Visit Leiden
Step into the city where the pilgrims once lived. Leiden is a maze of nearly thirty islands connected by beautiful stone bridges. It is home to **the oldest university in the country** which was a gift from the king for the city’s courage during a long siege. You can feel the energy of the students on bicycles zooming past ancient gates and hidden gardens. This is where the Great Minds of Europe came to study and share new ideas. The **Hortus Botanicus** is a green jewel in the city center. It is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands and the place where the first Dutch tulips were planted. Walk through the giant glass houses to see exotic plants from around the globe. Just a few minutes away you can find the **Burcht** which is a massive round fort on a hill. Climb the stairs for a view over the red roofs and the tall spires of the city churches. Leiden is also the birthplace of Rembrandt van Rijn. You can walk the same path he took to school and see the light reflecting off the water just as he did. The city walls are covered in **wall poems** written in many different languages from all over the world. It is a unique touch that makes the city feel like an open book. Grab a coffee at the harbor and watch the boats go by before you continue your journey through the heart of the country.Top sights to visit
The best places to visit in Leiden
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Best match
Hotel
Historic City Hotel
Design hotel · City Centre · Free bikes
from€195/night
Hotel
Canal View Suites
Boutique suites · Waterfront · Breakfast included
from€245/night
Museum
Museum
National History Museum
Art & culture · City Centre · Guided tours
from€18/person
Spa
Spa
Wellness & Spa Centre
Thermal baths · Art Deco · City centre
from€35/session
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History of Leiden
Leiden is the city where the **Dutch Republic** found its brain. During the **Eighty Years' War**, the town faced a brutal siege by Spanish forces that left the people starving and desperate. In 1574, the rebels finally broke the blockade by cutting the dikes and flooding the fields, allowing a fleet of ships to sail over the land to deliver bread and herring. To reward the citizens for their incredible courage, **William of Orange** offered them a choice: no taxes for years or a university. They chose the university, making it the oldest and most famous center of learning in the nation. This academic spirit turned the city into a global hub for science and discovery. The **Hortus Botanicus** was founded soon after, where the first tulips were planted in Dutch soil, sparking a floral obsession that would eventually define the country. Great thinkers like **Einstein** and **Descartes** roamed these brick streets, sharing ideas that changed how we see the universe. Even the Pilgrims lived here for over a decade, enjoying the city's religious freedom before they eventually boarded the Mayflower to start a new life in America. Walking through the center today feels like stepping into a masterpiece by **Rembrandt van Rijn**, who was born and trained right here. The city is built on a web of canals and nearly thirty islands, all connected by historic stone bridges that have survived for centuries. It remains a place where academic prestige meets a gritty, rebellious history. For the modern road tripper, it is the perfect stop to explore a city that chose knowledge over money and changed the world in the process.Stay in the loop
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