Leiden’s historic city centre has 28 kilometres of canals and singels, as well as 88 bridges. Alongside this waterscape, you’ll find botanical history, art collections and buildings from different periods. You can therefore get to know Leiden through a range of interests: on a city walk, with a visit to a museum or from the water.
Canals, a Garden and a Windmill
Canals and singels make water a defining part of the historic city centre. Visitors can rent a boat or book a canal cruise to explore the waterways. These are two ways to spend time on the water: one involves renting a boat, the other booking a cruise.
Leiden’s botanical history is also noteworthy: the Hortus botanicus Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and Western Europe. It was founded in the city centre in 1590. The Molen De Put windmill also stands on the northern bank of the Rhine; it was rebuilt in the 1980s. These two examples represent different aspects of the city’s history: an early botanical foundation and a windmill with a history of reconstruction.
Art and Architectural History
Museum De Lakenhal began as Leiden’s city museum in 1868. It displays works by Old Masters such as Lucas van Leyden, Rembrandt van Rijn and Jan Steen, as well as modern artists such as Theo van Doesburg, Jan Wolkers and Erwin Olaf. The specific presentation of the works may vary. The collection thus brings together different artistic periods; those interested in art will find both older and modern works here.
The Pieterskerk is Leiden’s oldest parish church. It was consecrated in 1121 as a chapel of the count’s court; its present form took shape between 1390 and 1565. The church therefore offers two distinct historical details: its early consecration and the building’s later-developed form. The Burcht van Leiden is another striking testament to architectural history and is among the oldest surviving examples of a castle in the Netherlands.
Leiden has 13 museums, all within walking distance of one another. This gives you a practical framework for planning a day of museum visits, without requiring every museum to have the same focus. Museum De Lakenhal, for example, showcases the aforementioned range, from Old Masters to modern artists; you can choose what to see based on your own interests in art.
City Walks with Different Highlights
The Leidse Hofjes Route is 5 kilometres long and takes approximately 2 hours. How long you spend on the route depends on your pace and the number of stops. This gives you a rough idea of the time required, rather than a fixed duration for every walk.
The Leidse Loper is another walking route through Leiden. It passes historic monuments and striking views through the city. The two walks have different highlights: the Leidse Hofjes Route has a specified length and approximate duration, while the Leidse Loper is described in terms of historic monuments and sightlines. When planning, you can weigh a stated timeframe against a focus on buildings and views, without treating the two walks as the same route.
Getting There and Getting Around
Visitors can walk from Leiden Centraal station to the city centre in five minutes; buses run every few minutes. If you plan to use the bus to get to Leiden or get around the city, check the current timetable before travelling. You can also find information and inspiration for exploring the city and region by bike, including cycling routes, bicycle parking, bike hire and points where you can dismount. These topics add another way to tailor your plans to your interests, alongside exploring on foot or from the water.
For the main travel overview: Leiden.
