Explore and experience the Winter Wonder Weeks and the unique floating ice rink

Golden Tulip Leiden Centre

Leiden, NetherlandsView on map

The four-star Golden Tulip Leiden Centre is located diagonally opposite Leiden Central Station and close to many main roads — a perfect base during the festive season. As the first hotel in Leiden city centre to hold a Gold Green Key, this is where comfort meets sustainable choices — exactly what you want for a winter city break.

At restaurant Rubens you can enjoy a generous breakfast buffet in the morning and start the day well. The atmospheric restaurant serves a variety of dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients — ideal after a morning stroll through the city lights. In the lobby you can relax at the reading table with a newspaper or your favourite magazine, and in the evening you can end the day with a drink in the cosy bar.

During the winter period Leiden turns into a festive stage. Experience the unique atmosphere of the historic city centre during the Nostalgic Christmas Market. For seven days (14 & 15 and 18–22 December) the city’s most beautiful street, the Hooglandse Kerkgracht, is transformed into a charming winter village. Wander past the cosy chalets full of unique products from local entrepreneurs, taste winter treats from the food trucks, or warm up with a drink on the inviting winter terrace.

Beyond the Christmas market, the city buzzes with activities that make December a real experience. Skate on the Floating Ice Rink, enjoy the Nostalgic Funfair, or be surprised by the choir weekends.

The location is superb: walk to the new Naturalis and admire remarkable dinosaur skeletons — including the showpiece, T. rex “Trix” — or wander through the old town and discover monuments such as the Burcht, one of the oldest surviving fortifications in the Netherlands. After a day of Christmas shopping and culture it is lovely to return to your comfortable room.

In short: during the festive season Golden Tulip Leiden Centre is a warm and sustainable base from which to experience Leiden — right in the historic centre, close to events, museums and the cosy Christmas markets.

Practical tips:

Floating Ice Rink: on the Nieuwe Rijn, open from 6 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, daily 10:00–21:00 — with special children’s activities such as a ‘Frozen’ theme and Silent Disco on certain mornings.

Christmas market boat tours: atmospheric boat tours during the weekend of 13–14 December and from Wednesday 17 to Sunday 21 December; includes complimentary mulled wine or hot chocolate.

Schipholweg 3, LeidenView on map

Highlights

Winter Wonder Weeks — 15 November to 4 January 2026

Christmas market 14–15 December and 18–22 December

Floating ice rink — 6 December to 5 January 2026

Within walking distance of Leiden Centraal station

Breakfast included

Dinner included

À-la-carte restaurant

Central location

This package for 2 persons includes the following:

✓ 2 x Overnight

All comfort rooms are modernly furnished and fully equipped. All rooms have a bathroom with shower and toilet, spacious desk, coffee and tea making facilities, a safe, minibar, air conditioning and free wifi.

✓ Daily breakfast buffet

In the morning, you can enjoy the lavish breakfast buffet. Start the day properly with a fresh egg, pastries, a sumptuous salad or fresh fruit.

✓ 3-Course dinner (day of arrival)

On the day of arrival, you can enjoy a delicious culinary 3-course dinner booked in Restaurant Rubens. With varied dishes and seasonal ingredients, this is a dinner you won't want to miss! Please note: the restaurant is closed on Sundays. For arrivals on Sunday, dinner will be served on Monday.

Hotel facilities

Free WiFi

The rooms are air-conditioned.

Fitness

There is an elevator

The reception is open 24 hours a day.

Pets are welcome (on request).

Paid-parking

Tips nearby

7 fun outings near Golden Tulip Leiden Centre

The Castle of Leiden

In the middle of Leiden stands the Burcht of Leiden. This castle stands on an artificial hill and is one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands. Walk around the wall while enjoying a beautiful view. Afterwards you can relax at the bottom of the hill with a snack and drink.

Canal Tour

What many people don't know is that Leiden is the second largest canal city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam! Therefore, there is nothing more fun than exploring Leiden from the water. Sail with a tour boat through the Leiden waters, but also on the Kagerplassen and in the Bollenstreek.

Wall poems walk

Leiden has several wall poems. The 'Poems on Walls' project started in 1992 and was completed in 2005. A beautiful walk takes you past the most beautiful places in Leiden. The walk takes you past the wall poems in the center and stays almost within the canals. During this walk you will see about 25 of the 101 poems. Passersby are stimulated by the poem itself and by the visual image of the letters and the background of the wall. They are confronted with different images of writing, referring to other cultures. Many poems offer reflections on language, color or on being a poet. Discover for yourself during this wall poetry walk.

Katwijk aan Zee

About 14 kilometers from Leiden, easy to reach by car or public transport. Katwijk has a beautiful, wide beach where you can enjoy the sea, the sand and various beach bars.

Noordwijk aan Zee

About 15 kilometers from Leiden. Noordwijk is known for its wide beaches, beautiful dune areas and luxurious beach bars. There are also many activities and events throughout the year.

Wassenaar

Wassenaarslag is approximately 11 kilometers from Leiden. It is a quieter beach than Scheveningen or Noordwijk, ideal for people looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Museum visit

Leiden is known as a true treasure trove for museum lovers, with no fewer than 13 top museums within walking distance of each other. Whether you are fascinated by the treasures of science, want to learn everything about the life of the Young Rembrandt, immerse yourself in nature or meet T.rex Trix in Naturalis, Leiden has something for everyone. Some highlights not to be missed include the National Museum of Antiquities, where you can marvel at artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Museum De Lakenhal, where you can learn more about the Young Rembrandt and other Dutch masters. And of course Naturalis, the national museum for biodiversity, with the famous T.rex Trix, should not be missing from your list. Every museum in Leiden offers unique exhibitions and fascinating exhibitions that will surprise and inspire you. For more information about the museums and their current exhibitions, visit Visitleidingen.nl.

The Castle of Leiden

In the middle of Leiden stands the Burcht of Leiden. This castle stands on an artificial hill and is one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands. Walk around the wall while enjoying a beautiful view. Afterwards you can relax at the bottom of the hill with a snack and drink.

Canal Tour

What many people don't know is that Leiden is the second largest canal city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam! Therefore, there is nothing more fun than exploring Leiden from the water. Sail with a tour boat through the Leiden waters, but also on the Kagerplassen and in the Bollenstreek.

Wall poems walk

Leiden has several wall poems. The 'Poems on Walls' project started in 1992 and was completed in 2005. A beautiful walk takes you past the most beautiful places in Leiden. The walk takes you past the wall poems in the center and stays almost within the canals. During this walk you will see about 25 of the 101 poems. Passersby are stimulated by the poem itself and by the visual image of the letters and the background of the wall. They are confronted with different images of writing, referring to other cultures. Many poems offer reflections on language, color or on being a poet. Discover for yourself during this wall poetry walk.

Katwijk aan Zee

About 14 kilometers from Leiden, easy to reach by car or public transport. Katwijk has a beautiful, wide beach where you can enjoy the sea, the sand and various beach bars.

Noordwijk aan Zee

About 15 kilometers from Leiden. Noordwijk is known for its wide beaches, beautiful dune areas and luxurious beach bars. There are also many activities and events throughout the year.

Wassenaar

Wassenaarslag is approximately 11 kilometers from Leiden. It is a quieter beach than Scheveningen or Noordwijk, ideal for people looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Museum visit

Leiden is known as a true treasure trove for museum lovers, with no fewer than 13 top museums within walking distance of each other. Whether you are fascinated by the treasures of science, want to learn everything about the life of the Young Rembrandt, immerse yourself in nature or meet T.rex Trix in Naturalis, Leiden has something for everyone. Some highlights not to be missed include the National Museum of Antiquities, where you can marvel at artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Museum De Lakenhal, where you can learn more about the Young Rembrandt and other Dutch masters. And of course Naturalis, the national museum for biodiversity, with the famous T.rex Trix, should not be missing from your list. Every museum in Leiden offers unique exhibitions and fascinating exhibitions that will surprise and inspire you. For more information about the museums and their current exhibitions, visit Visitleidingen.nl.

Do you have more questions?

How can I cancel? +

I want to cancel a package
You can cancel your booking within the cancellation period, in which case you will receive a refund of the package amount and a voucher for the booking fee. You will find the cancellation deadline in the third step of the booking process. Via the 'cancel booking' button in the booking confirmation e-mail, you can cancel the booking yourself if you are still within the cancellation period.

Nearly all our packages can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the day of arrival. However, for some packages this is 48 or 72 hours before the day of arrival. The time of arrival does not matter for the cancellation period.

Can the package also be booked for more than one person? +

Great that you want to book multiple arrangements! That is certainly possible. An arrangement is for 2 people. In the second step of the booking process, you can add as many rooms to your booking as are available.

Each room you add is essentially an extra arrangement for two people.

Can I book 2 or more packages at the same time? +

Great that you want to book multiple packages! That is indeed possible. In the second step of the booking process, you can add as many rooms to your booking as are available.

Each room you add is essentially an additional package for two people.

How can I change the date of my booking? +

It is unfortunately not possible to change a booking (date). You must first cancel the existing booking via the 'cancel' button. You will find this button in the e-mail with the booking confirmation, which you received immediately after payment of your reservation. Can't find it? Check your junk mail and/or spam to be sure.

I want to stay longer +

If you want to book an extra night you can, provided that we also offer the corresponding package for 1 night, book consecutively to your other booking. The same applies if you want to book two additional nights. If we do not offer the package for one night on the site, you can do this through the hotel. You pay the normal hotel rate. So unfortunately not with our valid discount.

For Room only bookings it is advisable to check availability via the website. It is however necessary to make a new booking.

I want to customize the package +

It is not possible to adjust the package. However, there are a number of extras that can be booked during the booking process. The package cannot be changed in terms of duration and content. If you want to come with more than two people, you can add extra packages in the second step of the booking process.

How to use my discount code +

At the 3rd step of the booking process, you can enter your discount code. See here for a further explanation.

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