An eleventh-century motte between the two arms of the Rhine, with a walkway around the top over the rooftops.
The mound was raised where the Old and New Rhine meet and the shell keep on top is the oldest thing in Leiden by several centuries. There is nothing inside it — that is not the point. You climb the path, walk the ring wall, and get the only elevated view of the old town anyone gets without paying, with the university quarter on one side and the canals threading away on the other. It is freely accessible and takes as long as you want it to.
Highlights
- Freely accessible
- The only free view over the old town
- Eleventh-century shell keep
Insider tips
- →The entrance is an easy-to-miss gate off the Nieuwstraat, not a signposted attraction.
- →Twenty minutes is enough unless you have brought lunch.
FAQ
Do I need to book Burcht van Leiden ahead?
Is this a good first-time visitor choice?
Where you'll find it
Leiden, Netherlands
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