Referred to as the Sleutelstad (‘the key city’) because of the two red keys on its coat of arms, Leiden is known for its rich history. It has the oldest university in the Netherlands, a large historic city centre with canals and many grand courtyards, windmills, churches and city gates, as well as 13 museums.
Leiden is a lively city offering a wealth of cultural events and festivals, especially when it comes to music, dance and theatre. It has a wide range of special shops in an attractive setting. Besides the usual national chains, there are many speciality boutiques in narrow streets and alleys, making shopping great fun.