fun things to do in Leiden. what to do in Leiden, fun things to do in Leiden
Leiden - © Your Little Black Book

Day trip to Leiden? Discover the 8 best sights and activities.

Gusje

 

18 August 2025
Last updated: August 18, 2025

Planning a day trip to Leiden? These are the best activities to do in one of our favorite Dutch cities. We scoured the city to discover the crème de la crème. From boating through the canals to making your own jewelry: these are our favorite things to do in Leiden.

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**Rotterdam is a vibrant city: Rotterdam is a vibrant city** As a child I came there with my parents to shop, as a teenager and in my twenties to club. Now I love coming there for a weekend escape characterized by good food, nice wine bars and that typical Rotterdam down-to-earth attitude. Rotterdam is buzzing with creativity and has a real IT factor. In this mini-guide, I share my favorite hotspots that you'll really want to know. 📌𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 for your next trip to Rotterdam. 𝗖𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗘 ⦁ @parqiet_parkcafe ⦁ @dunerotterdam ⦁ @wollyaandewaterkant ⦁ @nice.neighbourhood 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 ⦁ @morganandmees ⦁ @hotelame ⦁ @roommate_bruno ⦁ @thejameshotelrotterdam 𝗡𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 ⦁ Noord ⦁ Katendrecht ⦁ Dijkzigt (Museum Park) ⦁ Scheepvaartkwartier 𝗗𝗢 ⦁ Take the Watertaxi ⦁ @boijmans ⦁ Walk & unwind at de Kralingse Plas ⦁ @nlfotomuseum ⦁ Visit @stationbergweg 𝗘𝗔𝗧 ⦁ @tresrotterdam ⦁ @barbertarotterdam ⦁ @hinoki_rotterdam ⦁ @barbistroloevetdie ⦁ @oxrotterdam ⦁ @restaurant_rotonde ⦁ On my to-visit list, the new @lioncitybistro 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗦 ⦁ @walsjerot_nl ⦁ @cafeverward ⦁ @spikizibar ⦁ @lenselinq 💌What's your favourite spot in Rotterdam? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
Maybe the last weekend with ice and snow ⛄️❄️ Are you cocooning indoors or preferring to go outside? In our Snowy Amsterdam Guide, I share my favorite winter tips for this weekend in the city. Save it – because snow days like this are rare 🥰 Do you have a nice winter tip for Amsterdam? I'm reading along 👀 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #snow #amsterdam #winter snow in amsterdam, things to do winter in amsterdam
I have always been part of the family and have always been proud of my work. NEW DATE AND EVENTS IN AMSTERDAM 🗝️👀 Mark your calendars! Because on January 17 & 18 Hotelnacht is back in Amsterdam with an edition full of health & wellness events and of course legendary parties that you will be talking about all year long. I got a sneak peek at The Art of Balance theme at the luxurious Anantara Krasnapolsky and arranged a similarly special experience for you as a YLBB follower. AND YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: • overnight stay for 2 people in a luxury room on January 17, 2026 • access to the spa & wellness (based on availability via the wellness desk) • pre-dinner cocktail at Bar The Tailor • fully catered chef's dinner • passe-partouts for the Hotelnacht parties • extensive breakfast in the Wintergarden • participation in the unique Ice Experience in the Summergarden of Krasnapolsky 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦: • let us know who you would like to check in with at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky during the Mastercard Hotelnacht • download the Mastercard Hotelnacht app where you can find the See the full program • and check out @hotelnacht and @anantarakrasnapolsky for the latest updates and to get the fun started! The winner will be notified on January 5th via a comment from @hotelnacht that I'll share in my stories. Fingers crossed for you! Love, Anne #hotelnacht #amsterdam #yourlbbcollab #winactie #giveaway
Merry Christmas 🎄❤️ I wish you very happy holidays. Curious what you are going to do today ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck PS: who recognizes this Christmas tree? 👀
I hope you enjoy it and have fun! 🎄 Send a message to that one friend you want to grab one with this weekend. 𝗭𝘂𝗶𝗱-𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Royal Christmas Fair – The Hague (until 23 Dec) @royalchristmasfairthehague – Winter Wonder Weeks – Leiden (12–14 & 18–21 Dec) – Green Christmas Market – Rotterdam (12–14 Dec) – Dordrecht December Days Christmas Market – Dordrecht (13–14 Dec) – Rotterdam Harvest Christmas Edition – Rotterdam (13 & 20 Dec) 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Winter Festival Zutphen – Zutphen (14 Dec) 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 – Christmas City Valkenburg – Valkenburg (until 4 Jan) Christmas Market – Delden Christmas Market – Delden (13 Dec) – Dickens Festival – Deventer (13–14 Dec) – (H)onest Christmas Market – Deventer (13–14 Dec) Christmas Market – Museumplein Christmas Market – Amsterdam (until 28 Dec) – Haarlem Christmas Market – Haarlem (12–14 Dec) – Funky Xmas Sunday Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) – Pure Markt Winter Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) 𝗨𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝘁 – Winter Market Molen de Ster – Utrecht (13–14 Dec) – The Utrecht Winter Spectacle – Utrecht (18 Dec–4 Jan) Have fun! Nothing is as much fun as spontaneous plans in December. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊 @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #christmasmarketnetherlands #christmasmarkets2025 christmasmarketamsterdam christmasmarketthehague christmasoutings thingstodointhenetherlands
𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 👀 This is the coolest new hotel for a night away! Meet @viaantwerp , the newest boutique hotel in Antwerp on the border of Zurenborg and Borgerhout (yep, voted 2nd coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out). I recently stayed at this gem and this hotel really has it all: a lively bar with a cozy atmosphere, walls full of creative art, beautiful bright rooms and it's within walking distance of great hotspots. And I haven't even mentioned @mea.antwerp! The delicious restaurant with a chef behind the pans who previously cooked at The Palomar in London. If you know, you know! And now the best news: I can surprise one of you with a dream night away at VIA Antwerp. 💛 𝗪𝗔𝗧 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗡 • Overnight stay for 2 people • Breakfast included • Chef's dinner at MEA 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦 • Let us know in the comments which friend you would like to stay here with • Of course, also take a look at @viaantwerp & @mea.antwerp to dream away and follow their updates The winner will be notified personally via DM on December 10th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and will soon share a mini guide with more great tips for Antwerp! 🖤 ​​✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #antwerp #antwerp #zurenborg #antwerpencity #borgerhout

8 of the best things to do in Leiden

cocktail workshop 

Ready to shake and stir? Then take a cocktail workshop at Café Frank—great fun with friends or as a unique date. More of a cocktail drinker? Then you can also opt for a cocktail tasting, where you sample different creations. Cheers!
Kloksteeg 7, Leiden – cafefrank.nl

fun things to do in Leiden. what to do in Leiden, fun things to do in Leiden

© Café Frank, @cafefrank.leiden

making jewelry at la jewelista

Are you a big fan of jewelry? Then you'll definitely want to visit La Jewelista. Here, you can create your own necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. Mix and match from hundreds of charms and beads and walk out with two handmade pieces that perfectly match your style.
Middelstegracht 89-S, Leiden – studio.la-jewelista.com

activities in Leiden jewelry la jewelista

© La Jewelista, @lajewelista

sailing a boat

Exploring the city? The best way to do that is from the water, of course. Rent a boat or go on a picnic with a fully catered basket on board. Floating along the canals, you'll truly see Leiden from a different perspective!
Aalmarkt 4, Leiden – varenleiden.nl

 | TIP: See here which boat tours and private boats you can book in Leiden >>

fun things to do in Leiden. what to do in Leiden, fun things to do in Leiden

© Rondvaart Leiden, @rondvaartleiden.nl

drink machine at café barrera

There's nothing quite like a sunny afternoon on a patio, right? Café Barrera, located right on the water, is the perfect spot for that. Definitely order their signature drink, called "Apparatus." It's a bit like an Aperol Spritz, but with a twist. Enjoy!
Rapenburg 56, Leiden – cafebarrera.nl

© Café Barrera, @barreracafe

Visiting museums

Visiting a museum is one of those activities that's always fun, whether you're with kids or just want to discover something new yourself. And Leiden just happens to be packed with great museums for all ages. Our absolute favorites? Corpus (just outside Leiden), the National Museum of Antiquities and of course Naturalis.
National Museum of Antiquities: Rapenburg 28, Leiden 
Corpus, Willem Einthovenstraat 1, Oegstgeest
Naturalis, Darwinweg 2, Leiden 

fun things to do in Leiden. what to do in Leiden, fun things to do in Leiden

© Your Little Black Book – National Museum of Antiquities

Café Caat comedy night

Looking for an evening full of fun and laughter? Then you really need to visit Café Caat. Every so often, they organize a Comedy Night, featuring a mix of well-known and up-and-coming comedians. Guaranteed laughs, we promise!
Catharinasteeg, Leiden – leidseschouwburg-stadsgehoorzaal.nl

fun things to do in Leiden. what to do in Leiden, fun things to do in Leiden

© Café Caat, @cafecaat

Thank you wellness

Looking for a moment of complete relaxation? Then plan some me-time at Dankjewellness. You'll find complete peace in the sauna or hot tub, surrounded by beautiful greenery, just a short distance from the city center.
Polderpad 8, Leiden – dankjewellness.org

fun things to do in Leiden. what to do in Leiden, fun things to do in Leiden

© Dankjewellness, @dankjewellness

Making chocolates

Are you, like us, a big fan of chocolate? Then you absolutely have to try a bonbon workshop at Olala. It's great fun for the whole family or with friends. You'll get a brief explanation about chocolate and then get to work yourself. And the best part? You'll make no fewer than 24 delicious bonbons to take home (if you don't sneak them in along the way).
Botermarkt 14, Leiden – olalachocola.nl

© Olalachocola, @olalachocolaleden

 | TIP: Also want to eat something in Leiden? View the YLBB shortlist of the best restaurants in Leiden here >>

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