Leiden Travel Guide: The Best Alternative to Amsterdam, Strongly Recommended by Locals

Overtourism in Amsterdam Is So Bad That Locals Are Telling You Not to Come

A born-and-raised Amsterdam resident recently posted on social media, essentially saying: if you want to experience authentic Dutch city life, Leiden is more worth visiting than Amsterdam.

The context behind this post is Amsterdam's increasingly severe overtourism problem. As one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, Amsterdam has been overwhelmed by the massive influx of visitors in recent years. By 2026, the situation is expected to get even worse. Local residents' daily lives have been severely disrupted, and the city's once-unique cultural atmosphere is gradually dissolving under waves of commercialization.

It's worth noting that overtourism is not simply a matter of tourist numbers — it's the result of three compounding forces: the proliferation of low-cost airlines, the expansion of short-term rental platforms (like Airbnb), and social media check-in culture. Cheap flights have dramatically lowered the barrier to travel between European cities, while Airbnb has converted massive amounts of residential housing into tourist accommodations, directly squeezing local residents' living space and driving up costs. At one point, Airbnb listings in Amsterdam's city center exceeded 20,000 units — essentially turning entire neighborhoods into transient hotel zones. This structural pressure is the deeper reason why locals are actively discouraging tourists from visiting.

Why Can Leiden Serve as an Alternative to Amsterdam?

Its Historical Heritage Is Just as Impressive

Leiden's historical depth likely exceeds most people's expectations. The Dutch blogger stated outright that Leiden's historical significance in some respects even surpasses Amsterdam's. A few key facts:

• Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is the oldest university in the Netherlands, still ranking among Europe's top institutions today
• Rembrandt was born in Leiden — this is the hometown of the Dutch Golden Age master
• The Siege of Leiden in 1574 was one of the most critical battles in the Dutch War of Independence, profoundly shaping Dutch national identity

The founding of Leiden University is itself a legendary story. It was established by William I of Orange (William the Silent) in 1575, originally as a reward for the citizens' heroic resistance during the siege — the citizens even declined William's offer of tax exemption, requesting a university instead. During the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, the university reached its zenith, attracting thinkers like Descartes and becoming an important cradle of the European Enlightenment. Its medical faculty was long ranked among the world's best, with physicians like Herman Boerhaave laying the foundations of modern clinical medicine here. It was in this city, rich with academic and artistic atmosphere, that Rembrandt grew up — nurturing his profound insight into light, shadow, and human nature.

Same Canal Scenery, Completely Different Travel Experience

The most compelling point in the post: as a tourist, you can barely tell Leiden and Amsterdam apart. Both cities feature typical Dutch canals, elegant gabled buildings, and charming alleyways. But the key difference — Leiden has almost no tourists.

What does this mean? You can stroll peacefully along the canals, sit down at a street-side café without fighting for a seat, and take photos without waiting for crowds to clear. The same Dutch urban aesthetic, but a completely different quality of experience.

Overtourism Isn't Just Amsterdam's Problem

Amsterdam's predicament is far from unique. Venice, Barcelona, Kyoto, Prague... countless historic cities worldwide are battling overtourism. Amsterdam has already implemented numerous measures: restricting new hotel construction, banning cannabis shop advertising targeting tourists, and imposing stricter controls on cruise ships.

This trend has also given rise to an increasingly popular travel philosophy: finding "alternatives" to popular destinations. Leiden is to Amsterdam what Porto is to Lisbon, or Bologna is to Florence — offering similar or even purer cultural experiences without the discomforts of over-commercialization.

In tourism academia, this phenomenon is called "Tourist Dispersal" and has become one of the core strategies in destination management in recent years. The EU Tourism Commission has listed the promotion of lesser-known destinations as an important component of sustainable tourism policy. This trend also aligns closely with Gen Z travelers' desire to "go where fewer people go and take different photos," creating a dual drive of market demand and policy direction — tourists seeking differentiated experiences while city administrators actively guide the distribution of visitor flows.

What This Means for Travelers

When an Amsterdam local actively suggests tourists go elsewhere, that in itself is a powerful signal. It reminds us of a few things:

• Deep travel is far more meaningful than checking boxes: Lesser-known destinations often deliver more authentic and memorable cultural experiences
• Local recommendations carry the most weight: They know which places are truly worth your time
• Sustainable tourism requires tourist dispersal: Directing people to more diverse destinations lets popular cities breathe while bringing vitality to overlooked ones — a win-win

Practical Information for Leiden

Leiden is only about 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam, and even closer from Schiphol Airport — extremely convenient to reach. If you're planning a trip to the Netherlands, I sincerely recommend adding this severely underrated historic city to your itinerary. Instead of fighting through Amsterdam's crowds, Leiden might give you an entirely different impression of the Netherlands.