Leiden

Top sights to visit

• The Burcht A massive round stone fort sits on a high man made hill in the city center and offers a great panorama of the surrounding red rooftops. It was built during the Middle Ages as a safe haven where citizens could retreat during enemy attacks and remains one of the oldest examples of a castle in the country.
• Hortus Botanicus Founded in 1590, this lush paradise is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and the very birthplace of the Dutch tulip industry. You can see the exact spot where the first bulbs were planted and explore a vast collection of medicinal plants and rare trees from the Far East.
• St Pieterskerk Pilgrims once gathered in this grand, cavernous church before they began their famous voyage across the Atlantic to the New World. It sits in a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets that feel like a film set from the 1600s and holds the graves of many famous Dutch scholars and leaders.
• National Museum of Antiquities Amazing collections of Egyptian mummies and an entire desert temple, gifted by Egypt, are found inside this world class museum. The grand entrance hall features massive stone statues and intricate carvings that offer a breathtaking welcome to every modern visitor.
• The Wall Poems Look up at the red brick walls of houses throughout the city to find over one hundred poems painted in languages from every continent. This unique cultural project turns the entire city into a giant, walkable book where art and literature meet the urban landscape.
• Molen de Valk Thick stone walls house a multi story museum inside this tall grain mill that has been a dominant city landmark since 1743. You can explore the old living quarters of the miller to see how a family lived and worked inside the mill during the height of the industrial age.
• Rembrandt Bridge A beautiful wooden drawbridge stands as a tribute to the most famous painter born in this university city, located near the site of his childhood home. It is a classic spot to watch the canal boats go by in the soft evening light while reflecting on the city's artistic heritage.
• Leiden University Great minds like Einstein and Rene Descartes once shared new ideas in the halls of the oldest university in the Netherlands. You can visit the Academy Building to feel the weight of centuries of learning and see the famous sweat room where students have signed their names for generations.
• The Latin School Rembrandt van Rijn learned the basics of Latin and art in this grand building where you can still see a digital sketch of his face in the window today. It connects you directly to the childhood of a true genius and shows the high level of education that fueled the Golden Age.
• Old Observatory White domes look out over a scenic canal at the oldest university observatory still standing anywhere in the world. It remains a center for astronomical science today and is surrounded by very peaceful gardens that are perfect for a quiet afternoon walk.
• Hooglandse Kerk Light fills the soaring white interior of this massive Gothic church which features a unique and grand shape because it was never fully completed. It sits at the meeting point of the Rhine river and remains a stunning example of late medieval architecture and local faith.
• Morspoort A grand blue dome marks this western city gate that once served as a strong line of defense and a tax collection point for travelers. Today it welcomes visitors to a trendy area filled with local cafes, sunlit outdoor terraces, and a bustling harbor full of historic ships.