A Travel Price Comparison for Netherlands The Hague vs. Leiden for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit The Hague or Leiden?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between The Hague and Leiden can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a international, bustling, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping. See The Hague travel costs.

Leiden

Leiden is a historic, cultural, and scholarly city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Leiden travel costs.

The Hague and Leiden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Leiden?

You'll generally find more things to do in The Hague than Leiden. The Hague is bigger than Leiden, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. The Hague is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Leiden is more popular for its museums and attractions. Leiden is more touristy than The Hague and is known for its many museums and renowned university. The Hague is well known for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy. Also, The Hague is famous for The Peace Palace.

How is The Hague different from Leiden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Leiden and The Hague. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in The Hague or Leiden?

Leiden is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Leiden specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a huge number of museums around town. Some are affiliated with the museum, while others are not. Some of the favorites include the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden), Naturalis Biodiversity Center, The Boerhaave Museum, the Corpus Museum, and the National Ethnological Museum.

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in The Hague or Leiden? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between The Hague and Leiden can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in The Hague. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Leiden. There's a diverse food scene with many international flavors such as Japanese, Chinese, and French. The cafe culture influences the culinary scene and you'll find many cozy cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a bite to eat.

Is The Hague or Leiden Better for Nightlife?

The Hague is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The Hague has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

Leiden has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The large student population means that there is a good nightlife scene. There are a variety of bars, pubs, and cafes where you can enjoy a drink, with options ranging from cozy, intimate spots to larger, more vibrant venues. The Oude Markt area, with its charming historic setting, is a hotspot for nightlife, offering a mix of traditional Dutch bars and international-themed pubs.

Is The Hague or Leiden Better for Music?

The Hague is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Leiden is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, The Hague has diverse options. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Leiden is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Leiden?

The Hague is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in The Hague. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

Leiden is a great destination for shopping. There are a mix of unique boutiques, international brands, and charming local stores. The Breestraat and Nieuwe Rijn are popular shopping streets, and they're lined with a variety of shops selling everything from fashion and accessories to books, art, and antiques. The city also has several markets, including a weekly Saturday market near the Pieterskerk, where you can find fresh produce, flowers, and vintage items.

Is The Hague or Leiden Better for Families?

Leiden is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Leiden is a very family-friendly destination. The town has a mix of educational, cultural, and fun activities for all ages. There are many family-friendly museums like Naturalis Biodiversity Center, where kids can explore dinosaurs and wildlife, and the National Museum of Antiquities, which brings history to life. There's also the Corpus Museum, which takes visitors on a unique, interactive journey through the human body.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in The Hague. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

Is The Hague or Leiden Better for Couples?

Both The Hague and Leiden are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

The Hague is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Leiden makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy charming towns and world class museums will enjoy their time here. The town also has picturesque canals, historic bridges, and cozy street cafes. Couples can explore places like the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Netherlands, or enjoy a quiet moment in the scenic Leidse Hout Park.

Is The Hague or Leiden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

The Hague and Leiden are both notable destinations for backpackers.

The Hague is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

It's common for backpackers to visit Leiden. The city offers affordable accommodations, including hostels and budget-friendly hotels, as well as reasonably priced eateries serving Dutch classics and international cuisine. Many of Leiden’s attractions, like its historic canals, charming streets, and open-air markets, can be enjoyed for free.

Is The Hague or Leiden Better for Students?

The Hague is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit The Hague. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

Leiden is a great city to visit as a student. It feels like a university town and it's home to Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university is known for its academic excellence and vibrant student community. The town also has a young atmosphere with plenty of affordable cafes, bars, and cultural events that influence the student life. Its compact size makes it easy to navigate by bike, and the abundance of libraries, study spaces, and museums provides ample resources for learning and inspiration. Housing can be difficult to find though.

Is The Hague or Leiden Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

The Hague is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Leiden is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in The Hague. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Leiden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Leiden Central Station is the main hub for trains, which connect the city to other towns throughout the country. Around town there are buses that are reliable and convenient.

Is The Hague or Leiden a more walkable city?

Leiden is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Leiden is very walkable. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with many of its attractions, cafes, shops, and historical sites located within walking distance of each other.

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

For even more information, also check out Is The Hague Worth Visiting? and Is Leiden Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Leiden or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Leiden?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in The Hague or Leiden to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in The Hague than Leiden because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for The Hague, and 1-2 days is enough time in Leiden.

Families should spend more time in Leiden than The Hague. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Leiden, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in The Hague than Leiden. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in The Hague that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in The Hague than Leiden if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in The Hague.

One day in The Hague or Leiden?

The Hague is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Leiden. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Leiden has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in The Hague or Leiden?

The Hague is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scholarly destination of Leiden. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in The Hague or Leiden?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in The Hague. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Leiden. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in The Hague or Leiden?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the global big city of The Hague. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Leiden is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, and The Best Adventure Tours to Netherlands.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between The Hague and Leiden, we can see that The Hague is more expensive. And not only is Leiden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leiden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leiden and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague than you might in Leiden.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is The Hague Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Leiden?

The Hague has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of The Hague and Leiden, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit The Hague or Leiden?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit The Hague or Leiden in the Summer?

Both Leiden and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to The Hague because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Leiden this time of year.

In July, The Hague is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 17°C (62°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Leiden. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in The Hague. The Hague usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden during summer. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, The Hague usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leiden. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit The Hague or Leiden in the Autumn?

Both Leiden and The Hague during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Leiden for the shopping scene.

The Hague is around the same temperature as Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, The Hague often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Leiden. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Leiden in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Leiden. Many travelers come to The Hague for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Leiden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in The Hague. In the winter, The Hague is around the same temperature as Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in The Hague in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).

The Hague usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden during winter. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, The Hague usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leiden. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit The Hague or Leiden in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Leiden. Many visitors come to The Hague in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, The Hague is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in The Hague average around 8°C (46°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, The Hague often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Leiden. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Leiden and The Hague