Leiden Getting there, getting around Transport really is the triumph of the Dutch; you ll never have a holiday where it s so easy getting from A to B again! The train to Leiden runs every ten minutes from Schiphol Airport and takes just 18 minutes. Follow the signs To Train and buy a ticket at one of the machines. It s only possible to buy a single, which is 5,80, so remember to buy another on your return journey! Once in Leiden, the easiest way to travel around the city is with an anonymous OV-Chipkaart. This functions very like an Oyster card, and saves you having to buy a ticket for every journey. You can buy one at the information desk at Leiden Central Station for 7,50, with an additional necessary top up of 20. Remember to tap in and out when using transport, as you will be charged if you forget. If you choose not to buy an OV-Chipkaart, you can buy train tickets at the train station and bus tickets on each bus, though only in cash.
Where to stay There are a number of hotels in Leiden, ranging from the simpler Ibis Leiden Centre to a more personal experience at Boutique Hotel d Oude Morsch or Boutique Hotel de Barones van Leyden. There isn t really a hostel scene in Leiden yet, so if you re looking for something less expensive your best bet would be to book through air bnb. Leiden is definitely small enough that most locations in and around the city are convenient, so don t be concerned if you book a room slightly outside the city centre! Although everyone in Leiden speaks English, it s always good to know how to say thank you! For "thanks", say "bedankt". For a more formal occasion, say "dank je".
Eating & Drinking Leiden has a great selection of cafés, eateries and bars. Here are just a few of our favourites: With potentially the most stunning view of Leiden s canals, Vlot Grand Café is one of the more touristy options for coffee. However the café is inexpensive and caters mainly to locals, we would highly recommend. The really authentic café Dende serves a delicious range of sandwiches and traditional Dutch food. Overlooking one of the busiest canals in Leiden, Dende is optimally placed for people-watching. Meneer Jansen is a bar located on the canal overlooking the city hall. With outdoor seating, a vibrant atmosphere and an extensive beer menu, Meneer Jansen provides a thoroughly local experience. Situated centrally on Haarlemmerstraat 1, is the Chocolate Company Café, your onestop tour for all things chocolatey! Serving a range of chocolate-based cakes and chocolates, even their coffee is sweet and comes with a chocolate on the side. It is relatively expensive but unpretentious and absolutely worth the money. Our favourite discovery in Leiden was Francobolli - an adorable café with a twist: the café sells an enormous range of postcards which they will deliver for you on a day of your choosing. Whether you want your postcard sent immediately or in sixth months time, Francobolli can help you out!
Museums, Galleries & Culture Museum Voorlinden is situated about an hour outside Leiden accessible from The Hague. This innovative art museum makes for the perfect day out. With a brilliant permanent exhibition of modern art, and a rotating exhibitions, Voorlinden appeals to young and old alike. There are also extensive grounds where children can play, and a lovely café with views of the surroundings. Between 1823 and 1830 Philipp Franz von Siebold collected a vast array of Japanese artifacts and brought them back to Leiden which are now housed in Sieboldhuis. Uniquely, Siebold not only brought back each article, but he documented the process in which they were made. This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our trip, right down to Siebold s dog which he had stuffed!
Hortus Botanicus otherwise known as Leiden's botanic gardens, are beautiful and extensive gardens well worth a visit. There s actually a garden dedicated to Siebold and which contains some plants grown from those which he brought over from Japan. Student entry costs just 2 so there s really no excuse not to visit! Museum de Valk is based in one of Leiden s few remaining windmills, provides a comprehensive overview of Dutch windmills and costs just 4. The ground floor of the museum has been preserved as it was in the early 20th century and gives an insight into life in the mills. It s possible to climb right to the top of the mill via a series of very precarious ladder-like steps. At the top, you will be rewarded with great views over Leiden and, on certain days, even see the blades of the mill turning around you.
Events & Dates On the 3rd of October 'Leids Ontzet' commemorates the anniversary of the Siege of Leiden in 1573-1574, when the Dutch army overthrew the Spanish and brought herring and white bread to the starving people of Leiden. Nowadays, the day is an official city holiday with events taking place all day. Expect to see various parades around the city centre, a funfair, partying, and, of course, an alarming amount of herring. Normally taking place around the 28th June, Purbakkentocht is a festive, colourful parade through Leiden s canals. Expect food and drink on and along the water all evening! Beginning of November. For a whole week each year at the start of November, Leiden International Film Festival screens films from countries all around the world. As one of the Netherlands leading film festivals, the week is not to be missed!
Tip: Many shops and cafés in Leiden do not take cash, so remember to bring your card everywhere. Shopping Waar is a Scandinavian-style minimalist store which sells crockery, jewellery, postcards, and a small selection of clothing. Haarlemmerstraat 53A, 2312 DK Babooka is a ridiculously edgy bookstore which sells an eclectic selection of hardback art, photography and lifestyle books. Gangetje 5, 2311 Insider Tips! Leiden Market takes place every Saturday and Wednesday. The market sells everything you need, and everything you don t need. Some of the food stores actually sell lunch as well as food to take home. We highly recommend the cheese sandwiches sold at several of the cheese stalls and the freshly made Dutch waffles!
Insider Tips We Leiden! Everyone in Leiden cycles everywhere so we would definitely recommend hiring a bike if you want the local Leiden experience. Did you know that Leiden is known as 'The City of Keys' because of the extensive knowledge and culture that can be unlocked through its history. Are you a young artist based in Oxford? Check out KLICK the art collective fostering connections between Oxfod and Leiden through residences, projects and international collaborations. From Dutch "klikken" to click; hit it off at once, become friendly upon meeting. Emma & Bella #OxfordTwinCityLeiden If you're an Oxford-based community group or sport society see if you can get in contact with the Leiden Association or Leiden based groups to start a twinning link - staying with a local host is fun and a great way to get to know the city!