Leiden Tour with Live guide and Visit to Rembrandt's First Studio

We will be visiting the Morspoort (Mors entrance) as one of the first attractions in the city. This is one of the old city entrances in Leiden out of the remaining 2 gates. This city gate was built in wood around 1611. The stone gate was built in 1669 after a design by W. van der Helm. The gate itself was built in an old-fashioned style for that time, the Dutch Renaissance time.

This is one of the many windmills in the city of Leiden. We visit this windmill de Put from outside because of its close proximity to our route. The original windmill was built here in the year 1619 and after a fire in 1640 it was rebuilt to continue in its function till the 1800s. The Molen de put was predominantly used for grinding corn. In 1817 it was demolished and rebuilt again as a standard windmill in 1987 by the windmill association.

The famous artist in the Dutch renaissance period, Rembrandt, lived and was brought up in Leiden before he moved to Amsterdam. Therefore we visit the adjacent Rembrandts place. There is an artwork of Rembrandt in this small square. The artwork is inspired by the self-portrait of Rembrandt in his Leiden studio from 1629. The young Rembrandt looks at the easel with a bronze relief of a self-portrait on it. Close to this self portrait there is another Rembrandt portrait made in ceramic as well.

The Beestenmarkt (animal square) is our next stop. This is the square in the Leiden city, where the animals such as sheep, horses and cows are sold off to and brought from traders. As per now, it is a square with a beautiful water fountain where children love to play. No animals are being sold in modern times.

On the way to the city hall, we visit the Stadsgehoorzaal (one of the concert halls in the city) from outside. The Stadsgehoorzaal is a concert hall on Breestraat in the Dutch city of Leiden. In addition to the Big hall, the building includes a chamber music hall, the Aal market hall, and a historic hall. Also many weddings and parties are taking place in this stadsgehoorzaal of Leiden. During this trip, we view the Stadsgehoorzaal from outside. If the Stadsgehoorzaal is open you can take a look inside. Only the reception can be visited.

St Pieters church is the main and the most famous church in the city of Leiden. This church was built originally as a chapel in the year 1121. Later after many restorations and editions, it became the principle church in Leiden. During our city tour, we visit the church from outside. Most of the days , the church is open from 11 am-6 pm. The church visit is to be paid with Eur 5 optionally. We are visiting the church during this time from outside and monuments around it. We will explain you more about the history and the current activities of the St Pieters church during our tour from outside.

The Stadhuis (city hall) of Leiden is a classical building dating from the year 1596. On the way to the Hooglandse church from the St Pieters church, we will visit this old city hall of Leiden from outside. Visting inside can only be done. The city hall of Leiden was used as a meeting place and just as the Stadsgehoorzaal, as a wedding location. Currently the city hall is going through renovation (as at may 2023) and the temporary city hall is next to the central station.

The Hooglandse church is one of the tallest churches in Leiden and is about 71 m. The Hooglandse Kerk is a Gothic church building in the Dutch city of Leiden. Because the nave and tower are lower than the choir and transept, the church has a very characteristic silhouette. Moreover is this church used by the Protestant Church in the Netherlands for Sunday services. We visit this Hooglandse church from outside and if the church is open you can take a look inside.

The fortification (de Burucht) of Leiden is the last attractions we visit during our city tour in Leiden. This is a circular monument which is dating from 12th century. This fortification was used to spot the enemies who are arriving for warfare. Note that the Burucht is a sort hill above the ground level where you could see the whole city of Leiden and the surroundings at once. We climb the Burucht (not suitable for wheelchair travelers or with baby prams) and admire the beautiful city of Leiden from the top.

Haarlemerstraat is also called the shopping street in Leiden. On our way back to the central station from the Burucht, we pass the Breestraat. We can see different shops of various world class brands and also local souvenir brands. It is your choice to go with us back to the central station or stop here and stay a bit more in the charming Haarlemerstraat.