9 energising places to work or study in Leiden in 2026

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If you’re looking for a place to work or study in Leiden, the gorgeous university town that’s home to the leafy beauty of the Hortus Botanicus, you’ve certainly come to the right place. 😉

Once you’ve enjoyed the hustle and bustle of all these things to see, do, and experience in the city, you might think it’s time to find a restful work or study environment.

We’ve been there, so we’ve compiled something to help: a list of 9 energising places to work or study in Leiden! ✨

1. Barista Cafe: for a warm, cosy ambience

Nestled snugly 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 café.

READ MORE | 11 cosy places to work or study in Groningen

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Barista Café’s 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.

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 cafés.

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One of many Lebkov & Sons throughout the Randstad, this Leiden location is perfect for remote workers or freelancers who’d like a change of scenery from their home work desk. 

Complete with steaming cups of well-roasted coffee and baristas who aren’t waiting for you to move along, this Leiden cafe will help keep you focused. ☕️

🏢 Type: Café

💰 Price: Prices start at €3.50 for coffee and €2.75 for bites

⏰ Opening hours: 6 AM to 7 PM every Monday to Friday, and 7 AM to 6 PM every Saturday and Sunday

📍 Location: Bargelaan 8, 2333 CT

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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 aren’t a student any more.

For pure “get sh💩t done now!” silence, there’s 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

Don’t mind a bit of noise? The library café might also be a solid choice, especially if you’d also fancy some snacks when you get peckish!

4. PLNT Leiden: for quiet workplaces in a startup hub

If you thought PLNT’s building was just a hangout for fancy-schmancy tech startups (and DutchReview, of course! 😉), 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 who are looking for a place to work or study in Leiden.

With many productive nooks for serious focus time and a charming café and rooftop garden for quick work/study breaks, PLNT is perfect for those looking to power through some deadlines.

5. Sophie Kattencafé: for some destressing with cuddles

Dying for some cuddle therapy, but don’t own any pets? Maak je geen zorgen (don’t worry), because Sophie Kattencafé waits for you on Leiden’s Haarlemmerstraat. 🐈

This quiet little café is the purrrfect place to chill out with some furry friends whilst you work or study in Leiden.

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 café offers canal-side tranquillity for those looking for a relaxing place to do a bit of work or study in one of the Netherlands’ 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.

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 it’ll definitely help calm you down!

This quaint café is just a stroll away from Leiden’s picturesque Nieuwe Rijn and offers the perfect environment for some much-needed focus time.

8. Vooraf en Toe: for cosiness by a canal

D’you love the sights and sounds of Leiden’s 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 café by Leiden’s 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.

9. 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! 😉)

Well, I Scream Coffee is one quirky café 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? That’s ok, it happens.

What if we told you that you don’t even have to leave the premises? Simply turn the corner at the end of the cafe, and you’ll find a quirky shop with many independently owned businesses and their exotic items.

Whether you’re 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 9 places to work or study in Leiden are sure to help you stay productive! 💪

Which of these places is destined to be your next favourite work or study spot? Tell us all about it in the comments below!