What to do in Leiden

Activities, attractions and tours

Waag featuring street scenes, a square or plaza and a house
Waag featuring street scenes, a square or plaza and a house
Beestenmarkt showing a river or creek, a coastal town and boating
Stadhuis featuring an administrative building, a sunset and heritage architecture
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden featuring interior views and art

Leiden Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Leiden has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Leiden is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Leiden to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Leiden Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Leiden.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Leiden attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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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 showing flowers, a park and heritage architecture

2. 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 which includes heritage architecture

3. 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

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 featuring a statue or sculpture, interior views and heritage elements

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 castle and outdoor art

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Recommended things to do in Leiden

Number of things to do
162
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Self Guided Walking Tour of Delft with Audio Guide: CA $9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Leiden

Discover the most popular places to visit in Leiden

Scheveningen which includes heritage architecture

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

Scheveningen Pier is just one of the places to see in The Hague, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Scheveningen Pier
The rough North Sea, water is cold but clear and nice. Waves are not too big. Good for beginners 😉. But nevertheless, it's a nice beach for just walking through the fine sand!

Katwijk Aan Zee Beach

Why not spend a carefree 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
Blick auf das Meer bei Kijkduin

Kijkduin Beach

Why not spend a carefree 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 which includes rides

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
Panorama photo of the Mauritshuis with the Grenadierspoort to the Binnenhof in the Hague

Mauritshuis

See the famous Girl with the Pearl Earring as well as numerous other masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt and other Dutch painters in this exceptional art museum.

Mauritshuis
Scheveningen

Holland Casino Scheveningen

Why not try your luck with a visit to Holland Casino Scheveningen during your visit to The Hague? Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Holland Casino Scheveningen
Peace Palace which includes 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
Biggest car museum in the world is located in Den Haag, Holland. #cars #kidsfun #travel Absolutely amazing collection of cars. Travel through history of vehicles from 18th to 21st century. And finish your travel in a stylish museum cafe.

Louwman Museum

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

Louwman Museum

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Leiden

Transport of green energy through the Netherlands

Leiderdorp

Wassenaar

Wassenaar

Grey lag geese (Anser anser) swim along the reed covered shores of a modern residential area in Oegstgeest, the Netherlands.

Oegstgeest

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

The Hague

Busy Leede river near Warmond, Netherlands, with recreational boats on a sunny sunday in spring

Warmond

#sunset #lake

Zoeterwoude

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.

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