24 hours on the road: in the most fun Leiden

Last week I wrote an article about the most wonderful spots in our country, this week I’m stepping into our Renault Twingo to admire one of the highlights myself. We parked almost on the canal (where we can easily fit between with our slim car, haha) and walked (okay, hopped to the ‘all I want for Christmas’ sound) straight onto the floating Christmas market of Leiden. We drank hot chocolate with marshmallows, hopped from one chateau to another, and wandered via the ice rink and Christmas fair towards the cutest shops and boutiques in the heart of the city. Man, Leiden is so much fun. Why has no one given me this top tip before? You understand: I’m passing it on to you right away. 24 hours in Leiden is what you want, preferably this month, combined with cheese fondue and glühwein. And if you’re still in doubt, I’ve gathered more than enough evidence below to convince you. Here they come.

Christmas in Leiden

Sounds exactly as cool as it is. The Christmas market of Leiden actually floats on the canals of the new Rhine. An ice rink, a fair, and a messy hundred chalets with lots of Christmas must-haves, gifts for under the tree, cheese fondue, glühwein, oliebollen, hot chocolate, and one of my favorites: a chalet filled with the most beautiful bouquets of dried flowers is what you can expect from this floating situation until December 24th. A case of ’all you want for Christmas‘.

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Coffee (and a lot of treats) o’clock

You drink coffee most cozily at ROOS or Kleine planeet, including the tastiest sandwiches, smoothie bowls, soups, cakes, and much more. Candle on, view of the canals, and we say: nothing more to do. Or well, maybe just quickly take a photo for the Gram.

ROOS: Botermarkt 12

Kleine Planeet: Botermarkt 26

To score the most original gifts

A concept store where we wandered around for way too long was Lucies, where the cutest cards, mini gifts, jewelry, and home accessories were up for grabs. I could seriously find something for everyone for a last-minute gift, including myself. Love it.

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Visiting Paco

Maybe the funniest entrance I ever walked into: Paco Ciao it is. With a wooden front door as the main entrance, you suddenly find yourself in someone’s bedroom? Once you finally – I won’t spoil anything – found the entrance to the restaurant, you might score one of the last tables with a bit of luck. With the menu in front of us and the handsome interior taken in, we totally understand where that weekday hustle comes from. Pink pancakes, smashed chicken avocado toast, healthy shakes (with the glow as a favorite), red velvet situations, coffees, salads, and bowls: everything that comes by looks like a work of art and we want to order, eat, and photograph it immediately.

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For the interior junkies

My new love is Skyler Store, an interior shop totally packed with the coolest furniture and home accessories. The coolest lamps, the most beautiful herringbone table, totally over-the-top printed cushions, even more lamps (definitely check out the Leaf collection) with the coolest rugs on the floor. Skyler Store then. You’ll definitely be busy for an hour (or two), bet?

Botermarkt 22