• naturalis biodiversity center leiden outside view of the cubic building
  • naturalis biodiversity center leiden inside view with interesting ceiling of strange paterns
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Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden

The Naturalis Biodiversity Center in is a leading natural history museum and research institute established in 1820. Housed in a modern building designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects, it combines contemporary and historic architecture. Naturalis showcases millions of specimens from around the world and serves as a major research hub studying life’s origins, evolution, and conservation. Through interactive exhibits and immersive experiences, it educates visitors about biodiversity, environmental challenges, and the importance of preserving nature.The Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, Netherlands, is a premier natural history museum and research institute renowned for its vast collections and cutting-edge scientific research. Established in 1820 and housed in a strikingly modern facility designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architects, Naturalis offers a comprehensive exploration of Earth's biodiversity.

Opening hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

How to get there

Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, Netherlands

Prices from

From €18

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Naturalis Leiden – Discover the wonders of life on Earth

Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden is the national museum of natural history in the Netherlands. It is located in Leiden and offers a deep dive into nature, science, and evolution. The museum is known for its impressive collection and modern building.

What to See

  • Over 40 million specimens from animals, plants, fossils, and minerals
  • A life-sized T. rex skeleton named Trix
  • Interactive exhibitions about the Earth, biodiversity, and evolution
  • Fossils, insects, and rare minerals from around the world
  • Live science labs and hands-on activities for kids

Why Visit

  • See nature’s diversity from dinosaurs to microbes
  • Learn how life on Earth has changed over time
  • Perfect for families, students, and nature lovers
  • Fun, educational, and visually stunning

The Museum

Naturalis reopened in 2019 with a striking new building. It brings together research, education, and public exhibitions. Scientists at Naturalis study biodiversity and help protect it for the future.

Visitor Information

  • Address: Darwinweg 2, Leiden
  • Open: Daily, 10:00 – 17:00
  • Tickets: €16.00 (adults), €11.00 (ages 4–17), free under 4
  • Free with Museumkaart
  • Facilities: Café, gift shop, kids' play zones, and family routes

Naturalis Leiden is ideal for visitors who want to explore the natural world, from ancient fossils to today’s living planet.

Some Highlights of Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden

Meet Trix the T. rex

Trix is a Tyrannosaurus rex specimen excavated in 2013 in Montana, United States by a team of paleontologists from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, the Netherlands and Black Hills Institute of Geological Research in South Dakota. This Tyrannosaurus, over thirty years old – the oldest known Tyrannosaurus specimen – lived about 67 million years ago. It is considered to be the third most complete Tyrannosaurus found, with between 78% and 80% of its bone volume recovered. The specimen was named Trix after the former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. It is one of only two Tyrannosaurus specimens on permanent exhibit in mainland Europe.[1][2][3][4] The other one is a specimen named Tristan on exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Berlin.

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Ice Age Gallery: Explore Prehistoric Netherlands

The familiar Dutch landscape has been rendered unrecognizable and replaced by wild nature against a desolate prehistoric backdrop. Welcome to the Ice Age gallery.

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Seduction Gallery: The Science of Reproduction

Seduction zaal verleiding The Seduction gallery is all about procreation in nature. In a playful way, it illustrates the rituals of courting, coupling, and raising offspring.

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