Things to do in Leiden
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Naturalis – Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum
A stuffed elephant greets you at Naturalis – Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, a large, well-funded collection of all the usual dead critters and, notably, the million-year-old Java Man discovered by Dutch anthropologist Eugene Dubois in 1891.
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Verboden Toegang
This casual, elegant, wood-panelled restaurant doesn't take itself too seriously (the name means 'access forbidden'). The grub's top-notch, with an emphasis on seafood - try the butterfish in white wine.
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Annie’s
At the confluence of canals and pedestrian zones, Annie’s has a prime water-level location with dozens of tables on a floating pontoon. This classy cafe is good for a drink or a casual meal.
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Jazzcafé the Duke
‘If we don’t have it, you don’t need it’ is its motto, and amid this cool-cat interior of yellowing, vintage jazz posters, the fine live jazz never makes you doubt it.
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Leiden American Pilgrim Museum
In Leiden today, traces of the Pilgrims are elusive. The best place to start is the tiny Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, a fascinating restoration of a house occupied around 1610 by the soon-to-be Pilgrims. The house itself dates from 1375, but the furnishings are from the Pilgrims’ period. Note the tiles on the floor, originals from the 14th century. Pick up a walking-tour brochure, which helps you explore the surviving parts of 17th-century Leiden.
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Lakenhal
Get your Rembrandt fix at the 17th-century Lakenhal, which houses the Municipal Museum, with an assortment of works by Old Masters, as well as period rooms and temporary exhibits. The 1st floor has been restored to the way it would have looked when Leiden was at the peak of its prosperity.
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Museum Volkenkunde
Cultural achievements by civilisations worldwide are on show at the Museum Volkenkunde. More than 200,000 artefacts span China, South America and Africa. There’s a rich Indonesian collection; watch for performances by the museum’s gamelan troupe.
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De Brasserie de Engelenbak
Right in the shadow of the 17th-century octagonal Marekerk, this elegant bistro serves a seasonally changing menu of fresh fare that takes its cues from across the continent. Local organic produce features in many of the dishes. Tables outside enjoy views of the hoi polloi.
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Mangerie De Jonge Koekop
Mangerie De Jonge Koekop - always popular, this bistro has fresh and inventive fare. Dine under the stars at outside tables in summer. Look for the sculpted cow’s head on the front, which is as narrow as the first stalk of spring asparagus.
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Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden has a hieroglyphics collection and 94 human and animal mummies. The entrance hall contains the Temple of Taffeh, a gift from Egypt in 1969 for Dutch help in saving ancient monuments when the Aswan High Dam was built.
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Hortus Botanicus
The lush Hortus Botanicus, Europe’s oldest botanical garden (1587), is home to the country’s oldest descendants of the Dutch tulips. It’s a wonderful place to relax, with explosions of tropical colour and a fascinating steamy greenhouse.
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North End
This superb English-style pub is full of warmth, cosy nooks and character. It comes complete with its very own 'bourbon alley' (not very English, granted, but a welcome selection of booze all the same) and patented beer strippenkaart (strip card).
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La Cloche
A stalwart of the Pieterskerk district, the years have not dimmed the passion for fine dining at this very inviting Frenchified restaurant. In fact the flowers just seem to get fresher and more numerous. The inside is all elegance: brass and chandeliers.
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De Valk
Leiden’s landmark windmill museum, De Valk, has been carefully restored, and many consider it the best example of its kind. Its arms are free to turn ‘whenever possible’ and can still grind the grain.
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Brasserie Het Koetshuis
You can sit on the large terrace and ponder the ramparts or huddle inside at a long table in what was once stables. Cafe classics dominate the long and varied menu. It’s a good place just for a drink through the day and evening.
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De Burcht
De Burcht, an 11th-century citadel on an artificial hill, lost its protective functions as the city grew around it. Now it’s a park with lovely places to view the steeples and rooftops, and has a wonderful cafe at its base.
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Museum Boerhaave
Leiden University was an early centre for Dutch medical research. You can see the often-grisly results (five centuries of pickled organs, surgical tools and skeletons) at the Museum Boerhaave.
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Surakarta
Javanese art lines the walls at this neighbourhood Indonesian place, which does a busy takeaway service in addition to its elegant rijsttafel (array of spicy dishes served with white rice) service.
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Viva Italia
This classy and fine Italian joint, with its luxurious décor (including white-leather couches, no less) and fine service, dishes up upmarket vittles like veal with rolled-in Parma ham and basil pesto.
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Restaurant 't Einde
Small and sophisticated, with an excellent menu: exquisite meat, fish, poultry and seafood variations. Not too traditional, not too nouvelle cuisine, the food is mildly progressive and always delicious.
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St Pancraskerk
The huge pile of bricks is the 15th-century St Pancraskerk, an agglomeration of styles. Follow the huge steeple to Pieterskerk, which is often under restoration.
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Brasseriefyn
This cute little bistro is right on a canal and has tables outside when the Dutch weather allows. Dishes are sprightly and modern: chicory and ginger add spice and there are good vegie options.
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In Casa
This place is huge and, from the outside, looks as though it has no atmosphere – but appearances can be deceiving. It has live music, a dance floor, comedy and a variety of other events.
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Restaurant In Den Doofpot
There's little chance you're going to walk away hungry from this elegant place. It serves twists on Dutch home-style cooking with elaborate French touches and other less bulky options.
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Latin School
The Latin School, is gabled which – before it became a commercial building – was graced by a pupil named Rembrandt from 1616 to 1620.
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