Leidseplein, Amsterdam | Photos, Nightlife, Things to Do

Leidseplein, Amsterdam Overview

Laced with nightclubs, steakhouses and parks which are just footsteps away, Leidseplein in Amsterdam is a busy and popular square. It is located at the heart of Amsterdam and is a hub for party lovers and entertainment seekers.

From watching a street performance to dining in a fancy restaurant, the lively square has it all. With its location in the central part of the city, this square is always bustling with life, mainly in the night time with its stream of party-goers and in the day time with tourists and locals hopping around cafés, theatres and shops. Leidseplein's history dates back to the 17th century when this area was used as a parking space for the farmers’ horses, carts and carriages.

History of Leidseplein

The Leidseplein is a square in Amsterdam, located at the end of Leidsestraat and named after Leidsepoort (Leidse port). It stood there until 1862, and with it, the road to Leiden got its beginning. Previously this square was used as a parking area for the farmers’ horses and carts in the 17th century.

How to Reach Leidseplein

Tram: You can take Trams 1, 2 or 5 from the Central Station and Trams 7 and 10 from the other areas.

Bus: Bus 170 and 172 run from the Amsterdam Central Stations till Museumplein.

Nightlife at Leidseplein

It is the nightlife of this place which steals the show. Leidseplein is home to world-renowned clubs and live music venues such as Paradiso, featuring Indie music or Melkweg, featuring hip-hop, R&B and electronic music from international artists as well as Irish pubs, coffeehouses and cafés on the side streets which light up night time here. Summers here are splendid with open terraces that line up on the streets and in winter, the terraces are substituted by a giant outdoor skating rink for tourists to enjoy.

While in Amsterdam, especially if on the Leidse Square, the Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket is an offer not to be missed. Its availability ranges from two to seven days, and if you want to experience the nightlife here, this ticket will allow you to choose from a variety of options like the Amsterdam Dungeon and the Hard Rock Café while keeping your Euros in check.

Things to Do at Leidseplein

On the square, it is entertainment on all corners with street artists - jugglers, musicians and fire swallowers performing their shows and leisure time at pavement cafés which are the ideal spot for watching people hustle by on the busy Amsterdam streets. The Leidsestraat, the busy street which leads to the square, is the perfect place to shop for accessories and clothing while the Stadsschouwburg theatre here is an architectural marvel to check out. Built-in 1894 this theatre once served as the home of the National Ballet and Opera. Along with the Stadsschouwburg, the beautiful DeLaMar theatre is worth a visit if you fancy a musical and entertaining night.

With museums, canal cruises and the famed Holland Casino near the square, it stays alive and packed with tourists all year round. The delightful variety in cuisines from the restaurants, cafés and bars across this place are worth trying and the minute away distance of this square from famous sightseeing spots like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Vondelpark makes it convenient for tourists and locals alike to grab a bite here.