Places To See & Things To Do In Leiden Holland

Leiden is not typically one of the cities that tourists in the Netherlands visit. Despite this, it is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Placed somewhere between the Hague and Amsterdam, Leiden has canals, cobbles and well-preserved medieval buildings. It has charm oozing out of every single corner. Leiden is the perfect city to explore over a weekend. It may be small but Leiden is jam-packed with things to do and see.  

One of my favourite things to do when I visit a new city is to wander the streets and take it all in. There is no better place to do so than in Leiden. The city’s centre is filled with beautifully preserved historical buildings, canals, big squares and greenery. Leiden is also home to some of the country’s most well-preserved ‘ hofjes ‘. A ‘hofje’ is a little enclosed courtyard surrounded by traditional almshouses, and Ledien has at least 17 of these open to the public. They provide a lovely, calm oasis of greenery away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. 

The walls of the city are covered in poems. Over 100 poems written by local poets are painted on the walls of houses throughout the city. They are written in several languages, but the translations can all be found on the website muur gedichten (which translates to wall poems). If you want to spot all 100 poems, the organisation has even created pre-made walking routes to discover the poems. 

Leiden is a city of culture, so if poetry is not your thing, there are plenty of other options. For example, Rembrandt was born in Leiden and spent his childhood there. So, if you are interested in learning more about his life, you can follow Leiden’s Rembrandt-themed Walking Route. This takes you past places such as the studio that belonged to his first painting teacher, Jacob van Swanenburgh. This route is available on the Rembrandt Route App. 

The Burcht in Leiden is on a hill – something that is quite shocking to find in the Netherlands. It is an 11th-century fort that gives you brilliant views of the city and its many spires. Nowadays, it is a quiet public park with benches dotted around so that you can sit and enjoy the view. When you reach the top of the short, steep hill, you can take the steps up and walk the ramparts of the fort. 

The best way to enjoy a city filled with canals is on the water. With something like 28 kilometres of canal in the city alone, it is worth taking a boat trip through Leiden to learn the history of this water-based city and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of being on a boat. 

Surrounding Leiden are many beautiful areas of quintessentially Dutch landscape, including the lakes of Kagerplassen, the Oude Rijn, and the many small market towns in the area. This is also where the UNESCO World Heritage site the Limes is situated. The Limes is the name given to the 2000 year old, Northern border of the Roman Empire. To explore the Limes and discover what the real Holland is like, as well as enjoy a boat trip in Leiden, I can recommend this cruise as a fantastic experience. Check out the website of Rederij van Hulst to choose from one of the many boat cruises in the area.  

Leiden is home to the oldest botanical gardens in the country dating back to 1590. There are extensive gardens and greenhouses filled with exotic and local flora. You can simply wander through the beautiful gardens and enjoy the scents and sights of the plants or attend one of the many events held at the Hortus Botanicus. When the rain inevitably sets in, because it is the Netherlands, there is a cute little cafe where you can have a coffee and a tasty slice of apple pie. 

You can’t get more Dutch than windmills, and Leiden still has a windmill in the city centre. This is called the Valk and is the last of 19 windmills that used to stand in the centre of Leiden. It dates back to the 1600s. There is a museum inside the windmill where you can learn about 400 years of milling and climb to the top of the windmill to get a panoramic view of the city. Alternatively, if you are looking to save money, you can admire the intricate structure of the windmill from the outside. 

The Pieterskerk is an impressive building in the centre of Leiden that has its roots in 1300. With almost 900 years of history, it is a brilliant place to learn about the many different versions of Leiden. Pieterskerk was once the main catholic church in the city, but nowadays, this late gothic church is a museum and events centre. So you can enjoy an evening of music, a day of learning, or simply wander around the building and ponder the beautiful architecture. 

Leiden is home to the oldest university in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1575 and is a buzzing yet prestigious university. It is tradition for members of the Dutch royal family to attend the University of Leiden. As you wander around the city, you will come across many different university buildings, but the most notable places to visit include the Zweetkamertje (sweat room) and the Leiden observatory. 

The Sweat Room is the place where students would wait nervously before defending their thesis or finding out the results of exams. It is a small, unassuming room filled with history and tradition. Nowadays, it is a tradition that every graduating doctor is allowed to sign their name there. To preserve its history this room is not directly accessible to the public. However, it is visible from behind a pane of glass. So you are still able to visit and seep in the atmosphere of the room. 

Every Saturday there is a Dutch street market in the streets of Leiden. As you wander through the market you can find a range of delicious Dutch treats, from tasty stroopwafels, and pungent cheeses to biological fruit and bread. There are delicacies, Dutch crafts, and even souvenirs to be found in the Saturday market. So fill your belly and feast your eyes on the market wares on a Saturday morning in Leiden.

If you miss out on the Saturday market or want some more substantial food, then there is no need to worry. Leiden is filled with delicious cafes, bakeries and restaurants. Many of the terraces of these cafes and restaurants extend out to the water, so you can enjoy a beer on a floating terrace. What is not to love?! 

Leiden is the perfect size for a weekend away! It is small and charming, but with plenty of hustle and bustle, and things to do.