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LeidenSummer activities

Our most recommended Leiden Summer activities

Leiden: Guided City Canal Cruise

1. Leiden: Guided City Canal Cruise

Explore Leiden from a different angle on a comfortable canal cruise. Learn about the city from your captain, see the Leiden City Hall from the water, and pass under many of Leiden's famous bridges. Board your cruise in the city center and begin your adventure through Leiden's 17 miles of canals. Cruise through the historic city center and pass the City Hall, the luscious Hortus Botanicus Garden, and the Museum De Lakenhal. As you explore the canals of Leiden, cruise under many of its 88 bridges. Sit back and enjoy the view while your captain tells you fascinating facts about Leiden and the sights you pass. If you wish to enjoy a drink or a snack as you cruise, you can purchase one at the departure point before boarding.

Leiden: Electric Boat Rental

2. Leiden: Electric Boat Rental

See the many canals of Leiden on board a private boat. Cruise to your own destinations, with no itinerary, and yourself as captain to direct the adventure. First, board the boat with your friends and family. Depart from the dock and begin your exploration of the 88 canals that encircle the city center. Then, dock at one of the many parks along the water, and discover why some call the city Singelpark. Hop back on board the boat and continue around the 28 kilometers of canals. Finally, you'll arrive back at the dock and climb back on dry land with a new appreciation of the city. Leave your cruise with a better understanding of the canals, your boating skills, and Leiden.

From Leiden City: Kaag Lakes Windmill Cruise

3. From Leiden City: Kaag Lakes Windmill Cruise

Embark on a scenic boat cruise on the Kaag Lakes from Leiden and discover the beautiful landscape, known for its shallow lakes, islands, polders, and many windmills. Sit back and relax as you enjoy the views and get to know the Green Heart of Holland.  Sail from the historical city of 'Leiden' for a beautiful cruise through the Green Heart, characterized by shallow lakes and islands. The islands are polders and are still being drained by 18 restored polder mills in operation. Most of these mills can be seen during the cruise. This is Holland in its entirety: polders, cows, windmills, lakes, beautiful views and beautiful Dutch villages. The different areas within the Green Heart of Holland have their own character and appearance.  The captain informs you about all the sights during the trip and in good weather you can of course also enjoy the deck where you have a wide view of the surroundings. Drinks, snacks, and simple lunch items are available to purchase. 

Leiden: Paddleboard Rental to Explore Leiden's Canals

4. Leiden: Paddleboard Rental to Explore Leiden's Canals

Enjoy Leiden in the most unique and sporty way in search of the most beautiful and nicest places. Do you have experience? Get on immediately and paddle past many sights in 2 hours. Is it the first time? Then you start with an instruction at the harbor office to quickly master the supping. After the instruction, your tour begins to the many beautiful places that the city has to offer. The city where Rembrandt was born with the Academy Building where he studied, the canals, city gates, bridges, windmills and the courtyards along the water.

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Frequently asked questions about Leiden Summer activities

What are other things to do than Summer activities that are worth visiting in Leiden?

The other unmissable things to do in Leiden are:

Other Sightseeing Options in Leiden

Want to discover all there is to do in Leiden? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Leiden

I use a wheelchair and wanted to take a boat trip from Leiden with my wife. On Monday we bought the tickets for Wednesday online. It also said on the "getyourguide" website that the ship is barrier-free. To be on the safe side, we drove past the port in Leiden on Tuesday, where the ship was parked. Unfortunately, this ship was in no way barrier-free. I then called the shipping company, who confirmed this to me. The nice lady spoke German very well and rebooked our trip from Leiden to Katwijk. This ship had a hydraulic wheelchair lift "hidden" under the stairs, with the help of which the captain got me into the passenger compartment very well.

We had such a great time exploring on this self tour! It ended up being the best part of our trip! Got to see local gems we never would have experienced and had a lot of fun driving around. Friendly, easy and informative. Would definitely do another route if we came back. Thank you!!

Great value for money. Two hours and many beautiful typical Dutch sights on the way: windmills, lakes, boathouses, etc. The personnel was also lovely and they serve some refreshments on board too which is great. Finally, the ship was clean and roomy, which I appreciated a lot.

Nice day out in Leiden and we really enjoyed the Dutch landscape on the cruise

It was a great way to see the windmills staff were friendly and welcoming