Shopping

From A for antiquarian to Z for zoological, stores and boutiques offer everything for a day's shopping. For visitors of Leipzig, there are a number of prestigious specialist retailers right in the city centre, suitably accommodated in the large Passages. A shopping trip could start under the arches of the Old City Hall, where Leipzig souvenirs and literature on the city are also available. The Mädler Passage, which is continued in the Messehofpassage through to Petersstrasse, has a selection of luxury shops and boutiques to warm any shopper's heart. A new look has been given to the shopping arcades in Speck's Hof, the former trade-fair palace between Reichsstrasse and Nikolaikirchhof, and in Barthels Hof. There are new shopping arcades in Städtisches Kaufhaus and Nikolaistrasse. The shopping centre at the Leipzig Central Station, one of the most modern stations in Germany, comprises about 140 shops and cafés etc. on three stores. Several well-known department stores have opened both in the city centre and in newly built shopping malls. For many Leipzig residents and visitors, the pedestrian-oriented city centre is the favourite destination for an interesting shopping trip.

The markets of fresh goods, where agricultural produce from the region is sold by farmers and traders are very popular. On Saturday, you can find almost anything your heart desires at the market near Leipzig Central Stadium. On the first weekend of the month, an antique and flea market is held - on Saturdays at Leipzig Central Station (platform 24), and on Sundays on the old Leipzig Fair grounds (Hall 13). Every last Sunday in the month, antique collectors are in for a treat at the antique and second-hand market at Leipzig Central Stadium and Cottaweg.

Country markets in Salzgäßchen behind the Old Stock Exchange and the flower and ceramics market on Market Square in May are already an established tradition, as are the Market Days in September and the Leipzig Book Market in mid-September. A special attraction every August is the Market Criers' Competition, for which pedlars from all over Germany come to Leipzig. This noisy competition held in front of the Battle of the Nations Monument does not only offer entertainment but also many a bargain! Three times a year, the traditional fun fair opens its doors to visitors, on the site by Cottaweg, with sales stands, lottery stalls and fairground atmosphere.

In the period before Christmas, Market Square and surrounding areas are decked out for the season - a Fairy-Tale Forest and the world's largest free-standing advent calendar are among the attractions for young and old at the popular Leipzig Christmas Market.