“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph”
— Matt Hardy

guided photography tour of Leiden

guided photography tour of Leiden, the second largest 17th-century town centre in the Netherlands

guided photography tour of Leiden

About Leiden

Leiden is in our opinion, the most beautiful city in the Netherlands. It is difficult to describe it without resorting to clichés: Amsterdam in miniature; full off hidden treasures; cosmopolitan atmosphere etc etc.

Leiden is a fraction of the size of Amsterdam, and largely built in the same Flemish architectural style. Because of the economic decline from the end of the 17th until the middle of the 19th century, much of the 16th- and 17th -century city centre is still intact. It is the second largest 17th-century town centre in the Netherlands – Amsterdam’s has the honour of being the largest.

Leiden offers superb photo opportunities within relatively short walking distance: magnificent churches, a maze of pretty canals with barges and moored houseboats, 18th-century fortifications, elegant public buildings and museums, windmills and fountains.

guided photography tour of Leiden
Leiden also houses Leiden University, the oldest university of the Netherlands, founded in 1575, and Leiden University Medical Centre.

It boasts thirteen Nobel Prize winners, and is twinned with Oxford, the United Kingdom’s oldest university. Its buildings are scattered throughout the city and the many students from all over the world give the city a bustling, lively and international atmosphere.

Leiden also is a city with a rich cultural heritage, not only in science, but also in the arts. One of the world’s most famous painters, Rembrandt, was born and educated in Leiden.

A hundred buildings in the centre are decorated with large murals of poetry, part of a wall poem project active since 1992, and still ongoing.

Autumn sees the 3 October festival to commemorate the seige of Leiden.

guided photography tour of Leiden

On our guided photography tour of Leiden you will visit the following places:

  • Pieterskerk (church of St Peter, dating from 1315)
  • 16th century almshouses and courtyards
  • De Burcht van Leiden – the old castle guarding the junction of the Old and New Rijn.
  • Hooglandsekerkgracht – Leiden’s prettiest street
  • Leiden’s west gate, de Morspoort
  • Galgewater and the old harbour
  • The smallest house and the narrowest house
  • Windmill de Valk
  • Kornbrug and Visbrug historic bridges

Note: The evening itinerary will vary according to the time of year

guided photography tour of Leiden

After the tour

space
If you would like to continue discussions after the end of the tour, time permitting your guide will be more than happy to do so.

guided photography tour of Leiden

The photography experience

Leiden offers fantastic photo opportunities away from the main tourist areas, if you know where to look for them. And we do!

The city has many fine examples of 16th-century almshouses arranged around secret courtyards. There is also an old town centred round the church of St Peter, peaceful and seldom visited so people are not constantly walking in front of your camera!.

guided photography tour of Leiden

Starting time

The morning photo tour starts at 11:00.

The afternoon photo tour starts at 14:30.

The start time of the evening photo tour will depend on the date, because there is a huge difference in sunset time between 21 December (16:30) and 21 June (22:00).

The duration of the tour is approximately 3 hours.

Meeting place

We meet at Starbucks cafe in Leiden Central station, Stationsplein entrance. Please try to be there by 15 minutes before the start time.

Public Transport

There are direct rail services to Leiden from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague.

If you are travelling from outside Leiden, and would like advice on public transport please contact us.

If you are staying in Leiden, and would like to be collected from your hotel or apartment, please contact us.

Price

The price of the Leiden daytime photo tour is €24.95 per person.

The price of the Leiden evening photo tour is €34.95 per person.

What is included

• Experienced tutor and guide
• Refreshment break
• Access to our tuition web pages
• Photo enhancement service
• Advice on travel to Leiden
• Advice on what to do and where to eat and drink n Leiden

What is not included

• Refreshments
• Hire of equipment such as tripod
• Cost of transport to Leiden

Bad weather

The weather in the Netherlands can be unpredictable, especially in Autumn and Winter.

But it seldom rains the for whole day. If the rain is torrential the workshop will be cancelled, but if it is not heavy the tour will go on regardless.

Photographers are hardy folks, and stormy skies and wet pavements present some of the most exciting photo opportunities!

Cancellation policy

But whatever the weather, you may cancel up to 1 day before for a full refund.

And if you are not satisfied with the tour for any reason we will also refund your money in full.

How do I book a photo tour?

If you would like to book a guided photography tour of Leiden, you can do so by:

Booking online

Telephoning +31 (0)71 887 10 23

Emailing info@dutchphototrek.com

Special tours

In addition to the standard walking tours of the city, we offer the following special tours:
Guided photography tour of KeukenhofLeiden canal tourHortus Botanicus Leiden

Other cool things to do and see in Leiden

Tell me more…

Cafés restaurants and bars

Tell me more…

Guided photography tour of Leiden

Professional photoshoot

If you are visiting Leiden, maybe for a special occasion, and would like to capture the moments then you can hire a professional photographer to take a mix of spontaneous and posed shots at he best locations and according to your wishes.

This session is not only limited to couples naturally, but also suitable for families or group of friends, for a special occasion or just for fun!

Please click here for further details.

 
Tourist Information Leiden

guided photography tour of Leiden
guided photography tour of Leiden

If you would like to learn more about Dutch Photo Trek, you may telephone us daytime or evenings (Central European Time), weekdays or weekends.