Leiden, The Netherlands

Leiden is a bustling, friendly medium-sized city, an urban community full of life with an outward-looking, international character, particularly with its world famous university, more than 400 years old (founded in 1575). The buildings of the oldest university of the Netherlands are scattered throughout the city and students that live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed and vivid atmosphere. Leiden and its suburbs have a population of 329,000 making it the ninth largest urban region in the Netherlands.

Leiden is especially attractive to visit because the city and region offer an amazing range of temptations. The attractive town is considered museum capital of the Neherlands. Leiden is very close to the North Sea coast and to beautiful national parks in the dune landscape. Its suburbs to the west are attractive seaside resorts of international style. To the north and east, the town borders on several lakes, with ample sailing facilities.

Leiden is located in between the cities of Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht, and only half an hour from Schiphol International Airport.

How to get there

By car
Coming from the A44: the easiest way to get to the Gorlaeus Laboratory is via the A44, not via the A4 which is on the other side of Leiden. Leave the A44 at exit 8 (this exit is called Leiden-Valkenburg-Katwijk-Noordwijk from the direction of The Hague, and from the direction of Amsterdam it is called Leiden-Utrecht). Drive to Leiden Centrum/Naturalis, following the Plesmanlaan.

At the Plesmanlaan, follow the signs to the "Bio-Science Park". Turn left at the second traffic light. You will find the Gorlaeus at the next roundabout. Next to it is a car park. Parking there is free of charge.

By train
If you arrive by train (Leiden central station), you need to take the 'hospital exit' at the railway station. At the hospital turn right, past the hospital and the adjacent car park. At the roundabout, turn left (Sandifoortdreef). At the next roundabout turn right (Zernikedreef). Follow this road until you get to the Einsteinweg. This road will take you to the Gorlaeus Laboratory.

By bus
Bus 43 stops at the Einsteinweg.