5 things to do in Leiden

Situated in the province of South Holland, Leiden is practically a hidden gem. Known for its centuries-old architecture and home to the oldest university in the Netherlands, it’s definitely worth a visit! And of course, when you’re there, Leiden has loads of great things to do!

Must-do activities in Leiden

Want to make the most of your visit to Leiden? From exploring the city on foot to eating some tasty grub, here are some activities that you should add to your list.

1. Find the wall poems of Leiden

Start your day off in Leiden with a walk around the city and don’t forget to look around you whenever you can. Why? Because dozens of buildings are adorned with poems.

The Wall Poems project began in 1992 and was concluded in 2005. During these years, 101 poems were painted onto walls around the city in the author’s language. There are poems in Turkish, Japanese, Indonesian and Russian, to mention a few, and the poems are often accompanied by Dutch and English translations on nearby plaques.

Many more poems have been added since the project ended. You could visit the tourist information office to get detailed information about where to walk to see the poems but seeing as they are scattered across the city walls, you could also just wander the city and see which ones you can find.

2. Chill out in the Hortus Botanicus 

As you are already on your feet, why not journey a little further to the living museum that is the Hortus Botanicus – the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Permission to create the botanical garden was granted to Leiden University in 1590.

Carolus Clusius, prefect of the garden, came to Leiden in 1593 and set up an extensive collection of plants. You may have heard of Clusius, as he was the one who introduced the tulip to the Netherlands!

Hortus Botanicus is home to more than 10.000 species of plants from all over the world. So whether you’re a plant nerd, or you just love those leafy greens, a trip to this wonderful garden is a must. 

3. Tour the cosmos at Leiden Observatory

While in the Hortus Botanicus, why not wander a little further and take a closer look at the oldest university observatory in the world – free for those with Hortus Botanicus entry tickets! The observatory has been in use since 1633 and was restored to its pre-1924 state in 2011. Today, astronomy students still have practical lessons in the observatory. 

You can learn about this historic building at the visitor centre, or, if you want, you can even have a free guided tour. The observatory is open from Wednesday to Sunday. Do check their website for specific opening times, as they change seasonally. Free guided tours are also available in English.

The observatory’s visitor centre won’t disappoint, with the interactive Galaxy Maker - yes, you can make your own galaxy - and a virtual tour of the cosmos, as well as an exhibition about astronomy. In the observatory itself, there is plenty to do and see. 

4. Visit the Wereldmuseum Leiden

Once you’ve finished being amazed by the cosmos, take your bike for a four-minute ride down to the Wereldmuseum Leiden, formerly known as the National Museum of Ethnology. Walking from the observatory takes slightly longer, around 12 minutes.

The Wereldmuseum in Leiden is a museum about people. With displays featuring objects from different cultural histories and regularly changing exhibits, no two trips to this museum are the same - there is always something new to discover.

Together, the collections of all the Wereldmuseums in Leiden, Amsterdam and Berg en Dal contain around 450.000 objects, 260.000 photographs and another 350.000 of imagery, which tell stories about humankind, from mourning to celebration and prayer.

5. Wine and dine at Bikini Bikini restaurant

After a long day of sightseeing, it’s time to get some food. So, why not take this opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a nice dinner at Bikini Bikini by Leiden harbour?

It’s not too far from the city centre, so walk, cycle or take the bus – it’s up to you. With a menu that goes from morning until night, there are enough choices, whether you want a tasty snack or a delicious dinner. We do recommend reserving your place in advance, as this is a pretty hip spot!

The restaurant itself was initially called Lot en de Walvis. In 2025, the cafe restaurant rebranded to Bikini Bikini, but remains the perfect spot for a tasty meal near the harbour.

Plan your trip to Leiden now

There you have it: a variety of activities to enjoy in Leiden. Have fun and feel free to explore further and stop in at any other exciting locations that spark your interest - you never know what you might find!