Starting signal for the main season in Leipzig New Lakeland

Preparations for the summer season are almost complete at the lakes around Leipzig. There are some new features for holidaymakers, swimmers and walkers, according to the operators. From Lake Cospuden to Schladitz Bay, the Leipzig region with the trade fair city and the numerous open-cast mining lakes will attract 5.8 million visitors in 2023.

"Everything is ready", said Stephan Mann from the Leipziger Neuseenland passenger shipping company. The boats have been sailing once a weekend since the beginning of April and will resume their tours on Lake Markkleeberg and Lake Störmthal every day from April 27. Mann is hoping for a large number of visitors - even though the connection between the two lakes, the canoe park lock, is still impassable due to embankment cracks.

Vineta, the floating church, has also reopened its doors on Lake Störmthal since Easter, according to Sabine Schön from Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig. From mid-April, visitors can enjoy a varied cultural program.

So that the swimming season can start unhindered with the onset of summer weather, the Hain Beach, a new lake promenade, was installed on Lake Hain, as Sarah Bichel, employee of Blauwasser Seemanagement GmbH, said.

The changing rooms at the stand-up paddling location on Lake Markkleeberg are currently receiving the finishing touches, said manager Franziska Böhm. Otherwise, they are well prepared for the rush of visitors. This year, the offer of wing and foil stand-up paddling could finally be implemented, as a model test by the Free State of Bavaria to assess the dangers of the sport was positive and foiling is therefore permitted in certain areas.

Free Wi-Fi networks are now also available at Lake Cospuden and Lake Kulkwitz. The project of the City of Leipzig's "Digital City" department began implementation at the end of last season. The free Wi-Fi can be used 70 to 100 meters around so-called "access points". An extension to the southern eastern beach of Lake Kulkwitz is also planned, according to department employee Matthias Stock.