What to do in Leiden

Activities, attractions and tours

Waag showing a river or creek, street scenes and a house
Leiden
Stadhuis featuring a sunset, an administrative building and heritage architecture
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden showing interior views and art
Leiden
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Top places to visit

1. Hortus Botanicus

Stop and smell the roses and other blossoms in Hortus Botanicus, the Netherland’s oldest botanical gardens. It was begun in the 1590s and includes plants brought back from around the world by the Dutch East India Company. Wander through greenhouses full of tropical plants, see the Japanese garden and learn about the properties of medicinal plants used over many centuries.
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Hortus Botanicus which includes a garden, heritage architecture and flowers

2. National Museum of Ethnology

The Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde (National Museum of Ethnology) began in 1816 as a collection of cultural artifacts brought back by collectors from their visits in China and Japan. It has since expanded to include items from Southeast Asia, Australia, North and South America and Africa. Step inside to see some of its more than 200,000 artifacts.
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National Museum of Ethnology which includes interior views

3. Waag

Leiden’s Waag (weigh house) was once a bustling hub for Dutch merchants weighing their goods for sale. Many towns in the Netherlands had these weigh houses, which would guarantee buyers that they weren’t being cheated as they purchased goods. Leiden’s Waag was located right on the Nieuwe Rijn so that boats could transport their cargo directly to the weigh house and from there to market.
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Waag showing a river or creek, street scenes and a house

4. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, a museum of antiquities, is itself a piece of history. It first opened its doors to the public in 1746 with a small collection of artifacts bequeathed to the Leiden University by a collector. It has since grown and now has a comprehensive collection of ancient relics from Egypt, Rome, Greece and the Near East.
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Rijksmuseum van Oudheden which includes modern architecture and interior views

5. Burcht

Wander through the gateway off the bustling shopping street of Burgsteeg to discover the historic castle of Leiden, known as de Burcht. It was first constructed of stone in the 11th century, but after several attacks was rebuilt in brick in the 13th century. The castle’s 20-foot-tall (6.2-meter) walls protected 15-year-old Ada, Countess of Holland, from the forces of her uncle William, intent on removing her from power.
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Burcht featuring a city and heritage architecture

What to do in Leiden

Popular places to visit

Scheveningen Beach

Scheveningen Beach

Walk along the esplanade, cool off in the North Sea, go surfing or enjoy a host of other activities at one of the country’s most popular beaches.

Scheveningen Beach
Scheveningen Pier which includes a statue or sculpture and outdoor art

Scheveningen Pier

You can find out about the history of The Hague with a trip to Scheveningen Pier. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or experience its fascinating museums.

Scheveningen Pier
Kijkduin Beach

Kijkduin Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Kijkduin Beach during your travels in The Hague? Amble around this family-friendly area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Kijkduin Beach
Madurodam

Madurodam

At this park with scale models you can see all the important places in the Netherlands, and admire the country’s groundbreaking designs, in just hours.

Madurodam
Katwijk Aan Zee Beach

Katwijk Aan Zee Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Katwijk Aan Zee Beach during your travels in Katwijk Aan Zee? Amble around the area's seaside or visit its shops.

Katwijk Aan Zee Beach
Peace Palace featuring château or palace, heritage architecture and flowers

Peace Palace

Explore the grand rooms and chambers of this early 20th-century palace, where countries meet to try and resolve their differences.

Peace Palace
Louwman Museum

Louwman Museum

You can browse the exhibits at Louwman Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your holiday in The Hague. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its fascinating museums.

Louwman Museum
Binnenhof

Binnenhof

Walk in the footsteps of Dutch kings and prime ministers who have used this complex as a governmental center since the 15th century. The complex still houses the Dutch parliament.

Binnenhof
Hortus Botanicus which includes a garden, heritage architecture and flowers

Hortus Botanicus

Giant water lilies, carnivorous pitcher plants, rare and endangered plants and a host of colorful flowers await at Leiden’s botanical garden.

Hortus Botanicus

Day trip destinations from Leiden

Wassenaar

Wassenaar

Beestenmarkt showing a small town or village and a river or creek as well as a large group of people

The Hague

Photo by Kerwin Chang

Warmond

Frequently asked questions

Is Leiden worth visiting?
With a blend of shopping and dining, there are plenty of things to do in Leiden. When you're here, visit Duinrell, a must-see attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Leiden?
After you've checked off leading attractions like Duinrell and Katwijk Aan Zee Beach, spend the rest of your day discovering Leiden's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Leiden?
Don't leave without visiting Duinrell, rated the top tourist attraction in Leiden.
Is three days enough to stay in Leiden?
Three days will be plenty of time to tick off the leading city sights, including Duinrell, Katwijk Aan Zee Beach and Naturalis Biodiversity Centre. The average stay in Leiden is three days. If you have the urge to extend your trip, Amsterdam isn't far away.
Is Leiden a walkable city?
Some major attractions in Leiden, including Naturalis Biodiversity Centre and Museum Boerhaave, are within walking distance. You can also visit several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Just 5 kilometres from central Leiden is Warmond and Merenwijk is 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Leiden with kids?
Deciding what to do in Leiden with kids has never been easier. Whether you're travelling with toddlers or teenagers, there's no shortage of family-friendly activities to keep them happy here.

What to do in Leiden for adults?
Corpus and Leiden Bio Science Park are just a couple of the things to do in Leiden. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Leiden?
One of the best ways to learn about free things to do in Leiden is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can enjoy without reaching into your pocket. Hooglandsekerk is one spot that doesn't have an admission fee.