The Capital of Culture year has taken Chemnitz’s tourism to a new level. In 2025, the city recorded the highest number of tourists in its history. Arrivals rose by 22 per cent and overnight stays by 24 per cent compared with the previous year, bucking the Saxony-wide trend of declining visitor numbers and
overnight stays in 2025.

The rise in visitor numbers during the Capital of Culture year has had an immediate impact on the local economy. Tourist spending in Chemnitz grew significantly in 2025. This growth can be attributed to Chemnitz 2025, according to data from the payment service provider Mastercard. The figures show that leisure tourists increased their spending far more than business travellers.