Things to Do in Leiden

Leiden is where the great painter Rembrandt was born and went to school. You can walk the same streets he once did. Signs around the city show where he lived and learned. It’s a fun way to connect with the past.

This grand old church is one of Leiden’s most historic landmarks. Inside, you’ll find soaring ceilings, colourful stained-glass windows, and impressive stonework. It’s also the final resting place of several important Dutch figures, adding to its deep sense of history. The church often hosts exhibitions and concerts, giving it a lively cultural role today.

During the seventeenth century, this neighbourhood was home to the English Separatists who later became known as the Pilgrim Fathers. They lived, worked, and worshipped in the streets surrounding St Peter’s Church during their eleven years in Leiden. Many of their family members who died in exile were buried in the churchyard, and a memorial plaque on the outer wall now commemorates their time here.

For visitors tracing the early story of Thanksgiving or the origins of the Plymouth Colony, this quiet corner of Leiden offers one of the most meaningful links to their journey.

Just a few minutes from central Leiden, CORPUS offers a unique and exciting adventure inside the human body. Walk through giant organs, learn how your brain, lungs, and heart work, and enjoy fun interactive exhibits along the way. It’s both educational and entertaining, perfect for families, curious minds, and anyone who’s ever wondered what goes on inside us. A truly unforgettable experience.

Just a short trip from Leiden, Katwijk aan Zee and Noordwijk aan Zee offer two different beach experiences. Katwijk is calm and cosy, with soft sands, quiet dunes, and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a peaceful day by the sea. Noordwijk, on the other hand, is lively and full of energy, with a wide beach, buzzing promenade, beach bars, and shops. Whether you’re in the mood for a tranquil escape or a vibrant seaside outing, both towns make an easy and refreshing getaway.

Leiden has its own cheese, and it is genuinely distinctive. Leidse kaas is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese pressed with cumin and sometimes caraway seeds mixed through the paste, giving it a warm, slightly earthy flavour that sets it apart from the milder Dutch varieties. It has been made in the region since the Middle Ages and was historically sold at the cheese market in the city. You can pick it up at the Leiden market, which runs on Saturdays along the Nieuwe Rijn canal, or at a traditional cheese shop in the city centre. Buy a wedge to eat with a cold Dutch beer, or ask for a slice on a broodje for a proper Leiden lunch.