Summer in the Leiden Region

The Leiden region features extensive waterways, including 28 kilometres of canals in its historic city centre and nearby lakes. With Leiden close to the North Sea, it's also a great opportunity to spend plenty of time at nearby beaches with the coasts of Wassenaar and Katwijk spanning over ten kilometres, offering more than 20 beach restaurants and 100 beach cabins for a delightful seaside experience.

Water sports enthusiasts will find Vlietland’s WaterSports Centre near Leiden ideal, with activities such as canoening, sailing, jet skiing and climbing available. Vlietland also has a forest and enough greenery to lie down and enjoy the view of the lake. 

Vadedo Beach is also a good spot to visit if you are in Leiderdorp. It's the only beach in the village and has a great view of the polder and several windmills. The water quality at Vadedo Beach is known to be excellent, having received a maximum of three stars from the Water Index.

Klinkenbergerplas lake in Oegstgeest is an excellent choice for lake swimming. This area is ideal for jogging, walking, and enjoying nature. It’s also monitored by the Central Holland Environmental Service for water safety and blue-green algae. 

Leiden's Hortus Botanicus is the oldest botanic garden in the Netherlands, with some sections dating back to 1590. The gardens feature exotic plants from all over the world, and you can also learn more about the rich history of the gardens themselves.  

The Leidse Hout Park is perfect for enjoying nature, playing sports, and walking through the greenery. Here, it is possible to listen to concerts at Waterlelie bandstand, visit the Open Air theatre, and explore the deer park and small children's playground. The park also features a Tea House and a centre for Yoga and Mindfulness.  

The park offers a beautiful, historic landscape and unique nature, but these are under threat. The groen Cronestyn Foundation works to preserve the godwit population, protect special plants in the swamp garden, maintain clean water, and ensure the park remains a beautiful, open space for everyone to enjoy.  

The Klinkenbergerplas offers something for everyone, from recreationists and swimmers in the summer to runners, walkers, and nature enthusiasts year-round.  

With summer approaching, it's a great time to explore the iconic Windmills in Leiden that are worth a visit due to their fascinating background. 

Join the Kagerzoom parkrun for free and fun. It’s a friendly weekly 5km event organised by and for the local community. Everyone is welcome to participate, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer, or simply cheer on the runners from the sidelines.  

Climbing Park Het Klimeiland, just a short trip from Leiden, offers thrilling outdoor fun for all ages. With 50 obstacles, 10 ziplines, and a special kids' course, adventure awaits!