Specialty Museums

Leiden is a treasure trove for museum lovers, boasting an impressive array of specialty museums that reflect the city’s rich academic and cultural heritage. Within its compact, walkable center, you’ll find an extraordinary diversity of collections—each offering a unique perspective on science, art, and world cultures.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center is a must for anyone fascinated by the natural world, with spectacular displays of fossils, animals, and the legacy of Darwin. The nearby Hortus Botanicus Leiden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, invites visitors to wander among rare plants and historic greenhouses. For those interested in ancient civilizations, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden showcases archaeological treasures from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Netherlands.

Leiden’s international connections shine at Japan Museum SieboldHuis, where Japanese art and culture take center stage, and at the Wereldmuseum Leiden, which explores global cultures through changing exhibitions like “Enchanted by GOLD” and “Monsters and Mythical Creatures.” The city’s medical and scientific legacy is celebrated at Corpus and in exhibitions such as “Unseen. Inequality in Medicine,” while university history comes alive in the “Eternal Student” lustrum exhibition.

Many of these museums are housed in beautiful historic buildings and are within easy reach of each other, making Leiden an ideal destination for a day of discovery. Whether you’re drawn by natural history, world cultures, or scientific innovation, Leiden’s specialty museums promise a fascinating and varied experience.