Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Naturalis: An inspiring day out for the whole family

The Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden offers a fascinating day of discovery and education, perfect for the whole family. As the national research institute for biodiversity, Naturalis is dedicated to describing, understanding, and preserving the natural riches of our planet.

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 both 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 room, 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, accumulated over more than 200 years. This collection is invaluable for scientific research, contributing to the understanding and addressing of current issues such as climate change and species extinction. Special attention is given to the colonial past and the rectification of injustices, with research into the origins of objects of cultural, historical, or religious significance for their countries of origin.

A visit to Naturalis

A visit to Naturalis offers the opportunity to count Trix’s teeth, meet the researchers, and discover their daily work. 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 at the museum.

Practical information

  • Opening hours: Naturalis is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed only four days a year: King’s Day, two cleaning days (July 2 and September 3), and Christmas Day (December 25).
  • Address: Darwinweg 2 and Mendelweg 2, Leiden
  • Parking: There is a paid parking lot available at Naturalis. Alternative parking options include the Morspoort parking garage (10 minutes walk), Ehrenfestweg parking garage (15 minutes walk), or the parking lot at Haagweg. Note: Due to construction on the new parking garage, very limited parking spaces will be available at Naturalis from August 12 to mid-September 2025.
  • Public Transport: Naturalis is within walking distance from Leiden Central Station (LUMC side exit). The walking route is clearly marked from the station. Buses from Central Station stop at the Darwinweg/Naturalis bus stop. Plan your trip via 9292.nl.

Tickets for the museum and the Rexperience can be reserved online through the Naturalis website, which is recommended to guarantee entry and avoid waiting times.