Leiden in a Day: Canals, Museums & More!

Discover the charming beauty of Leiden, Netherlands - where history meets modernity.

22 April 2023

Leiden, Netherlands is a charming and historic city with canals, museums and beautiful architecture, making it a must-see destination for tourists. Visitors can take a relaxing canal boat tour, wander through the picturesque streets and enjoy the many museums, such as the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. Additionally, Leiden offers plenty of cozy cafes, shops and restaurants for travelers to enjoy.

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Day trip plan

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Day

Exploring Leiden's History and Culture

  • Start your day with a coffee at Lola Bikes & Coffee, a trendy café that doubles as a bike shop.
  • Visit the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, a museum with an impressive collection of ancient Egyptian and Roman artifacts.
  • Walk along the picturesque canals and admire the stunning 17th-century architecture.
  • Enjoy a traditional Dutch lunch at Hofje van Wijs, a cozy café in a hidden courtyard.
  • Stop by the Stadhuis (City Hall) to see the beautiful Renaissance-style building and climb the bell tower for a stunning view of the city.
  • End your day with a beer and some bitterballen (deep-fried Dutch snacks) at Café De Vergulde Kruik, a lively pub with a charming old-world ambiance.

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

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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