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The Netherlands🇳🇱 | citiesLeidenStudent canals, Naturalis, antiquities, near Schiphol | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Leiden
🌟 Highlightcity ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026

Leiden sits 15 minutes by train from Schiphol Airport, so it works as a calm first or last night in the country, and most travelers only work that out after paying for a pricier Amsterdam bed. The city lies in South Holland, between The Hague and Amsterdam, on the Oude Rijn. It runs on a pattern: students from the oldest university in the country fill the canals and cafés, while museums and a compact center keep costs and distances low. It suits slow walkers, museum people and anyone who wants Dutch brick-and-canal charm without crowds. Nightlife hunters will find it quiet next to Amsterdam, and hostel options are thin. I arrived on a late train from the airport, and a cyclist on the platform pointed me to the right exit, then walked me ten minutes to the canal where my room waited, bike bell ringing the whole way.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 city in The NetherlandsThe unique appeal for travelers

Backpackers come to Leiden because it gives you a lot in a very small footprint. The old center is roughly 2 kilometers across, so you can cover the canals, markets and museums on foot and never touch a tram. Leiden has more than a dozen museums, which is unusual for a city of about 125,000 people, and several are cheap or tied to the Museumkaart. It also makes a sensible base. Trains reach Amsterdam, The Hague and Schiphol in 15 to 35 minutes, so you can sleep here for less than in the big cities and still be in them for breakfast. The student population keeps Saturday market on Nieuwe Rijn and the cafés affordable, and food is good value. Expect a quiet evening scene, a few budget beds and a lot of cycling. Best as a two or three night stop.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Leiden

  1. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden: The national archaeology museum holds an Egyptian temple, the Temple of Taffeh, plus Roman and Dutch finds. Go on a weekday morning. Around €17 to 20, 2 to 3 hours.
  2. Hortus Botanicus Leiden: One of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, founded in 1590, with a tropical greenhouse and a historic tulip collection. Best April to May. About €10 to 12, 1.5 to 2 hours.
  3. Pieterskerk: A 15th century church where the Pilgrim Fathers worshipped and John Robinson is buried. Open for exhibitions and events in the afternoon. Around €5 to 8, 45 minutes.
  4. Burcht van Leiden: A 12th century ring fortress on an artificial mound at the river fork, with a view over rooftops. Free, 20 to 30 minutes, best late afternoon.
  5. Museum De Lakenhal: Art and history from the Golden Age, with works from
… read more 👉
  1. Rijksmuseum van Oudheden: The national archaeology museum holds an Egyptian temple, the Temple of Taffeh, plus Roman and Dutch finds. Go on a weekday morning. Around €17 to 20, 2 to 3 hours.
  2. Hortus Botanicus Leiden: One of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, founded in 1590, with a tropical greenhouse and a historic tulip collection. Best April to May. About €10 to 12, 1.5 to 2 hours.
  3. Pieterskerk: A 15th century church where the Pilgrim Fathers worshipped and John Robinson is buried. Open for exhibitions and events in the afternoon. Around €5 to 8, 45 minutes.
  4. Burcht van Leiden: A 12th century ring fortress on an artificial mound at the river fork, with a view over rooftops. Free, 20 to 30 minutes, best late afternoon.
  5. Museum De Lakenhal: Art and history from the Golden Age, with works from Rembrandt’s circle in the former cloth hall. Around €15, 1.5 hours.
  6. Naturalis Biodiversity Center: Natural history with the T. rex “Trix” and a deep-time gallery. Good on rainy days. Around €17 to 20, 2 to 3 hours.
  7. Canal boat tour: Open boats pass low bridges and almshouses, with commentary in English. Mild months are best. About €12 to 15, 1 hour.
  8. Hofjes walk: Hidden almshouse courtyards such as Van der Werff and Brouwershof, tucked behind plain doors. Free, 1 hour, daytime respectful visits only.
Day trips from Leiden include the Keukenhof gardens near Lisse, the beaches at Katwijk and Noordwijk, Kinderdijk windmills, and the cities of The Hague, Delft and Haarlem. All of the above takes about two full days.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do in Leiden

Leiden Tour with Live guide and Visit to Rembrandt's First Studio

Leiden Tour with Live guide and Visit to Rembrandt's First Studio

4.9(36)
From €63
per personViator
Discover Leiden: From Pilgrims to Painters in Historic Key City

Discover Leiden: From Pilgrims to Painters in Historic Key City

5.0(31) 1h 30m
From €6
per personViator
Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!

Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!

4.8(17)
From €28
per personViator
Dutch Windmills & Polder Walking Tour

Dutch Windmills & Polder Walking Tour

5.0(12)
From €60
per personViator
e-Scavenger hunt Leiden: Explore the city at your own pace

e-Scavenger hunt Leiden: Explore the city at your own pace

4.0(19) 3h
From €31
per personViator
Genuine Leather Tote Bag Workshop in Leiden

Genuine Leather Tote Bag Workshop in Leiden

4.9(10) 3h
From €159
per personViator
90 minutes Self-Guided Walking tour with puzzles in Leiden

90 minutes Self-Guided Walking tour with puzzles in Leiden

3.6(18)
From €19.50
per personViator
Leiden Rembrandt Quest: World's Greatest Painter's Youth

Leiden Rembrandt Quest: World's Greatest Painter's Youth

4.7(7) 1h 30m
From €5.94
per personViator
Private Netherlands guided Day & Evening tour from your Hotel

Private Netherlands guided Day & Evening tour from your Hotel

5.0(6) 8h
From €235
per personViator
Leiden & Delft: Half-Day Private Tour including Transfer

Leiden & Delft: Half-Day Private Tour including Transfer

5.0(6) 4h 30m
From €220
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

Leiden is compact, and its districts follow the canal rings, so understanding the pattern means you can walk almost everything in under 25 minutes. Time spent on a bus here rarely beats your own feet, and a rented bike only pays off for the outer districts.
  • Centrum (Old Town): The canal-ringed core holds the Burcht fortress mound, the Hooglandse Kerk, the long Breestraat and the Saturday market on the Nieuwe Rijn. Eating is cheapest at market stalls and lunch spots rather than on the terraces along the Rhine, and nightlife centers on the bars of Breestraat and Stille Rijn. Fully walkable and the best value for your time.
  • Pieterswijk and the Academic Quarter: Around the Pieterskerk and Rapenburg canal you find university buildings, Hortus Botanicus and the Naturalis museum area. Quiet at night,
… read more 👉
Leiden is compact, and its districts follow the canal rings, so understanding the pattern means you can walk almost everything in under 25 minutes. Time spent on a bus here rarely beats your own feet, and a rented bike only pays off for the outer districts.
  • Centrum (Old Town): The canal-ringed core holds the Burcht fortress mound, the Hooglandse Kerk, the long Breestraat and the Saturday market on the Nieuwe Rijn. Eating is cheapest at market stalls and lunch spots rather than on the terraces along the Rhine, and nightlife centers on the bars of Breestraat and Stille Rijn. Fully walkable and the best value for your time.
  • Pieterswijk and the Academic Quarter: Around the Pieterskerk and Rapenburg canal you find university buildings, Hortus Botanicus and the Naturalis museum area. Quiet at night, handsome in daylight, and everything is on foot, so you spend nothing here but a few euros in entry fees.
  • Stationsgebied and Lammermarkt: The area around the train station has supermarkets, kebab shops and the Lammermarkt market square with its lively late bars. Practical, less pretty, and the cheapest place to stock up on food.
  • Leiden Bio Science Park and Oegstgeest: Modern and spread out, with little reason to go unless you have a work or study link. Short bike or train rides connect it, but the effort rarely beats the center.

⌛️ 1 daySeeing the highlights in 24 hours

Leiden packs canals, museums and a student crowd into a compact center that you can walk in a day.
8:30 AM: Burcht van Leiden Start on the fortress mound before tour groups arrive. The view shows the city’s layout, and the walk down leads to the market streets in five minutes.
9:30 AM: Breestraat and Pieterskerk Stroll along Breestraat past Rembrandt’s birthplace marker, then step into Pieterskerk for the Pilgrim history. It is a 10 minute walk to the next stop.
11:30 AM: Hortus Botanicus Wander the garden and glasshouses for an hour or two. The leafy paths are a calm contrast to the streets.
1:30 PM: Lunch on Nieuwe Rijn Grab a broodje or herring from a market stall or student café. Sit by the water and watch cyclists.
3:00 PM: Hofjes of Leiden This is the part most day trippers skip. Slip into … read more 👉
Leiden packs canals, museums and a student crowd into a compact center that you can walk in a day.
8:30 AM: Burcht van Leiden Start on the fortress mound before tour groups arrive. The view shows the city’s layout, and the walk down leads to the market streets in five minutes.
9:30 AM: Breestraat and Pieterskerk Stroll along Breestraat past Rembrandt’s birthplace marker, then step into Pieterskerk for the Pilgrim history. It is a 10 minute walk to the next stop.
11:30 AM: Hortus Botanicus Wander the garden and glasshouses for an hour or two. The leafy paths are a calm contrast to the streets.
1:30 PM: Lunch on Nieuwe Rijn Grab a broodje or herring from a market stall or student café. Sit by the water and watch cyclists.
3:00 PM: Hofjes of Leiden This is the part most day trippers skip. Slip into Van der Werff and nearby almshouse courtyards through open gates, and keep your voice low because people live here.
4:30 PM: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Spend the late afternoon with the Egyptian temple, then walk 10 minutes back toward the center.
6:30 PM: Canal boat or drinks Finish on a canal-side terrace in the Haarlemmerstraat area, or take a short boat tour.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

Late April to September gives Leiden its best backpacking weather, with long days and open terraces along the canals.
  • Spring (April to May): 8 to 17°C (46 to 63°F), with tulip fields nearby in bloom and crowds building, especially around Keukenhof. Book beds ahead for weekends.
  • Summer (June to August): 17 to 23°C (63 to 73°F), occasional heat waves above 30°C (86°F), and about 16 to 17 hours of daylight. Prices peak, but the city stays calm compared with Amsterdam.
  • Autumn (September to October): 9 to 18°C (48 to 64°F), fewer visitors, falling prices and the university year bringing students back.
  • Winter (November to March): 1 to 7°C (34 to 45°F), gray, damp and short days of 8 hours. Beds are cheapest, and the 3 October festival is a local highlight in early autumn.
Aim for September, when prices drop but terraces still stay open.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
netherlands-city-leiden
© Google | Jon Lewis

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The old town center is the best area for a budget bed in Leiden, with the streets near the train station the cheaper runner-up. Budget beds are limited here, with only a small number of hostels and guesthouses, so book weeks ahead for spring and summer weekends.
Staying in the center puts you within a 5 to 15 minute walk of everything, and nights are quiet outside the bar streets. Streets close to the canals and Breestraat can be noisy on weekend evenings when students go out, so ask for an inner room. Safety at night is good, with well-lit streets and plenty of people on bikes and foot.
The area … read more 👉
The old town center is the best area for a budget bed in Leiden, with the streets near the train station the cheaper runner-up. Budget beds are limited here, with only a small number of hostels and guesthouses, so book weeks ahead for spring and summer weekends.
Staying in the center puts you within a 5 to 15 minute walk of everything, and nights are quiet outside the bar streets. Streets close to the canals and Breestraat can be noisy on weekend evenings when students go out, so ask for an inner room. Safety at night is good, with well-lit streets and plenty of people on bikes and foot.
The area near the station gives you the cheapest place to stay, with trains to Amsterdam, The Hague and Schiphol only a few minutes away, plus late supermarkets. Expect somewhat plainer streets but easier arrivals with a heavy pack.
If Leiden is full or too pricey, The Hague and Haarlem are only 10 to 30 minutes by train and have more beds, though you lose the evening atmosphere. Most travelers do best by booking a central bed first.
Best hostels in Leiden


Best quality hotels in The Netherlands

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Leiden

Walking, backed by a rented bike, is the easiest way to get around Leiden, because the historic center measures roughly 2 km across and the canal rings funnel you between sights in minutes. Traffic in the center is calm, cars are restricted on many streets, and the train and bus network is frequent and reliable, though you will seldom need it inside town.
  • Walking: Free, and the fastest option for the old town, since a bus would take longer than the stroll from the station to the Burcht (about 15 minutes). Best value by far.
  • Bicycle: Rentals run roughly €10 to 15 a day, or less with a multi-day deal. Faster than walking for the Science Park and Oegstgeest, but parking is tight in the center and locking both wheel and frame is wise. Worth it if you also plan rides to the dunes.
  • City buses: Single
… read more 👉
Walking, backed by a rented bike, is the easiest way to get around Leiden, because the historic center measures roughly 2 km across and the canal rings funnel you between sights in minutes. Traffic in the center is calm, cars are restricted on many streets, and the train and bus network is frequent and reliable, though you will seldom need it inside town.
  • Walking: Free, and the fastest option for the old town, since a bus would take longer than the stroll from the station to the Burcht (about 15 minutes). Best value by far.
  • Bicycle: Rentals run roughly €10 to 15 a day, or less with a multi-day deal. Faster than walking for the Science Park and Oegstgeest, but parking is tight in the center and locking both wheel and frame is wise. Worth it if you also plan rides to the dunes.
  • City buses: Single tickets cost about €1 plus a boarding fee, paid by contactless bank card tapped in and out or an OV-chipkaart. Services run from about 6 am to midnight, useful for Katwijk or the Science Park but pointless for the center.
  • Trains: Leiden Centraal is a major hub, with services to Amsterdam, The Hague and Schiphol Airport every few minutes. Expect €5 to 12 per trip, and tap your card at the gates both ways. This is the sensible option for reaching other cities.
  • Canal boats: Tours of about an hour cost €12 to 15 and give a different angle on the old town, but they are a sightseeing choice, not a transport one.
Use feet for the center, add a bike for the outskirts and keep the train for everything beyond.

👛 Costs (as of 16 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Budget travelers in Leiden should plan on roughly US$75 to 120 a day, which is a few dollars less than Amsterdam and still firmly Dutch pricing. Leiden has few hostels, so the bed is the biggest line item, and everything else stays manageable if you shop at supermarkets and walk.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodation, high season (Apr to Sep)US$45 to 80Few true dorms in town, so many travelers use nearby Hague or Amsterdam beds or budget rooms. Book weeks ahead for tulip season.
Dorm accommodation, off-season (Oct to Mar)US$30 to 55Prices drop and last-minute beds are easier to find.
MealsUS$18 to 35Supermarket bread and cheese, a bakery lunch, a pancake or Indonesian takeaway dinner. A sit-down main costs US$16 to 25.
Local transportUS$0 to 6The center is compact and walkable. A
… read more 👉
Budget travelers in Leiden should plan on roughly US$75 to 120 a day, which is a few dollars less than Amsterdam and still firmly Dutch pricing. Leiden has few hostels, so the bed is the biggest line item, and everything else stays manageable if you shop at supermarkets and walk.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodation, high season (Apr to Sep)US$45 to 80Few true dorms in town, so many travelers use nearby Hague or Amsterdam beds or budget rooms. Book weeks ahead for tulip season.
Dorm accommodation, off-season (Oct to Mar)US$30 to 55Prices drop and last-minute beds are easier to find.
MealsUS$18 to 35Supermarket bread and cheese, a bakery lunch, a pancake or Indonesian takeaway dinner. A sit-down main costs US$16 to 25.
Local transportUS$0 to 6The center is compact and walkable. A single city bus ride costs about US$3 to 4 by contactless card.
City transport passUS$8 to 15No dedicated day pass is needed for walking. Regional day tickets and a rented bike (US$12 to 16 a day) cover longer trips.
Basic activities and entry feesUS$10 to 25Museum entries run US$12 to 22, the botanical garden about US$10 to 12, and canal walks and windmill exteriors are free.
MiscellaneousUS$8 to 15Beers at a student pub cost US$4 to 6, plus laundry, SIM data and snacks.
Total Daily BudgetUS$75 to 120Lower end assumes off-season, self-catering and walking.
A Museumkaart pays for itself after about four museum visits, and a supermarket lunch instead of a café one saves around US$10 a day.


source: holland.com
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

Leiden’s central rail position puts several top sights within an hour, all easy without overnight stays.Keukenhof: The tulip gardens sit about 30 minutes away by bus, with combination train and entry tickets costing around €30 to 40 total. The park opens only from late March to mid-May, and peak bloom is usually mid-April. First-timers often arrive at midday, when crowds are thickest, so go early.
👉 Explore KeukenhofThe Hague: A 10 to 15 minute train ride at about €4 to 6 each way, with the Mauritshuis, Peace Palace and the Binnenhof. The Hague works year-round, and the beach at Scheveningen adds summer appeal.
👉 Explore The HagueKatwijk aan Zee: Bus 40 or 41 takes about 25 minutes for roughly €3 each way, ending at a wide North Sea beach and dunes. Best from May to September, and bring a windbreaker … read more 👉
Leiden’s central rail position puts several top sights within an hour, all easy without overnight stays.Keukenhof: The tulip gardens sit about 30 minutes away by bus, with combination train and entry tickets costing around €30 to 40 total. The park opens only from late March to mid-May, and peak bloom is usually mid-April. First-timers often arrive at midday, when crowds are thickest, so go early.
👉 Explore KeukenhofThe Hague: A 10 to 15 minute train ride at about €4 to 6 each way, with the Mauritshuis, Peace Palace and the Binnenhof. The Hague works year-round, and the beach at Scheveningen adds summer appeal.
👉 Explore The HagueKatwijk aan Zee: Bus 40 or 41 takes about 25 minutes for roughly €3 each way, ending at a wide North Sea beach and dunes. Best from May to September, and bring a windbreaker even in summer.
Delft: Trains take about 20 minutes with a change, and a return costs around €8 to 12. Blue pottery, the Oude Kerk and the market square can be done in half a day, so pair it with The Hague on one trip.
👉 Explore DelftHaarlem: Direct trains take about 20 minutes (€6 to 9 each way). Its beautiful Grote Markt and Teylers Museum make a calmer alternative to Amsterdam, any time of year.
👉 Explore Haarlem

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Start with Dutch classics: stroopwafels still warm from a market stall, haring (raw herring with onions and pickles), and chips with a heap of mayonnaise. Leiden’s own specialty is Leidse kaas, a firm cheese spiced with cumin that is worth buying a wedge of at the Saturday market. Also try hutspot, a mash of potato, carrot and onion, which links back to the city’s 1574 siege story.
For eating cheaply, the Saturday and Wednesday markets on the Nieuwe Rijn offer fresh bread, cheese and fruit, and the lunch rooms around the university serve broodjes and soups for €5 to 9. Students keep kebab shops and cheap Indonesian and Surinamese takeaways busy near the station, where a satisfying meal is around €8 to 12.
Drinking is centered on the brown cafés and terraces of Stille Rijn and Breestraat. Order … read more 👉
Start with Dutch classics: stroopwafels still warm from a market stall, haring (raw herring with onions and pickles), and chips with a heap of mayonnaise. Leiden’s own specialty is Leidse kaas, a firm cheese spiced with cumin that is worth buying a wedge of at the Saturday market. Also try hutspot, a mash of potato, carrot and onion, which links back to the city’s 1574 siege story.
For eating cheaply, the Saturday and Wednesday markets on the Nieuwe Rijn offer fresh bread, cheese and fruit, and the lunch rooms around the university serve broodjes and soups for €5 to 9. Students keep kebab shops and cheap Indonesian and Surinamese takeaways busy near the station, where a satisfying meal is around €8 to 12.
Drinking is centered on the brown cafés and terraces of Stille Rijn and Breestraat. Order a pils or a local craft beer, and expect to pay €3.50 to 5 for a glass. Dutch customs are easy: split bills are normal, tipping is optional (round up), and kitchens close early, often by 9 pm.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Leiden is very safe, and the main problem is bike theft, not violent crime. Lock your frame to a fixed object with a good chain or ring lock, avoid leaving the bike overnight near the station, and never buy a cheap bike from street sellers, because it is often stolen. Pickpockets operate lightly around the station, Saturday market and crowded events such as 3 October, so keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket. Solo travelers, including women, walk at night without trouble, though quiet canal paths can feel empty after midnight and the lit main streets are the better choice. Cyclists move fast and quietly, so stay out of the red bike lanes and look both ways before crossing. Drunk groups around Breestraat on weekends are loud but rarely a problem.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Leiden

Two days is enough for Leiden, and three if you want day trips. That covers the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Hortus Botanicus, the canals and a hofjes walk with time left over. Trains reach Amsterdam in about 35 minutes and The Hague in 10 to 15, so a third day fits easily.
Yes, Leiden is among the safer Dutch cities for solo backpackers, with low violent crime and well lit streets. Bike theft and pickpocketing near the station and busy markets are the main risks, so use a solid lock and keep your bag close. Late trains run until around midnight, and taxis cost about €10 to 20 for central rides.
Leiden is known for the oldest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1575, and for the 1574 siege that earned it. It is also known for Rembrandt’s birthplace, the Pilgrim Fathers’ stay and over a dozen museums, including the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden and Naturalis. The Hortus Botanicus, from 1590, and the 3 October festival add to its profile.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Dutch cities near Leiden

Explore more nearby:

  • The Hague—Binnenhof, Peace Palace, Mauritshuis, Scheveningen pier| 16 km away
  • Delft—Blue pottery, Vermeer, Oude Delft canal, central position| 19 km away
  • Haarlem—St. Bavo, Hals paintings, hofjes, Spaarne waterfront| 27 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

What surprised me most was how fast Leiden stopped feeling like a day stop. I planned a few hours and stayed two nights, drawn in by hofjes, a student crowd and museums that cost less than I expected. It won’t give you big nightlife or many hostels, so do not expect that. Come for slow walking, then ride out to the bigger cities.

✈️ When did I visit The Netherlands?
Netherlands is my home base, so whenever I don’t travel, you can find me in this tiny spot on the globe. When friends from abroad visit me, it’s the time to actually explore my own country as a traveler.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in The Netherlands, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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