Five reasons to discover Leiden
Historic sights and almost 2,800 monuments
Leiden dates back to around 860 AD and packs almost 2,800 national and municipal monuments, alongside protected cityscapes, into a centre you can walk across in twenty minutes. England's Pilgrim Fathers lived and worked here between 1609 and 1620 before sailing for the New World, which is why so many American visitors discover family ties in the Leiden archives.
Canals, bridges and water everywhere
After Amsterdam, Leiden has more canals than any other Dutch city: 28 kilometres of 17th-century waterways and 88 bridges. Take a guided canal cruise, rent a small electric boat without a licence, or simply sit on a waterside terrace and watch the city drift by.
World-class museums for every kind of weather
Thirteen museums sit within walking distance of each other, from the National Museum of Antiquities and its Egyptian mummies to Naturalis with its T. rex Trix, the science collections of Rijksmuseum Boerhaave and Japan-focused Japanmuseum SieboldHuis. A rainy day in Leiden is never a wasted day.
The best base for Keukenhof and the bulb fields
Leiden can be a useful base for the officially announced Keukenhof season from 18 March through 9 May 2027. Tickets for 2027 are not yet on sale. The official ticket shop says sales will restart this autumn but gives no exact date. This site therefore does not show a seller, price, availability, time slot or booking promise. Seasonal routes, service numbers, timetables and combination products can change. Check the current journey information shortly before your visit.
Student energy, relaxed prices
Some 30,000 students give Leiden a lively, unpretentious nightlife: brown cafés, canal-side terraces, free open-air concerts in summer and independent boutiques instead of chain stores. Hotel rates are typically well below Amsterdam for the same night.
Famous places in Leiden
Beyond museums and canals, Leiden is packed with distinctive spots you should not miss — from De Burcht to the stately Rapenburg and lively Nieuwe Rijn.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Leiden worth visiting?
- Yes — Leiden offers canals, gabled houses, world-class museums and windmills in a walkable centre, with far fewer tourists than Amsterdam. Most visitors find one full day enough for the highlights and two to three days ideal with Keukenhof or the coast.
- How far is Leiden from Amsterdam?
- Direct trains run from Amsterdam Centraal to Leiden Centraal in about 40 minutes, and from Schiphol Airport in roughly 20 minutes, several times per hour.
- What is Leiden famous for?
- Leiden is famous for the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575), as the birthplace of Rembrandt van Rijn, for its Pilgrim Fathers heritage, its canals and its wall poems.
- Can you visit Keukenhof from Leiden?
- Leiden can be a useful base for the officially announced Keukenhof season from 18 March through 9 May 2027. Tickets for 2027 are not yet on sale. The official ticket shop says sales will restart this autumn but gives no exact date. This site therefore does not show a seller, price, availability, time slot or booking promise. Seasonal routes, service numbers, timetables and combination products can change. Check the current journey information shortly before your visit.
Continue exploring Leiden
- What to see & doThe best things to do in Leiden: museums, canals, windmills, the Burcht, hofjes, wall poems, markets and practical ideas for a day trip or weekend.
- Leiden museumsDiscover 13 museums in Leiden, from Naturalis and the National Museum of Antiquities to De Lakenhal, Boerhaave and De Valk, with tickets and visitor tips.
- AccommodationWhere to stay in Leiden: canal-side hotels, boutique B&Bs and apartments in the historic centre, all within walking distance of Leiden Centraal station.
- Travelling to LeidenHow to get to Leiden from Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam by train, car or bus, with parking and onward travel tips.
- Local heroesStories from Leiden locals and historic residents: Rembrandt, Boerhaave and Jan van Hout, plus insider tips on hidden corners of the City of Keys.
- About Leiden TravelLeiden Travel is an independent travel guide to Leiden, written by locals: what we cover, how we choose our tips and how to reach us at info@leidentravel.com.
- ContactContact Leiden Travel by email at info@leidentravel.com or via the form — for visitor questions, listings, collaborations and press requests about Leiden.
- Buy tickets onlinePlan tickets for Leiden attractions and check the separately maintained Keukenhof 2027 season and ticket-sales status.