10 reasons to love Leipzig

Leipzig, home to the Gewandhaus concert hall and orchestra, as well as the famous Thomaner boys' choir, is a city of music. Johann Sebastian Bach lived and worked here from 1723 until 1750. The city even has a well-known opera house. Lonely Planet had many reasons to rank Leipzig No. 1 in German travel destinations, from music to alternative culture. Leipzig rocks!

Leipzig is booming, drawing young people in particular. They are a major element of the lively, creative charm of the city. For instance, on the Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, known locally as KarLi, you can find a mix of bars, unusual shops and some adventurous lofts in former factory buildings. Lonely Planet writes: "The city is young, exciting, multifaceted and full of vibrance."

A must-see attraction is the Plagwitz district with its Karl-Heine-Strasse. Here, the city's work-in-progress charm is evident — new pubs have opened next to former factories, and cheap studios and offices attract artists and startups, while graffiti adorns the buildings that have not yet been developed. Many art, cultural and street events take place here, like the "Westpaket" flea market.

Leipzig has many restaurants and cafes — which have reopened in compliance with strict COVID-19 rules — where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the old town. The club scene has also seen a revival. At the legendary Distillery Club, for example, cocktails can be enjoyed in the outdoor seating area while a DJ spins tunes. Dancing, however, remains strictly forbidden.

The many vacant areas in the city leave room for new ideas to develop, with former industrial buildings being used for parties and events. But there are many buildings that remain empty and are not in use — exploring them can be a fascinating activity in itself.

A renowned example of innovative development is the conversion of a former cotton mill factory building, the Spinnerei. With studios, galleries and exhibitions, this is the epicenter of Leipzig's art scene. The Eigen + Art gallery, based in this compound, created the New Leipzig School — a modern art movement — known internationally, with Neo Rauch as its most famous representative.

Leipzig is a city popular with students. Leipzig University was founded in 1409, making it the second-oldest in Germany. Famous poets like Gotthold Ephraim Lessing and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe studied here. The centrally located main building of the university, with its church — which got a new look in 2012 — brings student life into the heart of the city.

In Leipzig, everything can be reached by bicycle — including the many man-made lakes surrounding the city. A popular gathering place is Cospudener See, a lake which is also known locally as "Cossi." It was created when a deep opencast mine was flooded. Its shores host Saxony's longest sandy beach, which is a well-known nudist zone.

Leipzig's inner city has ample green space, including Lene Voigt Park (pictured) and Clara Zetkin Park. Both get a lot of use when the weather is good, especially during the summer months. Many young people spend their time here playing volleyball, barbecuing or simply lounging in a hammock.

Every year on Pentecost, an extraordinary spectacle happens in Leipzig's parks. Thousands of people dressed in black flock to the Wave Gothic Festival — the biggest of its kind in the world. For three days, "goths" put themselves on show while also attending concerts and parties. But not all of them wear just black — outfits include opulent Victorian dresses, wigs and artistic headwear.