germany. In addition to concerts, the impressive buildings can also be discovered during guided tours or visits to events. Up-to-date information on the varied program can be found on the website.

However, things also get really creative at the Unikatum Children's Museum! Summer vacations are really fun here! You can currently visit great exhibitions there: An interactive virtual reality hands-on exhibition in the VR-Lab, the interactive exhibition HandWerkStadt, the play and craft world The Kingdom of Imagination and brand new: an outdoor exhibition under the motto Zoo of Mythical Creatures.
 
Building robots and programming computer games at the vacation camp? Performing on stage with music and theater within a week? Immerse yourself in the circus for a week? Or would you prefer to learn how to produce electronic music, photos or films in a workshop? At the sociocultural center "Die Villa" in the heart of Leipzig, all of this is possible this summer. A wide range of holiday offers invites kids to gain great experiences... and at the same time take away input on what they might become later on.
 
Nature on the trail in the Leipzig region: nestled in wild hills and between numerous castles the Kriebstein Dam awaits your visit. The dam includes the largest hydroelectric power plant in Saxony and the dammed lake is the perfect destination for an excursion. Here you can go sailing, swimming and camping in a dreamlike setting, tree houses and a high ropes course await you in "Kriebelland", cruises are offered on the lake itself and hiking trails around the lake invite you to explore. Nearby, the fairytale Kriebstein Castle awaits visitors of all ages and the Seebühne Kriebstein is performed by the Mittelsächsisches Theater throughout the summer.
 
If you haven't had enough of Kriebstein Castle, we can recommend a visit to Schloss Rochlitz . The castle on the banks of the Mulde will once again be offering a comprehensive and family-friendly summer vacation program during the holidays for royal children: The kids will have the opportunity to explore various medieval themes - among other things, they can try their hand at using a sword and bow. The rooms of the castle are also open for visits.

If the lake is too fresh, too sunny or too far away, Leipzig's open-air pools will also delight you. The Schreberbad is the oldest swimming facility still in use and still has a lot to offer. Not only wading pools, swimmers' pools and non-swimmers' pools await you, but also volleyball courts and table tennis tables. If, on the other hand, you like it more natural and without any chlorine or chemicals, you should pay a visit to the Ökobad Lindenthal.

There is action and fun for the whole family at East Germany's largest amusement park BELANTIS. The park is located in Leipziger Neuseenland, close to Lake Cospuden. You can discover eight themed worlds here. Especially for adrenaline junkies there is plenty to discover here. Our highlight: a ride on the HURACAN. With this ride, you hurtle down into the depths at a 95° gradient. The Family Coaster "Cobra of Amun Ra" is also particularly cool. Even the little ones can venture onto this roller coaster. Kids from the age of four can ride it.

Technology fans and history buffs will also be happy just a stone's throw away. In the Mining Technology Park, you can find out why and how the Neuseenland became what it is today. Imposing steel giants form the authentic backdrop, where you can learn about the production cycle of open-cast lignite mining. This was and is Leipzig's history at your fingertips.

How long does it take to build a car? How do you become a test driver? And why is a wedding celebrated every day at Porsche? Questions that should be particularly interesting for younger guests and visitors with an interest in technology. On a tour through the production facilities of the well-known car manufacturer you will learn how the Porsche Panamera and the Macan are made here in Leipzig. The kids can also get behind the wheel - only in a stationary sports car, of course. Unless, of course, they get a separate ticket for a ride as co-driver on the Porsche test track after the works tour. That is also possible here.

Get on your bike! Leipzig and the region are perfect for exploring by bike on. However, if you don't have your own, you can hire a bike from nextbike and return it at many places in the city. One of the most popular tours is the Neuseenland cycle route. This takes you along nine lakes to numerous bathing opportunities. That's why it says here: Don't forget to pack your swimsuit!

You can also take an extended tour on the Mulderadweg cycle route. Here you cycle through small romantic towns with medieval centers and past former manor houses. From the most beautiful old town center in central Germany in Grimma to Germany's oldest castle in Wurzen it takes two hours by bike. On the way, for example, the Schloss Trebsen invites you to take a tour and enjoy hearty delicacies from the castle kitchen.

The forest and heathland to the north of Bad Düben is also ideal for an idyllic family outing on a bike. From the spa town, you can set off on extended bike tours or take a leisurely ride on the Dübener-Heide train to various locations, from where you can start your own individual excursion. Bad Düben itself also offers a moor bath and heath spa plenty of space for parents to relax and children to splash around.

Want more great bike excursions? We have prepared the most beautiful cycling routes in and around Leipzig for you.

Highfield-Festival

Whether Milky Chance, Madsen, Clueso, Electric Callboy or The Kooks... the list of top-class acts at this year's Highfield-Festival is long. Located on the Magdeborn peninsula in Lake Störmthal, the event is like a small holiday with its own beach, good vibes and unforgettable memories. Particularly adventurous: from the Giant Wheel, you have a unique view of the entire lake and the festival grounds!
 
West Wing Summer Festival

For the annual summer festival of the Figurentheater Westflügel, this year Hähnelstraße in the west of Leipzig is thematically transformed into a "Happy Place" - a fair of rituals to let go of stress, insecurities and all negative thoughts. Westflügel doesn't just do children's theater, but figure theater for all ages. The theater is dedicated to the playful use of a wide variety of objects - even curious little machines are often built. Located directly on the trendy Karl-Heine-Straße, you can also enjoy the diverse culinary arts of the most popular scene mile in the west of Leipzig just around the corner after getting to know the art of the house.