Hip industrial heritage in Leipzig: 7 tips for your city trip

Tip 1: Spinnerei Art Center

Until 1992, Spinnerei was Europe's largest cotton factory. Today, its angular building with large windows has become a hub for art. Renowned painter Neo Rauch played a significant role in transforming the factory into an art center. Behind its red-brick walls, you’ll find over 100 studios and 11 galleries and exhibition spaces. The interior blends industrial charm with artistic innovation. On-site, there’s also a café, a cinema, and a theater to explore.

^{Foto: Spinnerei Art Centre / © Philipp Kirschner / leipzig.travel}

Tip 2: Buntgarnwerke

Buntgarnwerke, the largest factory complex in Leipzig-Plagwitz and Germany’s biggest industrial monument from the Wilhelminian era, boasts stunning facades with orange bricks, white horizontal stripes, and arched windows. The two buildings are connected by a double-deck bridge over the Weisse Elster River, built in the same architectural style. Today, the structures house apartments but are best admired from the outside. For a unique perspective, rent a canoe and paddle under the iconic bridge.

^{Foto: Buntgarnwerke / © Philipp Kirschner / leipzig.travel}

Tip 3: Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig

Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig is a cultural hotspot located in a former power plant, featuring multimedia exhibitions, 360° video shows, and contemporary art. Its raw industrial exterior contrasts beautifully with its renovated interiors, which span over 21,500 square feet of exhibition space. Alongside international exhibits, you’ll find lectures, concerts, and delectable food and drinks. Plan at least two hours to immerse yourself in this creative haven.

^{Foto: Kunstkraftwerk / © Philipp Kirschner / leipzig.travel}

Tip 4: Karl-Heine-Straße & Karl-Heine Canal

Karl-Heine-Straße is a lively, two-kilometer-long street running through the Plagwitz industrial district. From vintage shops to unique eateries offering breakfast, lunch, or candlelit dinners, this street is always buzzing. It’s a hub for Leipzig’s cultural scene, with theaters, clubs, and local hangouts.

Named after Karl Heine (1819–1888), a key figure in Leipzig’s industrial growth, the Karl-Heine Canal stretches 3.3 kilometers through western Leipzig. Take a boat ride under 15 bridges, passing well-preserved industrial architecture along the way.

^{Foto: Karl-Heine-Straße / © Philipp Kirschner / leipzig.travel}

Tip 5: Löffelfamilie at Feinkost 

The iconic neon “Löffelfamilie” (Spoon Family) artwork can be found at Feinkost on Karl-Liebknecht-Straße. This industrial complex, originally built as a brewery in the late 19th century, later became a DDR-era canned food factory. Today, it’s a cultural hub featuring a beer garden, small shops, and occasional flea markets. During the summer, enjoy films in the outdoor cinema.

^{Foto: Feinkost vlooienmarkt / © Philipp Kirschner / leipzig.travel}

Tip 6: KarLi

Short for Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, KarLi is a vibrant street filled with cafés, pubs, and bars in Leipzig's alternative student district, Südvorstadt. Known for its buzzing atmosphere, this area has been a cultural hotspot since the 1990s, when squatters and club-goers gathered here. Enjoy international cuisine on sunny terraces and explore nearby attractions like the Löffelfamilie and House No. 43, designed by Fischer-Art.

^{Foto: Cafe Puschkin KarLi / © Tom Schulze / leipzig.travel}

Tip 7: Panometer Leipzig

Housed in a former gasometer from 1910, the Panometer Leipzig showcases the world’s largest 360° panoramas. The 105-foot-tall circular space features artworks by Yadegar Asisi, including themes like "Everest" and the "Great Barrier Reef." From a 49-foot-high central viewing tower, you can immerse yourself in these lifelike landscapes, which shift from day to night during the 15-minute shows. A supporting exhibition and a “making-of” video provide behind-the-scenes insights.

^{Foto: Panometer / © Philipp Kirschner / leipzig.travel}

This article was created in collaboration with Leipzig Tourismus. Looking for more travel inspiration for your stay in Leipzig? Visit their website for more information.