Things to do in Leiden
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A
Kijkhuis
Has an alternative film programme.
reviewed
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B
Joho
Has travel books, maps, travel gear and supplies.
reviewed
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C
LVC
Huge pulsing venue with everything from disco to rave.
reviewed
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D
Mayflower Bookshop
Compact selection of new and used classics and fine fiction.
reviewed
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E
Botenverhuur ’t Galgewater
Hire a canoe or kayak from Botenverhuur ’t Galgewater and navigate the canals.
reviewed
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F
Stadscafé van der Werff
Bright, with large windows and the usual cafe menu. The terrace is a wonderful place on a sunny day.
reviewed
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G
Café Jantje van Leiden
As narrow as a brown cafe as you’ll find. Take your glass of beer and plop down on a bench out the front.
reviewed
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H
Marekerk
The Marekerk dates to 1639 and has a beautiful eight-sided wooden interior. Try to sneak a peak during Sunday services.
reviewed
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Café l’Esperance
Long, dark and handsome, all decked out in nostalgic wood panelling and overlooking an evocative bend in the canal. Tables abound outside in summer.
reviewed
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J
Café de WW
On Fridays and Saturdays, live rock can expand to an impromptu stage in the alley with crowds trailing up to the main street. On other nights there’s a DJ.
reviewed
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K
Rederij Rembrandt
There are leisurely one-hour canal boat tours of the channel around the old town centre with Rederij Rembrandt with commentary (English available).
reviewed
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L
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.
reviewed
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M
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.
reviewed
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N
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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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O
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.
reviewed
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P
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.
reviewed
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Q
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.
reviewed
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R
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.
reviewed
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S
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.
reviewed
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T
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.
reviewed
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U
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.
reviewed
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V
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.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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X
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).
reviewed