Sightseeing in Leiden - what to see. Complete travel guide
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The first mention of Leiden in the annals dates back to 922. At that time, this region belonged to the Bishop of Utrecht. The first castle in the area appeared in the 12th century. Steadily, the area around the castle became a popular marketplace. When the Hundred Years' War started, many weavers from Ypres found shelter in Leiden. This event gave a major boost to the development of the weaving industry in the Dutch city. In 1581, the Elzevirs, a famous Dutch family of booksellers, settled and started working in Leiden.
Would you like to see the oldest castle in the Netherlands? For this purpose, don’t forget to visit the Burcht van Leiden, a beautiful and old fortification that is still in good condition. The castle is built on a picturesque hill, in the place where two tributaries of the Rhine River meet. The Burcht van Leiden was built in the 11th century. After a series of excavations, archaeologists proved that the castle was wooden initially. Later, it was decided to strengthen the building with stones. With time, the territory of Burcht van Leiden was growing, and the castle got new walls. In the end, the wooden construction turned into a stone stronghold.
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There are many old castles in Leiden and its vicinities. Tourists enjoy visiting Gravensteen, a fabulous building constructed in the 13th century. The purpose of the building changed several times over the centuries. Initially, the castle was a residence of the nobles and rulers of the region. However, the Duke of Burgundy ordered to turn Gravensteen into a prison in 1463. People accused of serious crimes and condemned to death served their sentences in this prison. Gravensteen accepted prisoners from all cities in the Netherlands and even some German cities.
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The easiest way to get to Leiden is to travel by train. It takes only fifteen minutes to reach this city from the neighbor city, The Hague. The journey from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a bit longer – up to half an hour. If you decide to travel from Amsterdam, the ride will be almost forty minutes. All trains, regardless of their dispatching point, make a stop at the central station in Leiden. This station is situated five hundred meters from the old part of the city. Tourists can reach it by public bus, taxi or simply walk.
This guide to iconic landmarks and sights of Leiden is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Leiden and surroundings
Reference information
Survived castles around Leiden
♥ Castle 'Burcht van Leiden' , 0.3 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Duivenvoorde Castle' , 7.7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Slot Teylingen' , 8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Huys Dever' , 10.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Slot Heemstede' , 22 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Burcht van Leiden' , 0.3 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Burcht van Leiden](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Castle 'Duivenvoorde Castle' , 7.7 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Duivenvoorde Castle](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Castle 'Slot Teylingen' , 8 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Slot Teylingen](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Castle 'Huys Dever' , 10.5 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Huys Dever](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Castle 'Slot Heemstede' , 22 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Slot Heemstede](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
National and city parks around Leiden
♥ National Park 'Zuid-Kennemerland' , 28.9 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'De Biesbosch' , 49 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Utrechtse Heuvelrug' , 60.7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'De Loonse en Drunense Duinen' , 71.1 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Oosterschelde' , 73.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Zuid-Kennemerland' , 28.9 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Zuid-Kennemerland](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ National Park 'De Biesbosch' , 49 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of De Biesbosch](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ National Park 'Utrechtse Heuvelrug' , 60.7 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Utrechtse Heuvelrug](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ National Park 'De Loonse en Drunense Duinen' , 71.1 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of De Loonse en Drunense Duinen](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ National Park 'Oosterschelde' , 73.8 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Oosterschelde](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
Art galleries in Leiden and around
♥ Art museum 'Rijksmuseum van Oudheden' Leiden, 0.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Mauritshuis' The Hague, 15.3 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Museum Bredius' The Hague, 15.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Gemeentemuseum' The Hague, 16.7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Frans Hals Museum' Haarlem, 25.8 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Art museum 'Rijksmuseum van Oudheden' Leiden, 0.8 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Rijksmuseum van Oudheden](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Art museum 'Mauritshuis' The Hague, 15.3 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Mauritshuis](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Art museum 'Museum Bredius' The Hague, 15.4 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Museum Bredius](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Art museum 'Gemeentemuseum' The Hague, 16.7 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Gemeentemuseum](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
♥ Art museum 'Frans Hals Museum' Haarlem, 25.8 km from the center. On the map
![Show on the map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Photogallery of Frans Hals Museum](../../img/icon_panorama.png)
Sights around Leiden from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Pythonbrug
From the series “The Most Unusual and Strange Bridges on Earth”![](../../extreme/img/w300/pythonbrug_1.jpg)
Check on the map:
Distance from Leiden center - 38.8 km.
The color of the bridge was chosen by chance and has no particular symbolic character. Within a few years 'Python' Bridge became a must for many excursion programs through Amsterdam and attracts not only the curious tourists, but also the construction workers from different countries. Like the other bridges of Holland, 'Python' is very solid and secure. Only high-strength steel was used during the construction of the bridge …
Read further ![Pythonbrug on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Read further](../../img/2017/icon_next_24.png)
Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum
From the series “Strange, Weird and Unusual Museums Amusing its Visitors”![](../../extreme/img/w300/hash-marihuana-hemp-museum_1.jpg)
Check on the map:
Distance from Leiden center - 36 km.
Some museum rooms are dedicated to breeding the exhibits - here the various hemp varieties cultivated by the museum staff grow. Since 2003, the large and constantly updated collection of exhibits has been located in the new building, not far from Dam Square. Today, the museum's guests can see more than 6,000 unique exhibits. Although the theme of the museum is quite contradictory and controversial, the numerous tourists have been receiving it for several years. It must be borne in mind that the children under 13 years of age can visit the museum of marijuana free of charge, but only accompanied by adults. …
Read further ![Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Read further](../../img/2017/icon_next_24.png)
Sauna Deco
From the series “Most Extraordinary Thermaes, Baths and Saunas in the World”![](../../extreme/img/w300/sauna-deco_1.jpg)
Check on the map:
Distance from Leiden center - 35.9 km.
In the 1970s, the department store, which was known for its exquisite interior design, was renovated. After the renovation, most decor elements were abolished. These magnificent decor elements of the historical department store were brought into the sauna of Amsterdam. Today its visitors can go to the pool on a unique wooden staircase, over which several decades ago Parisians went shopping. Tourists who decide to visit the most famous and popular sauna in the Netherlands, should observe an important rule - wearing a bathing suit in sauna is strictly prohibited …
Read further ![Sauna Deco on map](../../img/icon_map_3.png)
![Read further](../../img/2017/icon_next_24.png)
Expo 2020 in Dubai Was Visited by More Than 7 Million Visitors
If you haven’t visited this event yet, there is still time to book a hotel in Dubai because Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March 2022. People who are unable to visit the emirate can make a virtual tour on the Expo 2020 website. By the way, the virtual visitation has already reached 31.6 million by the end of December.
Read this
27.07.2024
If you haven’t visited this event yet, there is still time to book a hotel in Dubai because Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March 2022. People who are unable to visit the emirate can make a virtual tour on the Expo 2020 website. By the way, the virtual visitation has already reached 31.6 million by the end of December.
![](http://www.orangesmile.com/img/2017/icon_next_16.png)
27.07.2024
Search touristic sites on the map of Leiden
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