Top Leiden Culture

On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover how a medieval town transformed into a center of knowledge and culture that shaped global history. The tour begins at the Hartebrugkerk. You’ll weave through narrow alleys and alongside picturesque canals, exploring the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, where medical science flourished. Along the way, you’ll discover how commerce, religion, and innovation shaped this influential Dutch city. You’ll climb the ancient Burcht van Leiden, a fortress that’s stood guard over the city for nearly a thousand years. Along quiet canals, you’ll find wall poems painted in dozens of languages and hidden hofjes (courtyard almshouses) that tell stories of charity and community. The tour ends at the ornate Renaissance façade of the Stadhuis. By the end of this tour, you’ll understand how this seemingly quiet Dutch city played an outsized role in science, art, and global affairs throughout history.

Explore the beautiful city center of Leiden at your own pace. This self-guided audio tour will take you to all the well-known spots and undiscovered gems of Leiden. Go on a journey of discovery with your virtual audio guide and get to know Leiden and its history in a unique way. • Walk at your own pace • The most beautiful walking routes and best stories • Unexpected discoveries • Personal virtual audio guide in 7 languages • Route guidance via GPS

A unique view of the Dutch landscape. Where most travelers go is Amsterdam. We bring you to the real true identity of the Netherlands. Lisse and the Kagerplassen are known for their natural looks. During this tour you will discover beautiful nature reserves in combination with a beautiful tour on our boat. The departure location is 10 minutes from Keukenhof.

Explore Leiden on a private walking tour through one of the most historically rich cities in the Netherlands. With your own knowledgeable local guide, you discover a city that played a key role in Dutch history, art, and science. Leiden is home to the country’s oldest university, beautifully preserved canals, and the birthplace of Rembrandt. During this guided tour, your guide brings the past to life with stories of painters, pilgrims, professors, and Leiden’s heroic resistance and relief during the Eighty Years’ War. The private tour of Leiden takes place entirely in the compact historic center and normally lasts about 1.5 hours. Because this is a private walking tour, the pace and focus are flexible and can be adapted to your interests. This tour is ideal for travelers who want insight, context, and stories rather than a simple checklist of sights.

In the 1600s, a single tulip bulb sold for the price of a canal house - and the flower that started the famous tulip mania was planted right here in Leiden. This walking tour follows a trail that takes you to that spot at the Hortus Botanicus and through the streets where Rembrandt grew up, sketched his earliest works, and became the painter who would define the Dutch Golden Age. Along the way, you will hear how Leiden's canals were built as moats to stop invaders, why poems cover the city walls instead of graffiti, and how a group of English refugees, called the pilgrims, sheltered here before sailing - with nine future US Presidents among their descendants. Your local guide walks you through 12 stops, from the atmospheric Galgewater canal to the panoramic fortress of De Burcht. Along the way, you can get a Rembrandt-style portrait sketched and explore one of the city's hidden hofjes. Available in 9 languages. Works offline. No schedule, no group - just you and the city.

During the Discovery Trip "The Stolen Keys", you will explore the city of Leiden during a 90-minute self-guided walking tour. In 90 minutes, you will see the most iconic places of Leiden while solving fun puzzles about the environment. Do your best and set a new high score for the trip together with your friends or family. As Discovery Trips is self-guided, there are no fixed starting times. You can pick whenever you want to start discovering. Furthermore, the trip is available in English, German and Dutch. So, what are you waiting for? Let's discover!

Discover Leiden with the help of a local guide on this small-group tour of the city. See Morspoort, Molen de Put, Rembrandtplaats, and more as you walk its cobbled streets and bridges. Learn all about the city from your guide as you sightsee, from Leiden’s storied past to current cultural trends.

Discover Leiden and The Hague, two historical cities that have played a major role in Dutch history. Visit them both in this immersive 4.5 hour private tour. First up, you will see Leiden, known its stunning canals and classy streets. Step back in time as you explore its old center. The city that heroically survived a Spanish siege in 1574 is full of stories: it was the home of Dutch Master Rembrandt, the oldest university of the country, and the Pilgrim Fathers. Next up, you'll see the classy streets of The Hague, our political capital. Walk past our parliament, the prime minister's office, royal palaces, foreign embassies and countless old facades. Your guide will bring the city alive with interesting stories and insider tips. You can do this tour both ways: starting in Leiden or starting in The Hague. You can also choose to be picked up and dropped off at a location of your choice, like in Amsterdam. And remember: It is you who determines the pace of this tour.

Step into the footsteps of a young Rembrandt and explore the historic streets of Leiden through an interactive walking quest! This self-guided adventure blends storytelling, puzzles, and real-world discovery, letting you uncover the city that shaped one of the world’s greatest painters. As you stroll through the charming canals and cobbled lanes of Leiden, you'll solve location-based riddles that guide you to key sites from Rembrandt's early years. From his childhood home to the Latin School he attended, every stop reveals fascinating insights into the life and art of the Dutch master. Your phone becomes both guide and game, letting you explore at your own pace, pause for a coffee, or take photos along the way. It transforms sightseeing into a captivating treasure hunt where every clue deepens your connection to Rembrandt and the city’s heritage. Perfect for art lovers, couples, and curious families, this experience offers flexibility, fun, and a deeper way to explore Leiden.

The people of Leiden believe that their city is the most beautiful one in the country, if not the whole world. It is hard to argue with that :). In fact, there is no other place on Earth, where stories from all over the world are intertwined in such a dense tangle. This is the birthplace of Rembrandt and genius mocker Jan Steen. It is where the origins of the modern Netherlands come from, as well as the United States of America and modern art. Einstein and Churchill walked on these cobblestone pavements here. All these stories are full of surprises, amusing paradoxes, and sometimes ridiculous tales or absurdities. Here, the subject of botany suddenly turns from a primary school class into a real detective story, physics - into tragedy, commerce - into philosophy and the rational organization of the urban environment - into poetry. After Leiden, your life will never be the same!

What sets our tour apart is the personal touch, peaceful setting, and focus on quality. This isn’t a crowded, commercial cruise — it’s a private experience for you and your group (up to 8 people) aboard a stylish, comfortable boat with soft cushions and a premium sound system. Your local skipper knows the area and will guide you through the historic canals of Leiden and into the scenic, wide-open waters of the Kagerplassen. Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the region’s history, nature, and hidden gems — from windmills and waterside farms to quiet islands and grazing cows. Bring your own snacks and drinks, sit back, and enjoy a relaxed and memorable journey through some of the Netherlands’ most beautiful waterways. It’s wise to dress in layers, as it can get chilly on the open water especially in the evening.

There's more than just beach to Noordwijk aan Zee. Discover this seaside destination on a treasure hunt style walking tour, playing as a team or competing against friends or family. Learn about fishing culture, navigate a villa neighborhood that's hidden in the dunes, and solve clues, riddles, and quizzes to discover statues, artworks, quirky buildings, and more.

Delve into the city of Leiden with the help of this self-guided game that takes you through town. Discover hidden gems and popular attractions alike as you work through the story of the game and solve its puzzles. In the game, a police officer has taken sensitive files away from the station. Before the information gets into the wrong hands, can you track him down to find out why?

Embark on a journey through Leiden's rich history and vibrant culture. Let us guide you through picturesque streets, along tranquil canals, and past iconic landmarks. Using GPS, we know exactly where you are and will provide timely directions and information in your preferred language. Immerse yourself in the charm of this enchanting city with our expert-led walking tour. Book now and uncover the secrets of Leiden!"

Remember those lost in September 1944 on this private guided tour of key Battle of Arnhem sites, with 2-way transfers from addresses in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, or Utrecht. Follow the route John Frost took from the landing zone to the bridge that bears his name; see key battlegrounds including the Old Church and Elisabeth Gasthuis; and pay tribute at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek.

On this full-day private tour, you will discover The Hague, Delft and Leiden. See the highlights of all three old cities together together with our passionate guide. Lunch and transfers between the cities are included. Forget about Amsterdam! During this tour, you will see three totally different sides of the Netherlands. From charming artistic Leiden and classy political The Hague to quaint old Delft. You'll dive into the Dutch Golden Age and get to know modern Dutch society at the same time. From Rembrandt to Vermeer and from William of Orange to Napoleon Bonaparte. Be prepared to learn a lot and to see some royal palaces, our parliament, charming canals, old churches, Delft Blue pottery, historical sites, an old university and more. See you soon! You can do this tour both ways: starting in Leiden or starting in Delft. You can also choose to be picked up and dropped off at a location of your choice, like in Amsterdam. And remember: It is you who determines the pace of this tour.

On this half-day private tour, you will discover Leiden and Delft. See the highlights of both old cities together together with our passionate guide. A transfer between the cities is included. You'll see Leiden, known its stunning canals and classy streets. Step back in time as you explore its old center. The city that heroically survived a Spanish siege in 1574 is full of stories: it was the home of Rembrandt, the oldest university of the country, and the Pilgrim Fathers. And you'll visit Delft, a picturesque town full of centuries-old facades, squares, churches and canals. The city of Johannes Vermeer is known for its Delft Blue pottery, the final resting place of the Orange family, and its top-rated Technical University. You'll be impressed by its charm. You can do this tour both ways: starting in Delft or starting in Leiden. You can also choose to be picked up and dropped off somewhere else, like in Amsterdam. And remember: It is you who determines the pace of this tour.

Explore Delft, Rotterdam and Gouda on a full-day private tour. You will get to know three very different, beautiful cities that all played a major role in Dutch history. First up, you will see Leiden, known its stunning canals and classy streets. Step back in time as you explore its old center. The city that heroically survived a Spanish siege in 1574 is full of stories: it was the home of Dutch Master Rembrandt, the oldest university of the country, and the Pilgrim Fathers. Next up is Delft, a picturesque town full of centuries-old facades, squares, churches and canals. Discover the city of Johannes Vermeer, known for its blue pottery, the final resting place of the Orange family, and its top-rated Technical University. You'll have lunch here. Lastly, you'll go to Gouda, with its charming town hall, fascinating weighing house and impressive church. You will explore the old city center, and your guide will tell you all about it. You end the day with a little cheese tasting there.

Discover the best kept secrets in the city’s historic centre with the Secrets of Exploration Game, an exciting GPS-based exploration game! Whether you want to play alone for personal excitement or with a group of people this is the game for you! Playing with more groups will turn into a competitive experience, perfect as a teambuilding activity. This game is a fun activity you can do while visiting a city. Solve the fun puzzles and questions, complete photo tasks and more in order to score as many points as possible and gain extra clues to help you with the final puzzle. You can even earn a spot on the leaderboard! Our Exploration Game offers the maximum independence, you can play pause & continue whenever you want. HOW TO PLAY: Book the Exploration Game, check the email we send you with the simple instructions, download the Loquiz App, access the Exploration Game and you are ready to begin your gaming experience!

Close your eyes. Can you hear the sound of young Rembrandt running around in the alleys? And the shouts of the children playing? Can you hear the carts on the cobblestones coming in through the White Gate? The loose women calling out to the militia men? The quiet steps of Rembrandt going to his art class? Step into the world of Young Rembrandt and see what shaped him as an artist. Hear the stories that he heard about the Siege of Leiden. Find out how the proud people made a living in the bustling new republic and see their legacy in the Renaissance town of Leiden. Feel the liberty that attracted the Pilgrim Fathers, and made some leave to America. Look up at the sky and see the light that sheltered it all. It is here that an artist was made that conquered the world.