Leiden, Netherlands: Family Fun, Canals, and Pancakes

Discover the enchantment of Leiden, where family fun takes center stage!

19 July 2023

Leiden, Netherlands, offers a perfect destination for a family-friendly trip with its charming canals, picturesque windmills, and rich history. Take a leisurely boat tour along the canals to soak in the city's beauty, explore the National Museum of Antiquities to discover ancient artifacts, or visit the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, where kids can marvel at a wide variety of plants and enjoy the tropical greenhouses. With its relaxed atmosphere, Leiden provides a delightful setting for a memorable family vacation.

Day trip plan

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Day

Exploring the Charm of Leiden:

  • Rise and shine with a visit to the Leiden Market, where locals sell everything from fresh produce to vintage trinkets. Get your bargaining game on!
  • Take a leisurely stroll along Leiden's beautifully quaint canals, spotting "boterhuisjes" (small butter houses) and charming houseboats along the way.
  • Culture vultures, rejoice! Visit the incomparable Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, and let your imagination run wild with tales of ancient civilizations.
  • Time to refuel! Head to "De Waag" a former weigh house turned restaurant for a scrumptious Dutch pancake feast that will leave you in a delightful food coma.
  • Channel your inner scientist at the Museum Boerhaave, where dazzling exhibitions take you on a journey of discovery through the world of science and medicine.
  • Wrap up the day with a leisurely bike ride through Leiden's picturesque parks, soaking in the city's green oasis and working off those pancake calories. Pedal power, here we go!

How to get there

Plane

The easiest and quickest way to get to Leiden is by flying into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and then taking a train directly to Leiden Central Station. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes and trains generally run every 15 minutes.

Car

Driving to Leiden is fairly straightforward, however parking in the city can be difficult and expensive. There are various parking garages dotted around the city, as well as some on-street parking areas. A popular option for those driving into Leiden is to park at the P+R Lammenschans car park and take public transport into the city center.

Train

Leiden is easily accessible by train from various cities in the Netherlands. The closest train station to Leiden is Leiden Central Station, which is serviced by trains from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and other major cities.

Boat

Although Leiden is a fairly small city, it is possible to get there by boat via the Old Rhine river. There are various boat hire options available from nearby towns such as Leiderdorp and Oegstgeest, allowing visitors to take a relaxing journey down the river and moor up in Leiden's picturesque city center.

Bus

There are various buses that run to Leiden from nearby towns and cities. These include Arriva and Connexxion, and tickets can be purchased either online in advance or at the bus station. The main bus station in Leiden is Leiden Centraal Busstation.

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