Step into a world where 42 million specimens tell the story of life on Earth, housed within a striking architectural landmark in Leiden. This isn't just a museum; it is a sprawling research center and a national monument to biodiversity that earned the title of European Museum of the Year in 2021.
Explore the Spectrum of Life
Walk through a series of immersive galleries designed to showcase the diversity of our planet. You can explore "Life," which takes you on a journey through various biotopes from the depths of the sea to the heights of the sky, or visit "Earth" to see how human culture intersects with high-activity geological regions like Iceland and Hawaii.
Witness Science in Action
The heart of the experience lies in the scale of the collection. Much of these specimens are housed in a massive 60-meter-high tower that serves as a local landmark. Beyond the traditional displays, you can visit "Live Science," an interactive gallery that reveals the museum's inner workings as a functional research hub for botany, marine biology, and geology.
Maximize Your Visit
To fully appreciate the scope of the collection—from the prehistoric fossils to the intimate details of the "Seduction" and "Death" galleries—allow yourself ample time to move between the different themed halls. The highlight of any visit is encountering Trix in the Dinosaur Era gallery, a masterpiece of preservation that defines the museum's stature as a premier center for natural history.
After exploring the vast biodiversity of Naturalis, you can take a short walk through Leiden to discover more local history. Nearby sites include the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, which focuses on the history of science and medicine, or the nearby botanical gardens at Hortus Botanicus.
Plan your visit today to experience one of Europe's most inventive museums and see the incredible variety of life that defines our world.