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A trip to Netherlands will sooner or later take you to the gorgeous Leiden. There are plenty of top things to see in Leiden, the beauty and charm of this incredible city will be showered upon you as soon as you arrive.
Amble along with me as my Leiden blog will help you find some of the top things to do in Leiden.
An itinerary of 4 days is good to see the most popular tourist attractions in Leiden. But if you can spare couple of days more that’s even better, you can take the sights more slowly. Here is a combined list of best tourist places in Leiden as well as some of the best things to do in Leiden.
1. Hortus Botanicus Leiden
Hortus Botanicus Leiden is a large expanse of green located in the very heart of Leiden.
Hortus Botanicus Leiden is maintained by horticulturalists and gardeners specialist in their work.
The arboretum is something to be seen, with thousands of species arranged scientifically. This greenhouse is where city’s most exotic plant species are to be found.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Hortus Botanicus Leiden features include a lovely winter garden.
- The botanical garden was opened on 1590.
- Hortus Botanicus Leiden was opened in 1590.
Address: Rapenburg 73, 2311 GJ Leiden, Netherlands
2. National Museum of Antiquities
An incredible sight, National Museum of Antiquities scores high in the list of the best things to do in Leiden.
Address: Rapenburg 28, 2311 EW Leiden, Netherlands
3. National Museum of Ethnology
National Museum of Ethnology is an ethnography museum showcasing the people and culture of Leiden region.
The museum documents well the religious practices, beliefs and the way of life of the people who once inhabited the area. Everything that defines a civilisation, an era can be found here – traditional clothing, decorative items such as jewelry, household items such like furniture, and crafts such as pottery.
apart from the local culture the museum also exhibits extensive collection of cultural items from world over.
Address: Steenstraat 1, 2312 BS Leiden, Netherlands
4. Museum De Valk
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Museum De Valk features include a waterwheel which still works.
- The historic windmill was built somewhere around 18th-century.
- The historic windmill houses a related museum.
- Also worth seeing here include a film.
With so much to offer, no wonder Museum De Valk is one of the top things to do in Leiden.
Address: 2e Binnenvestgracht 1, 2312 BZ Leiden, Netherlands
5. Rijksmuseum Boerhaave
Rijksmuseum Boerhaave is a museum with unique collection situated in Leiden.
Quick Facts:
- Dedicated to history and evolution of medicine and science in the Netherlands all the way from 16th century, the niche museum is housed in an old hospital building.
Address: Lange Sint Agnietenstraat 10, 2312 WC Leiden, Netherlands
6. Burcht van Leiden
Burcht van Leiden is a beautifully landscaped park spread over a large area in Leiden.
This fabulous park was developed with the sole aim to promote the good health of the citizen.
A riot of colour erupts in the spring and early summer. It is one of the favourite spots of the Leiden’s residents to hang out and relax.
Quick Facts:
- The park houses the remains of a castle dating to 12th-century.
Without a doubt this wonderful park is one amongst the top things to do in Leiden.
Address: Van der Sterrepad 5, 2312 EK Leiden, Netherlands
7. Museum De Lakenhal
Museum De Lakenhal is a fine arts museum in Leiden focusing on the local art scene.
The museum also houses collection by some of the genre’s well-known international artists.
Quick Facts:
- While collection of paintings by Rembrandt constitutes the highlights of fine arts museum, Delft crafts is also worth a look.
- Museum De Lakenhal is housed in clothmakers’ hall dating back to 17th-century.
Address: Oude Singel 32, 2312 RA Leiden, Netherlands
8. Hooglandse Kerk
A beautiful addition to city’s architecture, Hooglandse Kerk is a pretty old church located in Leiden.
The adjoining cemetry has got quite a few famous people buried. A donation at the entrance is optional but encouraged, since it will go towards the preservation of this piece of history.
Quick Facts:
- A fine example of Gothic architecture, the church is a center of Protestant faith.
- The church was built somewhere around fifteenth century.
- The church traces its origin back to the fifteenth century.
- The church was opened on 1377.
- The church is dedicated to St. Pancras.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Leiden trip.
Address: Nieuwstraat 20, 2312 KC Leiden, Netherlands
10. Leiden Observatory
Leiden Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by nation’s scientific institute.
A visit to Leiden Observatory is truly a treat for the amateur astronomers.
Quick Facts:
- It was in 1633 when it was established.
- The observatory was opened on 1633.
Add it to your Leiden trip if you have time.
Address: Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA Leiden, Netherlands
11. Leidse Hout
Leidse Hout is a large landscaped park, an oasis of greenery, located in Leiden.
It will not be wrong to say that Leidse Hout is truly an icon of landscape architecture.
Spring is the season when hundreds of flowers are on full blossom. Leidse Hout provides a good excuse to take a break from the busy sightseeing day, and take time out relaxing.
12. Steam Train Katwijk Leiden
Add it to your Leiden trip if you have time.
Address: J. Pellenbargweg 1, 2235 SP Valkenburg, Netherlands
13. Zijlpoort
Quick Facts:
- The city gate was built somewhere around 1667.
Thanks for reading this travel blog, hope now you know plenty of must see places in Leiden. In this Leiden travel blog post, I have listed not just what to see in Leiden but also what to do.
And it’s not difficult to create an itinerary that includes some of the best tourist attractions in Leiden. If you have any questions or suggestions on sightseeing in Leiden, I would love to hear them in the comments section below.