Just 25 miles south of the bustling city of Amsterdam, nestled in the province of South Holland, lies the charming Dutch city of Leiden. In 2023, Amsterdam was swamped with a whopping 9.4 million overnight tourists, but those seeking a quieter experience found solace in Leiden.

Despite its modest size, covering just 8.46 square miles of land and 0.53 of water, Leidenis brimming with picturesque canals reminiscent of Amsterdam, minus the throngs of tourists, as one travel blogger aptly noted.

During the Dutch Golden Era, Leiden held the title of thesecond largest city in Holland, trailing only behind Amsterdam. In other travel news, British passport holders are urged to do one important thing before October 12.

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Leiden is renowned for its prestigious university, established back in 1575 by William I of Orange as a token of gratitude for their valiant defence during the Dutch Revolt. As the oldest university in the Netherlands and one of Europe's finest, it boasts an impressive roster of 12 Nobel Prize winners and shares a twinning arrangement with Oxford, the UK's oldest university.

The university has been the birthplace of numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including Snell's law - the law of refraction - and the Leyden jar, a device designed to store static electricity. Another significant breakthrough came in the field of cryogenics when Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, a 1913 Nobel Prize laureate, successfully liquified helium for the first time, reports the Express.

Even Albert Einstein spent a portion of his early to mid-career at Leiden. Thanks to its large student population, Leiden's city centre is teeming with bars, restaurants and shops, all set against a backdrop of stunning university buildings scattered throughout the city. The Hortus botanicus medical gardens are a must-visit, highlighting the city's significant contribution to medical science.

Leiden is a highly walkable city, with the city centre just a 15-minute stroll from the central station. All 12 of Leiden's museums, offering a peek into its rich history, and other key sights are within walking distance. Alternatively, the city is easily accessible by public transport. It's suggested that visitors take one of the city walks, or hire a bike from one of the many centres. Like Amsterdam, Leiden is cycle-friendly with dedicated pathways for exploring the city.

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A walk through the city centre is akin to stepping back into the 17th-century, with numerous historical and monumental buildings. Known as the 'City of Discoveries', there's something to see around every corner.

Apart from one small watch tower on the Singel, little remains of the town's city walls. There are also two old city gates, Zijlpoort and Morspoort, dating from the end of the 17th-century. The city also boasts some incredible churches, including the Hooglandse Kerk, or church of St Pancras, built in the 15th-century and housing a monument to Pieter Adriaansz. van der Werff, mayor of the city during the siege in 1573 to 1574.

The Oude Rijn's two branches, which enter Leiden from the east, merge in the city centre. The city is further crisscrossed by numerous quaint canals with tree-lined quays, reminiscent of Amsterdam. To truly immerse yourself in the Leiden experience, it's recommended to take a canal boating tour. Moreover, the city centre boasts hundreds of buildings adorned with large murals of poetry, part of an ongoing wall poem project since 1992.

Leiden is also the birthplace and educational ground of one of the world's most renowned painters, Rembrandt. Visitors can explore the Young Rembrandt Studio, the 17th-century house where he honed his painting, drawing, and etching skills under the guidance of his teacher Jacob van Swanenburgh.

If you're flying into Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, the most convenient way to reach Leiden is by train. The airport houses an underground railway station that offers frequent services to the city, with the journey taking approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

On the other hand, a trip from London to Leiden via Eurostar can be as quick as four hours. This route requires just one change at Rotterdam, with one train departing in the morning and another in the evening.