Explorations of a South Holland city where you are never far from water.
The first time I visited the Netherlands, I was the typical tourist and only visited Amsterdam before heading off to Belgium. This time I was determined to see more of the country. Luckily the western Netherlands is very compact with great public transportation. I was easily able to stay in the Hague the entire time and just day trip from there.
Leiden is a typical city in Holland, which is the western, oceanside region of the Netherlands. It has canals, lots of canals. Though they are not as famous of those in Amsterdam, they do look pretty similar. However, Leiden is a bit more chill than Amsterdam.
Wandering Jana Molen De Valk. One simply cannot go to the Netherlands without seeing a windmill. This one just happens to be right in town near the train station.
Wandering Jana Adorable little houses along a canal. The historic center of Leiden is encircled by a canal, once used for defense.
Wandering Jana So very Dutch.
Wandering Jana An adorable little neighborhood.
Wandering Jana Former shop? Love the windows though.
Wandering Jana The 17th century Morschpoort and the Morschpoortbrug (bridge). It served as the western gate into the city. Only two of the eight city gates still remain. Apparently, there used to be a prison in the dome area.
Wandering Jana Gardens along a canal.
Wandering Jana Oh, look, another windmill (Molen De Put)! And one of those weird canal lift bridges!
Wandering Jana Stadstimmerwerf (city carpenter yard), featuring canal boats and the very cool former residence of Leiden’s master carpenter, now a museum.
Wandering Jana So many canal boats.
Wandering Jana The Beestenmarkt (Animal Market), featuring the Hotel Mayflower. The Puritan Pilgrims stayed in Leiden for awhile before heading to what is now Massachusetts.
Wandering Jana Need more seating room? Why not park a canal boat in front of your restaurant?
Wandering Jana A typical canal. However, Leiden’s canals tend to be wider than those in Amsterdam.
Wandering Jana Museum De Lakenhal, in an old clothmakers’ hall.
Wandering Jana With its little windmill over the entrance.
Wandering Jana Marebrug, a massive lift bridge.
Wandering Jana Most of the buildings along the canal are fairly simple. A few are very fancy.
Wandering Jana Marekerk, tucked away behind buildings.
Wandering Jana That building on the right has some interesting windows.
Wandering Jana The little awnings, love.
Wandering Jana Cute narrow side street.
Wandering Jana Gemeentehaven (Municipal Harbor) is along the widest canal that bisects the historic center.
Wandering Jana The other remaining city gate, the 17th century Zijlpoort.
Wandering Jana I think this building is laughing at me.
Wandering Jana Another adorable side street.
Wandering Jana I wonder how many bikes fall into the canals a year.
Wandering Jana A rare open space in the historic center. This is probably a filled in canal based on it’s appearance and route.
Wandering Jana A narrow path between a brick building and the city’s castle.
Wandering Jana Which is just an medieval fortification on a hill.
Wandering Jana Hooglandse Kerk. It’s very common to see buildings built right up on the side of massive churches.
Wandering Jana Another small open space, with the Gravensteen (originally constructed as a fortification) on the left and the 12th century Pieterskerk, now used as an event space.
Wandering Jana Not the most pleasing looking lighting system.
Wandering Jana The floor is covered in gravestones of the people buried under neath. A few have been removed and displayed along the walls. Dutch tombstones typically didn’t have carvings of people, making this pretty unique.
Wandering Jana Leiden’s very fancy city hall.
Wandering Jana Ending with this gorgeous building, the Gemeenlandshuis van Rijnland (Common House of the Rhineland).
I really enjoyed Leiden, even though I was super jet lagged and, while sunny, it was just above freezing in the morning. I think I saw so much of Leiden because I just kept walking to keep warm. I only showed a small fraction of the pictures I had taken on my visit. There is so much more to explore.
Check out my next update where I will be exploring the original Haarlem!
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Start at the beginning of this European adventure!
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Wonderful article and photos. Thank you! My husband and I visited Holland in 2007 and traveled throughout – including Leiden. I have great memories of Leiden. A beautiful city.