Top 3 Itineraries in Leiden

No matter how long you plan to stay, there’s a perfect trip to Leiden.

If you only have a few days, Leiden weekend getaways are the perfect option. A 3 to 5-day stay in Leiden offers just enough time to soak in the highlights

For a balanced mix of sightseeing and relaxation, city breaks in Leiden are ideal. With a few extra days, you can dive deeper into Leiden’s most iconic landmarks, stroll through charming neighborhoods, and savor local cuisine at a leisurely pace.

For those who crave freedom and discovery, road trips through Leiden offer the perfect opportunity to explore beyond the city. With the open road ahead, you’ll uncover Netherlands's most scenic landscapes, visit charming towns, and discover hidden gems along the way.

Explore all the best trips for every travel style below and make your next trip to Leiden truly unforgettable!

If you’re as convinced as we are that Leiden belongs on your bucket list, you're in luck. The best trips to Leiden are just a quick search away.

Enter your dates below to discover the best travel packages in Leiden and start planning your next trip!

Discover the perfect Leiden itinerary with our handpicked list. Each of these 3 itineraries is crafted to match different travel styles. So whether you're in Leiden just for a weekend, or you plan to see more on a longer city break or road trip, there's an itinerary for you!

With detailed routes, top attractions, and insider tips, these itineraries will help you experience the best of Leiden without missing a thing. Dive into our list and learn how to plan the ultimate trip to Leiden!

A scenic 14-day road trip through Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Oegstgeest, 's-Hertogenbosch, and Apeldoorn is one of the best ways to experience Netherlands. With the freedom to travel at your own pace, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make spontaneous stops between the planned activities on your itinerary.

A 14-day itinerary means that Leiden can easily be combined with other top destinations in Netherlands without stress. While it’s possible to travel between Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Oegstgeest, 's-Hertogenbosch, and Apeldoorn by public transport, renting a car in Netherlands opens up a whole new level of freedom!

So, with 14 days to spend, all you need is a rental car, some hotel reservations, and this iconic road trip itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Eindhoven

• Arrival city: Eindhoven
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Eindhoven, e.g., Queen Hotel Eindhoven Cafe Restaurant
• Sightseeing: Stadswandelpark

Begin your road trip adventure by picking up your rental car at the airport upon arrival in Eindhoven. Drive to your centrally located hotel, which offers convenient access to local attractions. Spend the day exploring nearby sights, and in the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling regional flavors and soaking up the atmosphere.

Day 2: Explore Drunen and Kaatsheuvel

• Destinations: Drunen and Kaatsheuvel
• Driving distance: 83.4 km, approx. 1 hour and 31 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in North Brabant, e.g., Hotel Het Arresthuis
• Sightseeing: Efteling, Baron 1898, and The Loonse and Drunense Duinen National Park

Set out on a day of discovery and visit Efteling, Baron 1898, and The Loonse and Drunense Duinen National Park. Take time to enjoy the scenery and local highlights of Drunen and Kaatsheuvel, with the freedom to stop at whatever sight catches your interest. By the end of the day, check-in at a new hotel, located in central North Brabant.

Day 3: Discover 's-Hertogenbosch, Haarzuilens, and Rhenen

• Destinations: 's-Hertogenbosch, Haarzuilens, and Rhenen
• Driving distance: 178.94 km, approx. 2 hours and 37 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in The Hague, e.g., Motel One Brussels
• Sightseeing: St John's Cathedral, Ouwehands Zoo, and Castle De Haar
• Recommended tour: Get the best out of Delft by creating memories during our private walking tour!

Spend the day exploring St John's Cathedral, Ouwehands Zoo, and Castle De Haar. Take scenic drives or walking tours to experience the area’s charm at your own pace. End the day by checking into a new hotel, conveniently located in central The Hague.

Day 4: Experience Rotterdam

• Destinations: Rotterdam
• Driving distance: 54.57 km, approx. 1 hour and 33 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in The Hague, e.g., Motel One Brussels
• Sightseeing: Rotterdam Zoo, Kunsthal Rotterdam, Kijk-Kubus Museum-house, and Erasmusbrug
• Recommended tour: Delft: Dive into the Golden Age with a Private Local Guide

Continue your journey through Rotterdam, where you can explore Rotterdam Zoo, Kunsthal Rotterdam, Kijk-Kubus Museum-house, and Erasmusbrug. Make time for a break at a cozy café or scenic picnic spot.

Day 5: Enjoy Sightseeing in Den Haag

• Destinations: Den Haag
• Driving distance: 14.51 km, approx. 42 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in The Hague, e.g., Motel One Brussels
• Sightseeing: Escher in the Palace, Louwman Museum, Mauritshuis, and Kunstmuseum The Hague
• Recommended tour: Royal The Hague Private Guided Walking Tour

Drive through Den Haag, stopping to visit Escher in the Palace, Louwman Museum, Mauritshuis, and Kunstmuseum The Hague. Embrace the opportunity to explore smaller towns and hidden gems off the beaten path.

Day 6: Embrace the Spirit of Oegstgeest, Leiden, and Lisse

• Destinations: Oegstgeest, Leiden, and Lisse
• Driving distance: 73.03 km, approx. 1 hour and 42 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in The Hague, e.g., Motel One Brussels
• Sightseeing: Corpus, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Keukenhof, and Hortus Botanicus Leiden
• Recommended tour: Walking Tour of Delft - The City of Orange and Blue

Spend time discovering Corpus, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Keukenhof, and Hortus Botanicus Leiden, with plenty of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities or enjoy local culture.

Day 7: Spend Time in Amsterdam

• Destinations: Amsterdam
• Driving distance: 102.42 km, approx. 1 hour and 35 minutes
• Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Hoorn, e.g., Ysbrantsz Boutique Hotel
• Sightseeing: Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Moco Museum, and Van Gogh Museum

Explore Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Moco Museum, and Van Gogh Museum at a relaxed pace. Make spontaneous stops for sightseeing, photography, or lunch at a family-run restaurant. Finish the day by checking into another comfortable hotel in the center of Hoorn.

Day 8: Explore Amsterdam and Amstelveen

• Destinations: Amsterdam and Amstelveen
• Driving distance: 112.39 km, approx. 2 hours and 17 minutes
• Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Hoorn, e.g., Ysbrantsz Boutique Hotel
• Sightseeing: Dungeon Amsterdam, De 9 Straatjes, Anne Frank House, Het Amsterdamse Bos, and Vondelpark
• Recommended tour: Round trip, Visit The Harbor of the Netherlands with an Electric boat in Hoorn

Continue your road trip through Amsterdam and Amstelveen, enjoying the flexibility to explore Dungeon Amsterdam, De 9 Straatjes, Anne Frank House, Het Amsterdamse Bos, and Vondelpark and nearby points of interest.

Day 9: Wander Through Amsterdam

• Destinations: Amsterdam
• Driving distance: 95.22 km, approx. 1 hour and 48 minutes
• Accommodation: 2-star hotel in Hoorn, e.g., Ysbrantsz Boutique Hotel
• Sightseeing: Rembrandt House Museum, NEMO Science Museum, Hortus Botanicus, and ARTIS
• Recommended tour: Museum of the Twentieth Century in Hoorn Admission Ticket

Visit Rembrandt House Museum, NEMO Science Museum, Hortus Botanicus, and ARTIS as you navigate scenic routes. Take time to enjoy local markets, trails, or viewpoints that catch your eye.

Day 10: Uncover Amsterdam

• Destinations: Amsterdam
• Driving distance: 48.3 km, approx. 54 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Amsterdam, e.g., nhow Amsterdam RAI
• Sightseeing: Madame Tussauds Amsterdam, BODY WORLDS Amsterdam, Royal Palace Amsterdam, and Dam Square
• Recommended tour: Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter

Continue your exploration of Madame Tussauds Amsterdam, BODY WORLDS Amsterdam, Royal Palace Amsterdam, and Dam Square, taking your time to enjoy scenic drives or leisurely strolls that add to the adventure. End the day by checking into a lovely hotel in Amsterdam.

Day 11: Journey Through Luttelgeest and Arnhem

• Destinations: Luttelgeest and Arnhem
• Driving distance: 208.3 km, approx. 2 hours and 47 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Arnhem, e.g., The Market Hotel Groningen
• Sightseeing: Burgers' Zoo, Pantropica (voorheen de Orchideeën Hoeve), Netherlands Open Air Museum, and Park Sonsbeek

Take in the highlights of Burgers' Zoo, Pantropica (voorheen de Orchideeën Hoeve), Netherlands Open Air Museum, and Park Sonsbeek, with plenty of opportunities to pause for a break in charming villages or serene natural settings. Conclude your day with a stay at a different hotel in the heart of Arnhem.

Day 12: Travel Through Apeldoorn, Ede, and Posterenk

• Destinations: Apeldoorn, Ede, and Posterenk
• Driving distance: 105.2 km, approx. 1 hour and 52 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Arnhem, e.g., The Market Hotel Groningen
• Sightseeing: Kröller-Müller Museum, Apenheul, Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe, and Bussloo Recreation Area
• Recommended tour: e-Scavenger hunt Arnhem: Explore the city at your own pace

Take the opportunity to explore Kröller-Müller Museum, Apenheul, Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe, and Bussloo Recreation Area, some of the top attractions in the area. Discover the surroundings by taking detours through charming villages and serene nature.

Day 13: Enjoy the Best of Evertsoord and Bergen

• Destinations: Evertsoord and Bergen
• Driving distance: 141.27 km, approx. 2 hours and 20 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Eindhoven, e.g., Queen Hotel Eindhoven Cafe Restaurant
• Sightseeing: Troy, Toverland, and National Park De Maasduinen
• Recommended tour: e-Scavenger hunt Den Bosch: Explore the city at your own pace

Explore Troy, Toverland, and National Park De Maasduinen as you near the end of your road trip. Take advantage of the opportunity to delve into local culture, whether through a museum visit or a tasting experience. Wrap up the day by settling into a new hotel in central Eindhoven.

Day 14: Maximize the Last Day in Evertsoord and Bergen

• Destinations: Eindhoven
• Sightseeing: Flying Pins

Enjoy your last full day on the road, visiting Flying Pins and making time for spontaneous detours or local events. Return to Eindhoven for your final night.

Day 14: Bid Farewell to Eindhoven

• Departure city: Eindhoven
• Driving distance: 1.64 km, approx. 23 minutes
• Sightseeing: Flying Pins

Savor an hour or two for souvenir shopping or revisiting a favorite spot before it’s time to say goodbye to Eindhoven. Drop off your rental car at the airport a couple of hours before departure for a seamless end to your trip.

The estimated cost for a rental car and accommodations for each night along the route is around 2077 EUR for two people, providing a value-for-money way to experience what's beyond Leiden. So, if you’re ready to explore iconic landmarks, scenic routes, and charming towns at your own pace, this 14-day road trip itinerary through Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Oegstgeest, 's-Hertogenbosch, and Apeldoorn is an excellent choice.

Looking for something different? Explore more road trips with a stop in Leiden for alternative itineraries, routes, and durations.

Enjoy a 5-day city break in Leiden with the perfect itinerary, designed to showcase the city’s top sights, local flavors, and hidden corners.

No need to stress over the details – we’ve curated the perfect 5-day itinerary to give you a seamless outline for your trip. Use this itinerary to capture the best of Leiden without the hassle of planning.

Day 1: Begin Your Journey in Leiden

Arrive in Leiden and start your trip with a relaxing walk through town, discovering highlights like Van der Werf Park.

Take in the local charm as you wander the streets, and as evening approaches, indulge in a delicious dinner at Café Barrera, a top local restaurant—the ideal way to kick off your getaway!

Day 2: Discover Nearby Attractions and Iconic Landmarks

Enjoy your first full day in Leiden by heading out for some must-see sightseeing. Explore around town and visit popular attractions like the iconic Corpus, National Museum of Ethnology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and Morschpoort.

Choose a walking tour to embrace a relaxed exploration. Alternatively, go for a tour by bus or bike to cover a larger part of Leiden in the same amount of time.

In the evening, head out for another lovely dinner and raise a glass to a fantastic day of exploring!

A 5-day weekend getaway in Leiden offers the perfect break from the hustle of daily life.

However, with a well-planned Leiden itinerary, you can effortlessly experience the best of the city in just a few days. Picture yourself exploring iconic landmarks, savoring local cuisine, and wandering charming neighborhoods—it's all within reach as long as you know how to plan your trip properly.

With 5 days to spend, this is the perfect Leiden weekend itinerary for your trip:

Day 1 - Arrive in Leiden

Arrive in Leiden around noon and head to your hotel for an early check-in.

• Morning: Take some time to relax and refresh after your journey, or get a head start by visiting a nearby landmark.
• Afternoon: Ease into your trip with some sightseeing, for example, visiting Van der Werf Park, and soak in the surroundings.
• Evening: Dine at a popular restaurant and celebrate the start of the vacation with some drinks.

Day 2 - Discover Leiden’s Famous Sights

Maximize your first full day in Leiden with sightseeing, food, and drinks.

• Morning: Visit Corpus early to avoid crowds and enjoy the views.
• Afternoon: Continue to Naturalis Biodiversity Center, stopping by National Museum of Ethnology for a break and some photos.
• Evening: Dine at a popular restaurant and cap off the day at a local bar.

Day 3 - Immerse in the Local Culture of Leiden

No itinerary in Leiden is complete without trying the city's top local delicacies and experiencing the culture.

• Morning: Start with a traditional breakfast to fuel up for the day and then head to Polderpark Cronesteyn.
• Afternoon: Explore National Museum of Antiquities and Hortus Botanicus Leiden, stopping at markets, boutiques, museums, or exhibitions along the way.
• Evening: Enjoy a dinner featuring regional specialties and finish with a night tour of the city’s illuminated landmarks.

Day 5 - Depart from Leiden

Make the most of your last few hours in Leiden before your departure.

• Morning: Grab a light breakfast at a local bakery or café and take a final stroll nearby.
• Afternoon: If you have time, do some last-minute sightseeing.

For more ideas, explore our complete selection of weekend trips to Leiden. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or want to extend the weekend, these trips all come with pre-planned but customizable Leiden itineraries, ensuring an effortless travel experience.

As you explore Leiden, you’ll find countless layers of history, art, and local charm waiting to be uncovered.

Finding the right place to stay is essential for a comfortable trip. This is why we've also gathered our top recommendations for the best places to stay in Leiden for you.

Wherever your journey takes you, we’re here to make every step memorable. From expert tips to local insights, count on us to help you experience Leiden in a way that feels truly unforgettable!