elaya hotel leipzig city center

Leipzig Zoo

Find a cheap car holiday in Germany at Risskov and visit the charming city of Leipzig on a family self-drive holiday. Leipzig has a lot to offer. A trip for both children and adults that is highly recommended is Leipzig Zoo, the city's large and very modern zoo. It is possible to get up close to some of the animals and then there are camel rides and boat trips around the grounds. Find a cheap summer holiday or winter break with Risskov and get away on a self-drive experience with child-friendly hotels.

Christmas market in Leipzig

25th November to 23rd December 2025

Sun-Thu: 10.00-21.00

Fri-Sat: 10.00-22.00 - You can visit the Christmas market's own website with current information

Experience the beautiful historic and culturally rich East German city of Leipzig as Christmas approaches and the many cosy Christmas markets transform the city into a true Christmas paradise.

Leipzig's Christmas market tradition has roots dating back to the 15th century. Over time, the city's unique cultural and culinary offerings have helped give the city and its Christmas markets an almost legendary reputation. With well over 300 stalls, it is one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany. Under the traditional Christmas tree in the centre of the city, the splendid atmosphere of Leipzig's Christmas market is created, with lots of decorations, lights and Christmas cheer in the streets.

Augustusplatz offers plenty of exciting opportunities and activities for children, families, young and old, with a fairytale forest, crafts, Santa visits and lovely smells from all directions. You'll also have the chance to enjoy a fantastic view of the city centre with a ride on the big Ferris wheel.

Behind the old town hall and in front of the 'Alter Handelsbörse' you can find a cosy craft market where you can admire a wide variety of crafts and handicrafts, ranging from foundry and ceramics to glassblowing and candle-making. All of this is set against a wonderful backdrop of Christmas food stalls selling roasted almonds, Glühwein and much more.

At the city's historic Nikolai Church, you can enjoy a cosy and social gathering by the beautiful Christmas pyramid. Here you will find both burning punch and fragrant waffles and the area invites you to stroll in the lovely Christmas atmosphere.

Not far from the market area is Leipzig's huge shopping street, Petersstraße, which is a great place to go Christmas shopping and find some of the things the stalls don't offer.

Leipzig is a beautiful city with plenty to offer, and whatever the season, it's packed with sights that are well worth a visit. With a cheap hotel stay in the city at Christmas time, you have the perfect opportunity to enjoy a holiday combining the Christmas market with shopping and sightseeing.

Merseburg

Merseburg is considered one of the first cities in central Germany, the city on the river Saale, and thanks to Merseburg, many more cities were built in the area, thanks in part to Bishop Thietmar of Merseburg, who lived between 975 and 1018. The bishop's library is said to have contained the Merseburg verses, the oldest German writings with pagan content.

Merseburg Cathedral is considered one of the most important cathedral buildings in Germany and began with the laying of the cathedral's foundation stone on 18 May 1015. The Gothic cathedral and Renaissance castle tower offer astonishing views over the city and the river. Every September, the cathedral attracts music enthusiasts to the Merseburg Organ Festival, which has been one of the musical and cultural highlights of Saxony-Anhalt for decades.

Halle

If you are on a car holiday in the Leipzig area, Halle is only a short drive away. Halle has much to offer. You can learn about the life and work of the famous composer in the Händel-Haus, see modern and classical artworks at the Kunstmuseum Moritzburg, in a Renaissance castle. A visit to the Halloren chocolate factory is another must. It is Germany's oldest chocolate factory and now houses a chocolate museum and factory outlet. For fans, the Beatles Museum in Halle is also a great place to visit.