A beautiful European city has been dubbed a “mini Amsterdam” but with way fewer tourists.

Leiden is a city in South Holland, in the Netherlands. It is known for its centuries-old architecture and Leiden University, the country’s oldest.

One travel blogger wrote how the Dutch city was “packed with Amsterdam-esque canals but without the Amsterdam-sized crowds”.

And it’s not hard to see why the comparison is there, with canals on every street corner and beautiful townhouses.

During the busy season, Amsterdam can be crowded and hectic which can make it difficult to walk down streets and enjoy the scenery. In 2023, 9.4 million spent at least one night in the city.

But Leiden is smaller and quieter, with less of tourists but all of the sights, within walking distance.

The city has a large student population, making for a thriving centre filled with bars, restaurants and shops. Leiden University is the oldest in the Netherlands, twinned with Oxford University. It is one of Europe’s top universities, with thirteen Nobel Prize winners.

There are 13 museums across the city, offering a glimpse into the vast history of the area. The National Museum of Antiquities has been ranked the best on TripAdvisor. It is the national archaeological museum of the Netherlands, with a complete Egyptian temple to explore.

Nicknamed the ‘City of Discoveries’, there is something to see around every corner. Apart from one small watch tower on the Singel, little remains of the city walls. There are also two old city gates, Zijlpoort and Morspoort, dating from the 17th century. 

One of the world’s most famous painters, Rembrandt, was born and educated in Leiden. The Young Rembrandt Studio, the 17th-century house where he learned to paint and draw, can be visited.

Leiden also has some of the best examples of Dutch windmills such as De Valk, which allows visitors to climb its tower, while it is also the home of Keukenhof Tulip Gardens.

Similar to Amsterdam, Leiden is very cycle-friendly with numerous bikes available to rent and dedicated pathways for exploring the city. Exploring the canals by boat is also highly recommended.

Leiden is located in Southern Holland and is just 40 minutes away from Amsterdam by train, with regular services. There are flights from many UK airports to Amsterdam. The city has lots of accommodation options for those visiting with hotels, Airbnbs and more both in the city and the surrounding area.