The NYT has discovered Leiden

Posted by Mardee (Minnesota🌲) on 11/16/25 02:03 PM

I opened up my email this morning to find an article from the New York Times about Leiden. Captioned "All the Canals and Charm of Amsterdam. None of the Crowds," it describes Leiden as a city whose university is often called the Oxford of the Netherlands, that features museums, gardens, murals and plenty of ways to stretch your mind.

All very true, although it makes me a little nervous that more people will discover the beauty of Leiden, and the crowds will start coming. But I'm altruistic at heart, and I want to share lovely destinations that deserve to be visited. So here is a look at one of my favorite places in Europe.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/travel/leiden-netherlands-university.html?unlocked_article_code=1.1k8.5bb3.laYCLkOn2GcZ&smid=url-share (article unlocked)

Posted by Jane

Franklin, TN, USA

11/16/25 02:21 PM

1015 posts

I would agree…..we stayed in Leiden instead of Amsterdam last spring for the tulip show at Keukenhof and found it delightful!

Posted by Jean

Idaho, USA

11/16/25 02:35 PM

9038 posts

I like to stay in Leiden as a buffer if I am changing airlines at Schiphol. This is what I wrote about Leiden in my trip report as the tail end of the RS Adriatic tour:

”I flew Easy Jet from Dubrovnik to Amsterdam, and stayed one night in nearby Leiden at the Boutique Hotel Steenhof Suites. Originally the plan was to stay in Amsterdam or near the airport, but the available hotels were so expensive! I was able to take a 15-minute train from the airport to Leiden and stay in a beautiful, historic building with a room with white stucco artwork, a fireplace, tall ceilings, very modern bathroom with a view on a canal street - all for less than half the price - an easy decision!”

”Leiden is beautiful, and the area around the university and the center provided so many options for taking lovely photos! I walked off what was left of my feet and relaxed in my spacious room, enjoying reliving my trip locations!”

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

11/16/25 04:15 PM

6737 posts

We are actually returning to Leiden next spring, and also to Steinhof Suites. We will be there for King's Day, which the hotel says is a pleasant festival there, not crazy as in Amsterdam.

Posted by KD

11/16/25 04:22 PM

1587 posts

Shhh!!!! Now everyone has to know. We didn't have a chance to visit Leiden last year when in the Netherlands. Luckily our flight to Zurich next year has a 24 hour stopover in Amsterdam, so we are heading to Leiden!

Posted by newdouglas

Lorton, VA

11/16/25 09:06 PM

19 posts

I’ve been visiting dear friends in Leiden for more than 30 years. While it’s always been a bit crowded, being a university town and biotech center, it has definitely been getting more so in recent years as development increases. I highly recommend visiting during the October 3 festival.