Attractions - Holland

Attractions - Amsterdam

Leiden, Netherlands

A lively university town and one of the Netherlands’ best-kept secrets, enchanting and energetic Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt, offers something out of the ordinary. With its charming town centre and its latticework of canals and narrow lanes, Leiden is a real treat for young and old. Its centre is busy and cosy at the same time, presenting to the visitor a typical Dutch welcome and some fantastic hospitality. Take a stroll down its quaint sidestreets and experience the friendly approach of the locals and the students who lend this historical place a youthful glow.

Arrange a trip on a barge down the Rapenburg. A slender elegant canal lined on both sides by some of Leiden’s best and grandest mansions, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Travel at your leisure under some of the quaint bridges dotted along the canal and enjoy a picnic on board or on the leafy banks of the canal. Pay a visit to the Rijksmuseum Van Oudheden, the Netherlands’ premier archaeological museum boasting some impressive collections of Egyptian and classical artefacts. Move on to the Academisch Historisch Museum where you can examine the history of Leiden’s university before setting out to explore the beautiful botanical gardens nearby. One of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, these gardens are brimful of a bewildering selection of exotic and indigenous plants whose careful planting and judicious maintenance make for an enjoyable and rewarding afternoon’s stroll. From the tranquility of these gardens, why not make for the Breestraat, a busy and boisterous market whose square echoes with the calls of the street traders and entertainers. For a refreshing and memorable experience, make the short trip outside of Leiden to the Keukenhof Gardens, the largest flower gardens in the world, or cycle to the vast and impressive bulbfields north of Leiden before going on to sample the hectic atmosphere at Aalsmeer, where flower merchants from all around the Netherlands gather to buy and sell.

With lots of good bars and restaurants, charming and friendly Leiden is a joy to behold. Take a mid-evening stroll along the canal, sampling the aromas of the flowers all around you before stopping off for a drink in a smart and trendy café. Watch time go by while picnicking in a local park or dine in a sophisticated and friendly restaurant. Experience lovely Leiden, Holland’s blossoming secret.