guest statistics 2025

Leipzig recorded approximately 2,0 million arrivals and 3,7 million overnight stays in 2025, according to the Saxon State Statistical Office. While there was a slight decrease in arrivals (-1,2 percent) and overnight stays (-3,3 percent) compared to the previous year, Leipzig still achieved its third-best results since visitor statistics began being recorded in 1990. With the number of guest arrivals and overnight stays, Leipzig is the only city in Saxony to have exceeded its pre-pandemic figures for 2019 for the third consecutive year. According to calculations by the German Institute for Tourism Research (dwif), an additional 40,4 million day trips were recorded. 

In addition to cultural and city tourists, business travel contributed significantly to the city's success. May 2025 was the busiest month with 379.674 overnight stays, followed by August (365.789) and October (355.045). December 2025 proved to be the month with the strongest growth, showing an increase of 3,9 percent in arrivals compared to 2024. The Leipzig Christmas Market, with its high-quality offerings, was a key factor in this success. In 2025, Leipzig's guests had access to an average of 132 accommodation establishments with 21.731 beds. In 2024, there were 137 accommodation establishments with 22.062 beds. The average length of stay was 1,9 days, the same as the previous year. The average occupancy rate for guest rooms was 62,1 percent (hotels with 25 or more guest rooms). 

Volker Bremer, Managing Director of Leipzig Tourism and Marketing (LTM) GmbH, commented on the visitor statistics: “Visitor numbers are only slightly below the record year of 2023. In these economically challenging times, leisure travelers in particular are foregoing city breaks and concentrating on their main holiday trips. Many business trips are being replaced by video conferences. It is therefore all the more gratifying that we were able to achieve stable overnight stay figures in Leipzig in 2025 despite these circumstances. The International German Gymnastics Festival Leipzig, extensive marketing activities both domestically and internationally, and numerous international trade fairs, congresses, and conferences all contributed to Leipzig's increased profile.” Gewandhausorchester, Opera, THOMANERCHOR LEIPZIG (St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig), Zoo LeipzigPanometer, theaters and museums, RB Leipzig and Quarterback Immobilien Arena. In addition, numerous major events have become established in the Leipzig region, including the 7-Lakes Hike, the Highfield Festival and the Biedermeier Beach. Active tourism is also becoming increasingly important.”

The number of international tourists decreased compared to 2024, which is also related to the strong presence of international football fans at the 2024 European Football Championship matches held in Leipzig. In addition, direct flights from major cities like London and Munich to Leipzig were discontinued last year. In 2025, Leipzig recorded 234.310 international arrivals (-12,6 percent) and 489.335 overnight stays (-17,1 percent). This corresponds to a share of 13,3 percent of total overnight stays (2024: 15,5 percent). Most international guests came from the USA (39.876 overnight stays), followed by Austria (38.321 overnight stays), Poland (36.540 overnight stays), the Netherlands (34.760 overnight stays), and Switzerland (32.391).

The top 10 foreign visitors in 2025:

Source: Statistical Office of the Free State of Saxony

LTM Managing Director Volker Bremer is optimistic about the year 2026: “We are looking forward to many important international congresses and conferences in Leipzig, but also to highlights such as the LORTZING 26 opera festival, the completion of the city harbor, and the opening of the ‘Feuerland’ adventure world.” Zoo Leipzig'Or the hosting of the UEFA Cup Conference Final in Leipzig on May 27, 2026. These will lead to bookings. Furthermore, cultural events such as the Book Fair, the Leipzig Bach Festival, the Wave-Gotik-Treffen (Wave Gothic Meeting), and the Christmas Market encourage many visitors to travel to Leipzig. Together with Leipziger Messe GmbH and the partners of the Leipzig Convention Network, we will be present at international trade fairs in Barcelona, ​​Frankfurt, Salzburg, and Düsseldorf, and will acquire congresses and conferences for Leipzig.'

It is also encouraging that the German Tourism Day 2026 will take place in Leipzig for the first time, from November 18th to 19th. Around 500 guests are expected at the largest conference for tourism in Germany.

Further information about the LEIPZIG REGION: www.leipzig.travel