The historical university town of Leiden is considered the cultural and economic heart of the Netherlands. This charming small city is filled with historical buildings, old fortifications, churches and canals. As the birthplace of Rembrandt and home to some of the best museums in the Netherlands, Leiden offers many interesting things for art and culture buffs. It is also a great place for bicycling enthusiasts to appreciate the typically Dutch tulip fields and windmills of the surrounding countryside.
Old university town located in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands, Leiden sits along the Old Rhine River. The city, also called Leyden, was settled as early as in the 4th century, although Leiden received city rights only in 1266. The famous university of Leiden was founded in 1575. Textile and printing industries made Leiden flourish in the 16th and 17th century, but the economy of the city declined after the late 1600s, leaving the old city center intact. The city expanded again in the 19th century, and today, it is again an important industrial, educational and cultural center, attracting visitors with its old architecture and museums.
Wealth of museums. The numerous museums in Leiden include three national museums and a windmill museum. The University of Leiden contains not only great historical buildings, but also interesting museums and libraries. You could visit for instance the museum of Egyptian antiquities, or study ethnology or natural history in some of Leiden's most interesting museums. Another place worth seeing is the famous Leyden jar, an old capacitor made from a glass jar.
Culture & activities. Shopping in Leiden is good for example for books, antique and fashion. Leiden is also a city of canals that offer nice surroundings for pleasurable walks, boat tours or cycling. The Van der Werff Park, the Kagerplassen lakes and the Keukenhof park are also great for biking in Leiden. The beaches of the North Sea are also just a bike ride away from the city. Cultural life in Leiden is lively, with concerts and theatre plays. There is also an annual parade and a fair on the 3rd of October that commemorates the end of the Spanish siege in 1574.
Old university town located in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands, Leiden sits along the Old Rhine River. The city, also called Leyden, was settled as early as in the 4th century, although Leiden received city rights only in 1266. The famous university of Leiden was founded in 1575. Textile and printing industries made Leiden flourish in the 16th and 17th century, but the economy of the city declined after the late 1600s, leaving the old city center intact. The city expanded again in the 19th century, and today, it is again an important industrial, educational and cultural center, attracting visitors with its old architecture and museums.
Attractions in Leiden: historical sights, museums, shopping & biking
Known as the birthplace of Rembrandt, the place where the Dutch constitution was written, and home to the oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden offers plenty of interesting historical sights. The old city center of Leiden is the second biggest in the country after Amsterdam. The several beautiful old churches contain masterpieces of old architecture, while the old castle of De Burcht, Gravensteen Fortress and the old city walls tell us about the not-so-peaceful past of the city. Boat cruises and guided sightseeing tours in Leiden introduce you to the colorful past of the city.Wealth of museums. The numerous museums in Leiden include three national museums and a windmill museum. The University of Leiden contains not only great historical buildings, but also interesting museums and libraries. You could visit for instance the museum of Egyptian antiquities, or study ethnology or natural history in some of Leiden's most interesting museums. Another place worth seeing is the famous Leyden jar, an old capacitor made from a glass jar.
Culture & activities. Shopping in Leiden is good for example for books, antique and fashion. Leiden is also a city of canals that offer nice surroundings for pleasurable walks, boat tours or cycling. The Van der Werff Park, the Kagerplassen lakes and the Keukenhof park are also great for biking in Leiden. The beaches of the North Sea are also just a bike ride away from the city. Cultural life in Leiden is lively, with concerts and theatre plays. There is also an annual parade and a fair on the 3rd of October that commemorates the end of the Spanish siege in 1574.
Photo: carolune, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Leiden travel information and practical tips
Leiden has a cool maritime climate with rainy and cold winters and mild summers. There is some rain throughout the year, but the summer months are the driest. Summer is the best time to visit Leiden if you are planning to do any outdoor activities, but the historical sites and museums in the city can be enjoyed throughout the year.How to get there. Traveling to Leiden is easy by train or bus from any part of the Netherlands. The city is located just a 20-minute train ride away from Schipol International Airport, the main airport in the Netherlands.
Local transportation in Leiden is offered by local buses and taxis, and bicycles are also available for rental. The city is compact enough to be explored also by walking. Sightseeing cruises along the canals are a good option, and car rental in Leiden is available for getting around in the Netherlands.
Visitor services. Many hotels in Leiden are located in the charming old city, and you can also find other accommodation choices such as hostels and a camping area. Restaurants in Leiden offer a range of cuisines from the local Dutch one to many European and Asian choices. There are also many pubs and bars, offering lively nightlife in Leiden that is predominantly a university city. Almost everyone in Leiden speaks English, and the city is very safe to visit.
hint See also these nearby destinations: The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Texel, Hoge Veluwe National Park, Ghent, Brussels, Bruges
