Outings and activities in Leiden

Leiden is the Key City of our country, but it is also a very nice city to spend time in! The student city has plenty of stores and restaurants, but also some hidden gems. We have searched for you for fun outings and activities in Leiden.

Growing up with textiles

Leiden has long been the second largest trading city in the Netherlands. Where Amsterdam became big in sea trade, Leiden became big in textiles. Much of this history can be found in the Lakenhal: a museum about the textile trade in Leiden.

Leiden Key City

Why is Leiden actually called the Key City? Well, it’s because of the Pieterskerk. This church is located in the middle of the historic center and can be visited Tuesday through Sunday. This church is named after Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus. Peter is the key keeper of the gate of heaven, which is why you see the keys all over the city.

Cozy courtyards and hidden places

In the street from the Pieterskerk you will find a beautiful courtyard on your right. During our walk through Leiden, we were alerted to this by a friendly local resident. The Jean Pesijnhof was founded in 1683 by the widow of Jan (Jean) Pesijn and became a safe haven for the elderly, sick and single people. People still live in this hofje today. The Brouhovenhof can be found on the Papengracht (the extension of the Gerecht). This hofje was founded in 1631 and was intended for Reformed elderly people.

You can also take a lovely walk in Leiden. And sometimes you suddenly come across a cute little park: the Pieter van der Werffpark. Pieter van der Werff was mayor of Leiden at the time of the Siege of Leiden. The man became the city’s hero because he was willing to sacrifice his left arm so that the people of his city could have food. This small park is near the spot where a gunpowder ship exploded on January 12, 1807. This spot, the Steenschuur, was almost completely reduced to ashes and many Leiden citizens were killed in the process. If you walk in the park toward the Rapenbrug, you will find a small plaque in the quay wall that commemorates this great disaster.

Leiden, student city

When you visit Leiden on weekends, you don’t notice much of the student life. What you do see are the beautiful historic buildings that today house university buildings. Gravensteen is an example of this. You will find this beautiful building on the Pieterskerkhof: a square just behind the square of the Pieterskerk. Gravensteen was, together with the Gerecht, the place where justice was done. Among other things, executions took place on the square in front of Gravensteen. Today this is a cozy square with terraces and beautiful old houses.

On the Rapenburg, which lies along the water, you will find the Academy Building. This building gives direct access to the Hortus Botanicus. It was opened in 1590, making it the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Many scholars, scientists and philosophers visited Leiden to discuss new insights and share knowledge. Albert Einstein, for example, stayed in the city for an extended period and, among other things, paid visits to the oldest academic observatory in the world: the Old Observatory. This can be found at the far end of the Hortus Botanicus and is part of the university.

Squares and markets in Leiden

Leiden has several pleasant squares. Take the Beestenmarkt for example, which takes its name from the cattle markets that used to be held there. This square is partly by the water and you will find many restaurants, stores and cinema Lido. The Vismarkt is also always lively. On this elongated street you will find, among other things, the Town Hall of Leiden (which opens onto the Breestraat on the other side), the Waag and a lively market every Wednesday and Saturday.

The Vismarkt runs into the Boommarkt. Here you will find beautiful monumental houses. In one of these buildings you will find Hotel Minerva. All rooms there are made in the style of the Golden Age. Here you will also find “Het Tuchthuis” where you will find the Goeie Mie Gin Experience. Goeie Mie – Maria Swanenburg – was a poisoner in Leiden who has gone down in history as the largest serial killer in the Netherlands. She murdered many people after first taking out a fat life insurance policy for them. Eventually Goeie Mie was arrested and locked up for life in a penitentiary in Gorinchem. At Boommarkt 23 you can taste and buy arsenic-free gin.

Shopping in Leiden

You can find stores all over Leiden, but most are centered on or around the Haarlemmerstraat. This shopping street is a kilometer long! Be sure not to skip the alleys, because here you can sometimes find very special stores. The Breestraat consists largely of bookstores.

Museums in Leiden

Leiden has numerous museums, in addition to Museum de Lakenhal and the Hortus Botanicus. Of course, while visiting Leiden, don’t miss the Naturalis. But don’t forget the Japan Museum SieboldHuis. CORPUS (edge of Oegstgeest) is literally an educational trip through the human body, Museum Boerhaave is super interesting and great fun for kids and the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden is also well worth a visit.

Nice walks and the water in Leiden

Fond of walking? Then a walk through the Singelpark is highly recommended! This is actually a series of connected Leiden parks where you can enjoy a nice walk. You can make the walk as long or short as you like. But going on the Leiden water is also lovely. After all, there is plenty of water in Leiden! Rent yourself a boat or take a cruise. At Boats and Sandwiches and Columbus Watersport you can rent a nice sloop but you can also book a cruise.

Other fun outings and activities in Leiden

From Leidse Burcht you have a beautiful view of the city. In front of the entrance you will find a nice place to drink coffee or have lunch. In the Leidse Schouwburg at Oude Vest 43 and the Stadsgehoorzaal on the Breestraat you can soak up culture. And don’t miss the area around the Hooglandse Kerkgracht because it is nice and quiet and the old police station was filmed for the series Baantjer!

Photos: OpstapmetLisa