Summer Holidays in the Leiden Region

Summer is a great time to experience the natural beauty and vibrant culture of the Leiden region. There are plenty of events happening in the city and across the region. Nature lovers can visit the Hortus botanicus Leiden and Leidsehout park, and those who prefer water activities can rent a boat or go SUP-boarding, kayaking, and much more!

Hortus botanicus Leiden
Hortus botanicus Leiden

For the upcoming summer, you can buy tickets for a guided tour in English through the Hortus botanicus and marvel at the blooming plants and flowers of different shapes and sizes.

Find more information here
Leidse Hout
Leidse Hout

Every Sunday afternoon, there will be free concerts in the Waterlily bandstand at Leidse Hout park. You can experience many different music genres, such as jazz, folk, country, funk, latin and more.

Find more information here
Boerderij 't Geertje's farm
Boerderij 't Geertje's farm

Get a taste of life on the farm! At Boerderij 't Geertje, everyone is free to come and see the animals. You can feed the goats and take a pony ride. You can also take a walking route through the farm.

Find more information here

Water activities

The Leiden region is located in Zuid-Holland, one of the most water-abundant Dutch provinces. Leiden's historic city centre is home to no fewer than 28 kilometres of canals and is surrounded by various lakes. Moreover, the North Sea is only a few kilometres away.

Nearby Leiden, Vlietland's Water Sports Centre offers a range of activities, from sailing to climbing and more. Take a look at their website for more information.

Check out all the water activities here

Activities for kids

In the Leiden region, there is always something fun to do for kids, from children’s activities in the city to nature playgrounds and petting farms. For example, you can take your kids to special activities in museums and theatres or to a children’s film in the cinema. You can also find a range of fun treasure hunts for children.

Discover more activities for kids here

In the Young Rembrandt Studio, the 17th-century house at Langebrug 89 in Leiden, Rembrandt spent his younger years (1606 – 1630) learning how to draw, paint and make etchings at the hand of his mentor Jacob van Swanenburgh. A special seven-minute ‘video mapping’ projection introduces you to the young master painter and the most important key figures in his life. 
Learn more about Young Rembrandt
Did you know that the Pilgrim Fathers lived in Leiden for twelve years before leaving for America? Seen as the founders of the United States of America, the Pilgrim Fathers have around 25 million American descendants today. Did they take anything from their Leiden period with them to America?
Learn more about Pilgrims in Leiden
Leiden has no fewer than 35 courtyards (hofjes). Anyone unsuspectingly opening a door between two houses can suddenly find themselves standing in a beautiful historic courtyard! Every courtyard has its own story to tell. Many of the courtyards are still inhabited and, to be honest, who wouldn't want to live here? Almost all the courtyards can be visited, but please respect the residents’ privacy.
Explore the courtyards of Leiden

Mills & More Route
Mills & More Route

The ‘Mills & More’ cycle route takes you past no less than 20 windmills and other beautiful sights.
Farmer's Cheese Route
Farmer's Cheese Route

On this route you'll cycle through a rural area rich in water and nature, with a colourful collection of flowers along the verges.
Trekvaart Route
Trekvaart Route

The Trekvaart route shows and makes you experience the historic waterways of Leiden and Oegstgeest.

Singelpark
Singelpark

This walk around the outskirts of the historic city centre gives a surprising perspective of a city slowly wresting itself free of the confines of the city walls.
Wall Poems
Wall Poems

Over 120 poems can be found on the walls of Leiden, in a wide range of languages and scripts. Discover them here.
Along the Old Rhine
Along the Old Rhine

This route takes you through the beautiful municipality of Leiderdorp, allowing you to explore the historic town which itself is situated alongside the Old Rhine river.

Created jointly with Leiden University Libraries, the exhibition "Maps: Navigate & Manipulate" in Museum Volkenkunde shows the variety and beauty of maps from around the world, and looks at how the creator chooses which version of reality we see.
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From April 6 to December 18, the Castle Duivenvoorde in Voorschoten will open its doors to the public for the exhibition "Franje & Oranje" (Fringe & Orange) on the Dutch Royal Family, which shows the family's connection to Castle Duivenvoorde.
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From May 4 until August 27, the JapanMuseum SieboldHuis will host a new exhibition about Japanese fables and fairy tales in which animals and demons are central.
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From April 22 to September 3, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden is hosting a new exhibition entitled "Kemet: Egypt in hip-hop, jazz, soul & funk". This exhibition focuses on music and events related to ancient Egyptian culture.
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From April 18, the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave will host the exhibition "Unimaginable", bringing the visitors as close as possible to Antoni van Leeuwenhoek. You are, as it were, looking over his seventeenth-century shoulder.
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Visit the Young Rembrandt Studio for free
Visit the Young Rembrandt Studio for free
Meet the young Rembrandt in a beautiful 7-minute 3D video experience in the house where he was taught by master...
weekly
Helpdesk for Internationals
Helpdesk for Internationals
Have a question about being an international in Leiden? Our helpdesk is available to give free help and advice...
until 1 January 2025
Korenweekend
Korenweekend
Fancy a little music? From pop songs, classics, musical songs to Christmas songs! Everything can be heard during...
until 22 December