Is Leiden Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Leiden is considered an extremely safe destination for solo female travelers. The locals are generally friendly, respectful and willing to assist in any way. The city is well-lit at night and also well-policed. While it's always important to maintain awareness of your surroundings and take normal safety precautions, overall, you can expect to feel secure while exploring Leiden.

Safety rating

4.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4.6 /5

Based on 13 experiences from local women

Leiden is currently ranked #8 safest place in Netherlands for solo female travellers, with an overall safety rating of 4.4 out of 5. . Check the full ranking.

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How safe is Leiden?

Safety at night:Safe

Leiden, is generally quite safe at night, even for solo female travelers. Like any city, it does have areas that are less safe after dark but overall, the crime rate is low. The streets are well lit and there are often people around, even late into the night due to the city's vibrant nightlife. Nonetheless, it's always a good idea to be alert and aware of your surroundings, especially while walking alone.

Public transportation:Very safe

Leiden, is quite well-known for its reliable and safe public transportation system. As a solo female traveler, do not worry about navigating the city alone. Trams, buses, and trains are accessible and frequent, and many locals, students, and tourists use them. Incidents are extremely rare and the people are generally respectful. However, it is always important to remain cautious, especially during late at night.

Street harassment:Low

Leiden is typically safe for solo female travelers. Street harassment is not a widely reported issue. The locals are friendly and culturally respectful. However, like any other place, caution should be exercised, especially during late-night hours and in less crowded areas.

Petty crimes:Low

Leiden generally has a low risk of petty crimes such as pickpocketing, purse snatching or minor scams. Of course, it's always important to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense precautions, especially in more crowded areas or at night. Overall, this city is quite safe and people often feel very comfortable traveling alone here.

Is Leiden worth visiting?

Asmin

Netherlands

Solo travel

Leiden is a student city. It's overall very safe, but like everywhere else during the night in some places, you need to be more sharp. It has many museums and is called museum city. The botanical garden is very pretty from the end of March until the end of September. It has a cafe but you can also do a picnic. It's very pretty and located in the middle of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. You can walk everywhere, you don't need to take a bus. In 30 mins, you can be at the beach too (Katwijk or Noordwijk). There are no hostels and the food is also expensive.

Posted: May 4, 2025Experienced: April, 2025

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Is Leiden safe for women?

Safety index

4.6 /5

Based on 13 local experiences

Crime index

1 /5

Based on 13 local experiences

Rayanne

I moved to Leiden months ago and from my Latin American point of view this is paradise. It's not a big nor a small city, but if feels like both, there's nice places to see, nice things to do, everything is nearby and it's very very safe. I only feel insecure after dark because I'm still a woman, but I went home by bicycle after midnight a couple of times and it was absolutely fine. I heard rumors that sometimes people break into houses here but it's not common, so just keep doors and windows locked to make sure.

Posted: June 8, 2025

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It is a small city near the coast, with a very friendly atmosphere. An university city, so many students around. Lively centre with canals, outside cafes, markets on Wednesday and Saturday, many museums, and a castle on a hill.

Posted: June 4, 2025

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