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Beautiful canals lined with somberly colored, skinny houses, gray – but completely romantic – winter skies, and syrup waffles directly from the market:
It’s easy to understand that, despite the enormous crowds, Amsterdam would still be high on anyone’s European bucket list.
What most tourists don’t understand, however, is that, as beautiful as it may be, the capital of the Netherlands is not the only man-made wonder below sea level: there are numerous smaller towns precisely like Amsterdam which have not yet become full-fledged tourist playgrounds.
Take a scenic, laid-back one To lead for example: if you place them next to Amsterdam, you can hardly see a difference between the two…
Were it not for the fact that the former had an almost complete absence of crowds and consumer prices 20% cheaper.
Discover Leiden, one of the hidden cultural hotspots of the Netherlands
Leiden is a short 24-minute train ride from Amsterdam unsung cultural capital home to one of the largest historic centers in the Netherlands, a huge concentration of heritage buildings, and the country’s oldest university, founded in 1575.
However anonymous it may be among tourists who came to Amsterdam just for its aesthetics, Leiden was once one of the most important and richest cities in the Netherlands.
With its flourishing academia and avant-gardism, it led the nation into the 17th-century Golden Age.
It is the birthplace of none other than Rembrandt, the iconic Dutch painter and printmaker – his memory is brilliantly kept alive at the Young Rembrandt Studio – and Leiden’s Hortus Botanicus is recognized as one of the first botanical gardens ever designed in the world.
Just like Amsterdam, but smaller and less chaotic
As with Amsterdam, the medieval core is intersected with navigable waterways that run along it beautiful northern Mannerist houses and the occasional historic windmill, including Molen De Vale, which now houses a history museum.
Rain or shine, you’ll see locals picnicking in the Burcht van Leiden, a city park with the remains of an old castle. On a rainy day, however, you’re better off browsing the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave’s vast collection of artefacts, some dating back to the 16th century.
For history buffs like us, the museum visit continues at the National Museum of Antiquities, with Egyptian, Greek and Roman collections, but if you’re here for the kind of culture that makes your tummy happy: Bistro Noroc is all the Dutch food festival you need.
Incredible food at affordable prices
A relaxed bistro in the heart of the city with tables opening onto a narrow medieval passageway. It is widely known for its delicious seafood and coffee, and affordable prices. If you’re on a budget, you can eat here for under $25.
Other must-tries include Paco Ciaoespecially their Eggs Benedict salmon and fluffy Dutch pancakes, with final bills under $28, vegetarian friendly The bishop––definitely go for the surprise 5-course menu!––and a beautiful Café Visscher.
An attraction in itself, this cozy cafe Just a stone’s throw from Central Station lies a vintage fever dream that has made a name for itself as the trendiest, no-frills brunch spot in town (might we add, their shrimp on toast tastes heavenly).
How much cheaper is Leiden?
When it comes to prices, Leiden can compete 20.6% cheaper to visit than Amsterdam, thus Numbeowith lower perceived prices for food, accommodation and tourist attractions.
On average, a meal in a cheap restaurant will cost you €17.94, compared to €21.75 in the capital, while an overnight stay in a hotel costs an average of €169 – while in Amsterdam you will have to set aside €223 per night.
That’s just an estimate: IntercityHotel Leiden has rooms for just $106 per night this season, and the centrally located Ibis Leiden is even cheaper at $100.
Guided canal tours cost just $13.58 to book, and museum ticket prices range between $5.44 and $13.
Leiden is incredibly cultural, cheaper than your average Dutch destinationand most importantly: there is much less or no crowds at all!
Flying to the Netherlands soon? Don’t forget to read on about the country to discover more hidden gems that never make it into the regular travel brochures here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
