Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Leiden, Burcht Castle & Rapenburg Canal

A 12th-century circular shell-keep on an artificial motte at the confluence of the Oude and Nieuwe Rijn, the oldest surviving structure in Leiden and the only motte-and-bailey of its kind in the Netherlands. Free entry, panoramic 360° view from the ramparts over the entire historic centre, the Hooglandse Kerk and the canals. Leashed dogs are welcome on the ramparts and in the inner courtyard; the cellar restaurant De Burcht admits dogs on its garden terrace.

The Rapenburg is Leiden's most beautiful canal, double-tree-lined with patrician 17th-century townhouses, the 1575 Universiteit Leiden Academiegebouw, and the wall of the Hortus Botanicus (oldest in the Netherlands, 1590). Halfway along, a side street leads to the Pieterskerk square and church, where the Mayflower Pilgrim congregation worshipped 1609-1620 before sailing for the New World, with a memorial plaque to Pastor John Robinson buried inside. Dogs are welcome on the canal walk and the cobbled Pieterskerkhof square; the church interior assistance dogs only.

A 1743 corn windmill on the northern singel, now a working windmill museum and one of Leiden's most photographed landmarks. The museum interior admits only assistance dogs but the brick base courtyard, the singel walk around the mill and the Plantage park behind (oldest urban park in the Netherlands, 1656) are dog-walkable on leash. Pair with the Singelpark green ring for a calm 2 km canal-and-mill loop from the Beestenmarkt.