Leiden, Netherlands

Leiden

A university town of canals, windmills and almshouses.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Leiden

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden or Naturalis, the natural history museum.
  2. AfternoonWalk the canals and visit the Hortus botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens.
  3. EveningHave dinner on a canal-side terrace or a moored boat.

Day 2

Visit Keukenhof in spring, or cycle to the beach at Katwijk.

What to eat

Leidse kaas, cheese with cumin seeds.

Local tips

Make the most of Leiden

Beat the crowds

Leiden is relaxed; the canals are lively on Saturday market days.

Best photo spot

The canals in the old centre, and the view from the Burcht, a small fortress on a mound.

Getting there

Trains from Amsterdam and Schiphol are quick. The centre is walkable.

Don't miss nearby

The Keukenhof gardens in spring, about 20 minutes away.

Good to know

Look for the wall poems painted on buildings all over the city. The botanical garden is one of the oldest in the world.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Leiden

Our most hidden places around Leiden: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Leiden to take with you.

48 km away
50 km away
70 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Leiden

Getting there

  • Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM)25 km away
  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)25 km away
  • Delft19 km away
  • Haarlem25 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryNetherlands

Questions

Leiden: good to know

Is Leiden worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A university town of canals, windmills and almshouses.

How many days do you need in Leiden?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Leiden?

You can visit all year. Leiden is relaxed; the canals are lively on Saturday market days.

How do you get to Leiden?

The nearest airport is Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), about 25 km away. Trains from Amsterdam and Schiphol are quick. The centre is walkable.

What is there to see near Leiden?

Nearby hidden places include Delft (19 km), Gouda (22 km) and Haarlem (27 km).

Day trips from Leiden: 18 hidden places nearby
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