Location: Leiden
Top Things to do in Leiden
Countries
What to do and see in Leiden, South Holland Province: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
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. Survival Dutch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Hoi! We are Kyra and Caresse; Dutch sisters living in Amsterdam and Leiden. We want you to get to know the Netherlands in an original, stylish and not so mainstream way. That's why we offer fun Dutch courses and entertaining Walk & Bite Tours in Leiden. We sell self made Dutch products (like our orange Kingsday sweaters) as well. Groetjes, de zusjes.
2. Escaperoom Leiden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By Karenabroad - Rijnsburg, The Netherlands
This is one of our favourite escape rooms to date. Wonderful variety of challenging puzzles, great decor and charming host who propels you into the experience as he welcomes you.
3. The Duke of Oz
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Brian038_13 - Zwolle, The Netherlands
Watched the world rugby, central location, good atmosphere and friendly staff. Had a good burger in the interval
4. Fromagerie Bon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Welcome at Fromagerie Bon! The best cheeseshop in Leiden. We offer you the most exclusive selection of (worldwide) cheeses, homemade pates and terrines . We can also advise you about matching drinks and other delicious products. You can also find Fromagerie Bon tastings with all kinds of foreign cheeses , sausages and homemade pates and terrines.
5. Old School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Old School is a gallery, coffee bar and shop. They facilitate regularly changing art-exhibitions and serve coffee and tea, homemade cake and local beers. The books of local writers, the tables, lamps, plants and of course the artwork is for sale at Old School.
6. Escape from Wonderland
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
The first escape room you will not want to escape from. In the city center of Leiden lies Wonderland. A magical place where animals wear clothes, flowers bloom in the most outrageous colors, gumballs rain from the skies and it is always tea time. An amazing world filled with crazy creatures and exciting puzzles. Let yourself be whisked away on a beautiful adventure in this wonderful world. But be careful not to lose track of time, or you might never want to leave again
Reviewed By Romy443
Very enjoyable experience thanks to the kindness of the host, the creativity and love that was put into creating the escape room and the extraordinary layout of the rooms. Riddles were very good and we all had lots of fun. One of the best in the netherlands - we recommend going here!
7. 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
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Leiden American Pilgrim Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Tijs_CityGuide - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This was a very nice experience, walking straight into the early 17th century. It was as if we'd visit William Bradford himself in his humble home. It's tiny, but the collection and the explanation of the host made up for this. I'd recommend reserving a visit when in Leiden.
