35 College Towns That Are Ideal for Retiring Professors and Book Lovers

2. Coimbra, Portugal – A Riverside Retreat for Intellectuals

Leiden is the quintessential European university town, where centuries-old academic traditions blend seamlessly with the relaxed charm of Dutch canal life. As the home of the Netherlands’ oldest university, established in 1575, Leiden has nurtured some of history’s greatest minds, including philosophers like René Descartes and physicists such as Albert Einstein. Walking through the town, retirees will find themselves immersed in an atmosphere of scholarship and curiosity, with historic bookshops, centuries-old libraries, and a vibrant academic community still shaping the city’s cultural identity. One of the town’s highlights is the Leiden University Library, which houses an extensive collection of rare manuscripts, early printed books, and an impressive assortment of scholarly resources. For book lovers, the annual Week of the Book Festival brings together authors, publishers, and literary enthusiasts for discussions and readings. Leiden’s manageable size, excellent public transport links to Amsterdam and The Hague, and its network of cycling paths make it a peaceful yet well-connected retreat.