day out in Leiden tips
© Leiden
20 Januari 2024
March 31 2026

24 hours in Leiden: the tips for a day or night out

One of the cities that surprised me the most during all my staycations in the Netherlands is perhaps Leiden A city that immediately evokes associations with students and student pubs for me, rather than as a destination for a weekend getaway. But let's just say Leiden has matured. And it's really great! With the cozy old center, the canals you can also sail on, the narrow streets around the Pieterskerk, the beautiful Hortus Botanicus, and hotspots that seem to be popping up everywhere.

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Come with me to get breakfast in Taipei 🥢 Straight from the airport to this little spot to taste soup dumplings and so much more! That's what I call a soft landing 😉
Just back from Catalonia and I thought: I'll share some tips right away. During our road trip, we stayed two nights in the Ebro Delta. An incredibly fun stop for families and foodies alike, where there is plenty to do. · A boat trip to the Musclarium is a must! Here you eat oysters and mussels straight from the farm, in the middle of the sea. · Admire the flamingos and black ibises that can be found here all year round. · Rice is grown in the Ebro Delta all year round. For paella, but Kensho also makes sake and miso from it! You can visit them during a tasting. · Cycling along the rice fields, canoeing on the Ebro River, and visiting various beaches. It was still a bit too cold now, but there is plenty to do. · The towns are very low-key and not that exciting, but you can find fantastic local food there. From the Michelin-awarded Les Moles* to local eateries like Vermuteria Bonmarisc and Lo Tinglado. We ate a lot of fish, but also anemone fritters (a first!). Now back to work, and I’m going to create an extensive travel guide of this road trip through Catalonia, but you’ll want to save these tips for a future adventure. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck { In this post, I share tips for the Ebro Delta in Spain (Delta de l'Ebre). More tips for Catalonia can be found at www.yourlittleblackbook.me }
PUUR JONNIE, an ode to Jonnie Boer. Today I had the honor of being at @delibrijezwolle for the book launch of @jonnie_en_therese. I spent the entire evening reading and browsing. WHAT A BOOK. What stories. WHAT AN ODE. Love, Nature, Pioneer, Fatherhood, Music, Jonnie's Foundation, Friendship, Suppliers, Local products, Relaxation, Entrepreneurship, Humor & The pure human being. Everything is covered, beautifully written by @joel.broekaert. With contributions from, among others, @nelsontanate, @rekkebus, @ronblaauwtje, @jorisbijdendijk, @sidney_schutte & @hvw043. Thanks for the wonderful afternoon @jonnie_en_therese 💚 PUUR JONNIE, Available from April 14 at your local bookstore (and online) 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
This is your ticket to Japan without taking a plane 🥢 @tewatashi.ams in De Pijp serves an authentic Edo-Mae Sushi Experience and is super consistent in their quality. It's the place we keep going back to when we have something to celebrate <3. In this video I'm sharing the 2 hour experience in 60 seconds. Still dreaming about the buttery ika nigiri. 🤤 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck { one of the best authentic Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam serving premium sushi omakase in De Pijp }

Leiden City Guide: accommodation, food & drinks and fun things to do

Nice boutique hotel in Leiden

There are several nice boutique hotels in Leiden, but my favorite is definitely Hotel D'Oude MorschThis hotel, with just eighteen rooms, is located in the old Morspoort barracks near Leiden station and features a rugged, industrial design. Tip: They also offer bike rentals, so reserve them when booking your room to explore Leiden by bike!
Park de Put 1, Leiden 

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day out in Leiden tips

© Hotel D'Oude Morsch

Cozy restaurants and hotspots in Leiden

I was in Leiden again recently, and this city has become so lovely. You can find plenty of cozy spots for coffee or lunch along the canals. One of the hotspots of the moment is without a doubt Bikini Bikini, where you are in the right place for an extensive lunch. Another place not to be missed is Restaurant City Hall, a real trattoria with all kinds of Italian dishes on the menu. Not new, but a household name in the city, is the always busy Waag. Just like Van der Weff A nice spot for a drink after shopping. In the mood for a fancy dinner in the evening? Then you'll want to go to The Bishop or Café Visscher.

day out in Leiden tips

© Lab071

Shopping in Leiden

Leiden is definitely the place to be for an afternoon of shopping, especially if you love vintage. Along the canals, you’ll find plenty of small boutiques with a mix of pre-loved and new items. VNTG, for instance, is a place where you can browse at your leisure among a well-curated selection of vintage finds. Hartendief is another one of those shops where you can easily pop in and often walk out with something nice. 

| TIP: Want more fun shops on your radar in Leiden? Then also check out Your Little Black Books shortlist with 10 X the nicest shops in Leiden >>

Fun things to do in Leiden 

Leiden isn't a very big city, making it perfect for a day trip or if you fancy a night out. Believe me, it's a wonderful place to wake up on a Sunday. Afterwards, take a stroll through the gardens of the Hortus Botanicus or visit it World Museum Leiden where they regularly have exhibitions that also relate to travel. Is the weather nice? You can also canal cruise to make! Rent a boat yourself can also be done with a group of friends city ​​games and outdoor escape games incredibly popular. 

Going to Leiden with kids? My son absolutely loves Naturalis and the Egypt section of the National Museum of Antiquities. Both are highly recommended for a day in Leiden with kids! If you'd like to grab a bite to eat or drink after Naturalis, I also love Brasserie Buitenhuis (a kind of beach club) just outside Leiden in Valkenburg by the lake.

© Naturalis

Discover more tips in the
Leiden Little Black Book

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