Leiden — University Town★★
Leiden is the oldest university town in the Netherlands (founded in 1575 by William of Orange as a reward for the heroic defense against the Spaniards) and the birthplace of Rembrandt. The city has the charm of a small version of Amsterdam: canals, museums, historic architecture — but without the crowds.
Highlights
- Museum De Lakenhal — Freshly renovated city museum with works by Lucas van Leyden, Rembrandt, and Jan Steen. The building itself (1640) is a jewel of Golden Age architecture.
- Hortus Botanicus — One of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe (1590), where the first tulips were planted on Dutch soil. The garden is picturesquely located on the Witte Singel canal. Admission: €8.
- Pieterskerk — Gothic church where the Pilgrim Fathers were active in the congregation before their journey to America. Leiden was the last European home of the Mayflower pilgrims.
- Rijksmuseum van Oudheden — The national archaeological museum with an impressive Egyptian collection, including an entire temple (Temple of Taffeh, a gift from Egypt to the Netherlands). Admission: €15.
- Muurgedichten — Over 100 poems from around the world are painted on house walls throughout the city: from Shakespeare to Neruda, from haiku to Persian poetry. A free open-air literature museum.
- Burcht van Leiden — The medieval round castle on an artificial hill offers the best panoramic view of the city. Free of charge.
Leiden is 35 minutes by train from Amsterdam and is the perfect base for the Keukenhof (15 min. by bus).
