Leiden: A Vibrant 2-Day Journey Through Time and Delight

Uncover Dutch charm and family fun in Leiden, Netherlands.

19 July 2023

Leiden, Netherlands offers a charming and family-friendly atmosphere for an enjoyable trip. Explore the famous Museum of Natural History, where kids can marvel at the immense collection of fossils and artifacts. Take a leisurely boat ride along the canals, or visit the lush botanical gardens for a relaxing and educational day out.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Exploring Leiden's Mesmerizing History

  • Start your day with a hearty Dutch breakfast at the quirky Pancake House, savoring delicious concoctions like bacon-infused pancakes or Nutella-banana wonders.
  • Embrace your inner scholar at the esteemed Leiden University, one of the oldest in the world, meandering through its magnificent library and admiring the chiseled faces of prodigious minds.
  • Embark on a whimsical journey at the Molen de Valk, a towering windmill where grain grinding prowess meets architectural prowess.
  • Peek into Leiden's enchanting past at the Museum De Lakenhal, showcasing stunning artworks from famous Dutch painters like Rembrandt and Jan Steen.
  • Time for a historical pit stop at the 17th-century Pieterskerk, an awe-inspiring church that whispers tales of Leiden's resilience and celebrates its rich heritage.
  • End your day with a leisurely canal boat tour, navigating the charming waterways of Leiden, where picturesque bridges and picturesque homes dance in harmony.
Day 2

Indulging in Leiden's Charming Delights

  • Savor a delightful brunch at the cozy Bagels & Beans, treating your taste buds to mouthwatering bagel creations and aromatic coffee blends.
  • Unleash your inner explorer at Hortus Botanicus, reveling in its wondrous botanical gardens and discovering exotic plants from all corners of the Earth.
  • Make a beeline for Museum Volkenkunde, a treasure trove of cultural artifacts, from glimmering jewelry to ancient artifacts, bringing the world's diversity to life.
  • Immerse yourself in the poetic beauty of the Hortus Botanicus Leiden, strolling through serene gardens that house a treasure trove of fragrant flowers, towering trees, and hidden ferns.
  • End this enchanting journey by indulging your taste buds with a culinary adventure at the cozy and colorful De Markt Van Leiden, sampling mouthwatering local bites like Dutch bitterballen and stroopwafels.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The easiest and quickest way to get to Leiden is by flying into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and then taking a train directly to Leiden Central Station. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes and trains generally run every 15 minutes.

Car

Driving to Leiden is fairly straightforward, however parking in the city can be difficult and expensive. There are various parking garages dotted around the city, as well as some on-street parking areas. A popular option for those driving into Leiden is to park at the P+R Lammenschans car park and take public transport into the city center.

Train

Leiden is easily accessible by train from various cities in the Netherlands. The closest train station to Leiden is Leiden Central Station, which is serviced by trains from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and other major cities.

Boat

Although Leiden is a fairly small city, it is possible to get there by boat via the Old Rhine river. There are various boat hire options available from nearby towns such as Leiderdorp and Oegstgeest, allowing visitors to take a relaxing journey down the river and moor up in Leiden's picturesque city center.

Bus

There are various buses that run to Leiden from nearby towns and cities. These include Arriva and Connexxion, and tickets can be purchased either online in advance or at the bus station. The main bus station in Leiden is Leiden Centraal Busstation.

Destination

Leiden

Welcome to the city of Leiden, a place where windmills and bicycles outnumber the residents and where it's impossible to go hungry thanks to the abundance of cheese and stroopwafels. Just make sure to watch out for the fearless Dutch drivers on their speedy bicycles!

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Number of days

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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