Lovers' weekend in charming Leiden, Netherlands

Fall in love with Leiden, where art, history and romance collide.

22 April 2023

Leiden, the charming Dutch city famous for its canals and picturesque windmills, is perfect for a romantic getaway. Visitors can stroll hand-in-hand through the charming old town, take a boat ride on the city's canals, and explore the beautiful park of Hortus Botanicus. Whether you are looking to take a leisurely walk, enjoy some art, or simply relax with your significant other, Leiden has something to offer couples of all interests.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Exploring the city

  • Check into the Boutique Hotel Rembrandt, a charming old building with a modern twist.
  • Walk around the city center and admire the canals, bridges and architecture.
  • Visit the Museum De Lakenhal, a small and intimate museum dedicated to Dutch art and history.
  • Have lunch at Lot & De Walvis, a cozy café with a Mediterranean vibe and delicious food.
  • Explore the Hortus Botanicus, a botanical garden with exotic plants and a Japanese garden.
  • Have dinner at De La Soul, a hip and trendy restaurant with a fusion of Asian and European cuisine.
Day 2

Cycling and cheese tasting

  • Rent bikes from the hotel and cycle to the seaside village of Katwijk, passing through dunes and beach.
  • Or cycle to the nearby cheese farm, Ruyge Weyde, and learn about the cheese-making process and taste a variety of cheeses.
  • Have lunch at De Vriend, a local café with a cozy terrace and homemade food.
  • Visit the Pieterskerk, a beautiful church with an impressive organ and stained-glass windows.
  • Walk along the Rapenburg canal and visit the various university buildings.
  • Have dinner at De Waag, an old city gate turned restaurant with a menu inspired by French and Dutch cuisine.
Day 3

Canal cruise and windmill visit

  • Take a canal cruise and see the city from a different perspective.
  • Visit the Leiden Windmill, a fully functional mill that produces flour and can be explored inside.
  • Have lunch at Annie's, a small restaurant with a homely atmosphere and tasty sandwiches.
  • Go shopping in the city center and visit the various independent boutiques and shops.
  • Have dinner at De Koperen Pan, a cozy restaurant with a classic Dutch kitchen and a warm atmosphere.
  • Leiden is a city full of character, with plenty to discover and enjoy. Whether you're interested in art, history, food, or nature, it has something to offer for everyone.

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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