Skip to content
Menu
Travel by Example
  • Home
  • New Zealand
  • Netherlands
  • Europe
  • About Us
Travel by Example
Travel by Example - Leiden

Visit Leiden – a small Dutch town you must see

Posted on April 3, 2020October 27, 2022
* This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links I get a small commission at no additional cost to you. While clicking these links won’t cost you any money, it will help to keep this site going (Disclosure: Most likely, I'll spend the money to buy myself a cup of coffee to drink while writing my next travel article). *
Share this post

Home of the country’s oldest university, Leiden is a charming town located between Amsterdam and The Hague. Visit Leiden for its old architecture, museums, charming canals and streets with lots of cafes and restaurants in the town center.

You may also be interested in my other posts about the Netherlands.

Leiden

You can reach Leiden from Amsterdam city or Schiphol airport by train and explore the city by foot. Here are some of the things and activities you can see and do in Leiden.

Visit Leiden - a small Dutch town you must see
Visit Leiden – a small Dutch town you must see

Downtown walk

When we visited Leiden for the first time it was a spontaneous trip and we didn’t have an itinerary. So, we just walked around the downtown exploring its streets, sights and had a lunch in one of the cafes on the central square by the water.

When the weather is nice you will see the central streets full of people walking, sitting outside in the cafes and enjoying boat trips on the canals. If you arrive by train, start with Leiden’s historical city gate – Morspoort. Morspoort and Zijlpoort are the only remaining historical city gates of Leiden.

Head to Beestenmarkt – square in the city center – many boat trips through the canals of Leiden start here. Besides, Beestenmarkt is a nice central square with a big fountain in the middle and multiple cafes around it. 

Leiden - view to the harbour from Blauwpoortsbrug
Leiden – view to the harbour from Blauwpoortsbrug

If you are not taking a boat tour, then from the Beestenmarkt walk alongside the De Rijn canal towards Burcht van Leiden. On the way there don’t miss Leiden Gemeenlandshuis (Government office) on Breestraat – the oldest government house in the Netherlands, and Leiden’s Weigh House on Aalmarkt street – a historical building where since the 17th century merchants came to weigh and trade their goods.

When the canal splits into two keep right and continue walking towards the city hall. Leiden City Hall (or Leiden Stadhuis) was built in the 16th century and currently is a home to Leiden’s municipality.

Leiden Stadhuis (City Hall)
Leiden Stadhuis (City Hall)

Next to the city hall is Koornbrug. Koornbrug is a historical bridge over Nieuwe Rijn. The stone bridge with a roof was a place where centuries ago people traded different grains including corn, where the name came from – Koorn (corn) brug (bridge).

Roof of the Leiden's historical bridge Koornbrug
Roof of the Leiden’s historical bridge Koornbrug

Cross the bridge and head towards Hooglandse Kerk – a 700 year old Gothic church (which, of course, has undergone many changes since it’s been built in the 14th century).

Hooglandse Kerk - a 700 year old church in Leiden
Hooglandse Kerk – a 700 year old church in Leiden

Windmills – Molen De Valk and Molen De Put

The Netherlands is famous for its windmills and there are two you can visit in Leiden. 

Molen De Valk is the 18th century windmill, which still has a working watermill. Molen De Valk is currently a museum – you can go on a tour, see inside the windmill, learn about its history and how it works. Check their website for the opening hours, entrance fees (it’s free with Museum Card) and other info.

Molen De Valk is the 18th century windmill in Leiden
Molen De Valk is the 18th century windmill in Leiden

Another windmill you can visit in Leiden’s city center is Molen De Put. Molen De Put is a rebuilt and working flour mill. The mill is usually opened on Saturdays and in the mill shop you can actually buy flour made on the mill. 

Burcht van Leiden (Castle of Leiden)

Right in the middle of the city is a hill with remaining ruins of a castle from the 11th century – Burcht van Leiden. Go through the 17th century gates, up the hill and enter via the 17th century portal to inside the bricks walls. Inside you will find a walkway along the round walls with a great view to the city.

The entrance to the Burcht van Leiden is free and I would say it’s a must see landmark when visiting Leiden.

View from the Burcht van Leiden
View from the Burcht van Leiden

After the Burcht van Leiden take a walk alongside Oude Vest or Oude Singels, which once was the northern border of the city.

Visit Leiden - Oude Vest canal
Visit Leiden – Oude Vest canal

On the way there you will find Hartebrugkerk – another historical building and catholic church.

Walking on Oude Vest don’t miss Marekerk – an octagonal-shaped 17th century church. Inside the church there is a centuries old organ, which was renovated in 2009 and is fully operational these days. 

Marekerk - the 17th century Protestant church in Leiden
Marekerk – the 17th century Protestant church in Leiden

Leiden Museums

Leiden has many interesting museums for you to visit and enjoy. These are just a few I would personally recommend:

Museum Volkenkunde – National Museum of Ethnology with exhibitions from around the world. It has a collection of items from Afrika, Asia, America and Oceania. Imagine our surprise when we came to Leiden and one of the first things we saw were Maori canoe and photos of haka performance (haka is a traditional Maori pre-battle dance, now performed mostly as a ceremonial dance on different occasions). Apparently, Museum Volkenkunde has an exposition on Oceania and it holds a New Zealand themed weekend once in a few years. 

Museum Volkenkunde (or National Museum of Ethnology)
Museum Volkenkunde (or National Museum of Ethnology)

National Museum of Antiquities – National archaeology museum with collections of Egyptian, Greek & Roman artefacts. One of my kids’ favourites. What child would not be interested to see a real sarcophagus, walk inside the original Egyptian temple or look at the crocodile mummy in the museum?

I especially liked the fact how Egyptian artefacts ended up in the Netherlands – Leiden University and its scientists helped with excavations and restoration works in Egypt. So Egypt and few other countries donated many artefacts to Leiden University.

Anciant Egypt section of National Museum of Antiquities
Anciant Egypt section of National Museum of Antiquities

Naturalis Biodiversity Center. A natural history museum is equally interesting for adults and children, with one of the largest natural history collections in the world. You will find rooms dedicated to dinosaurs times, life on Earth, huge collections of fossils, rock and minerals, and even a room dedicated to death (‘there is no life without a death’ they say). 

Space Expo – Museum of European Space Agency (ESA). Well, Space Expo is not in Leiden per say, but it’s very close to it (15 min by car or 20 mins by bus from Leiden central station). If you visit Leiden (and especially if you are traveling with kids) I would recommend visiting Space Expo too. Lots of interesting information, Soyuz capsule, original space suits, a model of the International Space Station and many other things making ESA Space Expo absolutely worth visiting.

Inside the model of the ISS
Inside the model of the ISS

Beach at Katwijk or Noordwijk

If you travel by car and the weather is nice why not go to a beach after you visited Leiden. You can go to either Katwijk town and beach or Noordwijk. Both are only about 15 minutes drive by car (or 20 minutes by bus) from Leiden, and both are much less crowded than popular Scheveningen in the Hague. Don’t expect it to be too hot on a beach in the Netherlands 😉 but it’s still nice for walks, scenery, fresh breezy air and some time away from busy cities.

Katwijk dunes and beach
Katwijk dunes and beach

Read next in the “Small Dutch towns you must see” series: Amersfoort.

Small Dutch towns you must see: Leiden
Small Dutch towns you must see: Leiden

Read also


Share this post

10 thoughts on “Visit Leiden – a small Dutch town you must see”

  1. Under flowery sky says:
    September 6, 2020 at 9:31 pm

    Wow Leiden is quite fascinating, I love the art and
    the windmills. Architecture is lovely..

    Reply
    1. Elena says:
      February 4, 2021 at 11:15 pm

      We loved walking there exploring Leiden’s streets and architecture.

      Reply
  2. kasia says:
    February 4, 2021 at 10:43 pm

    What a cute place! I think I’ve seen one of the House Hunters International episodes filmed there 🙂

    Reply
    1. Elena says:
      February 4, 2021 at 11:06 pm

      How interesting! Never seen House Hunters International before.

      Reply
  3. Kemi says:
    February 5, 2021 at 12:59 am

    I’m obsessed with the Netherlands and want to make it to Leiden too. It’s no shocker that you saw the Maori canoe in the museum because Abel Tasman, a Dutch captain, “discovers” NZ in 1642. He doesn’t land on it but charts its coast and Capt. Cook later lands on the island in 1760s. Leiden University is also where the first tulip from Turkey was planted that spawned Tulipmania in the Netherlands.

    Reply
    1. Elena says:
      February 5, 2021 at 2:41 am

      I know about Abel Tasman being the first European to discover New Zealand (we even have ‘Abel Tasman’ national park here in New Zealand) 🙂
      I hope you get to Leiden too – it’s a nice city to explore in the Netherlands!

      Reply
  4. John Quinn says:
    February 5, 2021 at 8:28 pm

    Beautiful place. It looks familiar, as all Dutch towns do, like a place you think you visited. I certainly would like to.

    Ps it’s not just kids that like mummies. I think we all do.

    Reply
  5. Elena says:
    February 6, 2021 at 10:55 am

    True, we all do. But if time is limited I would prefer just a walk in the city, while kids would prefer going to a museum look at mummies 🙂

    Reply
  6. Lannie Travels says:
    February 6, 2021 at 11:50 pm

    Nice post! I have never heard of Leiden but it’s on my radar now! I’m actually in Egypt right now as I read your post. And so interesting that some artifacts ended up there!

    Reply
    1. Elena says:
      February 7, 2021 at 2:02 am

      I think many artefacts from Egypt are scattered around the world. But the best place to see them is Egypt itself of course! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



Stand with Ukraine

Support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Donate to Ukrainian Army or one of the verified humanitarian charities:
StandForUkraine.com

Follow us

Ready to travel? Check advisories for travel during COVID-19, including regulations for destinations, and safety and health guidelines.

Tags

Amersfoort Amsterdam Auckland Austria Bavaria Belgium Christchurch Delft Europe France Frankfurt Germany Goat Island Gouda Hallstatt Hiking Iceland Innsbruck Koblenz Leiden Louvre Luxembourg Maastricht MtCook Munich Netherlands New Zealand Northland Paris Queenstown Reykjavik Rhine RoadTrip Rothenburg ob der Tauber Rotterdam Salzburg The Hague TravelWithKids Tulips Utrecht Waikato Wanaka Wellington Zaandam Zaanse Schans
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Like what you see?

Our travel photos can be purchased at one of the following photography platforms:
Adobe Stock
EyeEm

Subscribe to notifications for new posts:


BOOK STAYS, FLIGHTS AND CARS:

Booking.com

Start_Your_Journey_Lifestyle_EN_v5_300x250

EN - 300x250
300*250_Evening
Get Great Deals at Expedia!
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Privacy and Cookie Policy

Tags

Amersfoort Amsterdam Auckland Austria Bavaria Belgium Christchurch Delft Europe France Frankfurt Germany Goat Island Gouda Hallstatt Hiking Iceland Innsbruck Koblenz Leiden Louvre Luxembourg Maastricht MtCook Munich Netherlands New Zealand Northland Paris Queenstown Reykjavik Rhine RoadTrip Rothenburg ob der Tauber Rotterdam Salzburg The Hague TravelWithKids Tulips Utrecht Waikato Wanaka Wellington Zaandam Zaanse Schans
©2023 Travel by Example