Looking for a place to work or study in Leiden, the gorgeous university town thatโs home to the leafy beauty of the Hortus Botanicus, is a magical idea.
Once youโve enjoyed the hustle and bustle of all these things to see, do, and experience in the city, you might think itโs time to find a restful work or study environment.
Weโve been there, so weโve compiled something to help: a list of 11 energising places to work or study in Leiden! โจ
- 1. Barista Cafe: for a warm, cosy ambience
- 2. Lebkov & Sons: for delicious broodjes
- 3. Leiden University Library: for when all you want is silence
- 4. PLNT Leiden: for quiet workplaces in a startup hub
- 5. Sophie Kattencafรฉ: for some destressing with cuddles
- 6. 30ml: for relaxing canal views
- 7. Anne&Max: for a central location
- 8. Lot en de Walvis: for a harbour-side study spot
- 9. Chummy Coffee Leiden: for the coffee fanatics
- 10. Vooraf en Toe: for cosiness by a canal
- 11. I Scream Coffee Leiden: for delicious snacks and coffee
1. Barista Cafe: for a warm, cosy ambience
Nestled snuggly in the heart of the city lies Barista Cafe, a warm and welcoming nook for those with productivity on their mind.
Busy bees looking to work or study in Leiden can get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Breestraat and take in the scenic beauty of canal De Rijn at this cosy cafรฉ.
READ MORE | 11 cosy places to work or study in Groningen
Barista Cafรฉโs dedicated attic workplace is a great option if you love the invigorating smell of coffee, but also want focus time to blast off some assignments.
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices start at โฌ3.15 for coffee and โฌ4.25 for bites
โฐ Opening hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM every Sunday to Friday, and 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays
๐ Location: Catharinasteeg 5, 2311 DE
2. Lebkov & Sons: for delicious broodjes
A short hop and skip from the hustle and bustle of Leiden Centraal is Lebkov & Sons, a cheery family-owned chain of cafรฉs.
One of many Lebkov & Sons throughout the Randstad, this Leiden location is perfect for remote workers or freelancers thatโd like a change of scenery from their home work desk.
Complete with steaming cups of well-roasted coffee and baristas who arenโt waiting for you to move along, this Leiden cafe will help keep you focused. โ๏ธ
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices start at โฌ2.95 for coffee and โฌ3.75 for bites
โฐ Opening hours: 6 AM to 7 PM every Monday to Friday, and 7 AM to 7 PM every Saturday and Sunday
๐ Location: Bargelaan 8, 2333 CT
3. Leiden University Library: for when all you want is silence
Any visitor with a functioning LU card can access the Leiden University Library, even if you arenโt a student any more.
For pure โget sh๐ฉt done now!โ silence, thereโs nothing to beat the university library, which even offers private study rooms for dedicated focus time.
READ MORE | 15 motivating places to work or study in The Hague
Donโt mind a bit of noise? The library cafรฉ might also be a solid choice, especially if youโd also fancy some snacks when you get peckish!
Tip: You donโt need to have an LU card to enter this part of the library.
Let op! During exam season, most of the study places will be reserved for students at the university.
๐ข Type: Library
๐ฐ Price: Free
โฐ Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 12 AM every Monday to Friday, and 10 AM to 11 PM every Saturday and Sunday
๐ Location: Witte Singel 27, 2311 BG
4. PLNT Leiden: for quiet workplaces in a startup hub
If you thought PLNTโs building was just a hangout for fancy-schmancy tech startups (and DutchReview, of course! ๐), think again.
READ MORE | 8 Dutch startups that make the world a better place
This social hub opens its doors to all students, freelancers, and remote workers that are looking for a place to work or study in Leiden.
With many productive nooks for serious focus time and a charming cafรฉ and rooftop garden for quick work/study breaks, PLNT is perfect for those looking to power through some deadlines.
๐ข Type: Business centre
๐ฐ Price: As much as a cup of joe at the cafรฉ
โฐ Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 5 PM every Monday to Friday (closed on weekends)
๐ Location: Langegracht 70, 2312 NV
5. Sophie Kattencafรฉ: for some destressing with cuddles
Dying for some cuddle therapy, but donโt own any pets? Maak je geen zorgen (donโt worry), because Sophie Kattencafรฉ waits for your on Leidenโs Haarlemmerstraat. . ๐
This quiet little cafรฉ is the purrrfect place to chill out with some furry friends whilst you work or study in Leiden.
Let op! You usually have to book ahead to ensure thereโs a seat available.
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices start at โฌ2.6 for a coffee
โฐ Opening hours: 10 AM to 4 PM every Tuesday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays, and 11 AM to 4 PM on Sundays (closed on Mondays)
๐ Location: Haarlemmerstraat 241, 2312 DR
6. 30ml: for relaxing canal views
If you fancy sitting back and sipping a coffee, whilst listening to the gentle lapping of water in canals, then 30ml is the place for you.
This cosy cafรฉ offers canal-side tranquillity for those looking for a relaxing place to do a bit of work or study in one of the Netherlandsโ most beautiful student cities.
READ MORE | A guide to the best student cities in the Netherlands in 2023
If the views are too distracting, no worries. The cafe also offers a little quiet room down the back where many a hard worker may retreat for some peace and productivity.
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices start at โฌ2.20 for coffee
โฐ Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM every Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM every Saturday, and 11 AM to 5 PM every Sunday
๐ Location: Botermarkt 3, 2311 EM
7. Anne&Max: for a central location
Are work or university deadlines freaking you out? A sweet treat at Anne&Max may not be able to get your assignments done for you, but itโll definitely help calm you down!
This quaint cafรฉ is just a stroll away from Leidenโs picturesque Nieuwe Rijn and offers the perfect environment for some much-needed focus time.
Let op! If youโre going to be using your laptop between 11 AM and 3 PM, you need to sit at one of the designated work tables.
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices start at โฌ3 for coffee
โฐ Opening hours: 8 AM to 6 PM every Monday to Saturday, and 9 AM to 6 PM every Sunday
๐ Location: Gangetje 2, 2311 ER
8. Lot en de Walvis: for a harbour-side study spot
In addition to being a fabulous spot to grab a bite to eat, Lot en de Walvis is a solid choice for any freelancer or student thatโs looking for a restful place to sit and work โ especially on a sunny warm day.
The historic headquarters of the now-defunct Leiden Steamship Company offers a calm atmosphere thatโs perfect for some focus time, all while enjoying beautiful harbour views.
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices start at โฌ7 for bites and โฌ3.25 for coffee
โฐ Opening hours: 10 AM to 12 AM every Monday to Friday, and 9 AM to 12 AM every Saturday and Sunday
๐ Location: Haven 1, 2312 MG
9. Chummy Coffee Leiden: for the coffee fanatics
Calling all coffee lovers! If the idea of working or studying whilst bathed in the aroma of your favourite beverage sounds perfect to you, then you need to check out Chummy Coffee Leiden.
READ MORE | 18 energising places to work or study in Rotterdam
Between delicious, steaming cups of joe on tap and the invigorating scent of them, your fingers are sure to be flying across your keyboard.
Let op! There is a โno laptopโ policy on Saturdays.
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices not publicly listed
โฐ Opening hours: 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM every Wednesday to Saturday (closed Sunday to Tuesday)
๐ Location: Breestraat 97, 2311 CK
10. Vooraf en Toe: for cosiness by a canal
Dโyou love the sights and sounds of Leidenโs gorgeous old town, but want a few hours of silence to get some assignments done?
We hear you! Vooraf en Toe is a cosy little cafรฉ by Leidenโs Nieuwe Rijn that offers visitors an idyllic spot to make a dent in their work or study assignments.
This location is perfect for any night owls out there, as the cafe is also a restaurant that stays open until late at night.
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices start at โฌ3 for bites and โฌ2.7 for coffee
โฐ Opening hours: 7:30 AM to 12 AM every day (except for Wednesdays and Saturdays, when it opens by 7 AM)
๐ Location: Botermarkt 8, 2311 EM
11. I Scream Coffee Leiden: for delicious snacks and coffee
Perhaps, like us, you like to munch on something whilst you work. (No judgement here, munch away! ๐)
Well, then I Scream Coffee is one quirky cafรฉ that deserves to be on your radar, as its snacks and coffee are about as lekker as its relaxing work and study environment.
READ MORE | 11 inspiring places to work or study in Nijmegen
Feeling like a distraction? Thatโs ok, it happens.
What if we told you that you donโt even have to leave the premises? Simply turn the corner at the end of the cafe and youโll find a quirky shop with many independently owned businesses and their exotic items.
๐ข Type: Cafรฉ
๐ฐ Price: Prices not publicly listed
โฐ Opening hours: 10 AM to 5 PM every Monday to Sunday
๐ Location: Nieuwstraat 13-15, 2312 KA
Whether youโre plagued by noisy neighbours, want a change of scenery, or are just looking for an excuse to have a delicious slice of apple pie whilst you work, these 11 places to work or study in Leiden are sure to help you stay productive! ๐ช
Which of these places is destined to be your next favourite work or study spot? Tell us all about it in the comments below!