Find Rental Housing in Leiden
Leiden is a historic university city with the oldest university in the Netherlands. The compact city center, canals, and student culture make it highly desirable. Due to its location between The Hague and Amsterdam, there is also high demand from commuters.
Kijkie in Leiden
Source: automatically collected data via Kijkie. Last updated: December 28, 2025
How the rental market in Leiden really is
Leiden combines historic charm with university bustle in a compact city.
Prices by property type
A room costs €500-700 per month on average. Studios are scarce and start at €950-1,200. Apartments start around €1,200-1,500 for a one-bedroom.
The reality of searching
Leiden is competitive due to the combination of students and commuters. The historic center has limited supply. Outer neighborhoods like Stevenshof and Merenwijk offer more options.
Student housing
Leiden University has about 35,000 students. DUWO manages many student residences. Waiting lists can be 1-3 years.
Commuter effect
The central location (15 min to The Hague, 35 min to Amsterdam) makes Leiden popular with workers. This increases demand in the mid-range segment.
Historic center
Living within the canals is expensive but charming. Many monumental buildings are rented out, sometimes with restrictions.
Neighborhoods in Leiden
Binnenstad
ExpensiveHistoric center with canals. Monumental, expensive, lively.
Leiden Noord
AverageMix of old and new. Close to station, good value.
Stevenshof
AffordableQuiet newer neighborhood in the west. Families, affordable.
Merenwijk
AffordableLarge neighborhood in the north. Many facilities, mix of housing.
Leiden Bio Science Park
AverageUniversity area with modern student housing.
Best strategy for Leiden
Budget < €750
Focus on rooms in Stevenshof, Merenwijk, or Leiden Noord. DUWO for student housing.
Budget €750 - €1.200
Studios in outer neighborhoods or small apartments. Also consider Leiderdorp or Oegstgeest.
Budget > €1.200
Choice in city center or larger apartments. Monumental buildings available.
Also consider these places
Scam advice for Leiden
Studentenfraude
New students are targets in August. Only use official DUWO channels.
Monumentale panden
Check if rental is legal for monumental buildings - sometimes there are restrictions.
Te mooi om waar te zijn
A canal house for €800? That doesn't exist. Be critical.
Vooruitbetaling
Never pay without seeing the property and meeting the landlord.
Tips for Leiden
Register early with DUWO - waiting lists are long
Leiderdorp and Oegstgeest are 10 min cycling and often cheaper
Train connections to The Hague and Amsterdam are excellent
Also search outside the canals - many nice neighborhoods
University networks and Facebook groups are active in Leiden
How Kijkie helps in Leiden
Kijkie scans 284+ rental websites and sends you free alerts as soon as a property in Leiden becomes available that matches your preferences.
Create a free account and set up your Leiden alertsFAQ about Leiden
Is Leiden a good city for students?
Excellent - it's the oldest university city with rich student culture. The city is compact and everything is reachable by bike. But competitive for rooms.
How long does it take to find something in Leiden?
On average 2-4 months. For rooms in the center longer. Outer neighborhoods are slightly easier.
Is Leiden well connected from Amsterdam?
Yes, 35 minutes by train. Many people live in Leiden and work in Amsterdam or The Hague (15 min).
Which neighborhood is best for students?
The center is lively but expensive. Leiden Noord and Bio Science Park are popular. Stevenshof and Merenwijk are cheaper.
Are there good alternatives to Leiden?
Leiderdorp and Oegstgeest are popular alternatives, just 10 minutes cycling. Voorschoten and Katwijk are also accessible.