Leiden
It’s only a 20-minute drive from Noordwijk to Leiden. The most
remarkable hallmark of this historical city is the water. With 28 km of canals
and 88 bridges, Leiden’s city centre can be viewed perfectly from the water.
But the compact and conveniently arranged city centre can be discovered really
well by walking too.
Leiden is also known for its ‘Leidse Hofjes’: 35 little gardens, idyllic little
places in the city centre that exclude the noise of the city and where it looks
as if time stood still. There’s a special city walk that takes you right to
those gardens. This city walk is available at Visitor Centre Leiden: Stationsweg
41, 2312 AT Leiden. Phone: 071-516 60 00.
Het Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) is the archaeological museum of the Netherlands. The emphasis lies on the Egyptians, the Romans and ancient Greeks. There’s a lot of attention for the Dutch archaeological history as well. Address: Rapenburg 28, 2311 EW Leiden. Phone: 071 – 5163163. More info: www.rmo.nl.
Het Rijksmuseum van Volkenkunde (Museum
Volkenkunde) renovated and more beautiful than ever, this museum occupies
itself with displaying people from around the world. Due to the interactive way
of display, the museum is very suitable to visit with children. Address: Steenstraat
1, 2312 BS Leiden. Phone:
071 – 5168800. More info: www.volkenkunde.nl.
In
the centre of Leiden, you’ll find the museum Boerhaave, national treasure of 400
years of development of natural and medical science. The crowd puller is the
anatomical theatre that was used to give anatomical lessons. Address: Lange St
Agnietenstraat 10, 2312 WC Leiden. Phone: 071 – 5214224. More info: www.museumboerhaave.nl.
Molenmuseum de Valk
is a beautiful flourmill from 1743 that stands 29 metres tall and has 7 floors.
Located on the walls of Leiden and completely safe to enter. Address: 2e
Binnenvestgracht 1, 2312 BZ Leiden. Phone: 071 – 5165353. More info: www.molendevalk.leiden.nl.