We start at the edge of the Old Town, where the historic city gate “Morspoort” is located opposite the “Morspoortgarage” car park. We'll walk past the ethnographic “Weltmuseum” (World Museum) in the direction of the historic harbour on the “Oude Rijn” (Old Rhine), where we'll have a very nice view and also learn some things about the world-famous painter Rembrandt van Rijn, who was born here. You will hear the reason why a cute old Dutch house is painted pink. Next, we'll head to the most beautiful canal in the Netherlands, the “Rapenburg.” And you will get an answer to questions such as: What did the German doctor and collector Philip Franz von Siebold have to do with the Leiden Japan Museum? And what influence did he have on your garden? But also: What role did the Dutch royal family play in Leiden, the oldest university in the Netherlands, and in the Rapenburg? Where did the royals live, where did one of them meet a partner, and in which old pub did one of them earn the nickname “Prince Pils”?
In the “Academie Quarter,” we'll come to the city's former main church, the “Pieterskerk.” Here you will learn about two special groups of refugees: the Huguenots from France and the “Pilgrim Fathers” from England, where they lived and went to church. Here you will also learn about the connection between 7 American presidents and Leiden. Then it's off to the Latin School from 1600, where you can also have a picture of yourself painted for free. We also visit the studio where Rembrandt learned to paint. Then it's off to the university building where famous professors made important discoveries and where Albert Einstein was often a visiting professor. You will hear all about the Eighty Years' War and major disasters in Leiden. We walk past the historic town hall with the longest Renaissance façade in the Netherlands to the old castle tower – the “Burcht van Leiden” – from which we have a beautiful view over the city. We will conclude the city tour here, in the centre of the city, where there are so many nice shops, cafés, restaurants, and outdoor seating areas and from where you can explore the beautiful, lively city on your own. Of course, you will also receive tips for landmarks!