Leiden

Leiden has a long history of culture and learning. The birthplace of Rembrandt is home to pretty courtyard gardens, hundreds of monuments, the oldest university in the Netherlands, 13 museums and a bustling city centre. Go boating along the picturesque canals or get lost while strolling through lovely lanes. There's a reason why Leiden is called the City of Discoveries.

Aerial drone view of Leiden town cityscape from above

Leiden is filled with history and monumental buildings and is a great place to explore on foot. Stroll through the well-preserved historic centre and feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the 17th century. The young Rembrandt would still be able to find his way around – from the old Academy building where he studied, along the picturesque canals, and past city gates, bridges and mills, to the many small courtyard gardens. Get swept away by the beautiful tales of the city and get to know the history of Leiden.

The major impact Leiden had on Rembrandt's life can still be seen today. You can visit the Young Rembrandt Studio, the 17th-century house at Langebrug 89 where the young Rembrandt learned to paint, draw and etch from his teacher Jacob van Swanenburgh. You can even have Rembrandt draw a sketch of you at the Latijnse School. Every year around 15 July, Rembrandt's birthday, Leiden is transformed into a magical 17th-century city during the Leidse Rembrandt Dagen.

Leiden young Rembrandt school (De Latijnse School)

Leiden is also considered a paradise for culture lovers. With no fewer than 13 excellent museums, all within walking distance of each other and brimming with a wide range of fascinating exhibitions, there is plenty to discover in the world of art and culture. Meet T. rex Trix at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. The Dutch National Museum of Antiquities houses archaeological treasures and offers insight into ancient civilisations. Museum De Lakenhal is the true municipal museum of Leiden and highlights the history of this city with beautiful artworks.

Finally, marvel at the many treasures of science. Leiden has always played an important role in medical science and continues to do so, with new discoveries being made every day at the Leiden Bio Science Park, for example. In Leiden, it began with the founding of the oldest university in the Netherlands, the medicinal gardens of the Hortus botanicus, the arrival of Professor Boerhaave and the anatomical theatre in the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave that was named after him. In other words, Leiden has so many fascinating stories that it's hard to know where to begin.

Get a taste of Leiden

© Bas Koolstra Photography via Leiden city marketing

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Shared dining at Brasserie de Poort

Enjoy shared dining at Brasserie de Poort: a table with fresh fish, top-quality meat and vegetarian dishes. The brasserie is located in a former city gate which creates a unique and historical setting. There’s even a beautiful view of the Old Rhine.

Read more on poort.nl
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International street food and delicious cocktails

Enjoy small international dishes and matching cocktails at Pipa's Streetfood Bar. From the terrace, choose between two stunning views: a view of the old Morspoort (one of the original city gates of Leiden) or a view of the park and the Windmill De Put. It’s a culinary journey in a historical setting.

Read more on pipastreetfood.nl
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Feel the spirit of Tabú

Immerse yourself in a Latin American vibe at Tabú. Enjoy authentic dishes, daring combinations, tasty bar snacks, cocktails, Latin spirits and the best music. Located next to the Singelpark and overlooking the water, it’s a great location with a vibrant buzz.

Read more on tabu.nl
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Trattoria Italiana City Hall

Fancy a dinner at the historical Leiden city hall? Then Trattoria Italiana City Hall is the place to be since it rivals the character of the iconic building overlooking the famous New Rhine.

Read more on restaurantcityhall-nl.translate.goog
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The best gluten-free coffee & brunch bar

Floor's is the only gluten-free eatery in Leiden and its surrounding areas. Quality and sustainability are key, with a zero-waste approach. Inspired by their daughter's coeliac diagnosis, the founders want everyone to experience good food and togetherness without having to worry.

Read more on floorsfood-nl.translate.goog
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FREDDY*S Gastrobar

You'll find FREDDY*S Gastrobar directly below the Heineken head office, right across from Leiden Central Station. Discover an eclectic mix of old-fashioned ambience, culinary highlights and exclusive craft beers.

Read more on freddysgastrobar.nl

Fancy a visit? Use public transport! Leiden can be easily reached by public transport. From Leiden Central Station, the city centre is only a short 15-minute walk away. Visiting by bicycle? Leiden is very cycle-friendly and can be easily reached by bicycle. In the city centre, you can park your bicycle for free in the Waagstalling, which can be accessed from the Breestraat and Aalmarkt. This guarded bicycle storage area has room for 880 bicycles.

In Leiden, everything is within walking distance and we highly recommend taking a stroll through the city! Go on one of the many city walks and discover the real Leiden. Will it be the Rembrandt Route or maybe the Courtyard Route? Here's a cool tip: follow the Courtyard Route and learn about the unique stories of the 35 courtyard gardens in Leiden.

If you are more interested in the scientific history of Leiden, the Science Route is just the one for you. Discover 28 places where scientific and historic discoveries were made. Leiden can also be admired from the water on one of the electric canal boats. Feeling active? You can rent a bicycle and use pedal power to explore the city.

Green tips in Leiden

© Veerle Sloof

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The treasure chamber of plants

The Hortus botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. For more than four centuries, plants from all over the world have been collected, grown, admired and studied in this beautiful garden and its greenhouses.

Read more on hortusleiden.nl
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The Singelpark

The Singelpark in Leiden is a green oasis surrounding the historical city centre. The park is 6.3 kilometres long, so it's perfect for a stroll along the park’s scenic canals.

Read more on www-singelpark-nl.translate.goog
© Simone Both via Leiden&Partners

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Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of nature. Discover more about the earliest forms of life on Earth, the Netherlands during the Ice Age and the primal forces of our planet. You will be introduced to the most surprising seduction tricks of plants and animals and come face to face with T. rex Trix.

Read more on naturalis.nl
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The Van der Werfpark

The Van der Werffpark is a park in the city centre of Leiden. It is named after Pieter Adriaanszoon van der Werff, mayor of Leiden during the Spanish siege of the city in 1574. It’s a great place to enjoy a bit of nature and maybe even a picnic.

Read more on visitleiden.nl
© Kees Hummel via Leiden&Partners

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Leiden courtyard gardens

Anyone who unsuspectingly pushes open a door between two houses could suddenly find themselves in a beautiful courtyard garden! And each of Leiden’s 35 courtyards has its own story. Almost all of the courtyards are open to visitors but please do keep in mind that people actually live there, so be respectful of the residents.

Read more on visitleiden.nl
© Floor's Fotografie

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Vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Leiden

These are the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the university city of Leiden. They are all within walking distance of Leiden Central Station.

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The HerenDoeza is a prime example of the typical Leiden 'urban village streets'. Shop in unique boutiques and feast on culinary delicacies in welcoming cafés and restaurants while admiring the picturesque buildings. The Doezastraat used to be a canal but is now a beautiful shopping street leading to the Van der Werffpark. This street used to be an important access road to the city centre.

Most visitors are locals, but there are also many people who come to this area specifically for its unusual shops. In the monumental building on the corner of Herenstraat and Doezastraat you'll find Grand Café de Vriend, which is known by many people from Leiden as ‘the living room of the HerenDoeza’. If you're up for a cultural surprise, you should check out Sijthoff Cultuur – where people and ideas come together.

Poetry lovers can wander around this city and be transported into the world of verse by international publications at Poetry Books and Index Books Leiden on Herenstraat. Give your feet some rest at Kamerlingh Parktuin & Café located on Doezastraat in the Van der Werffpark. Reading a good book while enjoying a cup of coffee, what could be better?

Hidden gems

© LAB071 Leiden

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Vegetables in starring roles

At LAB071, they prove that meat and fish don't necessarily have to be the dominant ingredients but can work just fine as a more modest addition to your dish. The restaurant is located in the former anatomic laboratory of Leiden University. You can still see traces of that history in the interior of the restaurant and in the kitchen.

Read more on lab071.nl
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Rijkmuseum Boerhaave

Look around the corner at the Vrouwekerk and you’ll find the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave right in the middle of the historic city centre. Rijksmuseum Boerhaave was chosen European Museum of the Year in 2019. Discover five centuries of Dutch scientific history in this museum.

Read more on rijksmuseumboerhaave-nl.translate.goog
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Young Rembrandt Studio

Running parallel to the Breestraat shopping street is Langebrug. The former art studio of Jacob van Swanenburgh is located at Langebrug 89 and it was right here in this building that Rembrandt van Rijn learned to paint, draw and etch. Go in and get an insight into the life of the young Rembrandt through a 3D video experience.

Read more on visitleiden.nl
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Bar Olaf

If you walk from the New Rhine to Hooigracht you will come across a fine cocktail bar with delicious cocktails, bar food, nice beers and the most delectable wine. Bar Olaf is the best place for a celebration or to start your holiday in the Netherlands (or just because it’s Tuesday).

Read more on www-barolaf-nl.translate.goog
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Don't forget to look up!

As you stroll through the narrow streets and alleys, don't forget to look up from time to time. Leiden has many beautiful wall poems and historical monuments. There is even a wall-poem city walk!

Read more on muurgedichten-nl.translate.goog
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Have your portrait sketched by Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt was 10 years old when he attended the Latijnse School. Unfortunately, this beautiful building is not open to visitors but you can have your portrait sketched there by the great master painter himself. Peer through the windows on the ground floor and you can see the brush strokes appear on the canvas as if by magic.