Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Museums
The Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden offers a fascinating day full of discoveries and education, perfect for the whole family. As a national research institute in the field of biodiversity, Naturalis is committed to describing, understanding, and conserving the planet’s natural wealth.
At Naturalis, visitors can come face to face with the famous T. rex Trix and other impressive highlights. The museum provides an engaging experience for young and old, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of nature. The new exhibition halls are filled with the most beautiful natural finds, and a visit to the LiveScience hall, awarded the BankGiro Lottery Museum Prize, is free and offers a behind-the-scenes look at scientific research.
Naturalis manages an impressive collection of over 43 million natural objects, gathered over more than 200 years. This collection is invaluable for scientific research and contributes to understanding and addressing current issues such as climate change and species loss. Special attention is given to the colonial past and the rectification of injustice, with research into the origins of objects of cultural, historical, or religious significance for the countries of origin.
A visit to Naturalis
A visit to Naturalis offers the opportunity to count Trix’s teeth, meet the researchers, and discover what they do on a daily basis. Visitors can marvel at the Netherlands during the Ice Age and come face to face with an African elephant. There is something new to experience every day in the museum.
Practical information
Opening hours: Naturalis is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00 and is closed only four days a year: King’s Day, two cleaning days (2 July and 3 September), and Christmas Day (25 December).
Address: Darwinweg 2 and Mendelweg 2, Leiden
Parking
There is a (paid) parking lot available at Naturalis. Alternative parking options include the Morspoort garage (10 minutes’ walk), Ehrenfestweg garage (15 minutes’ walk), or the parking lot at Haagweg. Please note: Due to construction of the new parking garage, there will be very limited parking available at Naturalis from 12 August until mid-September 2025.
Public transport
Naturalis is within walking distance from Leiden Central Station (LUMC exit). The walking route is clearly marked from the station. Buses from Central Station stop at the Darwinweg/Naturalis bus stop. Plan your journey via 9292.nl.
Tickets for the museum and the Rexperience can be reserved online via the Naturalis website, which is recommended to guarantee entry and avoid waiting times.