Location: Leiden
Top Things to do in Leiden
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The 10 Best Things to do in Leiden, South Holland Province
Home to the Netherlands’ oldest university and the birthplace of Rembrandt, Leiden also served as a several-year stop-off between England and the New World for America’s Pilgrim fathers in the early 17th century. Today, lovely Leiden boasts the second-largest Dutch city center after Amsterdam. The National Museum of Antiquities has an impressive collection of Egyptian artifacts. The Hortus Botanicus, established in 1590, was the site of the planting of Holland’s first tulip bulbs in 1593.
Restaurants in Leiden
1. Molenmuseum de Valk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 490 reviews
Visitors to the Valk Windmill learn about the history, life, skills and techniques of the 18th-century Dutch miller.
Reviewed By J8791LFmiker
Great way to spend an hour, exploring the Molenmuseum de Valk. A combination of factual history and engineering prowess. Excellent value for money a just 5Euro/adult ticket. The full tour does involve climbing and ascending steep ladders and an exposed panoramic view from outside the windmill, so may not be suitable for all; but otherwise well worth taking the time for a visit when you are in Leiden
2. Museum Volkenkunde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 564 reviews
Museum Volkenkunde is a museum about people housed in a historic building just five minutes' walk from Leiden's central station. A huge totem pole greets visitors as they enter the museum through the garden. Museum Volkenkunde presents regularly changing exhibitions and its permanent display features objects from eight different cultural regions. Objects that all have a story to tell about humankind.
Reviewed By Cosetteiscookin - Utrecht, The Netherlands
One of my all time favorite museums in The Netherlands. Been here several times (before covid) Love the things on display and learning about different cultures.
3. Museum De Lakenhal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Museum De Lakenhal is the visual arts, history and crafts museum of the city of Leiden. The city’s illustrious past is highlighted in seven collection presentations, including The Cradle of the Golden Age, Leiden University City, The Siege and Relief of Leiden, and Seven Centuries of ‘Leids Laken’. The internationally renowned collection contains numerous highlights such as Lucas van Leyden’s ‘Last Judgment’ (approximately 1526-27), beautifully stained glass, and paintings by Rembrandt and contemporaries. Since 1874 the museum has been located in a monumental 17thcentury hall for woollen fabrics, carefully restored in 2017-2019 and expanded with modern architecture. The unique encounters between past and present that occur here make Museum De Lakenhal a source of inspiration for all!
Reviewed By mireilleb554 - Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
First of all ,I realized that Leiden is a city opened to culture.I would have liked to find an English booklet about the history of the museum .The building that looked like an elegant palace impressed me by its beauty ,I was curious to see what gems It hides inside ,I had a Museum Card ,but I had to wait at the desk ,there were many tourists there in the afternoon . The history and art museum tells several stories ,I was confused upstairs ,but step by step ,I painted ''my own painting''about the highlights of the collection .I was lucky to catch the temporary exhibition of Rembrandt ,the star of it was for me The peddler selling spectacles ,an early work of art and '' History painting ''. A real challenge was the woolen cloth Merchant hall where I could see for the second time ,the masterpiece of Lucas van Leiden ,The last Judgment ,seen by me in Amsterdam two years ago ,in a temporary exhibition .I also liked the Lamentation of Christ by another significant painter from Leiden ,Cornelius E . Gerrit Dou ,a student of Rembrandt danced in a small cabinet with The Astronomer as well as Jan Steen with the joyful The Merry Couple for example ,they were my favourite Dutch painters of the Golden age ,too. Upstairs I learnt that Theo van Doesburg stayed in Leiden where he founded the famous de Stijl movement ,The collection of decorative art and applied art was also interesting.
4. National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 546 reviews
The National Museum of Antiquities is housed in an old monumental building and ‘Begijnhof’. It is the Dutch centre for archaeology. A large part of the collection consists of objects related to ancient Egypt. Unique is the two thousand year old Egyptian temple in the central hall of the museum. Besides ancient Egypt, the museum covers the Middle East, the Classical world and the early history of the Netherlands. The entire collection consists of more than 80,000 objects, including statues of Roman emperors, Etruscan tomb finds and mummies.
Reviewed By 500dank - The Hague, The Netherlands
Had a wonderful visit with my family. Loved the collection which is marvellous! Especially the artefacts covering ancient Egyptian time. To my personal opinion, only the British Museum in London can match this. The temporary exhibit (untill 15 march 2020) was on Cyprus. The museum consists of three floorws and is housed in a fantastic, historical building, in the middle of the historical town centre of Leiden (Rapenburg). It's completely accessible: we brought our 8 month old son in his buggy and had no problems in navigating the museum. Baby changing facilities are located in the disabled toilet on the ground floor. In the entrance hall of the museum you can find and visit the Temple of Taffeh (free of charge, as it is before the ticket barriers), which was gifted to the Netherlands. The audio tour is free of charge too (but behind the ticket barriers). Museum staff was very friendly and helpful. One note in regard to parking: some reviews here complain about parking, but this has absolutely nothing to do with the museum itself. People who complain about parking, have themselves to blame for not planning their journey properly: The museum is located in the middle of the historical city centre of Leiden. so it's completely logical that there isn't a large parking garage to accommodate visitors. My advice is to plan your journey ahead, be sure you know where to park in Leiden or check the museum website if you don't and/or are not familiar with the historical centre of Leiden. If you come by public transport: the museum is about a ten minute walk away from the Leiden Central station. Concluding this review: this is a must visit if you like museums with ancient artefacts!
5. De Markt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By canangulozal - Ankara, Turkey
I just love it. Best thing to do on Saturday mornings. Lovely market. Food, textile, spiritual things, and all the people are friendly.
6. Rijksmuseum Boerhaave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Rijksmuseum Boerhaave is the Netherlands’ treasure chamber of science and medicine. What were the major discoveries in the history of science in the Netherlands? Who were the researchers behind them and how great is the impact of their discoveries on our lives today? Find out more about their inventions and join us in thinking about today’s big issues. With a collection spanning five centuries of research and innovation and based on close collaboration with prominent modern scientists, Rijksmuseum Boerhaave offers visitors of all ages a fascinating insight into the world of science.
Reviewed By Vacation814417
It is an amazing science museum for everyone. We loved the huge kids section at first floor. Everything has been very well explained in Dutch end in English. Plus in the heart of Leiden . Perfect day out to combine with a beautiful city .
7. Wall Poems of Leiden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By taimym2018 - London, United Kingdom
The University of Leiden is the heart of the town, and the wall poems and formulae make an interesting tour to get to know the place a bit better
8. Botanical Gardens (Hortus Botanicus)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 744 reviews
Reviewed By 390davidw390 - Neath, United Kingdom
The Botanical Gardens are a real joy with a history dating back centuries, It is the birthplace of the university history of Leiden. It's a must to any visit to Leiden
9. Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 612 reviews
Closed for reconstruction until mid 2019 - Naturalis is the national research institute for biodiversity. While our new building is being constructed, our scientists continue to dedicate themselves to describing, understanding and preserving biodiversity without interruption. The museum will be closed untill mid 2019.
Reviewed By CH_globalview - The Hague, The Netherlands
What a great museum / day out for adults or families with kids. The museum (which had a super collection before) has been completely renovated and is now a real pleasure to visit. Multiple floors of exhibits and a winding route through the museum gently works upwards through geological time, geographies and environments with a mixture of status displays, audio visuals and interactive 3D and 4D experiences. The room in which you enter a Japanese earthquake is particularly fun (and very authentic) and the dinosaurs are just wonderful. One of the worlds most complete T-Rex skeletons and some really great interactive dinosaur exhibits too. A good restaurant/cafe/shop as well. The architecture of the lobby with beautiful modern wooden galleries, light and natural stone stairways is just gorgeous (and can be viewed for free!) The museum itself is not cheap (16 euros, also for children older than 4) so make sure you allow enough time to see it (or buy a museumkaart which allows you unlimited access to many museums in NL which is good value)
10. De Burcht
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 635 reviews
Reviewed By dominiquej556 - Bangkok, Thailand
Absolutely gorgeous to pass by if you’re doing a walk through the city centre. Definitely go up the stairs to see the most beautiful view of Leiden!
