- What makes the KarLi so special?
-
Our Hotel Connection: From Bayrischer Platz to Alt-Connewitz
-
Into the Green: Clara-Zetkin-Park and Fockeberg around the corner
-
Conclusion: The KarLi as the common thread of your Leipzig trip
What Makes the KarLi so Special?
The Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, or KarLi for short, is probably Leipzig’s coolest street. Here, dining spots line up next to boutiques, bars next to studios, late-night shops next to cafés – and in between, plenty of street life. Sometimes quiet, sometimes bustling: the KarLi showcases its full range from morning till late. It’s certainly not a high-gloss boulevard, but rather a place where a corner pub meets an espresso bar, a vinyl shop meets natural wine, and döner meets falafel meets delicatessen. This very mix of local neighborhood feel and cosmopolitan flair is what makes it so appealing.
Where Does the KarLi Begin – and where Does it Lead?
The Karl-Liebknecht-Straße starts at Emilienstraße, passes Südplatz through Südvorstadt, and ends at Connewitzer Kreuz. In between are the lively blocks around the Kunst- und Gewerbegenossenschaft Feinkost e.G. and the sections around Kochstraße and Schenkstraße: each section has its own rhythm. Whether you fancy breakfast until 3 PM, lunch at an Asia deli, an after-work drink, or midnight pizza – you’ll find it within a few house numbers.
Our Hotel Connection: from Bayrischer Platz to Alt-Connewitz
For guests of our hotels, the KarLi is practically the lifeline between the hotels. The Hotel am Bayrischen Platz is located northeast of the KarLi, a few minutes’ walk from the southern edge of the city center. Yes, it’s not directly on the street – but close enough to be in the thick of things within a 10-minute walk or 2–3 tram stops. At the other end awaits the Hotel Alt-Connewitz – the perfect gateway to the southern KarLi cosmos towards Connewitzer Kreuz, Werk 2, and Wildpark. Those who know both hotels experience the KarLi as a connecting axis: comfortably towards the city in the morning, back to the neighborhood in the evening – or vice versa. That’s precisely why we like to recommend our guests explore both halves of the street.
Eat, Drink, Browse: Variety on the KarLi
Culinary-wise, the KarLi is a short trip around the world. Between old-school bakeries, ice cream parlors, ramen bars, oriental cuisine, Saxon home cooking, burger grills, and plant-based cafés, there’s something for every mood. For those who prefer to drink: craft beer, natural wine, good cocktails, honest long drinks – and, of course, the obligatory late-night shop nightcap for the way home. In between, small design stores, second-hand treasures, bookstores, record shops, and studios make browsing a highlight.
Student Vibe & Neighborhood Feel
The KarLi breathes campus energy: many students live in the district or commute here from the university to work, read, and discuss. This shapes the street – budget-friendly lunches, vegan options, study cafés with power outlets, open galleries, open mic nights. Added to this is an established local crowd: long-established shops, crafts, Saturday farmers’ market baskets. This coexistence of old and new, loud and quiet, makes the KarLi so vibrant – and so typically Leipzig.
The Concept Store Principle on the KarLi
On the KarLi, the shelf/space rental model is booming: small labels rent shelf spaces or mini-shops, curated stores bundle the best of it – constantly changing, always hand-picked. Prime examples: Vielfach (the name says it all) with design, stationery, ceramics & gifts from indie brands – perfect for browsing for unique souvenirs. Just around the corner, Südseite focuses on interior, plants, jewelry & fashion with a careful selection.
The heart of it is the area of the Kunst- und Gewerbegenossenschaft Feinkost e.G. (Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 36): a cooperative that preserves the former factory premises as a social/cultural space and creates rooms for small businesses and creative existences – from shops to studios. There are permanently rented units, changing concepts, markets, summer cinema, and much more.
The KarLi is absolutely exciting for local design and small manufacturers: lots of personality, little run-of-the-mill.
KarLi Insider Tips from our Hotel Team
Who could give you better tips about the KarLi than our Leipzig team? Here are our staff picks:
Anastasia definitely recommends getting a solid base at Schnellbuffet Süd before an evening pub crawl. There you’ll find hearty German home cooking, typical GDR dishes, and the fitting canteen charm on top. And it’s delicious, of course. A real insider tip. Visiting the flea market at Feinkost is a must on the first Saturday of every month. The offerings reflect the KarLi lifestyle and are guaranteed to be anything but ordinary. There are also irregular flea markets.
Anne swears by Perlentaucher (Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 51), your neighborhood spot for beads, jewelry accessories, and unique pieces – from glass and gemstone beads to clasps and tools. Those who want to get creative themselves will find advice, kits, and occasional workshops here – perfect for individual gifts and DIY jewelry.
Viktoriia has a particularly sweet tip: Magic Waffle serves not only waffles, cakes & ice cream but also trendy “Cédric Grolet”-style tarts – these hyperrealistic fruit-shaped treats are currently blowing up on TikTok. Perfect for that sweet photo moment: crispy, creamy, Instagram-worthy – and for sharing (or perhaps indulging alone). Ultimately, “the waffles are definitely better”.
Sandra loves the international food offerings and laid-back cafés. At La Cosita, the “extremely good and homemade nachos with a selection of homemade dips are unbeatable.” Sona is an upscale sushi bar with modern Asian fusion cuisine and a stylish interior. In the charming Forest Park, you’ll find all-day breakfast, sandwiches, sweet treats, and many creative vegan/vegetarian options.
Into the Green: Clara-Zetkin-Park and Fockeberg around the Corner
If, after the KarLi hustle and bustle, you crave fresh air & open space, the Clara-Zetkin-Park is your quick escape into nature. From the KarLi, you’re in the middle of it all within minutes: wide avenues, old trees, sunbathing lawns, playgrounds, and the Karl-Heine Canal/Elster flood plain not far away. Jogging before breakfast, an afternoon picnic, paddle boating on the Elster, or simply bench-hopping with a coffee-to-go – anything goes here. From Clara-Zetkin-Park, riverside forest paths lead northward to Rosental – ideal for longer runs or bike tours.
The Fockeberg is Leipzig’s iconic “peak” – an artificial hill of rubble from the post-war period, today covered in greenery and ideal for a short scenic walk. From the top, you look out over Südvorstadt, KarLi, and the city all the way to the Monument to the Battle of the Nations; it’s especially beautiful at sunset. The ascent takes less than ten minutes, paths are stroller-friendly, and benches invite you to take a breath.
For our guests, the park and Fockeberg are the perfect extension to your day: From the Hotel am Bayrischen Platz, you can comfortably stroll past the Bayerischer Bahnhof along Riemannstraße and Mozartstraße; from the Hotel Alt-Connewitz, you can reach the park along the Pleiße with a relaxed stroll or by bike. Our tip: At sunset, head to the waterfront or climb the Fockeberg, then return to the KarLi for an aperitivo – Leipzig at its best.
Getting there & Orientation
From the main train station, you can reach Südplatz or Kochstraße by tram in just a few minutes. From Hotel am Bayrischen Platz, you simply walk down Riemannstraße to the KarLi. That takes only 9 minutes, and you start your KarLi adventure from the “top.” From Hotel Alt-Connewitz, you can walk up Biedermannstraße to Connewitzer Kreuz. That also takes only 8 minutes. Anyway, many things are surprisingly close on foot – that’s precisely the charm of the KarLi: short distances, many stages, constantly new discoveries.
And the Current Construction Site?
Currently, a lot is under construction on the KarLi – tracks, roadways, utility lines, bike paths: Leipzig is investing in the future of the street. Yes, that can be annoying for a short time: sometimes a detour, sometimes temporary crossings, sometimes construction fences in front of your favorite café. The positive side: After the construction, the KarLi will be more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly, with clearer crossings and improved quality of stay. Short-term effort, long-term gain.
Conclusion: the KarLi as the Common Thread of your Leipzig Trip
The KarLi is more than just an entertainment street – it’s everyday life and a stage, a food court and a promenade, a workbench and a living room. For guests of our hotels, it connects city proximity at Bayrischer Platz with the neighborhood heart in Connewitz. Take your time, an afternoon or even a whole day. Let yourself drift, try your way through, grab a bookstore find – and in the evening, toast to a street that condenses Leipzig’s diversity into a few kilometers. Regardless of the construction: The KarLi delivers. Always.