Canal Cruise Leiden

Because our family had something to celebrate, we decided to do something exciting and take a canal cruise on the canals of Leiden. Leiden is a beautiful city, not far from the Dutch beach. It looks a bit like Amsterdam but it is a bit smaller. Therefore, Leiden is therefore also called ‘Little Amsterdam’😊 We booked a boat at the ‘Leidse Rederij’. The Leidse Rederij is a voluntary organization. It has more than sixty captains, guides and engineers who are doing this work voluntary because they want to show us the beauty of the city of Leiden. Their dock is situated at the Apothekersdijk. A part of the terrace ashore is reserved for visitors of the Leidse Rederij. While our boat is waiting for us in the water, we take a quick sip of water and then it’s time to go! 😄

© My Little Travel Stories

The weather is incredibly beautiful: 30 degrees Celsius and sunshine everywhere! 🌴🌞 Our canal tour starts on the Galgenwater and we pass  windmill ‘De Put’ and the Rembrandt bridge. If you would walk from the windmill across the bridge, you’d stand in front of the birthhouse of the famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn. He was born here in 1606 and lived here for many years.

© My Little Travel Stories

Our guide is extremely nice and very sympathetic. He translates everything in both Dutch and English and seems to know everything about Leiden 🙂 It is definitely a man with real passion for his voluntary ‘job’.

© My Little Travel Stories

“This is the most beautiful canal of Holland”, he says. “Are there any people from Amsterdam on this boat?” He asks them whether they agree with him about that canal being the most beautiful canal of Holland. But of course they don’t, haha 😏
“I’ll explain why this is the most beautiful canal of the Netherlands”, he continues. In the meanwhile the boat has stopped in front of the amazing building on the photo down below👇🙂 This is the academy building of Leiden University. It was built in 1516 and houses the so called ‘Sweat Room’. It is a tradition in Leiden to immortalize your name in the sweat room after receiving your diploma. Many important people have immortalized their name here as well: Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and our very own king Willem Alexander.

Academy Building, Leiden University © My Little Travel Stories

During the canal tour we found out that only a few meters away from the impressive Academy Building, there is a house that used to belong to our king Willem-Alexander. That white/yellowish house is where he used to live and study during his education at Leiden University. Funny isn’t it? 😊

The former house of king Willem Alexander © My Little Travel Stories

The picture down below shows the flour factory of Leiden. It has been a while since it has been closed and plans for renovations have been made. If you look through the two buildings you will be able to spot a birds nest. It is huge! That is because it was made by a Dutch artist. He even slept inside the birds nest for three days! 😮

Flour Factory © My Little Travel Stories

Well, in case you want to do the canal cruise as well I won’t give away any more information and surprises about the tour and Leiden. I liked it a lot and although I know Leiden very well, I heard a lot of new information and above all: a lot of very interesting and cool stuff! I would definitely recommend a Leiden Canal Tour! 😊

Canal tour Leiden © My Little Travel Stories

Tip: You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks aboard the ship. So bring your wine, Dutch cheese and olives and your Leiden canal cruise will be perfect! 😍

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