A guide to discovering Leiden
A great way to get to know any city in the Netherlands is to explore it by bike or by foot, or as the Dutch like to say: 'met de benenwagen'. Doing so allows you to slow down, see the subtle details of the beautiful cities, bump into the cutest coffee corners and find endless hidden treasures. Leiden covers a relatively small area, so walking or cycling won't be a problem. Between the beautiful canals and monumental buildings, you'll find activities that suit various interests. This article will highlight some things you can't miss when discovering Leiden.
Food & Drinks
Coffee
If you want to take a little coffee break, Leiden offers a variety of cafes to satisfy your needs. For coffee and amazing sourdough bread, visit Water&Bloem. I Scream Coffee is the place to be for delicious coffee and vegan sweets. At Catwalk, you can enjoy great canal views while enjoying coffee or tea and a yummy lunch.
Restaurants
Leiden has a lot of international residents, so numerous restaurants with various cuisines cater to everyone's needs. La Bota is a popular restaurant and cafe near Pieterskerk popular with students because of the great atmosphere and reasonable prices. You'll find the best Italian food and a cozy atmosphere at Restaurant City Hall. Remember to check out their specials, which offer affordable food on certain days of the week. Are you taking it easy? Eazie is an excellent place for super cheap noodles and Asian fusion. Pick something from their menu or create your own meal: endless options guaranteed.
Bars
Want to go for some drinks after studying? You'll find various bars throughout the city center of Leiden. Many are located at the canals or in the streets surrounding them. Stroll along the canals, and you'll find great places such as Annie's, Café de Keyzer, and Café de Kroeg. You can also hop on one of the boat terraces and enjoy a drink on the water.
Markets
Every Wednesday and Saturday, there's a market in the center of Leiden with different stands on the Botermarkt, Vismarkt, Aalmarkt, and Nieuwe Rijn. You'll find everything from fresh vegetables and regional products to unique gifts and music. On Thursday, you can find the market at Stevensbloem, less than 10 minutes away by bike from Student Experience Leiden.
Arts & Culture
Leiden has an abundance of cultural activities to offer. At 10 minutes by foot from Student Experience Leiden, you'll find Naturalis Biodiversity Center, a fascinating natural history museum with an extensive collection that includes a real, nearly complete skeleton of a T-Rex! The ground floor is open to the public for free, and if you want the enter the center, you can purchase a student ticket for €12,75.
If Naturalis sparks your interest in flora and fauna, don't miss Hortus Botanicus Leiden, one of the world's oldest botanical gardens. You can wander through lush landscapes, exotic plants, and serene ponds here. Entrance for students is only €3,50; if you're a student at Leiden University, you can go in for free! Just make sure you make a reservation before you go.
Cool fact: Leiden is the birthplace of the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn. At Museum De Lakenhal, you can see some of his work and other historical art and textiles. They have a permanent collection, as well as changing exhibitions. Tickets to the museum are €16,- but if you've received a student bag at EL CID or OWL, entry is free. Just bring your bag with you to the museum!
Shopping
Leiden's most significant shopping streets are Breestraat and Haarlemmerstraat, where you'll find local boutiques and international fashion chains. In Burgsteeg and Nieuwstraat, you'll also find infinite fun and unique shops.
Source: A guide to discovering Leiden
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