Culture, Art, and Architecture in Leiden

Leiden is different. While the historic centers of many cities serve mainly as backdrops for tourists, in Leiden the past is very much a part of everyday life. Students bike past centuries-old facades; behind an unassuming gate, you’ll find a quiet courtyard; and just around the corner, an early Rembrandt hangs on the wall. Culture lovers, take note: we’ll take you on a tour of the most beautiful cultural highlights of this “key city”!

Architecture in Leiden

Leiden is compact, but what a wealth of stories! Almost every street takes you back in time.

The Rapenburg and the Academy Building

The Rapenburg is often called the most beautiful canal in the Netherlands. And once you stroll along it, you’ll understand why. Here stands the Academy Building of Leiden University, the oldest university in the country, founded in 1575. Inside, you’ll find the famous “Zweetkamertje,” where graduates inscribe their names on the wall. Among those signatures are names like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and King Willem-Alexander. Curious? You can view the walls online at ophetzweetkamertje.nl.

The Pieterskerk

The imposing Pieterskerk has over 900 years of history and is essentially a museum in its own right today. In the former baptistery, you’ll discover the story of the Pilgrims, the English refugees who set sail from Leiden for America. The painter Jan Steen is also buried here, in the family tomb near the choir. Be sure to take a look at his tombstone!

Leiden Castle

Climb the stairs to the Leiden Castle, a medieval fortress on an artificial hill that’s even older than the city itself. At the top, you can walk along the circular wall and look out over the rooftops of Leiden. The Burcht has been a city park since 1651, and the best part? Admission is free.

Leiden’s Hofjes

When you say Leiden, you say “hofjes.” These hidden courtyards surrounded by small houses were once built to provide shelter for the poor and the elderly. The city used to have about 200 of them; now only 36 remain. The oldest is the Jeruzalemshof, dating from 1467. Be sure to also take a look at the Jean Pesijnhofje near the Pieterskerk, which you enter through a gate on Kloksteeg, or at the Sint Anna Aalmoezeniershuis with its own chapel. Want to see them all? You can pick up a walking tour map covering about 5 kilometers at the tourist office.

Good to know: People still live in the courtyards. So walk quietly, speak softly, and leave your bike outside the gate.

Leiden, the City of Rembrandt

Did you know that Rembrandt van Rijn was born in Leiden in 1606? He grew up here and took his first steps as a painter before leaving for Amsterdam. Unfortunately, his birthplace on Weddesteeg no longer exists, but you can still visit the site. On the Langebrug, you’ll find the Young Rembrandt Studio, located in the building where he was taught by his first mentor, Jacob van Swanenburgh.

Want to follow in his footsteps? Then take the Rembrandt Route, a walk of about 5 kilometers past all the places from his years in Leiden. You can pick up the route booklet at the tourist office on Stationsweg. And in July, around his birthday, the Leiden Rembrandt Days take place. During this time, the neighborhood around the Pieterskerk transforms into a 17th-century setting, filled with actors and extras. It’s as if you’re stepping right into a painting!

Leiden’s Museums

Leiden has a surprising number of museums for such a compact city. These are our favorites.

Museum De Lakenhal

Museum De Lakenhal on the Oude Singel is the premier museum for art and history in Leiden. Here you’ll find *The Spectacle Seller* from around 1624, Rembrandt’s earliest known work. You can also see works by his first student, the Leiden-based fine painter Gerrit Dou. In addition, the exhibition *Garden of Earthly Delights*, about the flourishing 17th century, runs through March 29, 2027. Afterward, settle in at Café Laken.

National Museum of Antiquities

At the National Museum of Antiquities on Rapenburg, you’ll travel thousands of years back in time. Mummy cases, Roman cavalry helmets, and Greek statues: there’s so much to see. The absolute highlight is the Temple of Taffeh, a real Egyptian temple right in the middle of the museum. Bonus tip: on Thursday evenings, the museum stays open until 10:00 p.m.

Leiden World Museum

Formerly known as the Museum of Ethnology, it has been called the Leiden World Museum since 2023. Just a five-minute walk from the station, you can take a journey around the world through collections from Japan, China, Indonesia, Africa, Oceania, and more. One of the highlights is a Māori war canoe.

Rijksmuseum Boerhaave

Science can be a lot of fun, too! At the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, the national museum of the history of science and medicine, you’ll discover remarkable instruments and inventions. Thanks to its many interactive exhibits, it’s a place where both curious adults and children can have a great time.

Festivals and Cultural Events

There’s always something going on in Leiden all year round. You won’t want to miss these events.

October 3: Leidens Ontzet

The city’s biggest celebration! Every year on October 3, Leiden celebrates the city’s liberation from the Spanish siege in 1574. On the evening of October 2, you can enjoy hutspot on the Hooglandse Kerkgracht, and in the early morning of October 3, herring and white bread are handed out at the Waag. There are also parades, a fair, and fireworks. Check 3october.nl for the program.

Hofjes Festival

At Pentecost, the gates of Leiden’s hofjes open for the Hofjes Festival. The quiet courtyards are then transformed into atmospheric stages for jazz, classical music, blues, and children’s performances. What a place for a concert!

Leiden Blues & Jazz Week

In January, Leiden Blues & Jazz Week brings a week of live music to the city center. You’ll hear performances in cafés, restaurants, and concert halls, and during the jazz pub crawl, you’ll move from stage to stage. A wonderful way to get through the darkest month of the year!

Leiden Art Route

Want to see artists at work? During the Leiden Art Route, artists open their studios and exhibit their work in surprising locations throughout the city. This way, you can pick up something beautiful directly from the artist.

Photo credits: OpstapmetLisa and Canva.com