Day trips from Leiden
18 hidden towns and nature spots within 150 km of Leiden, picked by Europe Revealed. Sorted from nearest to furthest.
20 km01 · Hidden townGoudaA Gothic town hall on a big market square, famous for its cheese.
Trains from Rotterdam and The Hague take about 20 minutes.
30 km02 · Nature spotZuid-Kennemerland National ParkDunes, forest and beach just west of Haarlem, with a herd of European bison.
Buses run from Haarlem. It's easy by bike, about 20 minutes from Haarlem.
30 km03 · Nature spotKinderdijkNineteen historic windmills along the canals of a polder.
Waterbuses run from Rotterdam's Erasmus Bridge in about 30 minutes. Buses run from Rotterdam and Dordrecht.
40 km04 · Hidden townDordrechtThe oldest city in Holland, with harbours and leaning merchant houses.
Trains from Rotterdam take about 15 minutes. Waterbuses also run from Rotterdam.
40 km05 · Popular townZaanse SchansWorking windmills and green wooden houses along the river Zaan.
Trains from Amsterdam take about 20 minutes to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station, then a short walk.
50 km06 · Hidden townNaardenA star-shaped fortress town ringed by double moats.
Trains run to Naarden-Bussum, then a short bus or walk.
50 km07 · Nature spotBiesbosch National ParkA maze of creeks and willow forests, home to beavers.
Buses run from Dordrecht. Easiest by car or bike.
55 km08 · Hidden townEdam & VolendamA sleepy cheese town next to a colourful fishing harbour.
Buses run from Amsterdam Centraal, about 30 minutes.
65 km09 · Hidden townHoornA Golden Age harbour town with a round defence tower on the water.
Trains from Amsterdam take about 35 minutes.
70 km10 · Nature spotLoonse en Drunense DuinenA small desert of drifting sand in the middle of the Netherlands.
Easiest by car or bike from 's-Hertogenbosch or Tilburg.
80 km11 · Hidden townEnkhuizenA quiet harbour town at the end of the line, with an open-air museum village.
Trains from Amsterdam take about an hour; Enkhuizen is the end of the line.
85 km12 · Nature spotHoge VeluweHeathland, forest and drifting sand dunes, with free white bikes to ride.
Buses run from Arnhem and Ede-Wageningen stations.
90 km13 · Hidden townVeereA tiny Zeeland harbour town with a huge unfinished church.
Buses run from Middelburg, about 15 minutes. Easiest by bike.
100 km14 · Nature spotTexelThe largest Wadden island, with dunes, wide beaches and seals.
Trains run to Den Helder, then the ferry takes about 20 minutes.
105 km15 · Hidden townKampenA skyline of towers and city gates along the river IJssel.
Trains from Zwolle take about 10 minutes. The old town is walkable.
115 km16 · Hidden townDeventerA medieval Hanseatic town on the river IJssel, full of bookshops.
Trains run from Amsterdam and Zwolle.
115 km17 · Hidden town · BelgiumLierA canal town with a beguinage and an astronomical clock tower.
Trains run from Antwerp in about 15 minutes.
125 km18 · Popular townGiethoornA car-free village of thatched farmhouses linked by canals and footbridges.
Giethoorn is best reached by car. By public transport, take the train to Steenwijk and a bus from there.Questions
Day trips from Leiden: good to know
What are the best day trips from Leiden?
Our favourite hidden places near Leiden are Gouda (20 km), Zuid-Kennemerland National Park (30 km), Kinderdijk (30 km) and Dordrecht (40 km). All 18 are on this page, sorted by distance.
How far are these places from Leiden?
All of them are within about 150 km of Leiden in a straight line, close enough for a day trip by car, and many by train or bus too. Check each place for how to get there.