While far from the ultimate guide, (bear in mind I have only gone twice but will add information I find in subsequent years) here are some of my recommendations and feedback of places in Leipzig. Sad Goth’s WGT page also has a wealth of information.

Places to Stay

Wave Gotik Treffen takes over the entire city so expect every hotel, hostel, Bed and Breakfast etc. to be booked up in advance. If you want to ensure you have somewhere to stay that is acceptable for you and that won’t break the budget, it’s a good idea to book early and shop around.

Hostels

Hostels are difficult to get hold of during Leipzig time. Rooms and beds are oversubscribed and priority is given to previous guests. Beds are then allocated on a first come first served basis so it is worthwhile booking early. Try looking at Hostelworld where you can book hostels, check out customer reviews see a map of the locations of hostels in the area.

The Sleepy Lion Hostel

I stayed here for WGT 2010. Breakfast and bed-clothes are included. Towels aren’t included. A perfectly acceptable place to stay but may not be much cheaper than if you can share a room with a friend/significant other. Around £27 per night

Guests who return after the previous year are given first refusal. Remaining rooms open for booking in January.

Hotels

The Seaside Park Hotel

Friends have stayed here and talked highly of it – an old favourite with many Goths so rooms get booked up very early (sometimes since before the previous festival). Double rooms only, includes breakfast. Around £75 per night

Motel One

Friends have stayed here, talked highly of it and I have visited one of their rooms. Modern hotel with small yet comfortable rooms.  Double Rooms only, does not include breakfast. Books up early.  Around £60 per night

Ibis Leipzig Zentrum

Friends have stayed here and I stayed here for WGT 2012. Twin and Double rooms – basic but clean and comfortable. Breakfast available and included for an additional charge. Around £85 per night.

Radisson Blu

I stayed here for WGT 2011. Has Doubles, Twins and Suites but has a see-through shower in an open plan room so not ideal for sharing with a friend (although can be got-around by timing showers carefully!). Massive hotel so does not usually get fully booked early. Starting around £100 per night

Novotel

Around £70 per night

Holiday Inn

Around £60 per night

Neither the Novotel or Holiday Inn I have heard about particularly but these both have twin rooms.

Eating and Drinking

Bayerischer Bahnhof

A great place if you want to sample real German Cuisine. Nice selection of Beers and very good, reasonably priced food but little choice for Vegetarians. Usually the location of both Sadgoths Meetup and The Americans in Leipzig meetup

Auerbachs Keller

Apparently there is an old saying in German about Auerbach’s Keller:

“He who travels to the trade markets
of Leipzig without visting
Auerbachs Yard must hold his peace.
It proves: He has not seen Leipzig”

So, the Auerbach’s Keller has become a “must visit” for many people down the ages including the famous German writer Goethe. A beautiful restaurant with great traditional German cuisine which, although more expensive than the Bayeriche Bahnhof still comes to about £20 per person including starters and drinks. As ever with German food: some, but not a huge choice for Vegetarians.

Sixtina

Where Goths go for breakfast Absinthe. It seems that throughout the entire festival Sixtina never closes and even advertises their “Absinthe Frühstück” in the festival timetable. Green Cornflakes anyone? You can also purchase their Absinthe to take home.

The Pagan Village (“Heitniches Dorf”)

The Pagan Village is located near the main Agra Halle venue and is a great place to chill out with food and drink. There are fresh bread makers, crepe stands and sellers of home-made elderberry wine. The Pagan village is also known for it’s Mead (or “Met” in German) and even though Mead is available in most venues at the festival, this is where the majority of it is drunk. The best has to be the Wikinger Blut Met (Viking Blood Mead) and drinking horns can also be purchased for drinking Mead in true pagan style.