Skip to content
Visit Leiden
Windmill De Valk in Leiden reflected in the water of the Singel

Molen De Valk — climb a working city windmill

De Valk is the last of Leiden's nineteen city windmills and one of the very few tower mills in the Netherlands you can climb from the miller's living quarters right up to the cap. Built in 1743, it still grinds grain on windy days.

What you see inside

  • The miller's family home on the ground floor, furnished as it was around 1900.
  • Millstones, sack hoists and the grain floors on levels two to five.
  • The cap and the brake wheel, with the sails turning right past the window.
  • A balcony gallery with a panorama over the Singel, the Beestenmarkt and the old centre.

Practical information

  • Address: 2e Binnenvestgracht 1, a 6-minute walk from Leiden Centraal.
  • Allow 45–60 minutes; combine it with the Beestenmarkt terraces next door.
  • Steep wooden stairs and low beams — not suitable for wheelchairs or prams.
  • Included in the Museumkaart; a small ticket is sold at the door.

Insider tips

Ask at the desk whether the mill is turning that day; when the sails run, a volunteer miller explains the grinding in English. The best photograph is from the bridge on the Rijnsburgersingel late in the afternoon, when the brickwork turns warm red.

Location, opening hours & tickets

Address

Molenmuseum De Valk
2e Binnenvestgracht 1
2312 BZ Leiden

7-minute walk from Leiden Centraal

Get directions Official website

Opening hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday10:00–17:00
Wednesday10:00–17:00
Thursday10:00–17:00
Friday10:00–17:00
Saturday10:00–17:00
Sunday10:00–17:00

Admission

€ 6Museumkaart accepted

Opening hours and prices are indicative — check the official website before your visit, especially around public holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go all the way to the top of De Valk?
Yes. Visitors climb seven levels to the gallery and the cap, using original steep stairs.
Is De Valk still a working mill?
It is. Volunteer millers set the sails and grind grain on suitable days, usually at weekends.
What are the opening hours of Molenmuseum De Valk?
Molenmuseum De Valk is open on Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00. Closed on Mon. Hours are indicative; check the official website around public holidays.
How much is a ticket for Molenmuseum De Valk?
A standard adult ticket for Molenmuseum De Valk costs around € 6. Children and students usually pay less. Entry is included with a Museumkaart.
Can you buy tickets for Molenmuseum De Valk online?
Tickets for Molenmuseum De Valk are sold at the desk or via the official website. Our tickets page does offer combination tickets for other Leiden attractions.
How do I get to Molenmuseum De Valk?
Molenmuseum De Valk is a 7-minute walk from Leiden Centraal. Arriving by car? Use a city-centre car park and walk the last stretch.
When is Molenmuseum De Valk least busy?
Weekday mornings just after opening and the final hour before closing are the quietest times at Molenmuseum De Valk. School holidays, Sundays and public holidays are busiest.