Walking tours around the Old Town in Leipzig should be top of your agenda when visiting this historic city. These excursions last up to 2 hours and are led by a local guide who knows all the best spots. You'll visit famous landmarks and amble down a few hidden back streets in your search for the real Leipzig. 

Listen to anecdotes about the city's past and discover how local culture and folk tales remain at the heart of the community to this day. These Leipzig tours are entertaining and educational at the same time. 

You'll see the Old Town Hall, the Opera House and the St. Thomas Church during your stroll around the atmospheric streets. The university buildings and the famous Gewandhaus concert hall are also on the itinerary. A highlight for some will be seeing the architectural majesty of the Mädler Passage shopping center.

For something different, evening excursions are also available. You'll hear chilling tales about some of Leipzig's most notorious inhabitants as you wander around the city's spookiest neighborhoods.  

Cruise along the canals of central Leipzig on these relaxing sightseeing excursions. You'll head deep into the city in an open-air motorboat that's been designed for 360-degree viewing. There will be a guide on board to tell you more about what you're seeing. 

This is a fun way to see a unique side of Leipzig – some areas you'll pass through are accessible only by water. During the ride you'll find out about the city's industrial past and how it has shaped the Leipzig of today.

Many Leipzig tours on the canals begin in the pretty harbor, which is home to a famous beach bar. After cruising along for a short while, you'll pass sights like the villa owned by the well-known Baedeker publishing family.

Discover more about Leipzig's flood protection scheme in Palmengartenwehr and see the distinctive architecture of the 19th-century Buntgarnwerke textile mills. Then it's on to the historic neighborhood of Plagwitz. Here, you'll motor along one of the city's most scenic canals and learn about the manufacturing heritage of Leipzig.

The Panometer in Leipzig is an innovative visual experience designed to immerse you in some of the world's best panoramas. It's one of the most unusual museums in Germany. Housed inside an old gasometer which once stored mains gas, the Panometer displays the largest 360° scenes on earth.

The themes change regularly, with different cities, regions and countries featured throughout the year. Past shows have revolved around world events like 9/11 while others concentrated on places like the Amazon Rainforest, Mount Everest and the Great Barrier Reef. Images of the fated Titanic ship have also appeared here.

The Panometer gives you a bird's-eye view of the chosen landscape from a height of 15 meters. You'll feel as small an insect as you gaze upon the colossal scene – it's a unique perspective! 

You'll be able to see the accompanying exhibitions too, each of which is curated to relate to the current panorama. Watch the short film that details how these displays were made to find out what goes on behind the scenes. 

One of the best ways to explore the old part of the city is on these free Leipzig tours. They take place on foot to keep costs down and you'll be accompanied by a guide who is keen to show off their local knowledge. 

There is no fixed price for these excursions, which is great if you're traveling on a budget. At the end of the walk, you just give the guide a tip according to how much you enjoyed the experience. This should be done in cash so make sure you have some on hand. 

You'll enjoy a leisurely stroll about the historic heart of the Leipzig, stopping at key locations for a history input from your guide. Expect a few quirky stories and insider secrets to be divulged along the way. 

Highlights of these jaunts include the University of Leipzig, the New Town Hall and a monument to the composer Bach. You'll also get to see the Federal Administrative Court of Germany, which was formerly the Reich's Supreme Court.

If you want to see the sights with minimal transport hassle, then hop-on hop-off Leipzig tours by bus are the way to go. The buses follow a circular route, stopping at major locations during the ride. This is a popular option for those who want to see a lot in a short space of time.

Bag seats on the top deck for the best views and keep your camera handy. You can then jump on and off as you please, alighting at the places you most wish to visit. Once you've seen an attraction, head back to the bus stop and continue your journey. 

Onboard commentary is available to tell you about the sights you'll be passing along the way. Popular stops include the old city, the zoo, Schiller House and Gohliser Castle. You can also reach the harbor and Augustusplatz on the bus.

The trip takes around 90 minutes without stops. Some tours include a city walking excursion at the end of the ride as a bit of a bonus.

Take to the water and see Leipzig from a new perspective by canoeing along the famous Karl-Heine Canal. You'll be paddling through one of the most scenic districts of the city, where nature and architecture sit side by side.

Karl Heine was an industrial pioneer and entrepreneur who shaped many of Leipzig's suburbs. The waterway you'll be exploring passes through the areas where he worked, and the canal itself is named after this famous character. 

Don't worry if it's your first time in a canoe as your guide will give you instructions and a full safety briefing. The large boats mean you can pair up with a friend for balance and moral support. You'll soon get the hang of it as you glide along the tree-lined canal.

Look out for the famous Baedeker Villa and the flood control barrier before making your way through Clara-Zetkin-Park. Pause for photos at the Buntgarnwerke industrial monument before winding your way back through the city. Reward yourself with drinks and snacks at the beach bar.

Enjoy a wild day out at the Leipzig Zoo, where everything from tigers to chimps are waiting to greet you. Set in the center of the city, this accessible wildlife wonderland is fun for all the family. You can spend a whole day here, so leave plenty of time to explore.

The focus of the zoo is the nature trail, which takes you through six themed adventure worlds. It's like journeying around the planet without leaving the city. The park is home to over 800 animals, so there's something here for everyone.

In Asia, you'll come across Przewalski’s horses and sloth bears, while in Africa it's all about zebras and lions. Head to South America if you want to see toucans and giant anteaters. There's an aquarium too, where tropical fish and hammerhead sharks are easily spotted. 

Don't miss feeding time and keeper talks if you want to see the creatures up close. You'll get to watch elephants bathing and giggle at the antics of cheeky seals as they hunt for fish. 

Drive back in time as you trundle through the historic streets of Leipzig in a vintage Trabi car. These 90-minute Leipzig tours have become popular with motoring aficionados and intrepid adventurers alike. 

You'll get behind the wheel of your very own Trabi car after receiving instruction and a short briefing. Then it's time to set off into the city with the roar of the classic engine accompanying you on your mission. You'll be traveling in a convoy behind your tour guide, so you won't need to worry about navigation. 

There will be commentary along the way via your car speakers, to help you learn more about the passing sights. You'll enjoy a few stops during the drive where you can change drivers and take photos. 

Popular locations included on these Leipzig excursions are the Gohlis Palace, the St. Thomas Church and the New City Hall. You'll also get to drive through the trendy district around Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse, which is known for its vibrant nightlife scene.