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Historical Leiden: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide

5 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 5 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Leiden, Netherlands
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 31 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 5 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch
Instant confirmation

Overview

Explore Leiden on a private walking tour through one of the most historically rich cities in the Netherlands. With your own knowledgeable local guide, you discover a city that played a key role in Dutch history, art, and science.

Leiden is home to the country’s oldest university, beautifully preserved canals, and the birthplace of Rembrandt. During this guided tour, your guide brings the past to life with stories of painters, pilgrims, professors, and Leiden’s heroic resistance and relief during the Eighty Years’ War.

The private tour of Leiden takes place entirely in the compact historic center and normally lasts about 1.5 hours. Because this is a private walking tour, the pace and focus are flexible and can be adapted to your interests.

This tour is ideal for travelers who want insight, context, and stories rather than a simple checklist of sights.

What's Included

  • All fees and taxes
  • Meeting at a location of your choice in the city center
  • Private local guide
  • Gratuities (optional)
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

Meet your guide on the Beestenmarkt. Staying in the centre of Leiden (within about 1 km of the Beestenmarkt)? Choose your hotel at checkout and your guide will meet you there on foot.

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Meeting point

Beestenmarkt
2312 Leiden, Netherlands

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Morspoort

Your tour starts at the Beestenmarkt, a short walk from the Morspoort, one of the two city gates of Leiden that still stand today. Your guide tells you how Leiden was protected in the old days.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Molen de Put

Walk past Molen de Put, a reconstruction of a 17th-century windmill and one of Leiden's best-known landmarks. Your guide tells you its story.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Rembrandtplaats

This square is named after Rembrandt van Rijn, who was born and grew up in Leiden. Your guide tells you about the young painter and the city that shaped him.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Stadsgehoorzaal

On the Breestraat, Leiden's main street, you pass the Stadsgehoorzaal, the city's concert hall. If it is open, you can take a look inside after the tour.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Pieterskerk Leiden

See the Pieterskerk, Leiden's most famous church, with a history going back to the 12th century. Your guide tells you about its past, its link with the Pilgrims who lived in Leiden before sailing to America, and how the church is used today.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

het Stadhuis van Leiden uit 1596

See the old town hall of Leiden with its striking Renaissance facade on the Breestraat. Your guide tells you about the building and its history.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Burcht van Leiden

Climb the Burcht van Leiden, a medieval fortress on an artificial hill in the heart of the city. From the top you get a lovely view over the rooftops of Leiden.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Haarlemmerstraat

Your tour ends on the Haarlemmerstraat, a lively shopping street close to the station. From here you can head back or keep exploring Leiden on your own.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Historical Leiden: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-447887P2

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
5 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 5 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
5
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 31 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • All fees and taxes
  • Meeting at a location of your choice in the city center
  • Private local guide
  • Gratuities (optional)

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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Activity name