Leiden

Leiden, tourist information

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Coat of arms of Leiden
Coat of arms of Leiden

Number of inhabitants: 124.077
Number of national monuments: 1.243

Summary of Leiden

The Hooglandse Kerkgracht in Leiden
The Hooglandse Kerkgracht in Leiden

Leiden is an old, cozy city in the province of South Holland. Leiden is particularly known for the oldest university in the Netherlands, but also for its many beautiful historic buildings, courtyards and canals.

Leiden is also called the city of keys, because of the city's coat of arms with the keys. Leiden originated as a dike village, at the place where the old and the new Rhine converge.

Interesting history of Leiden

The Castle in Leiden
The Castle in Leiden

If you are looking for an old historic city, Leiden is the right place for you. When you walk through Leiden there is a very cozy atmosphere. This is not only due to the old cozy buildings, but also because of the Rhine, which splits and comes together again in Leiden.

Returning to the cultural heritage, all over the city you can admire many beautiful buildings.

Leiden Landmarks

The Morspoort in Leiden
The Morspoort in Leiden

The following buildings deserve the most attention for their specialness: “The Town Hall, De Waag, De Burcht, De Marekerk, the Hooglandse Kerk and the St. Pieterskerk.” The Sint-Pieterskerk used to have a church tower of up to 100 meters, one of the highest church towers in the Netherlands, but in 1502 the tower was destroyed by a storm and never rebuilt.

Shopping in Leiden

The Haarlemmerstraat in Leiden
The Haarlemmerstraat in Leiden

Shop until you're tired of it, Leiden is located in a very urban area and therefore you can go there for just about anything. You will find almost all major large chains and department stores in Leiden, but of course also plenty of smaller shops. You can shop extensively in the Haarlemmerstraat, the Aalmarkt, the Vismarkt and the surrounding area.

To lead:
Shopping evening: Thursday
Every Sunday shopping Sunday

Activities in Leiden

Museum of Ethnology Leiden
Museum of Ethnology Leiden

Plenty of activities in Leiden, there is absolutely no need to be bored. If you want to visit a museum, you are spoiled for choice, you can sail or visit a Hortus, catch a movie or enjoy culture in a theater.

A complete overview can be found below in the colored blocks.


LEAD MUSEUMSLEAD ATTRACTIONS
  • Leiden Regional Archives Leiden history. Click here for the site.
  • Rijksmuseum van Oudheden , the National Center for Archaeology. Click here for the site.
  • National Museum of Ethnology , Africa Museum and National Museum of Ethnology merged into new national museum!. Click here for the site.
  • SieboldHouse, objects made by Philipp Franz von Siebold are shown. Click here for the site.
  • Academic History Museum, history of academic Leiden. Click here for the site.
  • CORP, 'journey through man'. Click here for the site.
  • Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, dedicated to the Pilgrim Fathers. Click here for the site.
  • Windmill Museum De Valk, scaffolding flour mill. Click here for the site.
  • Museum Boerhaave, National Museum for the History of Natural Sciences and Medicine. Click here for the site.
  • Museum De LakenhalThe museum is located in the monumental 'Laecken-Halle' from 1640, where the famous Leiden cloth was once inspected and sold. Click here for the site.
  • Museum the Leids Wevershuis, located in a unique former weaver's house. Click here for the site.
  • Naturalis, Biodiversity Center: for anyone interested in the life that was, is and will be. Click here for the site.
  • Enjoy a boat trip through the canals of Leiden, or enjoy a cruise. You will find many shipping companies throughout the city.
  • Hortus botanist Leiden, click here for the site.
LEAD CINEMASLEAD THEATERS
  • Lidoregular program. Click here for the site.
  • Trianonspecial program. Click here for the site.
  • Watch housespecial program. Click here for the site.
  • The Plantsoentheater, click here for the site.
  • Empire Theater, click here for the site.
  • Leiden Theatre, click here for the site.
  • Scheltema Leiden, click here for the site.
  • Leiden City Auditorium, click here for the site.
  • Theater de True Love, click here for the site.
  • Theater Ins Blau, click here for the site.

Nature & Parks in Leiden

Windmill Museum De Valk in Leiden
Windmill Museum De Valk in Leiden

For a nice park in Leiden, you can go to park De Bult, De Houtkamp, ​​Noorderpark, Kweeklust, Bos van Bosman or one of the other parks in Leiden. In addition, to the west of the city you will find a beautiful large dune area, where you can really enjoy nature along the North Sea.

Steps in Leiden

Canal with terraces in Leiden
Canal with terraces in Leiden


Whatever you feel like, for an evening and well into the night! There are plenty of restaurants, terraces, terraces on plateaus on the water, bars, pubs and discotheques in Leiden

More photos from Leiden