Leiden & The Hague: Pilgrims, Rembrandt and Royal History

5.0 (2 reviews) 4 h 30 min Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

2 reviews

5.0

Leiden — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Leiden & The Hague: Pilgrims, Rembrandt and Royal History, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 4 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: German, English, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish
Operated by: Discover Delft

Ages: Adults (1–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: All fees and taxes
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: A short transfer between Leiden and The Hague, either by train or by car.
Included: Private guide throughout
Included: Hotel pick-up and drop-off by car (if the option is booked)

Not included

Not included: Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

Stop 1

10 min

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.
Morspoort

15 min

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

15 min

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.
Rembrandtplaats

15 min

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.
Stadsgehoorzaal

15 min

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

15 min

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.
het Stadhuis van Leiden uit 1596

15 min

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!
Burcht van Leiden

15 min

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.
Station Leiden Centraal

15 min

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

20 min

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.
Mauritshuis

10 min

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.
Binnenhof & Ridderzaal

10 min

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!
Hofvijver

10 min

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.
Thorbecke Monument

10 min

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.
Lange Voorhout

20 min

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.
Noordeinde Palace

10 min

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!
Grote Kerk

15 min

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

15 min

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.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

If you start the tour in The Hague, you will meet your guide next to the statue of William of Orange, in the middle of Plein square. The tour will end in Leiden.
If you start the tour in Leiden, you will meet your guide on Beestenmarkt, in front of the McDonald's. This is a small square about 5 minutes walking from Leiden Central Station. The tour will end in The Hague.

End point

If you started in Leiden, the tour will end in The Hague.

If you booked the 'with pick-up/drop-off' option, you will be dropped off again afterwards, at your hotel or another location of your choice.
If you started in The Hague, the tour will end in Leiden.

If you booked the 'with pick-up/drop-off' option, you will be dropped off again afterwards, at your hotel or another location of your choice.

Pickup points

Residentie Oosterschelde
Berlage Hotel, BW Signature Collection
Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Carlton
Hotel Restaurant & Casino De Nachtegaal
voco The Hague by IHG
Treehouse Inn
Inntel Hotels Den Haag Marina Beach
IntercityHotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Elzenduin
Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Scheveningen
Dutch Golden Hotel
Intercity Hotel Amsterdam Schipol Airport

and 911 more pickup points

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.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

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

Options

French. Start in The Hague

Starting point:

Plein, Den Haag, Netherlands
English. With pick-up/drop-off

Including pick-up and drop-off: Up to 1 hour before the start time, you will be picked up from the location you select. You are dropped off again afterwards.

Pickup included
Dutch. Start in The Hague

Starting point:

Plein, Den Haag, Netherlands
Italian. Start in Leiden

Starting point:

Beestenmarkt, Leiden, Netherlands
German. Start in The Hague

Starting point:

Plein, Den Haag, Netherlands
Dutch. Start in Leiden

Starting point:

Beestenmarkt, Leiden, Netherlands
English. Start in The Hague

Starting point:

Plein, Den Haag, Netherlands
French. Start in Leiden

Starting point:

Beestenmarkt, Leiden, Netherlands
Italian. Start in The Hague

Starting point:

Plein, Den Haag, Netherlands
Spanish. Start in The Hague

Starting point:

Plein, Den Haag, Netherlands
German. Start in Leiden

Starting point:

Beestenmarkt, Leiden, Netherlands
English. Start in Leiden

Starting point:

Beestenmarkt, Leiden, Netherlands
Spanish. Start in Leiden

Starting point:

Beestenmarkt, Leiden, Netherlands