{"id":16796,"date":"2025-01-22T13:31:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T12:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travander.nl\/?p=16796"},"modified":"2025-08-11T14:41:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T12:41:10","slug":"things-to-do-leiden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travander.nl\/en\/wat-doen-leiden\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in Leiden: 14 x fun tips and places to visit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Leiden truly deserves its nickname, the \u201cCity of Discoveries.\u201d This beautiful city invites you to wander through charming alleys, along picturesque canals, and discover authentic Dutch gems around every corner. During our visit, we were pleasantly surprised by the warm atmosphere and stunning beauty everywhere we looked. Steeped in history yet buzzing with cozy energy, Leiden offers the perfect blend for a memorable day out in The Netherlands<\/a>. But what are the best things to do in Leiden? In this article, we share the best sights and insider tips to help you make the most of your city trip to Leiden!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Leiden: The 'City of Discoveries'<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Beautiful houses in Leiden<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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1. The Beestenmarkt<\/h2>

One of the first spots to visit in Leiden is the Beestenmarkt, a triangular square right in the heart of the city. This lively landmark is where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy the many outdoor cafes and vibrant atmosphere. The name Beestenmarkt comes from the cattle markets that were once held here, but today it\u2019s all about good times and great company.\u00a0<\/p>

On and along the square you will find mainly restaurants, bars and a wide range of stores. You'll also find the Lido cinema here, great if you want to catch a movie during your Leiden city break. This is also where canal cruises start, one of the most popular activities in Leiden.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. Morspoort<\/h2>

One of the most impressive sights in Leiden is the Morspoort. This beautiful city gate is one of the two remaining gates of Leiden, a city that once had eight. During our walk through the city, we came across this photogenic spot on the edge of the center.<\/p>

What makes the Morspoort extra special is the story attached to it. The gate, also known as the Galgenpoort, refers to the lurid past of this place. At the foot of the gate used to be the gallows field, where prisoners were executed after their stay in the octagonal prison tower above the gate. Despite this dark history, today the Morspoort is a beautiful place to admire.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. Mill 'De Put'<\/h2>

Continue your route from the Morspoort to one of the following interesting sights in Leiden: Mill De Put. This mill is beautifully located on the Galgewater, next to the historic Rembrandt Bridge.\u00a0<\/p>

Mill De Put is a replica of the original post mill built by Jan Jansenzoon Put, which was completely destroyed by fire in 1640. The current mill was rebuilt in 1987 as a tribute to this historic landmark. Surrounded by water and overlooking the charming Rembrandt Bridge, the mill offers stunning views that truly capture the authentic atmosphere of Leiden.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Morspoort in Leiden<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Mill de Put and the Rembrandt Bridge in Leiden<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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4. Rembrandt Square<\/h2>

The name Rembrandt van Rijn resonates far beyond The Netherlands. This world-renowned painter was born right here in Leiden, making the city an important part of his incredible legacy.<\/p>

Crossing the Rembrandt Bridge brings you to Rembrandtplaats, or Rembrandt Square, the very spot where the famous painter was born. While his original birthplace no longer stands, a commemorative plaque marks approximately where it once was. For art lovers, it\u2019s a must-visit location that connects you to Rembrandt\u2019s roots. \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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5. The pink house on Groenhazengracht<\/h2>

A great recommendation is to continue along Rembrandtstraat toward Groenhazengracht. Along the waterfront, you\u2019ll find beautiful historic Dutch buildings, but one stands out: the charming pink house. At first glance, it looks like a cheerful little home, but it has a fascinating story. In the 15th century, this area was Leiden\u2019s red-light district, with a brothel located here. Prostitutes were nicknamed \u201chaasjes\u201d (which means \u201chares\u201d in Dutch), and the brothel keepers were called \u201cGroen Haasje\u201d or \u201cGreen Hare.\u201d This is where the name Groenhazengracht comes from.\u00a0<\/p>

Today, this is a charming and tidy part of town, but the colorful pink house remains a vivid reminder of its intriguing past. It\u2019s a unique spot well worth visiting if you\u2019re looking for interesting sights and tips in Leiden.<\/p>

Also, don't forget to take a look at the Doelenpoort, which you'll find diagonally across from the pink house. This impressive gate from the 17th century adds even more historical charm to the area.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Rembrandt Square in Leiden<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The pink house<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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6. Rapenburg<\/h2>

The Rapenburg is undoubtedly one of the most iconic places in Leiden. This beautiful canal, surrounded by historic buildings and monuments, symbolizes the city's rich history.\u00a0<\/p>

At the corner of Groenhazengracht and Rapenburg, you'll find a magnificent old library, after which you also pass the following beautiful sights:\u00a0<\/p>