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City guide

Leiden, Netherlands

Leiden is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. The municipality of Leiden has a population of 127,046, but the city forms one densely connected agglomeration with its suburbs Oegstgeest, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude with 215,602 inhabitants.

Type CityPopulation 127,046Metro Area Population 215,602

Why go

  • City and municipality in South Holland, Netherlands.

History

Leiden is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. The municipality of Leiden has a population of 127,046, but the city forms one densely connected agglomeration with its suburbs Oegstgeest, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude with 215,602 inhabitants. The Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) further includes Katwijk in the agglomeration which makes the total population of the Leiden urban agglomeration 282,207. Further, Teylingen, Noordwijk, and Noordwijkerhout are included in the larger Leiden urban area, which has 365,913 inhabitants. Leiden is located on the Oude Rijn, at a distance of some 20 km (12 mi) from The Hague to its south and some 40 km (25 mi) from Amsterdam to its north. The recreational area of the Kaag Lakes (Kagerplassen) lies just to the northeast of Leiden.

Where to stay

Pieterskerkstraat 16, 2311 SV Leiden, Netherlands · depelgrimsplaats.nl
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Witte Rozenstraat 48A, 2311 XX Leiden, Netherlands · bedandbreakfast.nl
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Noordwijkerweg 49, 2231 NJ Rijnsburg, Netherlands · paauwze.nl
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Herengracht 50, 2312 LE Leiden, Netherlands · breathehotelleiden.nl
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Nieuwe Rijn 22A, 2312 JC Leiden, Netherlands · nr22leiden.nl
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Oude Singel 142, 2312 RG Leiden, Netherlands · bnbhartvanleiden.nl
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Het Boonrak 21, 2235 ED Valkenburg, Netherlands · herbergwelgelegen.nl
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Korte Voorhouterweg 2c, 2231 JJ Rijnsburg, Netherlands · depetrakerk.nl
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Oude Singel 214, 2312 RJ Leiden, Netherlands · debaronesvanleyden.nl
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Park de Put 1, 2312 BM Leiden, Netherlands · hoteldeoudemorsch.nl
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Steenschuur 11, 2311 ES Leiden, Netherlands · steenhofsuites.nl
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Vlietweg 44, 2323 LC Leiden, Netherlands · tukaandevliet.nl
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Veerpolder 1, 2361 KV Warmond, Netherlands · tweelwonenkaagresort.hoteltop.top
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Kloksteeg 4, 2311 SL Leiden, Netherlands · hotelexlibris.com
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Ballonstraat 6, 2312 LJ Leiden, Netherlands · hrewards.com
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Poelgeesterweg 1, 2341 NM Oegstgeest, Netherlands · kasteeloudpoelgeest.com
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Schipholweg 3, 2316 XB Leiden, Netherlands · leiden-centre.goldentulip.com
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Schuttersveld 2, 2316 ZA Leiden, Netherlands · hotelvic.nl
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Beestenmarkt 14, 2312 CC Leiden, Netherlands
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2, Nieuwe Rijn, 2312 JB Leiden, Netherlands · ctybooks.nl
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Stationsplein 240-242, 2312 AR Leiden, Netherlands · all.accor.com
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Haagse Schouwweg 14, 2332 KG Leiden, Netherlands · hotelleiden.nl
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Terweeweg 4, 2341 CR Oegstgeest, Netherlands · villa-beukenhof.nl
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Rijnzichtweg 97, 2342 AX Oegstgeest, Netherlands · bastionhotels.com
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Rapenburg 2, 2311 EV Leiden, Netherlands · dedoelen.com
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Haagse Schouwweg 10, 2332 KG Leiden, Netherlands · kafrahousing.com
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Voorschoterweg 8, 2324 NE Leiden, Netherlands · bastionhotels.com
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Beestenmarkt 3, 2312 CA Leiden, Netherlands · hotelmayflower.nl
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Oude Herengracht 22, 2312 LN Leiden, Netherlands · theharbourleiden.nl
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Willem Einthovenstraat 3, 2342 BH Oegstgeest, Netherlands · hilton.com
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Bargelaan 180, 2333 CW Leiden, Netherlands · wellnesshotelleiden.nl
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Marislaan 29, 2316 XV Leiden, Netherlands
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Boommarkt 23, 2311 EA Leiden, Netherlands
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Langebrug 28, 2311 TM Leiden, Netherlands · stpierre.hotelyat.top
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Restaurants & places to go

Pancake, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-21:30 Features: vegan options Wikipedia: nl:Oudt Leyden · 49 Steenstraat, Leiden, 2312BV · oudtleyden.nl
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Regional, Restaurant · Wikipedia: nl:De Moerbei · 5a Dorpsstraat · demoerbeiwarmond.nl
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Burger, Fast Food · McDonald's Leiden Beestenmarkt Opening hours: Su-Th 09:00-00:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-02:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 6 Beestenmarkt,… · mcdonaldsrestaurant.nl
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International, Restaurant · Brasserie Vennemeer Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:30-21:00 · 1 Vennemeer, Oud Ade, 2374AV · vennemeer.nl
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Japanese, Restaurant · At Dining Tokyo, we offer Japanese cuisine in a casual setting, with a focus on Japanese home-style cooking. We offer a variety of… · diningtokyo.nl
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Ice Cream, Crepe, Restaurant · Pannenkoekenrestaurant, ijssalon en natuurboerderij Features: step-free access · 184 Veurseweg, Voorschoten, 2252AG · tantetokkie.nl
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Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 09:00-18:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 2 Gangetje, Leiden, 2311ER · annemax.nl
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Sandwich, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:30-17:30, Fr-Su 09:30-18:30 Features: outdoor seating · 11 Aalmarkt, Leiden, 2311EC · browniesanddownies.nl
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Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 17:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 1 Herenstraat, Leiden, 2313AD · depizzabakkers.nl
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Friture, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 11:30-21:00; Su 13:00-21:00 Features: takeaway · 14 Ommevoort, Oegstgeest, 2341VV · oegstgeest.foodmaster.nl
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Ice Cream, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 12:00-18:00; PH closed Features: takeaway, step-free access · 6 De Keuvel, Noordwijk, 2201MB · supervlaai.nl
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Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00 Features: takeaway · 4 Persant Snoepweg, Leiderdorp, 2353KA · kfc.nl
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Spanish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 16:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-24:00; Su 12:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 18 Voorstraat, Voorschoten, 2251BN · la-casita.nl
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Tapas, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-22:00; Fr 16:00-22:30; Sa 16:30-22:30 Features: vegan options · 19 Noordeinde, Leiden, 2311CA · lacubanita.nl
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Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo off; Tu 16:00-21:30; We-Th,Su 11:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 23 Hooigracht,… · loetje.nl
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Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00 · 48 Nieuwe Rijn, Leiden, 2312JG · pavarotti.nl
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Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 5 Voorstraat, Katwijk, 2225EJ · schuitemaker-vis.nl
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Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-22:30 · 45-47 Steenstraat, Leiden · shabushabu.nl
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Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:30-23:00; Sa-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 5 M Stationsplein, Leiden, 2312AJ · donercompany.nl
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Asian, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo,We-Su 12:00-21:30 Features: takeaway · 177 Breestraat, Leiden, 2311CP · woktogo.nl
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Pasta, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-22:00; Sa,Su 08:30-22:00 Features: step-free access · 5B Stationsplein, Leiden, 2312AJ · julias.nl
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Mexican, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 16:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 6 Pelikaanstraat, Leiden, 2312DW · tacomundo.com
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French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, step-free access, air conditioning · 13 Rietpolderweg,… · waterfrontvlietland.nl
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Cafe · Opening hours: Mo,Su 10:00-17:00; Tu-Sa 09:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · 3 Botermarkt, Leiden, 2311EM · 30ml.nl
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American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00+ · 27 Steenstraat, Leiden, 2312BT · elfierroleiden.nl
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Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 17:45-20:30 · 6 Zwaaikom, Katwijk, 2225HX · arunthai.nl
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Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00; Tu off · 55 Steenstraat, Leiden, 2312BV · asianpalace-leiden.nl
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Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, International, Breakfast, Cake, Brunch, Coffee Shop, Lunch, Dinner, Shared Dining, Mezze, High Tea, Restaurant · Opening hours:… · blossomleiden.nl
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Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00+ Features: outdoor seating, step-free access · poort.nl
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Fine Dining, Diner, Lunch, Sandwich, Burger, Regional, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-00:00 Features: outdoor seating, step-free access, air conditioning ·… · cheersvoorhout.nl
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Argentinian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00 · 59 Steenstraat, Leiden, 2312BV · gaucholeiden.nl
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Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00+ Features: takeaway, vegetarian options · 7 Vrouwenkerkkoorstraat, Leiden, 2312WP · india-way.nl
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Indonesian, Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr-Su 12:00-22:00 · 15 Hoofdstraat, Leiderdorp, 2351AA · indrapoeraleiderdorp.nl
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Bubble Tea, Chinese, Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 4 Beestenmarkt, Leiden, 2312CC · mnoodlebar.nl
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Turkish, Pizza, Middle Eastern, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We,Th,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, halal ·… · meydanigrill.nl
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Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 15:00-22:00 · 11 Hoofdstraat, Leiderdorp, 2351AA · mrgyros.nl
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Dutch, Pancake, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-20:30 · 1 Ghoybos, Oud Ade, 2374BX · pannenkoekenboerderijdehooiberg.nl
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Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 15:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 81 Oude Vest, Leiden · pizzeria-pinoccio.nl
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Meat, Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-22:00 · 2 Rembrandtstraat, Leiden, 2311VW · rembrandtroast.nl
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Latin American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th,Su 11:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00 Features: outdoor seating · 27 Rembrandtstraat, Leiden, 2311VV · tabu.nl
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Lebanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 11:00-20:00; Th-Sa 11:00-21:00 Features: vegan options · 3 Van der Waalsstraat, Leiden, 2313VB · instagram.com
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Vietnamese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo, Th-Sa 11:30-21:30; Su 11:30-20:30; Tu-We 16:00-21:30 Features: takeaway · 8 Steenstraat, Leiden, 2312BW · vinasnoodles.nl
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Bagel, Cafe · Opening hours: We-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00 Features: vegan options, step-free access · 96 Lange Mare, Leiden, 2312GT · betterbagels.nl
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Middle Eastern, African, Moroccan, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Sa 17:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 10 Kaasmarkt, Leiden, 2312HZ · catootjeaandemarkt.nl
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Coffee, Dessert, Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00 · 97 Breestraat, Leiden, 2311CK · chummycoffee.nl
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355 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) 25 km to the centre
Amsterdam, NH, NL — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 79 airlines (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Transavia Holland, Alitalia, Delta Air Lines…) · direct flights to 232 destinations incl. Lisbon, Abu Dhabi, Copenhagen, Barcelona, London… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 79 airlines, 232 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

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Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) 23 km to the centre
Rotterdam, ZH, NL — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 8 airlines (Transavia Holland, British Airways, Air France, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 29 destinations incl. London, London, Alicante, Antalya, Barcelona… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves Amsterdam (55 km), Antwerpen (82 km) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 8 airlines, 29 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

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Getting there by ferry

Groene Hart Cruises
Ferry terminal · 2.2 km from the centre
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Steiger 2
Ferry terminal · 4.4 km from the centre
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Steiger 1
Ferry terminal · 5.4 km from the centre
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Veerdienst paddegat
Ferry terminal · 9.9 km from the centre
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Veerdienst oude wetering
Ferry terminal · 12 km from the centre
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Whisper Boats
Ferry terminal · 13 km from the centre
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Pontje Scheepswerf Klaas Hennepoel
Ferry route · Scheepswerf Klaas Hennepoel
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De Zijlboot
Ferry route
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Onverveerd
Ferry route
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Valkenburg - Rijnsburg
Ferry route
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Koudenhoorn-Zwanburgerpolder
Ferry route
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Zwanburgerpolder-Tengnagel
Ferry route
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Sweilandveer
Ferry route · Sweylandhoeve
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Spijkereiland
Ferry route
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Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. We do not yet hold airport or rail details for Leiden, Netherlands — check the official tourism sources below for the best routes in. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Groene Hart Cruises, 2.2 km); routes include Pontje Scheepswerf Klaas Hennepoel, De Zijlboot, Onverveerd.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Leiden, Netherlands. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.