Eating and drinking

Our favorite places to eat and drink in Leiden.
Enjoy the restaurants and bar here in Leiden. We can advise "de Stadthouder" for a nice menu, or "Einstein" for drinks and a simple menu. If you want to eat greek, you can go to Delphi (Nieuwe Rijn 52, 2312 JH Leiden). During the day, enjoy the terrace at Annie's place (Hoogstraat 1A, 2312 JA Leiden). You can even ask for their homemade ice tea, to look like a local... I would also recommend the restaurant De Waag (Aalmarkt 21, 2311 EC Leiden)
Nieuwe Rijn
Enjoy the restaurants and bar here in Leiden. We can advise "de Stadthouder" for a nice menu, or "Einstein" for drinks and a simple menu. If you want to eat greek, you can go to Delphi (Nieuwe Rijn 52, 2312 JH Leiden). During the day, enjoy the terrace at Annie's place (Hoogstraat 1A, 2312 JA Leiden). You can even ask for their homemade ice tea, to look like a local... I would also recommend the restaurant De Waag (Aalmarkt 21, 2311 EC Leiden)
Best ice cream in town! Maciotto offers creamy and very tasty ice creams: it is the place to go and recommended by the locals.
Maarsmansteeg 2
2 Maarsmansteeg
Best ice cream in town! Maciotto offers creamy and very tasty ice creams: it is the place to go and recommended by the locals.
This place is a 3 in 1: You can either have a nice drink from the top level of one of the highest building in Leiden at the restaurant Twelve and enjoy the view. At the same time, you can swim in the swimming pool from the 12th floor the BLUE wellness resort and see the whole Leiden. And finally, the restaurant offers delicious and fine cuisine for an affordable price. You can even let you seduce by their surprise menu. Definitely something to recommend in Leiden!
Bargelaan 180
180 Bargelaan
This place is a 3 in 1: You can either have a nice drink from the top level of one of the highest building in Leiden at the restaurant Twelve and enjoy the view. At the same time, you can swim in the swimming pool from the 12th floor the BLUE wellness resort and see the whole Leiden. And finally, the restaurant offers delicious and fine cuisine for an affordable price. You can even let you seduce by their surprise menu. Definitely something to recommend in Leiden!
Bagels & Beans in Leiden. It sounds cliché but we love this place. If you are vegetarian (or not!) , why not be tempted by their delicious mushroom burgers? Do you love fish? The salmon avocado salad or bagel is made for you. If you are a meat lover, a large variety of bagels is offered. Just try your favorite. You won't be disappointed.
Maarsmansteeg 8
8 Maarsmansteeg
Bagels & Beans in Leiden. It sounds cliché but we love this place. If you are vegetarian (or not!) , why not be tempted by their delicious mushroom burgers? Do you love fish? The salmon avocado salad or bagel is made for you. If you are a meat lover, a large variety of bagels is offered. Just try your favorite. You won't be disappointed.
Every Sunday, their "recovery" all-you-can-eat breakfast for 15€ will make your day. You can seat next to the canal and enjoy the peace of a sunday morning.
Haven 1
1 Haven
Every Sunday, their "recovery" all-you-can-eat breakfast for 15€ will make your day. You can seat next to the canal and enjoy the peace of a sunday morning.
This bar / restaurant is close to the nature. You can enjoy the parc, relax on a chair, be close to the nature while having Leiden city center by a 20 minute walk distance only.
Polderpad 8
8 Polderpad
This bar / restaurant is close to the nature. You can enjoy the parc, relax on a chair, be close to the nature while having Leiden city center by a 20 minute walk distance only.

Walking and discovering around

We suggest here some original findings of the city, so you can learn better about its history and see its specificity. You will appreciate and remember some specificities of this quiet little Amsterdam!
The impressive Pieterskerk is at the heart of the historical center. Don't miss the "hofje" of Leiden: these are small gardens in some typical houses, usually rent out by the government for a specific category of population (students, person below specific revenues etc...). During the spring period, concerts are organised in those beautiful gardens. You can enter the gardens but the quietness is always appreciated by the inhabitants. See more at our dedicated category.
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Pieterskerk
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The impressive Pieterskerk is at the heart of the historical center. Don't miss the "hofje" of Leiden: these are small gardens in some typical houses, usually rent out by the government for a specific category of population (students, person below specific revenues etc...). During the spring period, concerts are organised in those beautiful gardens. You can enter the gardens but the quietness is always appreciated by the inhabitants. See more at our dedicated category.
From this street, you can enjoy the view from the City Hall. The other side was burnt during the last century, which makes the Breestraat side the most beautiful view. Don't miss the keys represented in the middle of the street: these are the symbols of Leiden.
Breestraat
Breestraat
From this street, you can enjoy the view from the City Hall. The other side was burnt during the last century, which makes the Breestraat side the most beautiful view. Don't miss the keys represented in the middle of the street: these are the symbols of Leiden.
De Burcht van Leiden. This is a nice place to start to see Leiden: from here you can have a view of whole Leiden. Go upstairs, be curious, reach the top of the building and have a walk. You will have a guided visit from a nice panoramic view of Leiden. Then do not miss the Hooglandse Kerk, just next to it.
Van der Sterrepad
Van der Sterrepad
De Burcht van Leiden. This is a nice place to start to see Leiden: from here you can have a view of whole Leiden. Go upstairs, be curious, reach the top of the building and have a walk. You will have a guided visit from a nice panoramic view of Leiden. Then do not miss the Hooglandse Kerk, just next to it.
Botanical garden: an escape in nature at a 5-minute walk from your Airbnb.
Rapenburg 73
73 Rapenburg
Botanical garden: an escape in nature at a 5-minute walk from your Airbnb.
Discover the historical part of Leiden and visit the Pieterskerk. There is an old prison which now replaced by some offices of the Leiden University.
Pieterskerkgracht
Pieterskerkgracht
Discover the historical part of Leiden and visit the Pieterskerk. There is an old prison which now replaced by some offices of the Leiden University.
The academy gebouw is also the entrance of.the botanical garden. In the academic building is the dig autre on a wall of some personalities like Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill or some members of the royal family. Nowadays this building is used by the PhD candidate who defends their thesis.
Academiegebouw
The academy gebouw is also the entrance of.the botanical garden. In the academic building is the dig autre on a wall of some personalities like Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill or some members of the royal family. Nowadays this building is used by the PhD candidate who defends their thesis.
You can walk on this street and appreciate the botanical garden on the other side. The street is nicely decorated by plants and small trees. Just a good moment to share and start a good walk of Leiden.
Binnenvestgracht
You can walk on this street and appreciate the botanical garden on the other side. The street is nicely decorated by plants and small trees. Just a good moment to share and start a good walk of Leiden.
Let yourself get lost in Leiden and discover a nice "hofje" from Leiden by walking through this door. A secret part that only local know about! More of those to check out in our dedicated section "Hofje: the secret gardens of Leiden"
Pieterskerkhof
Pieterskerkhof
Let yourself get lost in Leiden and discover a nice "hofje" from Leiden by walking through this door. A secret part that only local know about! More of those to check out in our dedicated section "Hofje: the secret gardens of Leiden"
This is the narrowest shop from Leiden. So close from the apartment that it does not cost anything to check it out.
Nieuwe Rijn 4
4 Nieuwe Rijn
This is the narrowest shop from Leiden. So close from the apartment that it does not cost anything to check it out.
Rembrandt is born at this place, but not in this house since the orignal one has been rebuilt.
Weddesteeg 21
21 Weddesteeg
Rembrandt is born at this place, but not in this house since the orignal one has been rebuilt.
You might not realise it, but this house is the oldest from Leiden; built in 1612, 400 years old!
Kort Galgewater 21
21 Kort Galgewater
You might not realise it, but this house is the oldest from Leiden; built in 1612, 400 years old!
Have a walk in the historical part of Leiden and discover more atypical houses like this one. This was actually the old red district of Leiden, near to the old military base.
Groenhazengracht
Groenhazengracht
Have a walk in the historical part of Leiden and discover more atypical houses like this one. This was actually the old red district of Leiden, near to the old military base.
The doors of Leiden are located 5 minutes from the train station and 10 minutes from your Airbnb. It is worth seeing it. Another door is located in the direction of the harbour.
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Morschpoort, Leiden
66 Morsstraat
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The doors of Leiden are located 5 minutes from the train station and 10 minutes from your Airbnb. It is worth seeing it. Another door is located in the direction of the harbour.
This mill can be visited like a museum. Such mills are part of the Dutch tradition. Did you know that, for example, back in the days, the mills were mainly constructed to keep the water out of the country? Check more and visit this interesting museum.
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Molenmuseum de Valk
1 2e Binnenvestgracht
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This mill can be visited like a museum. Such mills are part of the Dutch tradition. Did you know that, for example, back in the days, the mills were mainly constructed to keep the water out of the country? Check more and visit this interesting museum.
Enjoy the view and the nice cafés and restaurants close to Hooglandse kerk. This massive monument is also close to the Burcht, from where you can enjoy the view.
Hooglandse Kerkgracht 56
56 Hooglandse Kerkgracht
Enjoy the view and the nice cafés and restaurants close to Hooglandse kerk. This massive monument is also close to the Burcht, from where you can enjoy the view.
The Pilgrims are the first colons coming from Europe to America and founded the Plymouth colony. And do you know that the Pilgrim Fathers lived in Leiden? They flew from England to Leiden where other opinions and religious beliefs were tolerated. Here, the Pilgrim Fathers developed their ideas and lived for years before departing for their journey to North America. Traces of their passage in Leiden are spread in town: - Leiden American Pilgrim museum, great to learn more about them, their lives and check the inside of a typical 16th century house - Pilgrim Fathers Monument De Vliet, marks the site of departure of the Pilgrims from Leiden - William Brewstersteeg 1 where one of the Pilgrim William Brewster lived
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Leiden American Pilgrim Museum
9 Beschuitsteeg
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The Pilgrims are the first colons coming from Europe to America and founded the Plymouth colony. And do you know that the Pilgrim Fathers lived in Leiden? They flew from England to Leiden where other opinions and religious beliefs were tolerated. Here, the Pilgrim Fathers developed their ideas and lived for years before departing for their journey to North America. Traces of their passage in Leiden are spread in town: - Leiden American Pilgrim museum, great to learn more about them, their lives and check the inside of a typical 16th century house - Pilgrim Fathers Monument De Vliet, marks the site of departure of the Pilgrims from Leiden - William Brewstersteeg 1 where one of the Pilgrim William Brewster lived
The Leidse Schouwburg presents a nice architecture. The inside has been recently renovated. The layout of the scene gives a feeling of being very close to the scene, anywhere you seat.
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Leiden Theater
43 Oude Vest
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The Leidse Schouwburg presents a nice architecture. The inside has been recently renovated. The layout of the scene gives a feeling of being very close to the scene, anywhere you seat.

A moment for yourself

The best activities to take care of yourself
Enjoy a massage for a good start of the day. You can book online at House Of Grace Leiden.
Breestraat 85
85 Breestraat
Enjoy a massage for a good start of the day. You can book online at House Of Grace Leiden.
Some concerts are given in Leiden. You can listen to it in the recently renovated concert hall.
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Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden
60 Breestraat
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Some concerts are given in Leiden. You can listen to it in the recently renovated concert hall.
The botanical garden is an activity you can do anytime of the year. You will be charmed by some unexpected inhabitants of the green houses.
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Hortus Botanicus Leiden
73 Rapenburg
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The botanical garden is an activity you can do anytime of the year. You will be charmed by some unexpected inhabitants of the green houses.

Ideas for group activities

If you are with some friends you might be interested by some group activities. We tested it ourselves and really enjoyed it.
Why note doing an escape room if you are with some friends? A nice activity to do, especially if it is rainy!
Escape from Wonderland
45 Breestraat
Why note doing an escape room if you are with some friends? A nice activity to do, especially if it is rainy!
If you want to do a new activity, why not trying bouldering? Just be sure to have some talc powder for your hands. The shoes can be rented on site. You can stay from 2 to 3 hours for 14€.
Boulderhal Kunststof
49 E Rooseveltstraat
If you want to do a new activity, why not trying bouldering? Just be sure to have some talc powder for your hands. The shoes can be rented on site. You can stay from 2 to 3 hours for 14€.
SUP Paddle on the canals: If you would like to see Leiden from another perspective, why not booking a SUP session? This activity is perfect for a small group of people. There are some sessions organized on Wednesdays and Fridays. More information at https://suppeninleiden.nl/
Amphoraweg 7
7 Amphoraweg
SUP Paddle on the canals: If you would like to see Leiden from another perspective, why not booking a SUP session? This activity is perfect for a small group of people. There are some sessions organized on Wednesdays and Fridays. More information at https://suppeninleiden.nl/
If you would like to rent a boat and see Leiden from the canals, you might be interested to visit "Bootjes en Broodjes". You will like it, with your family or friends.
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Bootjes en Broodjes
1 Blauwpoortsbrug
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If you would like to rent a boat and see Leiden from the canals, you might be interested to visit "Bootjes en Broodjes". You will like it, with your family or friends.

Hofje: the secret gardens of Leiden

In this category, you will discover where to find some of the Hofje (small gardens) in Leiden. There are so many that only a few are mentioned here. But you will find them by walking around in the city!
There are several "hofje" of this type In Leiden. They are all very discrete. Just push the door and visit them! It is allowed to get in. The quietness is always appreciated by the inhabitants. Enjoy the calm and the beauty of these little gardens.
Kloksteeg 21
21 Kloksteeg
There are several "hofje" of this type In Leiden. They are all very discrete. Just push the door and visit them! It is allowed to get in. The quietness is always appreciated by the inhabitants. Enjoy the calm and the beauty of these little gardens.
Another "hofje" that you might like to see. There is another one "Pieterskerkhof" described in our section "Walking and discovering around"
Doelensteeg 9
9 Doelensteeg
Another "hofje" that you might like to see. There is another one "Pieterskerkhof" described in our section "Walking and discovering around"

Consejos para la ciudad

No te lo pierdas

The cities in The Netherlands are famous for the canals

Enjoy the canals and find an original way to discover the city by boat. You can rent them at multiple places around Leiden. Or you can also SUP (Stand Up Paddle) in the canal. You need to book in advance your spot. We can recommend you to go to Xxx
No te lo pierdas

Market in Leiden

The markets in Leiden are on Wednesday and Saturdays. You can taste delicious cheese, Gouda, truffle Gouda and many more.
Qué empacar

Do not forget something against the rain

The good news is: it never rains the whole day in Leiden! So you will always enjoy a bit of sun. The bad news is that it might rain a bit. Just take something to protect you against the rain, and you will be sure to enjoy your trip.
No te lo pierdas

The sea and the dunes

If you are in Leiden, there is an easy way to see the beach. Just take the bus to go to either Noordwijk aan Zee (Bus 20) or Katwijk aan Zee (Bus 31). You can walk on the beach or through the dune from one to the other town. And take the bus back to Leiden.
Formas de ahorrar

Where to park in Leiden?

Some useful information: 👉🏼 List of the parking places in Leiden: https://gemeente.leiden.nl/english/on-street-parking-zones-and-tariffs/ 👉🏼 To see the list of the free spots, look for the word "gratis" on the following document : https://gemeente.leiden.nl/bestanden/straatnamenlijst-betaald-parkeren-2020.pdf 👉🏼 You can park 50 meters from your Airbnb for 12€/day (Steenschuur street)
Cómo moverse

How to get in Leiden?

🗝 It is easy to get in Leiden: ✈️ Schipol Airport is only 15 minutes by train from Leiden Central. With a bus going to the city hall, you will be at your Airbnb in 5 minutes. 🚅 Train: The train station is 15 minutes by foot or 3 minutes by bus. 🚘 Car: See our other section to see where to park in Leiden 🚍 Bus: There are some FlixBus available as well!