Leiden Windmills & Polder Walking Tour: Broekdijk and River Zijl

See how windmills shaped the Dutch landscape, step by step

This walking tour through Leiden's Merenwijk district visits historic windmills (the Broekdijk, Boterhuis and the city windmill) from the outside, with explanations of how they pumped water to reclaim land from the sea. The route follows the river Zijl through polders and quiet neighborhoods lined with traditional Dutch houses, passes a golf course, and ends at a children's farm in the lake district. A live guide leads the walk in English, Spanish or Dutch, and each person receives bottled water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Walking tour of Leiden windmills and polders

• Walk towards river Zijl through neighborhood
• Walk along river towards polders and windmills
• Visit Broekdijk windmill and nearby golf course
• Visit Boterhuis Windmill from outside
• Visit Leiden city windmill from outside
• Visit children’s farm in lake district
• Return to starting point for transport

The experience

The tour starts by walking toward the river Zijl through a quiet neighborhood where you see the architecture of typical Dutch houses and apartments. From there, the route follows the river itself as it flows through the polders, passing the Broekdijk windmill next to a golf course and the Broek polder, then the Boterhuis windmill. At each windmill you stop to learn how the old pumping technique worked and why it mattered: these machines kept Holland from flooding with seawater and later ground grain. The Leiden city windmill, located on the outskirts, gets a 10–15 minute visit as well.

The landscape shifts as you move deeper into the polders. The river Zijl is a medium-sized waterway flowing through South and West Holland, and the walk takes in the picturesque countryside around it: the kind of scenery people return to year-round. You'll have time to take photos and see the natural beauty that surrounds the golf course. This part of the route is one of the unique Netherlands walking tours, offered only by this operator in the Leiden area.

The tour ends at a children's farm in the lake district, where you see farm animals you won't find in most home countries. From there, the guide brings you back to the starting point, where you can take the bus or your own transport to return. The whole walk takes around an hour to an hour and a half, and you'll have water with you throughout.

What’s included

• Live guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Dutch.
• 500 ml bottled water for each person.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Friday

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Holidays in Holland

Is this one for you?This tour suits walkers with at least a moderate level of fitness who want to understand how windmills shaped the Dutch landscape. The route is compact (an hour to an hour and a half), so it fits into a morning or afternoon without dominating your day in Leiden.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Broekdijk and Boterhuis windmills, and why do we visit them?

The Broekdijk and Boterhuis windmills are historic structures in Leiden's Merenwijk district that pumped water to reclaim land from the sea, preventing Holland from flooding. You visit them from the outside and learn how the old pumping technique worked and what role it played in shaping the Dutch landscape.

Does the tour walk along the river Zijl the whole time?

The river Zijl is the main feature of the second half of the walk. You start by walking through a quiet neighborhood with typical Dutch architecture, then follow the river Zijl as it flows through the polders toward the windmills and the surrounding countryside.

What happens at the end of the tour?

The tour ends at a children's farm in the lake district, where you see farm animals, then the guide brings you back to the starting point. From there you take the bus or your own transport to return.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the tour are wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Public transportation options are available nearby, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.