The Deep Dive Discover Tour of Leiden

The boarding location for the Deep Dive Discover Tour is on De Beestenmarkt, in Leiden, about a 5-minute walk from Leiden Central Station.

The guided part of the Deep Dive Discover Tour lasts approximately 4 hours. If you’re having lunch or dinner, you’re welcome to stay at the table a little longer afterwards.

You’ll cruise along Leiden’s historic waterways, step ashore to visit the city’s windmill on foot and explore the Hortus Botanicus, and join a chocolate workshop or gin tasting, with your captain-guide sharing stories along the way.

Yes, entry to the windmill and the Hortus Botanicus is included in the Deep Dive Discover Tour. Guests don't need to purchase tickets themselves.

The Deep Dive Discover Tour is available in English and Dutch. All our captains are proficient at both, so no need to select a language during booking.

Plans can change and unforeseen things can happen; we understand! You can cancel or reschedule the Deep Dive Discover Tour free of charge up to 48 hours before departure.

The Deep Dive Discover Tour runs in most weather, with umbrellas and blankets on board. We’ll contact you to reschedule if conditions become unsafe. We recommend dressing for the weather.

Guests need to step from the shore onto the boat, and the tour involves some walking. If limited mobility might be an issue, please contact us so we can discuss the situation and look for solutions together.

Leiden has enough packed into it that a single walk or a single cruise only shows you one side of the city. The Deep Dive Discover Tour from Discover Canal Cruises combines them: you’ll see Leiden from the water, step ashore to visit its windmill on foot, wander the Hortus Botanicus at your own pace, and round things off with a chocolate workshop or gin tasting and a proper lunch or dinner. It’s a way to cover the canals, the history, a taste of local flavour and a meal, all in one private day out, without having to piece it together yourself. If you’d rather explore only on land instead, our sister site Discover Leiden runs Culinary and Cultural tours in Leiden year-round.

We advise you to be at the departure spot 10 minutes before departure so we can maximize your time on the tour.

The Deep Dive Discover Tour is priced for 2 passengers, with room for up to 6 in total (€99 per extra person). Larger group? Send us a message, and we’ll see what we can arrange.

Yes, lunch is included with the morning tour and dinner with the afternoon tour, and you’re welcome to stay at the table a little longer once the guided part of the tour has finished.

The Deep Dive Discover Tour runs all year, with a morning departure at 10:00 or an afternoon departure at 14:00.

The chocolate workshop runs with the 10:00 morning tour, and the gin tasting runs with the 14:00 afternoon tour. You choose your time, and therefore your activity, when booking.

We are happy to create a custom, personal experience together with you. So please contact us, and let us know what you have in mind.

From world-class museums and historic streets to picturesque canals, Leiden has something for everyone. Yet one of the most memorable ways to experience the city is from the water. Aboard a private canal cruise, you can kick back and take in Leiden’s timeless beauty as it unfolds around you, revealing a perspective of the city that few visitors on foot ever get to see. Want to combine that with the city’s windmill, its botanical garden, a taste of local chocolate or gin, and a proper meal, all in one go? The Deep Dive Discover Tour brings Leiden’s best activities together into a single, private 4-hour experience.

You can book your Deep Dive Discover Tour directly on this page. Click “Book a Deep Dive Tour Now” to choose your preferred date, select the number of guests, and complete your booking. Choose the 10:00 departure for the chocolate workshop or the 14:00 departure for gin tasting. You can find the Deep Dive Discover Tour details and the booking button underneath here.

Since drinks and snacks on board, and lunch or dinner are already included, there’s generally no need, but you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks if you like. In case of special dietary requirements, please contact us by phone or through our contact form.

Yes, your personal English- and Dutch-speaking guide stays with you for the whole tour up to lunch or dinner, sharing the sights, history and fun facts of Leiden along the way.