Leiden & The Hague: Pilgrims, Rembrandt and Royal History

Overview

Discover two of the prettiest and most historically significant cities in the Netherlands on this private half-day tour, with a transfer between the cities included. In Leiden, your guide walks you through a city packed with stories: it heroically survived a Spanish siege in 1574, it is where Rembrandt was born, where the Pilgrim Fathers found refuge before sailing to America, and where the oldest university in the Netherlands was founded. In The Hague, you explore the political and royal heart of the Netherlands: the Binnenhof, Noordeinde Palace, foreign embassies, and the elegant streets that have been at the center of Dutch power for centuries. You can do this tour both ways: starting in Leiden or starting in The Hague. You can also choose to be picked up and dropped off at a location of your choice, like in Amsterdam. And remember: It is you who determines the pace of this tour.

Itinerary

1. You will meet your guide in the middle of Beestenmarkt square in Leiden. This is a 5 minute walk away from Leiden Central Station. Your tour of the city starts here.

   · 10 min

2. Morspoort

   The first thing you will see during the tour is the famous Morspoort, one of the oldest entrances to the city.

   · 15 min

3. Molen de Put

   We will walk past the iconic 17th century windmill Molen de Put. This is the same type of mill that the parents of Rembrandt owned.

   · 15 min

4. Rembrandtplaats

   This square is named after the famous Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn, who used to live in Leiden. Let's find out more about it.

   · 15 min

5. Stadsgehoorzaal

   We will see the Stadsgehoorzaal, as we are walking on the Breestraat. This is a much used concert hall.

   · 15 min

6. Pieterskerk Leiden

   We cannot miss the Pieterskerk of course, the most famous church of Leiden. You will learn more about its history (going back to the 12th century!) and current use.

   · 15 min

7. het Stadhuis van Leiden uit 1596

   The old town hall of Leiden. It is an iconic building that we cannot miss during the tour. Your guide will tell you about it!

   · 15 min

8. Burcht van Leiden

   We will visit the exterior of the Burcht van Leiden, an old castle used for defensive purposes in war times. It is located on top of a hill and adds to the particular character of Leiden.

   · 15 min

9. Station Leiden Centraal

   You will make your way to Leiden Centraal Station and make your way to The Hague.

   · 15 min

10. Het Plein

    You'll make your way to Plein in The Hague, right in the city center. There you will learn about the Father of the Fatherland, Willem van Oranje, and his role in the 80 years war: the Dutch revolt.

    · 20 min

11. Mauritshuis

    We will make our way towards the Mauritshuis museum. I will tell you something about the building and its history. Among others, this museum has the most famous paintings of Johannes Vermeer inside.

    · 10 min

12. Binnenhof & Ridderzaal

    We will briefly walk onto the square within the parliament complex and see the Knight's Hall. Here I will tell you about the significance and history of this place. With some luck, we might see some of our ministers (or prime minister) walking by!

    · 10 min

13. Hofvijver

    The Hofvijver lake is situated in front of the parliament building and the prime minister's office (the little tower!). You will learn about the significance of this place and some funny history.

    · 10 min

14. Thorbecke Monument

    The statue of Thorbecke next to the Hofvijver is quite interesting. This statue has to do with our constitution! You will hear more about it.

    · 10 min

15. This is the Champs-Élysées of The Hague. Quite a classy street! We will walk a bit and pass multiple embassies, an art museum, a famous hotel, the temporary senate building, a statue gallery of the Dutch heads of states and some more interesting (royal) buildings.

    · 20 min

16. We will see the working palace of the Dutch king. Based on the flag, we can find out if he is currently in the country. Let's see!

    · 10 min

17. We will see the Grote Kerk ("Big Church") of The Hague. What is that stork doing on top of it?

    · 15 min

18. Another statue! This is the only head of government in the world that has been eaten by an angry mob! That sounds a bit weird, but you'll find out what happened.

    · 15 min

Pickup

Pickup or meet at the departure point.

If you book an option that includes a pick-up and drop-off, you will be picked up from the location you select, up to 1 hour before the tour starts. You are dropped off again afterwards. We will contact you beforehand to coordinate this. If you book an option that does not include a pick-up and a drop-off, you will meet your guide at the meeting point.

How to use your ticket

Meeting and end point

What to know before you go

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Travelers

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

Reviews

Product code: 399542P20

Activity offered by Discover Delft via Viator.