Leiden region

Leiden is the perfect starting point for exploring the beautiful natural surroundings and attractions in the area. The beaches and dunes of Katwijk and Noordwijk are only a few kilometres away. Water sports enthusiasts will love the Kagerplassen recreational area.

And there is more: embark on a journey through the human body at the new Corpus Experience centre located just outside Leiden. Other nearby attractions include the Duinrell water amusement park in Wassenaar, the famed Keukenhof gardens in Lisse, Space Expo in Noordwijk and Madurodam in The Hague.

In Zuid-Holland you can find a rich and varied range of attractive cities and sights all within a short distance. We have listed a number of the highlights from the region for you below:

	Katwijk Visiting Katwijk is pure enjoyment. Sun, sea and sand, of course, but also long walks in the dunes, a wide choice of museums and historic sights, shopping just beyond the boulevard and at the end of the day relaxing on one of the many terraces or dining in one of the excellent restaurants. Katwijk simply radiates with the energy of its many music and sporting events held during the tourist season.
	Keukenhof, Lisse At the Keukenhof you can be inspired by the flora and relax in a beautiful environment. As well as enjoying a breathtaking palette of colours, you can also find special art objects that are a feast for the eyes. Don’t miss the unique the med flower displays in the different pavillions. Keukenhof is a treat for young and old; it’s a unique experience, one for which you definitely need your camera.
	Noordwijk. Holland’s finest beach A unique combination of stylish beach resort life, beautiful natural environment and rich history. In the spring, with its blossoming bulbfields, Noordwijk can rightly call itself the Flower Resort of Europe. ‘Diversity’ is what strikes you most about Noordwijk. The resort offers relaxation, restaurants and shops; it also offers culture, with its Muze Theatre and the historic town centre, and there are opportunities galore for more active pastimes.
	Alphen aan den Rijn The town of Alphen has two of the area’s biggest tourist attractions: Avifauna bird park and the Archeon theme park. In Avifauna you can look rare birds from all parts of the world straight in the eye. In the Archeon theme park you can journey into the past of the Roman era, the Middle Ages and Prehistory. These two parks are well worth a visit!
	Madurodam, Scheveningen For more than fifty years, the world-famous miniature village of Madurodam has been the ideal way to get to know the many surprising features of the Netherlands: Amsterdam canal-side houses, the Dom tower in Utrecht, the Binnenhof in The Hague with its golden coach, and part of the Delta works. In Madurodam everything for which the Netherlands is famous has been reproduced on a scale of 1:25, faithful to the minutest detail.
	Euromast, Rotterdam The Euromast offers a breathtaking view of the river, the harbour and the city, from a height of 100 metres. Take the new Discovery Tour with its audio and video clips to learn about the area’s history. In the summer, daredevil visitors can even absail from the platform. And for those with a head for heights, there is the Euroscoop at 185 metres high.
	Gouda Anyone who knows Gouda knows there is more to this charming town than cheese, pipes, syrup waffles and pottery; the town is also famous for its stained glass windows, its fairy tale town hall and its picturesque canals. Gouda boasts more than 300 historic monuments, including the Sint Janskerk, the Cheese Weigh House and the Town Hall, all within walking distance of one another. Not to forget the Gouda cheese and craft market in the summer months. Visit Gouda and be sure of a very special day.
	The Zuid-Holland Islands The Zuid-Holland Islands is an area with many faces. Water, beaches, dunes, woods and polders: total peace and open space in an environment with historic towns and charming villages. Nestling between the coasts of Zeeland and the industriousness of Rotterdam’s world port, it is an area rich in recreational opportunities and ideally suited for a short stay or a longer holiday.
	Versatile Zoetermeer Discover….Versatile Zoetermeer! With its beauty spots, historic architecture, challenging leisure activities, spectacular events and attractive shopping areas. What can be better than relaxing or walking and cycling in the area’s beautiful woods and parks. Or experience the more than 80 events that take place in Zoetermeer every year. The wide range of shops, the fine restaurants and the easy access of Zoetermeer makes a day out here more than worthwhile.
	Dordrecht: city of historic monuments Holland’s oldest city is located on the busy river crossing in the north-west corner of the island of Dordrecht. With more than a thousand historic monuments, historic inner city harbours, numerous bridges, surprising river views and winding streets, a visit to Dordrecht is well worth the detour. Sail through the city by motor boat or make a journey of discovery on foot. The island also gives access to the Biesbosch National Park, a unique freshwater tidal lake.
	Westland and Midden-Delfland The Westland area is best known for its greenhouses, modern horticulture nurseries and beaches, but it has much more to offer than this! Discover just how special Westland is with its picturesque village centres and unusual shops, take a trip in one of the Westland tour boats and be surprised by this fascinating region. You can learn about the area’s history in the Westlands Museum and the Westlandse Druif theme park. Or with the Midden-Delfland’s network of cycle paths, you can cycle to your heart’s content through this green and natural area.