Visit Leiden in 2 days

Where to Stay in Leiden

Location matters in Leiden because the city is delightfully compact: the best museums, churches and canals are clustered within easy reach of each other, so choosing a base that keeps you on foot or a short bike ride from the centre saves time and stress. For a two-day visit where the Evangelisch Lutherse kerk and the Bibliotheca Thysiana are priorities, plan around proximity rather than luxury—being near the right canal or street will give you more sightseeing hours and calmer evenings.

Leiden is organised around its historic Binnenstad with long canals like the Oude Rijn and elegant streets that fan out to quieter residential pockets and university quads. The Bibliotheca Thysiana sits near the Rapenburg canal and the academic precinct, so the narrow, stately streets there feel scholarly and peaceful. The Evangelisch Lutherse kerk is also centrally located, so the neighbourhoods that straddle the inner canals put you within easy walking distance of both sites and of cafés where you can decompress between visits.

For a practical neighbourhood strategy, focus on the Rapenburg and adjacent Binnenstad areas if you want morning quiet and immediate access to the Bibliotheca Thysiana. If you prefer being closer to restaurants and evening activity after visiting the Evangelisch Lutherse kerk, aim for lodging along the main canals or near the Pieterskerk/Breestraat corridor. Alternatively, staying a short cycle ride from the centre gives you calmer streets and local character without sacrificing convenience.

Transport in Leiden is straightforward: arrive and depart via Leiden Centraal, then walk or pick up a rental bike—Leiden is best explored on two wheels and most distances to the sites you mention are a comfortable walking or cycling trip. Buses cover outlying neighbourhoods, but for two days you’ll rarely need them if you’re based centrally. If mobility is a concern, choose ground-floor or elevator-access accommodation near the canals to minimize steps.

Finally, relax: Leiden’s compactness is its gift. Prioritise a neighbourhood that keeps both the Evangelisch Lutherse kerk and Bibliotheca Thysiana within a 10–20 minute walk, and you’ll trade transit stress for lingering canal-side coffees and unhurried museum time. Whatever your choice, aim for proximity over perfection—location will make your short stay feel much longer and more peaceful.

Getting Around Leiden

Leiden is delightfully easy to navigate by public transport and on foot — the city center is compact, signs and announcements are in English, and services are frequent. The backbone of regional travel is the NS train network via Leiden Centraal, while local journeys are covered by regular buses that link neighborhoods and nearby towns. Even if you’re new to Dutch transit, the rhythm of tapping in, following platform signs, and stepping off at clearly marked stops becomes second nature in a day. 🚇

A practical tip: get an OV-chipkaart if you’ll be in the Netherlands for several days — it’s a reusable contactless card that you can top up at station machines or online. For short visits you can buy single-use disposable cards from ticket machines, or simply use a contactless bank card or mobile wallet where accepted. Always remember to tap on when boarding and tap off when leaving trains and most buses; it’s the easiest way to avoid fines and ensures you’re charged correctly. If you prefer, you can also buy point-to-point tickets from the NS ticket machines at the station.

Plan trips with confidence using Google Maps or the NS app: they provide live departures, platform numbers, and walking or cycling routes between points of interest. I rely on live updates when a tram or bus is running late, and the apps will reroute you seamlessly. For short hops across town Google’s walking directions are often faster and more scenic than waiting for a bus, showing you the canal-side routes and small bridges that make Leiden so charming. 🗺️

To save money, mix walking or cycling with a single public-transport hop. Leiden is wonderfully bike-friendly; renting a bike for a day often beats buying multiple single tickets and lets you explore hidden courtyards at your own pace. If you’re staying longer, the reusable OV-chipkaart offers the most convenience; for a quick stay, a disposable ticket or contactless payment keeps things simple and tidy.

I still smile at a memory of guiding friends from the Evangelisch Lutherse kerk to the Bibliotheca Thysiana. We opened Google Maps, saw it was a pleasant 8–12 minute walk along the canals, and chose to stroll rather than wait for a bus. We passed narrow bridges, popped into a café, and arrived refreshed — quicker than the bus, cheaper than a taxi, and infinitely more charming. If you want to take public transport instead, the NS app and local bus info make that decision painless; you’ll soon feel like a local. 🎫

What to Pack for Leiden

Leiden is compact, historic, and best explored on foot — I once wandered its canals and churches for two full days and logged close to 12 miles. You won’t need heavy outdoor gear or museum passes, but a few practical items make the difference between a dreamy stroll past the Oude Sterrewacht and a soggy, tired afternoon. Here’s what I always bring and why each piece matters.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (REQUIRED — e.g., Merrell Moab or Allbirds Wool Runners): I learned this the hard way after a day that turned into a 10-hour walking marathon around old churches and landmarks; my feet survived because I had supportive shoes. Cobblestones and narrow bridges are everywhere in Leiden, so shoes with good sole grip and cushioning keep you from limping by evening.

2. Cross-body bag: I carry a small cross-body that zips close to me when I visit busy churchyards and markets — on one afternoon I was out for 9+ hours and needed quick access to my phone, wallet, and tram card. It keeps valuables secure (leaner against pickpockets) and frees both hands for photos or leaflets about the churches.

3. Weather-appropriate layers (light waterproof jacket + sweater): Dutch weather shifts fast — I got caught in a drizzle between two landmarks in under 20 minutes. A lightweight waterproof shell and a mid-layer meant I stayed warm without sweating, and I could fold the jacket into my bag when the sun returned. Think layers you can add or shed while walking 5–8 miles a day.

4. EU power adapter (Type C/E/F) with USB ports: My phone and camera drained quickly after taking dozens of church interiors and canal shots; having a compact EU adapter with a USB-C port saved me a frantic hunt for a shop. The Netherlands uses 230V sockets, so an adapter (or a small travel charger) is essential if you’re from outside Europe.

5. Power bank (10,000–20,000 mAh): I once ran my phone flat halfway through a self-guided walking route; a 15,000 mAh power bank gave me two full charges so I could keep maps, photos, and contactless payments working all day. For long days out (8–12 hours), this is the single most calming item to have.

6. Optional — compact umbrella & lightweight scarf: On day two a sudden rain shower lasted 30 minutes; the tiny umbrella folded into my bag and I stayed dry. The scarf doubled as a quick layer inside chilly churches and made a modest, respectful cover-up if you visit religious sites where shoulders should be covered.