tourist in the hague

18 Top Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in The Hague

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Lura Seavey Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The Hague (Den Haag) is not only the third largest city in the Netherlands, it's the seat of the country's government and home to the Royal Family. It's also a city full of history, many splendid museums and art galleries, and countless entertainment opportunities.

Located close to the North Sea (it's where you'll find the seaside resort of Scheveningen), The Hague is also home to numerous government ministries and embassies, along with the headquarters of several major international organizations, including the International Court of Justice.

The Hague is also a city of the arts, and was home to many prominent Dutch artists. The big draw? They were no doubt attracted by the city's pleasant wide streets, elegant and spacious squares and promenades, and attractive residential suburbs.

Find the best places to visit in and around the city with our list of the top tourist attractions and fun things to do in The Hague.

See also: Where to Stay in The Hague

1. The Mauritshuis

2. explore the many buildings of the historic binnenhof, 3. visit escher in the palace (escher in het paleis), 4. take a virtual trip to the seaside at panorama mesdag, 5. step back in time in the ridderzaal: the knights' hall, 6. feel like a giant at madurodam, 7. kunstmuseum den haag, 8. see the dream cars at the louwman museum, 9. the peace palace, 10. take a walk in the park at landgoed clingendael, 11. see the seaside at scheveningen and the pier, 12. hike through haagse bos and visit huis ten bosch, 13. the prison gate museum (gevangenpoort), 14. the grote of sint-jacobskerk, 15. take a quick trip to duivenvoorde castle, 16. drievliet amusement park, 17. visit lisse, 18. explore old town gouda and the grote kerk of sint janskerk, where to stay in the hague for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in the hague.

The handsome Mauritshuis, a monumental yet elegant residence built in classical style in 1641, serves as one of The Hague's most important museums. Highlights include a small room, or 'cabinet', containing valuable objects and curios, along with numerous paintings.

Of these artworks, the most important are Rembrandt's Anatomy Lesson ; Vermeer's View of Delft ; Jacob van Ruisdael's View of Haarlem ; and Rogier van der Weyden's Lamentation , a masterpiece of medieval painting. English language guided tours are available, and a superb app showing the museum's many masterpieces can be downloaded for free in advance of your visit. A high-end restaurant and a shop are located on the premises.

Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag

Official site: www.mauritshuis.nl/en/

Located in the center of the oldest section of The Hague is the Binnenhof, or "Inner Court." This irregular group of buildings was constructed around a large central courtyard. With its origins dating back to 1250 and tied to the building of a castle (long since gone), it soon became the residence of the ruling aristocracy, and today houses both chambers of Parliament.

The most important building of the complex is the exquisite Ridderzaal , or Knights' Hall , which is still used for functions and receptions (see #5 below for more on this stunning structure). In the North Wing, the chamber is the official residence of the Prime Minister. Also important are the Rolzaal court house dating from 1511 and the Lairessezaal with its 17th-century paintings by Gerard de Lairesse.

Other highlights include the First Chamber , notable for its painted medallions depicting statesmen and the portrait of King William II under the country's coat of arms. The Second Chamber – the legislative authority that watches over the government – sat in the former ballroom from 1815 until 1992.

Address: 2513 AA Den Haag

This impressive collection of the works of artist M. C. Escher is housed in the former Winter Palace of the Queen Mother Emma. While the building is itself a historic attraction, it's the permanent collections that are the big draw here. Known as Escher in the Palace (Escher in Het Paleis), highlights include around 150 original prints and lithographs showcasing his most famous works, renowned for their mind-bending twists on perspective and perception.

Other important collections include the wood blocks and lithograph stones that Escher created his prints from, as well as examples of his early work. The museum encourages young and old to interact, offering a scavenger hunt for kids and the chance for visitors to experiment with creating their own optical illusions and tessellations. English language guided tours are available, as are handy audio guides. A café and museum shop are also located on the premises.

Address: Lange Voorhout 74, 2514 EH Den Haag

Official site: www.escherinhetpaleis.nl/?lang=en

Housed in a specially made rotunda, Panorama Mesdag (also known as the Panorama of Scheveningen) is a gigantic painting measuring 120 meters in length and 14 meters in height that was painted in the 19th century by HW Mesdag and his wife, Sientje Mesdag-Van Houten, along with other artists of the Hague School.

This stunning scene depicts coastal Scheveningen as it was around 1880, with charming views of the sea, the beach, and dunes. Designed to create the illusion of 3D and a 360-degree vista, this spectacular circular painting – the largest in the world – is indirectly lit from above, and thanks to its large sand dune with a number of real objects, creates the illusion that you're standing in the middle of this beautiful landscape.

The building also contains a collection of paintings by Mesdag and his wife, and the museum shop sells related gifts and souvenirs. Further examples of Mesdag's work, along with other Hague School artists, are on display at the Mesdag Museum .

Address: Zeestraat 65, 2518 AA Den Haag

At the east end of the Binnenhof's central courtyard (see #2 above), the 13th-century Knights' Hall ( Ridderzaal ) is a spectacular historic building still used for state receptions and the opening of parliament each September. This large Gothic hall - it measures 40 meters by 20 meters - boasts many magnificent stained-glass windows depicting the coats of arms of Dutch towns, as well as the spectacular Rose Window with the arms of the principal noble families of the Netherlands.

The heavy timber roof structure with its 18-meter-long beams has the appearance of an upturned ship, and carved wooden heads symbolizing eavesdroppers from the "higher powers" are supposed to deter members of the assembly from lying. Originally built as a banqueting hall, it later served as a market, promenade, drill hall, playground, and even a hospital before being restored in 1904.

Address: Hofweg 1-H, 2511 AA Den Haag

Official site: www.royal-house.nl/topics/prinsjesdag/ridderzaal

Madurodam is a truly unique attraction, which tourists of any age will enjoy. Best known for its extensive miniatures depicting life in the Netherlands in 1:25 scale , visitors can wander among the various areas, each crafted in perfect detail to recreate the nation's most iconic attractions.

When visiting the miniature Amsterdam , visitors can actually peek in the windows of the Rijksmuseum and see tiny reproductions of the artwork hanging on the walls. Visitors are able to walk among the models like giants, admiring iconic structures like The Peace Palace , the De Volharding building, Anne Frank's house , and St. John's Cathedral .

Other fun things to do here include experiencing interactive exhibits featuring wind power and Holland's windmills. For older kids, there's a flight exploration center, while toddlers will enjoy the playgrounds. There are also numerous props perfect for photo ops, like an oversized clog or giant tulips. The most unique experience here is the Fantasitron where you can get a 3D scan, which is used to create a miniature figure of yourself.

For a special experience, one of the top things to do in the Hague at night is to visit Madurodam when the streets and buildings are lit up, especially lovely at Christmas.

Address: George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ Den Haag

Official site: www.madurodam.nl/en

Situated in the modern residential district of Duinoord, a garden suburb with houses built in a style influenced by traditional Dutch almshouses (hofjes), the architecturally pleasing Kunstmuseum Den Haag, or Municipal Museum is a must-see.

Also known as Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, the building was designed by HP Berlage in 1935. The museum displays a wide range of material relating to the history of the town. It also houses impressive collections of 19th- and 20th-century art, applied and decorative art (including ceramics, silver, and furniture), and an outstanding collection of traditional and electronic musical instruments. Of particular note is a section dedicated to modern art with numerous works by Piet Mondriaan and Paul Klee. Check the museum's website for details of special temporary exhibits and workshops.

Address: Stadhouderslaan 41, 2517 HV Den Haag

The Louwman Museum features the oldest collection of cars in the world , now numbered at more than 200 vehicles from around the world. The earliest model in the collection is the 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car, powered by a single cylinder and the first motor car to be patented.

Other early models include rarities like the 1887 De Dion-Bouton Trepardoux Steam Quadricycle, an 1895 Buffum Four Cylinder Stanhope, and the 1897 Daimler 6-HP Twin-Cylinder Six-Seat Brake. Some of the more bizarre models include the 1910 Brooke Swan Car, a 1932 Curtiss Aerocar Land Yacht, and the 1951 Taruffi Italcorsa/TARF II. Vehicles from around the world are represented, and the newest include electric and hybrid models, as well as race cars.

Address: Leidsestraatweg 57, 2594 BB Den Haag

Official site: www.louwmanmuseum.nl/en/

The famous Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), an imposing brick building constructed between 1907-13, was largely paid for by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Built in a mix of Gothic and Neoclassical styles, it's flanked on its long-arcaded façade with its steeply pitched roof and 80-meter-high tower.

Home to the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Academy of International Law, and a library of international law, it boasts a rich interior décor contributed to by numerous countries, including marble from Italy, wood paneling from Brazil and the USA, and ornamental iron railings from Germany. Weekend guided tours are conducted through the palace and around the superb gardens. Bookings can be made through the visitor center (see the official website below).

Address: Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag

Official site: www.vredespaleis.nl/?lang=en

The gardens surrounding the manor house at Landgoed Clingendael (Huys Clingendael) date back to the 16th century, creating a peaceful city oasis. The park is open year-round and is free to the public, featuring a large playground and picnic area, as well as a tearoom adjacent to the perfectly landscaped English Garden.

The Japanese Garden, the most impressive part of the estate, is only open for a few weeks each spring and fall due to its fragility. It contains a variety of artifacts brought back from Japan by Lady Daisy, the former owner of the estate, who had this garden made in 1910, including stone lanterns, water casks, and tiny wooden bridges.

Address: Clingendael 12a, 2597 VH, The Hague

Official site: https://denhaag.com/en/clingendael

The Scheveningen Resort area is a popular place to visit during the summer months with both locals and tourists. In addition to being a lovely beach area on the shores of the North Sea, this area is home to several top attractions and things to do, as well as a regular host to several festivals and concerts.

Those looking for a unique way to enjoy the view will want to check out SkyView de Pier, a Ferris-wheel style observation wheel, which features gondola cars where tourists can enjoy a meal or even high tea. This sits on the water among many other attractions on this huge pier, which include a zipline, bungee-jumping, and plenty of shopping and restaurants.

Another highlight of the Scheveningen area is SEA LIFE Scheveningen , an aquarium featuring a variety of ocean life, including sharks, stingrays, turtles, otters, and penguins.

Address: Strandweg 150-154, 2586 JW Den Haag

One of The Hague's prettiest open spaces, Haagse Bos is a two-kilometer-long expanse of parkland noted for its beautiful winding avenues. Extending all the way from the old city center to the boundary of the suburb of Wassenaar , it's a pleasant way to spend time as you explore one of the country's oldest forests, protected from deforestation since the Middle Ages.

The park's most notable feature is Huis ten Bosch, a moat-surrounded palace built in 1646 as a royal country residence. Famous as the location of the world's first international peace conference in 1899, the palace is now home to King Willem-Alexander. While not open to the public, there are fine views of the building from various points around the park.

Another palace worth walking around for its fine exterior views is Noordeinde Palace. The best views are from the Noordeinde Palace Gardens (admission is free), which also provides a great view of the Royal Stables , home to the horses used to pull the Royal Coaches.

Address: 's-Gravenhaagse Bos 10, 2594 BD Den Haag

On the north side of the Binnenhof stands the Prison Gate (Gevangenpoort), a well-preserved structure built in 1296 as a gatehouse. Converted to a prison in the 15th century, it was here that brothers Cornelis and Johan de Witt, accused of an attempt on the life of Prince William III, were murdered in 1672 (a monument to them stands in the nearby courtyard).

The old prison and torture chambers have been open to the public since the 1880s and include a large collection of paintings, prints, and relics - as well as torture devices - illustrating the administration of justice in the 17th century. English language tours are available.

Address: Buitenhof 33, 2513 AH Den Haag

Official site: www.gevangenpoort.nl/en/homepage

The oldest part of the Gothic Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk (Great St. James Church) dates from the 14th century, while newer sections, including the 100-meter-high tower, were added around 1420. Unique in the Netherlands for its hexagonal form, the tower originally served as a lookout (the bell was too big for the tower and can be seen inside the church). A new carillon, one of the largest in the Netherlands with 51 bells, was installed in 1959, and can be visited as part of a tower tour (the views over the city are incredible).

Highlights of the beautifully vaulted interior include numerous monuments and grave-slabs, including those of the poet and statesman Constantijn Huygens who died in 1687, and physicist and astronomer Christiaan Huygens, buried here in 1695. Other notable features are the carved wooden pulpit from 1550, the coats of arms of the Knights of the Golden Fleece, a large 19th-century organ, and the stained glass in the choir and north transept.

Address: Rond de Grote Kerk 12, 2513 AM Den Haag

Located just 15 kilometers northeast of The Hague, the small town of Voorschoten and delightful Duivenvoorde Castle (Kasteel Duivenvoorde) is a spectacular medieval fortress restored in 1631.

The original decoration and furnishings have been preserved, including family portraits, Delftware, a large collection of Chinese and European porcelain, and numerous items of silver. Also of note is the English-style park.

Address: Laan van Duivenvoorde 4, 2252 AK Voorschoten

Families visiting the Hague will want to leave some time to explore Drievliet Amusement Park, located close to the city center. This small park is great for all ages, with plenty of kiddie rides like the teacups and kid-driven tractors.

All-ages family attractions include Ferris wheels, slides, a hedge maze, and the spookmuseum – a traditional carnival-style haunted house. There are also plenty of thrill rides to satisfy older kids, including a roller coaster, and a variety of water-based activities including waterslides, a spray park, Fountain Square, and a splash ride.

The park also provides family entertainment, including live shows and movies in its "5D" theater, which incorporates moving seats and other technology to make viewers feel like they are really in the action.

The park is open early May through the first weekend of September, plus additional weekends in April, weather permitting.

Address: Avenue of 's-Gravenmade, Den Haag

Official site: www.drievliet.nl

Located about 30 kilometers from The Hague (about a half-hour drive or a one-hour train ride), Lisse is the perfect destination for flower lovers. It is home to one of the Netherlands' best floral parks, Keukenhof , which includes expansive gardens, as well as hosting special events throughout the summer.

Nearby, visitors can head over to the Black Tulip Museum, which takes an in-depth look at the Dutch tulip industry from its inception through the present-day. Lisse is also home to a lovely 12 th -century castle, 't Huys Dever , which is open for tours.

There's a lot more to the Dutch town of Gouda than its cheese. This historic town, 33 kilometers east of The Hague, has one of the most attractive town halls in the country, famous for looking more like a place of worship than of government. In the spacious triangular Markt, this imposing Late Gothic building (by Jan Keldermans, 1449-59) was originally surrounded by a moat.

The handsome external staircase in Renaissance style was added in 1603. On the east wall is a carillon, which rings every half hour with moving figures representing the granting of the town's charter by Count Floris V in 1272. In the Trouwzaal (Marriage Hall), look for the 17th-century tapestry by David Rufelaer made in Gouda.

Gouda's most important church is the Grote Kerk of Sint Janskerk, dating from the 15th century and one of the largest in the Netherlands. In addition to its size, its other best-known feature is its vividly colored stained glass windows, the Goudse Glazen , which include both Biblical and historical themes. The finest of the glass was the work of Wouter and Dirck Crabeth between 1555 and 1577, while the most recent window, War and Liberation , was designed by Charles Eyck in 1947.

In The Hague, most of the main attractions and architectural landmarks lie between the city center and the sea, so this area makes the best base if you're visiting for the first time. Hotels tend to cluster around the Binnenhof, where you'll also find the Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall) and Prison Gate Museum.

Other attractions, such as the Mauritshuis and the Escher Museum, are within walking distance from here, and the beach resort of Scheveningen is less than 10 minutes' drive away. Here are some highly-rated hotels in this convenient location:

Luxury Hotels:

• In the embassy quarter, steps from the swankiest shopping areas, Hilton The Hague has a 24-hour fitness center and lies within walking distance of most of the city's top sites.
• Hotel Des Indes , a former palace near some of The Hague's best museums, drips with historical elegance.
• The pet-friendly Paleis Hotel , about 10 minutes on foot from the Binnenhof, is a popular boutique option, with friendly service and stylish rooms.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• In a fabulous location, across the street from the Binnenhof, the boutique Hotel Corona sits at the top end of the mid-range hotels, with large rooms clad in rich, cozy hues.
• If you're seeking the modern comforts of a chain hotel, Mercure Hotel Den Haag Central delivers, just a short stroll from the Binnenhof.
• The Holiday Inn Express The Hague - Parliament, an IHG Hotel , offers clean, contemporary rooms and breakfast is included. It lies minutes away from the Mauritshuis and the Escher Museum.

Budget Hotels:

• The Ibis Den Haag City Centre , near the old City Hall and a short walk from the Binnenhof, sports a sleek, contemporary aesthetic. Breakfast is also included in the rates.
• A five-minute walk to the Escher Museum, the great-value easyHotel Den Haag City Centre has clean rooms and friendly staff.
• The homey, family-run Staten Hotel is another good option, just a ten-minute walk from the Gemeentemuseum.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Just Outside the City: The towns just outside The Hague are minutes away and full of things to do. The university town of Leyden (Leiden) sits just to the north of the city, known for its cultural diversity and attractions like the Old Castle (Burcht van Leiden) and multiple excellent museums. South of the city on the route to Rotterdam, the picturesque town of Delft is best known for its world-famous blue Delftware ceramics; visitors can tour the De Porceleyne Fles factory and watch as each piece is hand-painted. Just a few more kilometers southeast, the country's second-largest city Rotterdam is packed full of tourist attractions, from historic buildings to excellent museums.

Amsterdam and Surroundings: A one-hour drive or 35-minute train ride brings you to Amsterdam, home to some of the Netherlands' top tourist attractions. The Rijksmuseum , Van Gogh Museum , and Rembrandt House Museum hold some of the world's best artwork, and the Anne Frank House is a historic landmark that holds a museum dedicated to Anne and her experiences. In addition to its fine museums, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Amsterdam , from touring its canals to exploring its neighborhoods like the Jordaan. Among the most popular destinations in Amsterdam's surrounding area is the former seat of the Counts of Holland, the historic town of Haarlem . Here, you will find several architectural masterpieces including the Gothic Grote Kerk, Neoclassical City Hall , and the 15th-century Amsterdamse Poort .

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What to do in the Hague: A resident’s guide of unique 30+ things to do in the Hague

July 23, 2023 by Karen Turner 25 Comments

I live in the Hague.  Although I’m always telling people about how fantastic the Hague is, I’m hoping that this guide to the Hague will inspire people to take the day trip from Amsterdam to the Hague to experience a bit of what makes it so unique.  It’s a beautiful and a bit of a strange city.  Keep reading for tips on what to do in the Hague with 30+ unique things to do in the Hague to inspire you to explore the Hague.

Disclaimer: I live in the Hague and I’ve tried to give a decent overview of what to do in the Hague as it’s a lovely city!   Most of these activities I’ve visited and researched independently, but This is the Hague (who I collaborated with) helped set up a tour of the Peace Palace and provided complimentary entrance to the Madurodam.

Although most people go crazy for Amsterdam or Rotterdam, the Hague is a beautiful and slightly quirky city.  Often overlooked in favor of other Dutch cities and considered “boring” according to my Dutch friends, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how many things to do in the Hague there truly are.  It’s a beautiful and quirky city where ideas become reality without pause. 

Although most people stick to the standard things to do in the Hague, this city has a lot more activities to offer, so I really hope this guide to the Hague with a local’s insight on what to do in the Hague inspires you to get a bit off the beaten path in the Hague.  I really think that one day in the Hague isn’t enough and I’d consider two days to be the sweet spot.  

I think the Hague is a great (and affordable) base for exploring the Netherlands as Delft is only fifteen minutes away, Amsterdam is forty minutes away, and Schiphol is thirty minutes away.  Most of my friends who experience this other side of the Hague beyond the “boring” government side quickly understand why I’ve made this city my home after living in Amsterdam.  I wrote this guide as I was tired of seeing guides that covered the main attractions glossing over the bits that make this city special.

I’ve grouped what to do in the Hague by area of the city.  The Hague is pretty walkable within the city center, but it might be easier to take public transit between the center and Scheveningen, the beach resort by the Hague. For more tips (for couples!), you can click for romantic things to do in the Hague.

The Hague is the only major city in the Netherlands with a beach, so be sure to take a bus twenty minutes to enjoy the water (and the wind) in Scheveningen. I’ve not included Scheveningen as the city center of the Hague (and surrounding areas). Click for my guide to Scheveningen!

• 1 Things to do in the Hague:
• 2.1 Go shopping in Noordeinde
• 2.2 Admire the King’s working Palace (Noordeinde Paleis)
• 2.3 Sample drinks at Van Kleef Distillery
• 2.4 Admire and climb the Grote Kerk
• 2.5 Get a drink in Grote Markt or Plein
• 2.6 Buy beer from the Kloosterbrouwerij Haagsche Broeder
• 2.7 Play Board Games All Night
• 2.8 Explore the hofjes of the Hague
• 2.9 Admire the Dutch masters & see “The Girl with the Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis”
• 2.10 Admire Escher’s art at Escher in Het Paleis
• 2.11 See the gorgeous Binnenhof
• 2.12 Explore the UNESCO-recognized Passage
• 2.13 Sip coffee at one of the Hague’s many cafes
• 2.14 Walk along the Lange Voorhout street
• 2.15 Antique shops along Denneweg
• 2.16 Have a beer along Bierkade
• 2.17 Eat Indonesian food
• 2.18 Drink bubble tea or eat dim sum/Chinese pastries in Chinatown
• 3.1 Jump at the Trampoline Church (Planet Jump)
• 3.2 Cycle past the embassies in the Hague
• 3.3 View or Tour the Peace Palace
• 3.4 Buy food and have lunch at the Haagse Markt
• 3.5 Museum Voorlinden
• 3.6 Museum Meermanno
• 3.7 Madurodam: The world’s most cheerful war memorial
• 3.8 Panorama Mesdag
• 3.9 Explore the secondhand shops of the modern Zeeheldenkwartier
• 3.10 Go skiing or snowboarding year-round
• 3.11 Go ice climbing year-round
• 3.12 Admire the windmills in Voorburg & Leidschendam
• 4 Top Tours to Experience The Hague Like a Local
• 5 How to get around the Hague
• 6 Map of the Hague

Things to do in the Hague:

• Go shopping and browse books/art in Noordeinde
• Admire the King’s working palace

Sample drinks at Van Kleef Distillery

• Climb the Grote Kerk
• Get a drink in Grote Markt

Buy beer from the Kloosterbrouwerij Haagsche Broeder

• Play Board Games all night!

Explore the hofjes of the Hague

• See the girl with the pearl earring at the Mauritshuis
• Admire Escher’s art at Escher in Het Palais

See the gorgeous Binnenhof

• Explore the Passage

Sip coffee at one of the Hague’s many cafes

Walk along the lange voorhout street.

• Antique shops on canal street

Have a beer along Bierkade

Eat indonesian food, drink bubble tea or eat dim sum/chinese pastries in chinatown.

• Go jumping at the Trampoline church
• Admire the embassies in the Statenkwartier
• Tour the Peace Palace

Buy food and have lunch at the Haagse Markt

Museum voorlinden, museum meermanno.

• Take street-level photos or pretend to be a giant at Madurodam
• Enjoy the Panorama Mesdag
• Explore the second-hand shops of the modern Zeeheldenkwartier
• Go skiing indoors year-round.

Go ice climbing year-round

• Admire the windmills in Voorburg/Leidschendam or the historic cute village of Leidschendam

What to do in the historic city center of the Hague

Only a fifteen-minute walk from the main train stations, the Hague has a beautiful pedestrian-friendly historic center. Although most people power through the city center of the Hague without enjoying the things that truly make this city special, namely its diversity and its history, the Hague has a lot of things to do!

Go shopping in Noordeinde

Often considered the most beautiful street in the Hague, Noordeinde houses many historic buildings with stunning Art Deco touches and some of the best independent shopping in the Hague.  I especially recommend browsing the Noordeinde area for beautiful Dutch clothing, books (at the Bookstore), and a nice bottle of wine.  Be sure to step into the Bookstore for a vegan-friendly drink and for a new (or used) book.

Wine lovers need to stop in at de Filosoof .  This wine store filled with exotic wines from around the world has one of the cutest and fluffiest cats that I’ve ever seen.   Its name is Socrates and it even has its own gin named after it.  Be sure to give Socrates a pet while buying a wine from Georgia or Armenia!

Admire the King’s working Palace (Noordeinde Paleis)

Although it shocks many people, the King of the Netherlands goes to work most days in the city center of the Hague within the Noordeinde Palace.  Anyone walking down the street can admire the palace although you’ll know if the King is in if the flag is raised.

The palace has two sides, including a lush garden where you can have a picnic.  I particularly love the semi-secret passage connecting garden with the rest of Noordeinde.  ( More about this secret passage soon!)

Van Kleef is a jenever distillery that has been in the same location since 1842 and it’s the last remaining jenever producer in the Hague.  Specializing in jenever as well as bitters, Van Kleef is half museum, half tasting room, so if you’ve read my guide to Dutch alcohol , you’ll want to come in here for a tasting. 

I really recommend trying out the Kruìde Baggâh, a traditional Dutch herbal.  It’s typical for a Beerenberg-style drink, but it’s very different if you’re not used to this distinct style of Dutch drinks.  It’s fun to stop here for a tasting with friends.

Admire and climb the Grote Kerk

The large cathedral of the Hague is one of the main landmarks of the city and anyone seeking out a unique view of the Hague will want to climb for epic views of the city (although keep reading for an alternative).  At minimum, enjoy the beautiful square surrounding the church. 

This P rotestant church is one of the oldest buildings in the Hague dating back to the 13th century.  There are often organ concerts held in the church, so check ahead for events!

Get a drink in Grote Markt or Plein

Grote Markt and Plein are the two main squares of the Hague. One of the things that I love about the Hague is that the city center really belongs to the people of the Hague, unlike Amsterdam.  Although it gets quite crowded in both areas on Saturday nights, be sure to step into the various bars for local beer, live music, and some great cocktails.

Plein is the other major square with lots of chic bars and restaurants, perfect for a nice drink outside on a nice day.  I particularly love the Ministry of Justice building around the corner and on a nice day, I love walking through Plein.  There’s quite a few cute shops down the street as well.

Most people associate Cloister beer with the Trappist orders in Belgium, however the Hague has their own Cloister brewery.  Although they only recently started in 2006 after one of the brothers started beer brewing as a hobby.  Since then, the brothers have produced a small number of beers that you can buy from the brothers themselves. 

The selection varies, but there’s something really magical about stepping into the cloister shop to browse the various food/drinks from different cloisters around Europe.  I particularly enjoyed their slightly sour Prior while my husband loved their darker Postulant , closer to a triple. There is now a namesake bar along Noordeinde where you can sample the Haagse Broeder beers!

Play Board Games All Night

I recently discovered the Spellenhuis , which is a sprawling three-story board game store and cafe in the city center. I recommend reserving a table ahead for larger groups on weekends, but it is a lovely place to spend the evenings playing from their gigantic board game library. You need to pay a fee to access the library, but the cafe serves handmade pizzas, beer, coffee, and soft drinks. It is appropriate for all ages and they even stock games suited for two people. The games are a nice mix of party and more serious games with something for everyone. I recently went with a group who all loved it.

Like many cities in the Netherlands, the Hague has hofjes.  Hofjes are historic buildings used for housing the poor that were financed typically by private financiers.  There were typically stipulations about who could live there, often the elderly and/or single women of a certain faith.  The hofjes in the Hague tend to be smaller and harder to access compared to other cities in the Netherlands.  However, there are some stunning hofjes and it always amazes friends to enter these courtyards.  Most are on private property, so you really must be careful about being respectful of the residents of the hofje.  My favorite is  ‘t Hooftshofje if you’re lucky enough to get inside.

Admire the Dutch masters & see “The Girl with the Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis”

Art lovers often are surprised to learn that the Girl with the Pearl Earring and the Goldfinch are housed in the Hague rather than Amsterdam.  The Mauritshuis is a stunning museum full of Dutch masters with many Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings. Be prepared to spend at least a few hours here. 

Both famous paintings sometimes go on tour around the world, so check to see if both paintings will be in the Hague before you’re disappointed (like my mother-in-law was) if you really want see the Goldfinch or the Girl with the Pearl Earring.

Admire Escher’s art at Escher in Het Paleis

Even if you’re not into traditional art, the Escher museum has a lot to offer.  With some of Escher’s most famous works and some fun interactive displays, Escher in het Paleis is perfect for a short afternoon in the Hague to appreciate modern art.  

Even if you’re not an Escher superfan, the museum is housed in the stunning former palace of Queen Wilhelmina with some unique modern chandeliers that make each room a surprise.   Escher in Het Palais is one of my husband’s favorite museums in the Netherlands and I’ve been countless times.  For those of you with math-loving family members, they’ll be transfixed by Escher’s brilliance.

Dutch parliament is housed in the Binnenhof.  This iconic building in the Hague is the oldest continuously used parliament building in the world and it is a stunning feature, especially from across the pond.  The Hague was historically the capital of the Netherlands, however after the capital of the Netherlands was moved to Amsterdam, the government buildings mostly remain in the Hague. 

The building itself dates back to the 13th century although various parts of it have been built at various points in history.  I particularly enjoy walking (or biking) through the middle of the Binnenhof although the best views are from across the pond on the exterior.   The island in the middle of the pond was used for executions to ensure that people could watch.

Explore the UNESCO-recognized Passage

The Passage is the UNESCO-recognized monument in the Hague.  Although people usually think first of the covered passages of Paris or Milan, the Hague’s Passage [there’s just one remaining at this point] has some distinct architectural features, specifically a domed roof.  It’s just lovely to walk through the Passage although I love to stop off at Hop&Stork for a coffee and a chocolate.

The Dutch are responsible for our coffee addiction and the first ever coffee shop in the Netherlands was actually in the Hague in the early 1700s.  Since then, coffee has become an integral part of Dutch culture and you’ll find numerous cozy (and beautiful) cafes in the Hague.

Click for my insider’s guide to coffee shops in the Hague .

The Lange Voorhout was historically the street where noble families built their town castles in the middle ages, however wagons were not allowed to pass beyond the street.  The Golden Age cemented the prominence of the Lange Voorhout for the home of the Hague’s richest members. 

The L-shaped street was a favorite of rich nobles and foreigners who would wave from their carriages while parading up-and-down the street.  In spring, you’ll find lots of beautiful flowers springing up.

In December, you’ll find the Royal Christmas Fair here.  Although the Netherlands doesn’t have famous Christmas market like the Christmas markets in Germany, the Royal Christmas market , which runs for about a week in December, is gezellig ( cozy ) and intimate, especially with a cup of gluhwein in hand.  

Last year, I found most of my Christmas gifts here, including a handmade pilot’s cap made of reindeer leather ,.   In good weather, it’s just enjoyable to bike along this street.

Antique shops along Denneweg

One of the cutest areas of the Hague is Denneweg, one of the oldest streets in the Hague.  Although it was historically known for antique shops (you’ll still find plenty here), it’s turned into an oasis for chic restaurants and shops.  To experience the more upscale side of the Hague, fitting with its royal roots, step into any of the cozy  Bouzy, Wine & Food or wander along the houses along Hooikade. Look for the cat knocker. 😉

The name might tip you off to the face that beer in the Hague was historically made along this cozy canal. Although Bierkade is now a sleepy street along a canal near the city center , you’ll still find a few cafes, however de Paas is the cafe to visit for beer.

This brown bar has an amazing atmosphere and a great selection of local beers.  The canal itself is lovely to walk along and it’s possible to sit on a boat in the canal enjoying your beer in summer.

Due to the historical role of the Hague as the capital of the Netherlands, the Dutch East Indies Company often made trips to the Hague from Indonesia, a former Dutch colony.  As a result, you’ll find one of the largest Indonesian populations outside of Indonesia here in the Netherlands.  The Hague has many great Indonesian restaurants although I personally prefer the more informal  Warung Bude Kati . 

I recently brought an Indonesian friend to this casual yet chill restaurant run by a mother and son.  There are certainly “fancier” Indonesian restaurants in the Hague, but Warung Bude Kadi is one of the most authentic Indonesian restaurants in the Hague with great prices, good (but slow) service, and massive portions.  Don’t get too ambitious as one main is a day’s worth of food. (The rijsttafel is a bonafide feast.)

The Hague has the largest Chinatown in the Netherlands and you can find some delicious Chinese pastries here.  Although most people are often surprised to learn that we have a large Chinatown, it’s hard to miss it as you walk from Den Haag HS towards the city center. 

I like Kaa Lun Palace   for dim sum. For pastries, I like  St. Anny Tea House . For bubble tea, you have lots of options. I like T&C, a new Taiwanese cafe for their bubble tea.

Staying in individual rental accommodations through platforms like Huurportaal can provide a more immersive and authentic experience for travelers. Living in a local neighborhood allows travelers to experience daily life as a resident rather than a tourist. They can explore local markets, interact with neighbors, and get a better understanding of the cultural nuances of The Hague.

Things to do in the Hague and surrounding areas

I realize that it’s a bit weird not to include Scheveningen as part of this post, but I’ll have more about Scheveningen soon .  I do include a few things to do around the Hague in the nearby villages that you might not know about otherwise.

Jump at the Trampoline Church (Planet Jump)

In the Statenkwartier, you’ll find Planet Jump, a former church filled with trampolines.  Although the Netherlands used to be quite religious, a lot of churches have been repurposed as they’ve gone out of business.  This one now is a trampoline gym because…. why not? 

I cycled past this church almost a million times, however, I had no idea for months until I was looking something up on the Hague.  Something that I love about the Hague is how unapologetically quirky it is as a trampoline church would gain cult status in most other cities.

Cycle past the embassies in the Hague

It’s funny: It took me nearly six months of living in the Hague to finally experience this unique urban farm.  The founders created this sustainable rooftop farm to reduce the distance that food travels before it reaches your plate.  Here, you’ll find organic fish (tilapia) farmed with no pesticides as well as organic vegetables grown to perfection.  There’s also a cozy bar with events with a fantastic view of the city, so be sure to check to see when the next urban farmers market in the Hague.

View or Tour the Peace Palace

Seeing the Peace Palace is one of the best things to do in the Hague although most normal visitors won’t be able to take a tour as the building is typically closed when the court is in session.  However, clever visitors can go observe the hearings (in French or English) as observers if you get there early on a court day. 

It’s not a guarantee that you’ll get in, but it’s a great way to see the Peace Palace in action. Keep in mind that the sessions here are arbitrating country-level court cases, rather than criminal cases .  ( Criminal cases are held elsewhere in the Hague.)

The Peace Palace can be at least admired from a distance although getting a tour of the Peace Palace isn’t easy to get.  The tours sell out quickly and they’re only posted about 2-3 weeks in advance, so check shortly before your visit to the Hague to see if it’s possible to get a tour.  At minimum, you can take a selfie outside.  Bring your passport just in case and keep in mind there’s a visitor’s center in case you’re not allowed to enter.  Click for my complete guide on how to tour the Peace Palace.

I absolutely LOVE the Haagse Market and it’s where I get my groceries weekly.  The amazing thing about this place that you’re instantly transported as soon as you enter from the Netherlands.  Where? I’m not exactly sure, but between the prices being shouted (4 avocados for one euro!?), the empanadas from the Dominican Republic, the random household wares, and the fresh stroopwafel, you’re bound to find something in this almost daily market (not open on Sundays).  

Be sure bring cash, so you don’t need to wait in line at the ATM at the entrance with everyone else who forgot, and a large bag.  I usually pick up a week’s worth of groceries here and it’s always a joy to browse the market as I’ve never really experienced anything like it in the Netherlands.

This private modern art museum located outside of the Hague (accessible by car or bus) has some fantastic innovative art.  I realize that art museums aren’t always everyone’s cup of tea, but I absolutely love how this museum focused on creating the best visitor experience. 

The pieces here go beyond standard modern art and often challenge/surprise you.  I won’t ruin the surprises, but the swimming pool exhibition is absolutely amazing and I was delighted by many of the small touches that make this museum far from a generic art museum.

Museum Meermanno is the oldest book museum in the world with some fascinating exhibits on modern literature.  If you’re interested in seeing the stunning interior of a 18th-century building in the Hague, be sure to visit this museum for its interior and courtyard.   Here you’ll find many manuscripts as well as historically significant literature.  Their exhibits are surprisingly non-dry. 😉

Madurodam: The world’s most cheerful war memorial

Although many people have seen photos of the miniature version of the Netherlands in the Hague, most people don’t realize that the Madurodam is actually a war memorial.  The profits from the admission go to children’s charities in honor of a brave soldier from Curaçao who died during World War II.  His parents built Madurodam at the time that the Netherlands was rebuilding itself after the war with the hope that it would inspire people. 

Although I thought the Madurodam was only for children, I had a blast here (as did my husband).  My favorite thing: trying to take photos as if I was on the street level.  The Madurodam is probably one of the most touristy things to do in the Hague, but I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining and charming the Madurodam is.  If you’ve visited a lot of cities in the Netherlands , you’ll especially love this unique war memorial.

Panorama Mesdag

For a taste of 19th-century Scheveningen, you can visit the 360-degree painting of Scheveningen for a sense of art history as well as history in the Hague.  It gives you the sensation of being on a dune and it’s a nice stop-off if you’re heading towards the Peace Palace from the historic center of the Hague.

Explore the secondhand shops of the modern Zeeheldenkwartier

You might think that there’s no one under thirty in the Hague, however most of us are hanging out in the Zeeheldenkwartier, another part of the Hague, full of modern cafes, interesting restaurants (including Georgian food), second-hand stores.  I can easily spend an afternoon here between Ditjes & Katjes and stocking up on American/British novelty foods at Kelly’s Expat Store.

Go skiing or snowboarding year-round

Outside of the Hague, you’ll find one of the largest indoor ski resorts in the Netherlands, De Uithof.  So, if you’re looking to learn how to ski or snowboard, it’s possible here. They even have ice carts.  If you’re missing winter, be sure to stop off at the Uithof, which also has rock climbing.

Next to Den Haag HS, you’ll find Klimmuur.  This really nice Dutch climbing gym has a surprise: an ice climbing room.  For a small fee, you can take ice climbing lessons with an expert climber.  It’s a bit surprising how quickly ice climbing wears you out, however I had a blast climbing here with friends. 

Be sure to suit up in winter clothes although they’ll give you climbing shoes as well as an ice pick.  You just need to dress warmly and come ready to climb.  If you just want to climb normally or boulder, the Klimmuur gym is well-equipped for that too.

Admire the windmills in Voorburg & Leidschendam

I love that you can cycle only twenty minutes outside of the Hague and experience the typically Dutch countryside that make the Netherlands so famous. 

En route to Voorburg, a cute suburb of the Hague, you’ll pass a children’s farm (Essenstijn) complete with cows and a beautiful windmill.  Although there are apartment buildings in the background, you’re likely to forget that you’re twenty minutes from one of the biggest cities in the Netherlands.  

For a more iconic image, cycle to Molendriegang in Leidschendam , another nearby village near the Hague for the iconic three-windmill shot that you might see on postcards in the Hague. Voorburg and Leidschendam have super charming historic centers, so if you want to experience small-town Holland without going too far, take tram 2 towards Leidschendam’s historic center, Sluisplein.  (The journey will take about 25 minutes.)  Click for my cycling route!

Top Tours to Experience The Hague Like a Local

The Hague, or as locals call it, “Den Haag,” is a city brimming with royal history, international significance, and coastal charm. While you can explore its streets and alleys on foot, there are some unique tours that offer a deeper dive into the city’s essence. Start with a relaxing City Canal Cruise , where you can view The Hague’s iconic landmarks from the water. If you’re keen on exploring the city’s history and architecture, the Old City Private Walking Tour is a must. For those who want to venture beyond The Hague, the Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Guided Day Tour offers a comprehensive look into the southern Holland region. If you’re up for some physical activity, hop on a bicycle and join the Guided Sightseeing Tour by Bicycle , or navigate the city at your own pace with the Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Tram . Each of these tours promises a unique perspective of The Hague, ensuring you experience the city’s authentic charm.

How to get around the Hague

The Hague is a pretty walkable city although it has a robust public transportation system.  On some trams, you can buy a day pass for the Hague public transportation although you’ll need to have coins on you to buy it on the tram.  You can also tap in/out with your phone or credit card to pay.

Have you been to the Hague? What’s your favorite thing to do in the Hague? Please let me know!

More tips for the Netherlands:

• Best cities in the Netherlands to visit besides Amsterdam
• One day in Delft (15 minutes from the Hague)
• Three days in Amsterdam: your perfect guide
• Secret Amsterdam guide

Map of the Hague

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About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

March 31, 2018 at 6:55 am

I think that Cat cafe is my favorite!! I just love them. 🙂 But other tips are really useful too, thanks!

March 31, 2018 at 3:22 pm

Wow, so many things to do in such little town. I would definitely check the museums and the markets for food! I love visiting lesser known towns and this one is up my alley!

March 31, 2018 at 6:50 pm

Hi Diana, it’s actually a city, the third-largest city in the Netherlands. I hope you visit. 🙂

March 31, 2018 at 7:24 pm

Great post! So far we’ve only been to Amsterdam on a layover, but would love to explore more of the Netherlands, especially the Hague, next time! Sounds like there is a lot to see and do 🙂 Pinning for our next trip!

March 31, 2018 at 8:08 pm

I had my first trip to the Netherlands this year and now I’m obsessed! The Hague looks beautiful – definitely a place to add to my list. Can’t believe Girl with a Pearl Earring is there! Lovely post x

March 31, 2018 at 8:21 pm

My trip to The Hague was way too short. There’s so much to experience, and you captured it beautifully in this post!

April 1, 2018 at 10:46 am

Such a great list! I have no idea why I’ve never been to the Hague, but I’ll make sure to visit next time I’m in the Netherlands

July 29, 2018 at 3:49 pm

Don’t forget to book a High Tea at the famous Hotel Des Indes

December 13, 2018 at 4:22 pm

Hello I am looking for a guide of The Hague for my daughter and I appreciate your blog. But do you sell a book on the Hague ? She will move to that city early next year with her boyfriend and I thought it could be nice gift for Christmas.Thanks

December 13, 2018 at 4:25 pm

Hi Veronique, That is so sweet. I don’t have a book yet. I’m actually writing one at the moment and I will sure to make it clear when it’s publication-ready. 🙂

I’d recommend Stuff Dutch People Like as a fun introduction to the Netherlands: https://amzn.to/2QOlG4E

Best, Karen

July 27, 2019 at 11:49 pm

Hello Karen!

I absolutely loved this page! I’ve been trying to figure out exactly what to see and do on my one day visit to the Hague in September, following a cruise, and your info is great! II’m guessing not, but thought I would ask, do you hire out for a day visit? There’s 6 of us Americans who would love a day with someone as knowledgeable about the area as you! Thanks in advance!

July 30, 2019 at 11:59 am

Hi Malinka, You can send me a message via my email. 🙂

Thanks, Karen

August 5, 2019 at 12:55 pm

The Louwman Museum is fantastic for anyone interested in cars and transport. Visited this during a Christmas trip to Amsterdam as I’m a petrolhead and was very impressed with this museum which has to be one of the best in the world for fans of automobiles etc. It is situated in a lovely area close to a park, which is good for walking. My wife who isn’t really interested in cars loved this Museum as well as there is so many unique cars and other things of interest, we are returning in 2 weeks to the Hague and plan to visit the Museum again as you need at least 6hrs to do it justice.

October 6, 2019 at 2:10 am

Thanks for this super helpful

October 9, 2019 at 8:34 pm

Had a horrible time at Warung Bude Kadi!, Went in June. We waited more than two hours for a rijs taffle with only five other tables full, but after the too-long wait, we ended up with only five small plates that didn’t have enough food for each of us to get a sample. There was not enough rice to serve two, much less the four of us, although they charged us for four full meals. This place was astronomical cost, and horribly slow and incompetent, and we left hours later with all of us still hungry. Not good food and not cheap. Incredibly bad service. Don’t eat here!!!

October 10, 2019 at 1:54 am

If multiple people have rijsttafel, it can be a really long weight there and I prefer coming for lunch tbh. Sorry to hear that you had a poor experience! The normal dishes (not rijsttafel) are reasonable.

November 9, 2019 at 2:50 pm

If you live in The Hague try Onefit, a fitness app that gives you access to 100+ sport locations. Sports include fitness, yoga, climbing, skiing, surfing, running, fight sports etc etc. You can also visit three sauna’s.

Wearepublic is a nice app if you like concerts/theater, for a small fee you can visit a lot of cultural events.

I personally like Toogoodtogo a lot, an anti-foodwaste app which allows you to get excess food for minimal price. Its a surprise every time what you are going to get.

June 21, 2022 at 11:02 pm

Your suggestions for The Hague were awesome for our recent visit in late May. We found Woeng Kee and loved the dim sum. We did depend on the photos in selecting menu items since they didn’t have an English menu, but our choices were great. Thanks for all your inout.

December 1, 2022 at 9:06 pm

Glad to hear! I will be updating this with new fines, but Full Moon City has an English menu for sure! Thankfully, the photos and symbols usually help even if you are unsure!

September 6, 2022 at 12:13 pm

My husband and I are so intrigued about the Haag thanks to your guide, we are planning to visit in a few days . We where looking at the Marina Beach Hotel as a possible stay. Would you recommend that Hotel?

December 1, 2022 at 8:43 pm

I have heard good things about it, but it is not as well known as say the Kurhaus.

July 27, 2023 at 8:41 pm

Thanks Karem This is so useful! We just recently moved to The Hague and would love to know if you have any tips for how to meet people, make friends, etc..? Thanks!

December 12, 2023 at 4:27 pm

Hi Yasmina,

Welcome to The Hague! I’m glad you found the information helpful. To meet people and make friends, consider attending local events, joining facebook groups, apps like meetup, or participating in language classes. Expat networks and volunteer opportunities are also great avenues for connecting with both locals and fellow newcomers. Don’t hesitate to explore your new surroundings and initiate conversations—it’s a fantastic way to build connections:) Wishing you a wonderful time in The Hague!

Your Wanderlustingk Team

August 1, 2023 at 8:28 am

terimakasih infonya menarik sekaliiii

December 12, 2023 at 4:31 pm

You’re welcome! I’m glad you found the information interesting. Terima kasih!

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Home » Travel Guides » The Netherlands » 15 Best Things to Do in The Hague (The Netherlands)

15 Best Things to Do in The Hague (The Netherlands)

The Hague or Den Haag serves as the main seat of government for the Netherlands but is not the countries capital.

It is the third largest city in the country behind Amsterdam and Rotterdam and plays an important role in the politics and economy of the Netherlands.

The main development of Den Haag was during the 1200’s when the Binnenhof was constructed (which still stands today) and served as a royal hunting residence.

In future years the city saw Spanish occupation and has always served as a political base for the country since the 1600’s.

This wonderful and modern city retains much of its historical charm with important buildings like the Peace Palace and the Ridderzaal, but also embraces new technologies and its role in international politics.

The museums, beautiful parks and fascinating architecture make The Hague an extremely popular destination second only to Amsterdam.

Lets explore the best things to do in The Hague :

1. Mauritshuis Museum

The Mauritshuis Museum is an art museum that is located in the centre of Den Haag next to the Binnenhof.

The building was constructed in 1636 in a Dutch Classicist style.

The collection of art inside the museum is extensive and contains some famous works from the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Rubens.

Over 800 objects are included in the collection and the majority of which come from the Dutch Golden age.

The collections are separated into different sections such as “At home in Holland”, “A generous gesture” and “Highlights from the past”. The museum is continually obtaining new works and displays several temporary exhibitions periodically too.

2. Madurodam Model City

The Madurodam Model City is an extensive attraction that contains a huge scale model representation of various parts of the Netherlands.

All of the buildings, vehicles, people and tress etc are recreated to a 1:25 scale and with an unbelievable amount of detail.

The park opened in 1952 and has seen changes and renovations over the years to incorporate new technologies and revamp the models.

Sections of the model city include the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), the Binnenhof, Schiphol Airport, the seaport of Rotterdam, Dutch tulip fields and of course windmills.

This is a truly delightful place and perfect for all the family to enjoy.

3. The Binnenhof

This large complex serves as a meeting place for several political groups in the Netherlands including the Ministry of General affairs.

The Binnenhof is the oldest parliament building still in use in the world.

Originally constructed in the 1200’s, not much is known of the complex’s early history however it soon became in an important place for political meetings throughout the 1600’s.

Today you can enter the Binnenhof and its ground, and admire the stunning architecture and history of the buildings including the fabled Hall of Knights where the Ridderzaal stands.

Guided tours are also available of the House of Representatives.

4. Ridderzaal

The Ridderzaal is the central focal point of the Binnenhof and stands in the wonderful Hall of Knights courtyard inside the complex.

The building is used as a place where the Dutch parliament is opened by the prime minister, and also hosts royal receptions.

The structure is built in a Gothic style with two large symmetrical towers standing either side of the arched entrance.

The interior of the Ridderzaal is highly decorative with some wonderful stained glass windows, and a central ornate throne.

The courtyard outside the Ridderzaal is also quite beautiful and is surrounded by a three sides of arches and in the centre is a Neogothic fountain that dates back to the 1600’s.

5. Mesdag Museum

The Mesdag museum is contained within the house of the notable painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag.

The museum showcases a fine collection of art that Hendrik and his wife collected over the years, centring mainly on famous Dutch painters from The Hague.

The museum and its counterpart building that holds the Mesdag panorama are located in the centre of The Hague and are in close proximity to the other important museums.

A main centrepiece of the Mesdag museum is a large panoramic painting that is around 120m in circumference – The painting shows the beaches of The Hague from the late 19th Century.

6. The beach and promenade

The Scheveningen seaside resort is one of the most famous in the Netherlands and is a great place to explore.

The beach stretches for miles right from the Hook of Holland right up to the port of Ijmuiden.

On the beach you will find an extensive promenade, golden sands, a fabulous pier complete with Ferris Wheel, and an array of shops, amusements, bars and restaurants.

Laze on the golden sands, splash in the sea, sit and enjoy a drink or an ice cream on the promenade, or even take a ride on the huge Ferris wheel that takes 20 minutes to complete a full rotation!

7. Drievliet Amusement Park

The Drievliet theme park is a fantastic place for the whole family and will provide hours of fun and excitement.

The park features several hair-raising rollercoaster’s including the Formule X and the Twistrix, a log flume, many water games, a haunted castle and so much more! Aside from the fabulous rides, there are also a range of fairground stalls, a restaurant, and small food and drink vendors.

This really is a great place and located to the south eastern part of The Hague, it is an ideal place for a day trip.

8. Peace Palace

The Peace Palace is a building for the administration of law and houses several different bodies including the International Court of Justice.

The building was constructed in 1913 and features a fantastic and detailed neo-renaissance design with a large bell tower and ornate arched front facade.

The interior of the palace is quite lavish and contains many fine statues and busts of notable people like Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

There is a visitors centre and tours are available of the building and also of the elaborate gardens that surround the palace.

9. The Hague Tower

The Hague Tower is a large Skyscraper that is located near Den Haag HS railway station not far from Chinatown.

The building is mainly office blocks but also contains a restaurant and night club, and a viewing platform.

The building stands at 132m and is the third tallest building in The Hague.

From here you can enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the city and even see as far as the Hook of Holland and watch boast coming in from the North Sea.

The elevator ride takes 40 seconds an there is also a reception with a informative movie, and a cafe where you can enjoy a drink and a snack in the clouds.

10. Grote of Sint Jacobskerk

The Church of St. James is a notable religious building that stands proud on the Torenstraat in the old town centre.

This is one of the oldest buildings in The Hague and it was constructed in the 15th century.

The centrepiece of the exterior is the tall bell tower that features a detailed Carillion and a mechanical clock with 15 bells.

The interior features some fine wooden carving including the pulpit, and a set of detailed and colourful stained glass windows that commemorate various religious figures throughout history.

There is also the grave of Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam who was a notable Dutch navy commander.

11. Gemeentemuseum Den Haag

This is one of the most important museums in Den Haag and contains a large collection of artwork, as well as a fascinating building designed by H.P. Berlage.

The structure lies not far from the main promenade and the building itself is an architectural marvel with a quirky and striking design.

Inside, there are several different collections including art, a print room, fashion and music.

The art collection includes works from Degas, Monet, Picasso and Mondriaan (The Mondriaan collection is the largest in the world).

12. Landgoed Clingendael Park

This wonderful park is only open at certain times in the year owing to its fragile and extremely well maintained Japanese Garden.

The Clingendael is a 17th century manor house and the parkland surrounds it in the district of Wassenaar.

The park and garden is truly sublime and it was been a protected area of The Hague for many years.

Inside you can find the amazing Japanese Gardens that really do transport you into a different culture with Japanese themed pavilions and entrance gates and some beautiful species of plants and trees.

If you happen to visit the Hague when the garden is open then it should not be missed!

13. The Prison Gate Museum

This is an old prison that was used to house people who had committed atrocious crimes from as early as 1420. The museum gives you an insightful and chilling look at crime, punishment and the justice system throughout the years and what an old cell block and prison would have looked like.

A guided tour is included in the ticket price and these are available in both Dutch and English – English tours are only available on Sundays however.

For an interesting and revealing look at the history of crime and punishment throughout history, the Prison Gate Museum is a great place to visit.

14. Palace Noordeinde

The Noordeinde Palace is a palatial building belonging to the Dutch royal family and is one of the three official palaces they own.

In its early years, the palace actually operated as a medieval farmhouse around 1500. After this it was converted into a palace and has seen many different royal owners over the years.

In later years the once residential palace, was turned into an actual working palace where the Dutch Royalty conduct many of their affairs of state.

It is really interesting to see this grand structure with its imposing iron gates and impressive design.

15. Lange Voorhout

This is a beautiful street in the centre of Den Haag located in the old city centre and provides a fantastic place to walk, admire and relax.

The street is quite wide and has two roads and a central section both lined with a fine array of trees.

18th century buildings line the street and there are many important building here including the Escher Museum embassies of the UK and US, a monument to Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, and the Supreme Court of the Netherlands.

15 Best Things to Do in The Hague (The Netherlands):

• Mauritshuis Museum
• Madurodam Model City
• The Binnenhof
• Mesdag Museum
• The beach and promenade
• Drievliet Amusement Park
• Peace Palace
• The Hague Tower
• Grote of Sint Jacobskerk
• Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
• Landgoed Clingendael Park
• The Prison Gate Museum
• Palace Noordeinde
• Lange Voorhout

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29 awesome things to do in The Hague in 2023

The city of peace and justice is always bustling with life, so it’s no surprise that there’s an excess of things to do in The Hague. Ready to discover the third-largest city in the Netherlands? We got you.  

From beautiful beaches, dunes, and parks, to high rises and international organisations — the administrative capital of the Netherlands has the perfect combination of gezellig village vibes, and urban, globalised, big city energy. 

The Hague has something for everyone — including you. 

1. Admire the beautiful Hofvijver

2. fill your belly in chinatown , 3. take a break in the palace garden, 4. go for a stroll in zuiderpark , 5. get the best city-wide views from the grote kerk tower, 6. watch the sunset from scheveningen, 7. get baffled by europe’s biggest panorama painting at panorama mesdag, 8. experience the dutch masters at mauritshuis, 9. have a snack at the world’s smallest fries store, 10. take a bike ride to the dunes, 11. borrel with the locals at plein, 12. join the hipsters at bierkade, 13. get lost in haagse bos, 14. take a day trip to another iconic dutch location, 15. soak up the art at kunstmuseum den haag, 16. eat pizza at grote markt, 17. admire the mighty peace palace, 18. float away on a canal cruise, 19. park your bike and do a walking tour, 20. have a picnic in clingendael park, 21. get a real haagse bier, 22. feel like a giant in tiny madurodam, 23. discover the hague’s dark side at the prison gate museum, 24. stuff yourself at a food hall , 25. let optical illusions confuse you at escher het paleis, 26. go wild at the trampoline church, 27. try the fancy-schmancy stores at passage, 28. go second-hand shopping in zeeheldenkwartier, 29. enjoy a historical liqueur tasting.

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Located in the very spot where The Hague first came into existence, Hofvijver is an unmissable and unskippable sight on any trip to storktown. 

The large, square lake is the perfect place for a photo shoot, with the world’s oldest functioning parliament building across the water, and the towering modern centre in the background. 

READ MORE | Spotlight on! The Hague shines in magical light festival

Can you spot the prime minister’s office? It’s the little tower next to Mauritshuis museum, nicknamed het torentje (simply, “the tower”)! 

💰 Price: €0 ⏰ Opening hours: N/A 📍 Location: Lange Vijverberg, 2513 AC Den Haag

The characteristic lanterns and gates of Chinatown create a fun ambience as you wander its streets. 

In addition to the obvious Chinese influence, the area also has a bunch of Indonesian restaurants, as well as other ethnic minority stores and cafes. 

READ MORE | The Hague Market: the vibrant open market of the Netherlands

You’ll see a bubble tea shop wherever you turn, and affordable beauty salons which are popular among students. 

💰 Price: regular Dutch restaurant prices, depending on order ⏰ Opening hours: N/A 📍 Location: Wagenstraat 43-63, 2512 AP Den Haag

The Palace Garden, or Paleistuin , is a beautiful green pocket in the centre of The Hague. The park is a popular hangout spot, where The Hague’s residents practice yoga, play games, and feed the birds in the little pond. 

READ MORE | 7 things you didn’t know about The Hague

Pack a picnic basket and take a relaxing break on the grass; you’ll kill two tourist-birds with one stone, and get to admire the King’s working palace at the same time!

💰 Price: €0 ⏰ Opening hours: Every day, 8 AM until 6 PM 📍 Location: Prinsessewal, 2513 EE Den Haag

If small parks like Paleistuin make you yawn, fear not, The Hague has Zuiderpark up its sleeve too! 

The sprawling park is located slightly outside the city centre (20 minutes by public transport, and 15 minutes by bike), but the huge fields are well worth a visit. 

READ MORE | Barbecuing in the Netherlands: how do the Dutch do BBQs?

Running tracks, flowers, lakes — it’s the perfect spot for a stroll or a couple of hours in the sun. Zuiderpark is also a popular festival venue, and for the little ones: visit the nearby petting zoo!

💰 Price: €0 ⏰ Opening hours: N/A 📍 Location: Loevesteinlaan, Den Haag

Although it’s a bit of a stretch, one can argue that the great church of The Hague dates back all the way to the 1200s! 

READ MORE | We promise that these photos of The Hague are the best you will see

Today, the huge building is not used as a church, but as an event venue. The most interesting activity the old building has to offer is to climb up the many steps with a knowledgeable tour guide — and get the best city view for the Insta. 

💰 Price: €7.50 for adults, €5.50 for children  ⏰ Opening hours: March – November, Thursday – Sunday, 12 PM – 4 PM. December – February, Saturdays and Sundays, 12 PM & 4 PM.  📍 Location: Rond de Grote Kerk 12, 2513 AM Den Haag

Scheveningen beach is the most popular beach in The Hague, and it has lots to offer . Grab a drink at one of the many (!) beach bars, go bungee jumping at the pier, or take a ride on the Ferris wheel — you’ll never get bored at a Scheveningen beach day.

READ MORE | Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Scheveningen: What’s going on?

It’s also a popular spot for surfing , or simply hanging out in the sand on a summer evening. Make sure to catch the sunset in the ocean for a magical end to the day. 

💰 Price: €0 ⏰ Opening hours: N/A 📍 Location: Strandweg 34, 2586 KM Den Haag

Hendrik Willem Mesdag is one of the most celebrated 19th-century Dutch painters out there  — he even has a museum named after himself. 

But the Panorama Mesdag is not your average old museum. Sure, it’s got a nice exhibition with tons of beautiful, Dutch art but it’s also got a very special feature. The building was built for the sole purpose of housing the grand “Scheveningen Panorama”!

READ MORE | Panorama Mesdag: A look at the biggest painting of the Netherlands

The painting, depicting the beach in The Hague in the late 1800s, measures 14 metres in height, and 40 metres in diameter. It’s a super cool optical illusion that makes you feel like you’re standing on top of Scheveningen’s highest dune. 

💰 Price: €15 for adults, €12 for children ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM until 5 PM.  📍 Location: Zeestraat 65, 2518 AA Den Haag

If the great Mesdag didn’t satisfy your thirst for Dutch masters, do not worry. The Mauritshuis museum is packed with astonishing Dutch art, and it’s all located in a beautiful, old building right in the centre of The Hague. 

READ MORE | Forgotten women painters of the Dutch Renaissance and Golden Age

You’ll get the chance to see the oh-so-famous Girl With The Pearl Earring and plenty of other Dutch masterpieces. 

It’s absolutely a must-see attraction on any visit to The Hague, nay, to the Netherlands!

💰 Price: €19 for adults, €0 for children ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM until 6 PM. Monday, 1 PM until 6 PM.  📍 Location: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag

Okay, it might not be the smallest in the world, but it’s a nickname amongst locals, and it sounds about right. Either way, no trip to the Netherlands is complete without a full meal consisting of just fries (for some reason)!

READ MORE | ‘Friet’ or ‘patat’? The ultimate guide to Dutch fries

‘t Kleinste Winkeltje is so small, it’s always a pleasant surprise when you realise you can actually go inside. The little fries shop serves steamin’ hot, deliciously salty fries, with more mayo than you can possibly imagine. 

But beware, the portions are insane, so either come with a very empty stomach or someone to share it with.

💰 Price: regular Dutch snack bar prices, depending on order ⏰ Opening hours: Monday, closed. Tuesday, 12 PM until 8 PM. Wednesday & Friday, 12 PM until 7 PM. Thursday & Saturday, 12 PM until 9 PM. Sunday, 12 PM until 7 PM.  📍 Location: Papestraat 1A, 2513 AV Den Haag

Okay, so you’ve got the fries part covered, now you have to experience the other key part of Dutch culture: biking ! 

There’s no better place to go for a super-Dutch bike ride than the dunes in The Hague. From the north of the city to the south — you can easily spend a full day in the beautiful landscape. 

READ MORE | See the magical summer flower gardens and the Dutch dunes in a unique way

Our best tip is to go south to Westduinpark — the largest nature reserve in The Hague has very few tourists, and you’ll have a good chance of spotting the Scottish Highland Cows that reside in the area. 

💰 Price: €0 ⏰ Opening hours: N/A 📍 Location: 2566 GC Den Haag

At the core of The Hague, between the old centre and the new part of the city, you’ll find a big square (conveniently) called Plein (“square”).

READ MORE | What do you call a person from The Hague? The origin story of Hagenees vs Hagenaar

Plein is a well-known favourite for the weekly Dutch concept of borreling . With tons of pubs and a great outside area, Plein’s fairy-light-covered trees make for the perfect spot to enjoy a cold, Dutch beer .

💰 Price: regular Dutch pub prices, depending on order ⏰ Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, time depends on specific location (average opening hours are 10 AM until 2 AM) 📍 Location: Plein 17A, 2511 CS Den Haag

Arguably one of the most gezellige (cosy) streets in The Hague, Bierkade is another great borrel location. 

The street actually has borreling in its blood. The canal was once used as the main transportation line of beer back in the days when The Hague was not allowed to produce the essential beverage itself. 

READ MORE | Is Dutch beer the best in Europe? The Netherlands is the top exporter, once again

It’s the ultimate hipster spot, and the view of the lantern-lit canal in the evening is simply priceless. 

Stop by De Kade for a wide array of nature wines, De Paas for the best beer experience the city has to offer, or Kai 13, Basaal or Ethica for a delicious dinner. 

💰 Price: regular Dutch snack bar prices, depending on order ⏰ Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, time depends on specific location 📍 Location: Wagenstraat 193, 2512 AW Den Haag

If you’re looking for some greenery (not like that, actual nature this time) on your trip to The Hague, Haagse Bos is a great option. 

READ MORE | Hiking in The Hague: 11 nature spots for the outdoor adventurer

Located super close to the centre, this park-meets-forest crossover is the perfect place to go for a stroll or a picnic. It’s great for both bikers and pedestrians, and it’s accessible for people of all ages. 

Can you spot another one of the King’s palaces (yup, he has more than one) in the middle of the forest? It’s worth sneaking a peek at the fairytale-like building through the trees! 

💰 Price: €0 ⏰ Opening hours: N/A 📍 Location: Bezuidenhoutseweg, Den Haag

Although you can easily spend a week in The Hague alone, the city is also super conveniently located for day trips. 

Being a relatively small country, any city in the Netherlands is easy to access. But from the Hague, you can reach classic Dutch tourist destinations like the Keukenhof tulip field , the great dunes, or the old canals of Amsterdam , in no time. 

READ MORE | Public transport in the Netherlands: the complete guide

Only 10-15 minutes away by train, you’ll find the absolutely iconic Dutch cities of Delft and Leiden . The two old university towns are a must-see for anyone interested in classic Dutch architecture and cosy canal views — without drowning in tourists as you do in Amsterdam. 

If you find yourself missing a more urban vibe, you can head south and take a day trip to Rotterdam , only 20 minutes away. The city is modern and pulsating with life, quite different from anything else you’ll see in the Netherlands!

💰 Price: between €2.90 and €5.70 for one-way train tickets to Delft, Leiden, or Rotterdam ⏰ Opening hours: N/A 📍 Location: Up to you!

Located in a grand, and truly unique, art deco building, Kunstmuseum Den Haag is one of the best museums in the city. 

READ MORE | The Best Museums for Children and Book Lovers in The Hague

From Mondrian to Monet, contemporary and less contemporary, photography, architecture, period rooms, and much more — Kunstmuseum has been described as a “modern palace of the arts” for a reason!

Plan your visit well, though, or else you’ll easily spend the whole day wandering the halls of the museum. 

💰 Price: €17.50 for adults, €0 for children ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM until 5 PM 📍 Location: Stadhouderslaan 41, 2517 HV Den Haag

Sure, Grote Markt is a popular spot to go out for drinks, but much more importantly: you can also get pizza there. 

Every Sunday at Bakplaats (part of De Boterwaag), you can get two pizzas for the price of one, and it’s seriously delicious too! 

If you’re just looking for a quick snack after a night out, you can also opt for the takeaway single-slice version — it’s much yummier than the basic Dutch snackbar cuisine , and only costs around €6.

💰 Price: between €13 and €17.50 for a one-person pizza ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday & Wednesday, 11 AM until 1 AM. Thursday & Friday, 11 AM until 1:30 AM. Saturday 10 AM until 1.30 AM. Sunday 10 AM until 10 PM. 📍 Location: Grote Markt 8, 2511 BG Den Haag

The Hague is called the city of peace and justice for a reason, and no visit is complete without seeing the beautiful Peace Palace.

The Peace Palace houses the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the United Nations International Court of Justice and The Hague Academy of International Law. 

READ MORE | 11 of the best free things to do in The Hague

Unfortunately, for security reasons, the building only allows guided tours on a very limited number of dates a year. 

However, dedicated fans of international law who show up early in the morning on a day a session is open for audiences, have a chance at getting inside.

For the less die-hard fans, the visitors’ centre is also a good option, which is open most days, free of charge. 

💰 Price: visitors’ centre is €0 (but donations are appreciated), a guided tour is €16.50 ⏰ Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 12 PM until 5 PM 📍 Location: Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag

The Hague might not be widely known for its canals, but don’t worry, you can still get the peak tourist experience you came to the Netherlands for. 

READ MORE | A boat tour in The Hague – Why it’s a great idea

Learn about the fascinating history of The Hague, and admire the city’s cosy streets and green pockets from the water.  

De Ooievaart is a favourite when it comes to canal cruises. They offer two types: one that takes you all the way to Delft by boat, and one that takes you all through The Hague.

💰 Price: €13.50 for adults, €9.50 for children ⏰ Opening hours: Daily, upon request, 12 PM and 5 PM 📍 Location: Bierkade 18B, 2512 AB Den Haag

The Hague city centre is highly compact and walkable, so a walking tour is the perfect way to see a lot in a short amount of time. 

The city is also packed with fascinating history, so you’ll easily get all your educational needs covered for the rest of your Dutch vacation. Opt for a guided tour , or stick with the classic guided Free Walking Tour — either one takes you through all the city’s most important highlights. 

💰 Price: €0 for Free Walking Tour The Hague, donation based ⏰ Opening hours: Summer : Daily 10:30 AM, including an extra 1:30 PM spot on Saturdays and Sundays. Winter: Depending on demand and availability.  📍 Location: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag (starting point FWT The Hague)

There’s no shortage of parks in The Hague, but if you have to narrow it down to just one, Clingendael should be your choice. 

The large, peaceful grounds make you feel like you’re in an Austen novel — and it’s the perfect spot for a picnic.

READ MORE | Need some peace and quiet this Autumn? Visit the Japanese Garden in The Hague

There’s even a lovely Japanese garden, and several fields with farm animals nearby. The perfect park for anything from a run, to a date, or a family outing !

💰 Price: €0 ⏰ Opening hours: N/A 📍 Location: Clingendael, 2244 VH Den Haag

In the centre of The Hague, you can find the old (but still functioning) monastery De Haagsche Broeder. 

Not only can you admire the chapel and visit the concept store — you can also buy real Haagse beer from the Kloosterbrouwerij (the monastery brewery)! 

These monks take their beer seriously, and you can purchase a wide array of their craft online or in the store.

💰 Price: €13.50 for a fancy-looking beer pack  ⏰ Opening hours: Friday and Saturday, 2 PM until 8 PM. 📍 Location: Oude Molstraat 35, 2513 BA Den Haag

The family park Madurodam is a staple of any trip to The Hague. In short, it is a 1:25 scale model of the Netherlands, so you can explore (almost) the entire country in as little as an hour (but feel free to take longer). 

The park receives about half a million visitors every year and is a favourite among tourists (and locals) of all ages. It’s the perfect mix of history, geography, art, and fun! 

💰 Price: €18 for adults, €0 for children up to two years ⏰ Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 9 AM until 6 PM. 📍 Location: George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ Den Haag

If you’re in the mood for something dark and gloomy, why not dive into the dark side of The Hague, at the Gevangenpoort Museum ? 

Once the gate to the city of The Hague, the 13th-century building is an attraction in itself. 

The museum covers everything about the history of crime and justice in the middle ages, and the interactive exhibitions take you through everything from old torture chambers to different standards of cells. Spooky, but very interesting! 

💰 Price: €15 for adults, €7.50 for children, €0 for children up to 4 years old ⏰ Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10 AM until 5 PM. Saturday and Sunday, 11 PM until 5 PM. 📍 Location: Buitenhof 33, 2513 AH Den Haag

The Hague has recently been acknowledged for its street food, and a visit to one of the many food halls is bound to be a success. 

Foodhallen Centrum, Foodhallen Scheveningen, and MingleMush are great examples of the great variety and quality of international cuisines you can find in The Hague. 

READ MORE | The Hague among 20 best European street food cities (WTF?)

These places will have something for everyone (trust us, of all cultures and pickiness levels), and leave you with a good impression of the international and entrepreneurial spirit of the Netherlands. 

💰 Price: Varies depending on the specific vendor ⏰ Opening hours: Depends on specific food hall, but generally 12 PM until 10 PM 📍 Location: Haagsche Bluf 40, 2511 CN Den Haag (Foodhallen Centrum)

Maurits Cornelis Escher is a world-famous graphic artist from the Netherlands, born in the late 1800s. 

He produced some of the strangest, and most confusing pieces of art the world has seen, and a visit to the Escher Museum in The Hague is bound to extract a few laughs. 

The museum is centrally located in an old palace, so the surroundings are also worth some attention, if you’re able to take your eyes off the surreal and beautiful art, that is. 

💰 Price: €11.50 for adults, €8.50 for children between 13 and 17 years old, €6.50 for children between 7 and 12 years old. ⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11 AM until 5 PM 📍 Location: Lange Voorhout 74, 2514 EH Den Haag

Yepp, you read that right. As is the case all over the Netherlands, The Hague has quite a few decommissioned churches, that are now used for anything but church service, it seems.

If you have kids (unfortunately, it’s only open for those up to 12 years), you can let them have a bouncy day in church, and jump on dozens of indoor trampolines at Planet Jump !

And don’t worry about hitting the ceiling — the church roof is certainly high enough. 

💰 Price: €8 per hour ⏰ Opening hours: Wednesday, 12 PM until 6 PM. Friday, 12 PM until 8 PM. Saturday, 10 AM until 8 PM. Sunday, 10 AM until 6 PM.  📍 Location: Stadhoudersplantsoen 28, 2517 JL Den Haag

The Passage was modelled after its sister in Paris in the late 1800s. The building was intended as a beautiful shopping venue for The Hague’s finest — a purpose it fulfils to this day. 

The impressive old construction also has a modern wing, giving the shopping experience the best of both worlds. 

Come for a tasty treat at Hop & Stork chocolate store, explore the extensive Nespresso section, or dive into the fashionable boutiques — there are tons of things to keep you occupied. 

For Christmas, the Passage is also a popular Insta-spot, as the great Christmas tree lights up its old halls.

💰 Price: up to you! ⏰ Opening hours: Monday, 11 AM until 6 PM. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9.30 AM until 6 PM. Thursday, 9.30 AM until 9 PM. Sunday, 12 PM until 5 PM.  📍 Location: Passage 72, 2511 AA Den Haag

Zeeheldenkwartier is a poorly kept secret in The Hague, and it’s quickly becoming one of the hippest parts of town. 

READ MORE | Where to live in The Hague? Guide to the neighbourhoods of The Hague

The neighbourhood was established in the late 19th century and carries a lot of interesting history. Today, it’s most known for its relaxed atmosphere, cosy neighbourhood vibe, and hip café- and shopping culture. 

Take a stroll and get a new second-hand outfit!

💰 Price: up to you! ⏰ Opening hours: regular Dutch retail opening hours, depending on specific store 📍 Location: Prins Hendrikplein 3, 2518 EV Den Haag

Van Kleef distillery in The Hague has a vast history, an interesting museum, an extensive shop, and fascinating activities. 

It’s the oldest remaining distillery in the city (founded in 1842), offering a cosy atmosphere, and a magically quaint garden overflowing with greens and flowers. 

READ MORE | The Historical Museum of The Hague: discover the fascinating history of The Hague

The distillery offers a liqueur tasting and a cocktail tasting, and if you’re lucky with the weather, it’ll all take place out in the charming garden — accompanied by two house cats! It’s the perfect date idea and, more importantly (in true Dutch style), the perfect excuse to day drink. 

If you manage to keep your attention sharp after many a taste, you’ll also learn quite a bit about Dutch (and The Haguean) history. Win-win!

💰 Price: €23 for their basic tasting & short tour package ⏰ Opening hours: Saturday, 12 PM until 1:30 PM & 2 PM until 3:30 PM. Sunday, 2 PM until 3:30 PM.  📍 Location: Lange Beestenmarkt 109, 2512 ED Den Haag

Although it doesn’t get as much attention as its big brother Amsterdam , The Hague is packed with things to do, and should not be underestimated. Fascinating history and real, gezellig Dutch culture awaits you if you take the trip to the coast of the Netherlands! 

Which attractions will you visit in The Hague? Do you have any suggestions to add to the list? Tell us in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in September 2022, but was fully updated in August 2023 for your viewing pleasure. 

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17 Top Things You Must Do in The Hague: The Ultimate Den Hague Itinerary

Step back in time at Binnenhof, explore the Peace Palace, bungee over the North Sea, stroll around Hofvijver, and dine 135 metres up. These are the top things to do in The Hague for the perfect weekend.

The Hague is easily one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities I’ve ever visited. Full of monuments, historic districts and located just fifteen minutes from the beautiful North Sea coastline, The Hague deserves a spot on every traveller’s bucket list.

As the Netherland’s government city, The Hague is home to numerous embassies and mansions, boasts wonderfully green boulevards and parks, a refined culinary scene, and a great cafe culture. The Hague is known by its residents as ‘the Royal City by the Sea’.

Whilst there is SO much to do and see throughout the whole country of the Netherlands, I would recommend spending a solid few days experiencing the diverse city of The Hague for yourself.

The Hague is Den Haag, but it’s also ’s-Gravenhage

If you’re going to The Hague, then you should know that in Dutch it’s, called Den Haag, pronounced dehn hah with an aspirated final ‘h’. However, this is not its official name.

It’s a bit of a tongue twister, but The Hague is officially called ’s-Gravenhage (meaning ‘the Count’s Hedge/Terrain/Court’) or Den Haag literally “In The Hedge”.

A Brief History of The Hague

The Hague originated around 1230, when Count Floris IV of Holland purchased land alongside a pond, the present-day Hofvijver, in order to build a hunting residence.

In 1248, his son and successor William II, King of the Romans, decided to extend the residence to a palace, which would later be called the Binnenhof meaning ‘Inner Court’.

Den Haag is home to the royal family as well as the Dutch seat of government. Before Louis Bonaparte had his way in 1806, Den Haag was actually the capital. It wasn’t until eight years later, when the French had been ousted, that the government returned to Den Haag, but the title of capital remained with Amsterdam.

Den Haag is usually in the headlines because ever since the 20th century Den Haag has been home to several international legal entities, including the UN’s International Court of Justice, which regularly holds trials. This is also where foreign embassies in the Netherlands are based, giving the city a significant international community of expats.

Ready to learn more about what makes The Hague so special?

From where to eat, drink, shop and what historical sites, monuments and museums to visit, here is my complete guide to the top things to do in The Hague!

Map of The Hague Itinerary

Want to know where you’ll be going? Take a look at the detailed map below.

Tip: For a larger view of the map, click on the icon in the top right corner.

Going to the Netherlands? Get my free Dutch travel phrase guide

Where to Eat in The Hague

1. refuel at grand cafe walter benedict.

On the quaint shopping strip of Denneweg, is Grand Cafe Walter Benedict . Even though the restaurant is situated in the exclusive area of The Hague, it is a spot that offers something for everyone. There is a cosy vibe and the employees are really friendly. Even though it was 2pm, I made the most of their all-day breakfast. Which I highly recommend. This places really captures the French atmosphere without being stuffy. Bon appétit!

2. Dine at The Penthouse

It’s even at a higher altitude than the restaurant of the Eiffel tower. In addition to a luxury five-course dinner, there is always room for lunch, ‘highest’ tea or drinks. Don’t forget to go out onto the spectacular city balcony and enjoy the view.

3. Have a feast at Encore by Simonis

Located in the harbour of Scheveningen, I ate one of my favourite meals at Encore by Simonis . With an Asian cuisine influence, their speciality is serving daily fresh fish and meat.

As a vegetarian, I opted for their crispy vegetable tempura as a starter then the vegetable stir-fry as a main. Then came dessert, I mean just look at that mango-shaped ice-cream?! It tasted as good as it looked.

4. Cocktails and Chill at Jamey Bennett

Dine al fresco or cosy up inside on their Chesterfield sofa, Jamey Bennett is perfect anytime of day. Inspired by the British spy Mr. Bennett, this restaurant is cosy, modern, and boasts a great atmosphere.

Everything here is prepared to perfection. They even make their own granola! No detail is left untouched.

Visit the Best Museums in The Hague

5. escher in the palace (escher in het paleis).

A personal favourite, the Escher Museum must be seen. Maurits Cornelis Escher was a Dutch artist, known for his genius at drawing impossible situations. Located in the beautiful former winter palace of Queen Emma of the Netherlands, this permanent collection has some of the M.C. Escher’s most famous illustrations.

The exhibition combines unique works of art with biographical material including photographs, letters, and preliminary sketches. Escher mainly worked with printing techniques such as woodcut, lithography, mezzotint and tessellation.

6. Admire Masterpieces at Gemeentemuseum

All over The Hague are dedications to the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. Most famous for his blue, red, and yellow motifs with vertical and horizontal line, the Gemeentemuseum is well-known for it’s collection of Mondrian’s work

One of the most famous is his last and unfinished piece de resistance named “Victory Boogie Woogie” which was purchased for a cool 35 million euros.

The permanent collection contains modern art, fashion, music, decorative arts, a print room with about 50,000 drawings, and prints and posters.

Head to the top the museum where each of the five large rooms each represents a different art period.

7. See the ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring’ at Mauritshuis

You can’t visit The Hague without seeing Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’. But she isn’t the only draw card to this impressive museum.

Mauritshuis showcases Dutch and Flemish paintings from 1400 to 1800, with works by painters such as Vermeer, Rembrandt, Rubens, Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Van Dyck and Adriaen Coorte.

Located in an elegant 17th-century residence other notable works include Rembrandt’s ‘Anatomy Lesson’, Vermeer’s ‘View of Delft’, Jacob van Ruisdael’s ‘View of Haarlem’ and Rogier van der Weyden’s ‘Lamentation’.

8. See the world’s largest circular painting at Panorama Mesdag

If you love your art and seek a truly unique experience, head to Panorama Mesdag for the largest circular painting in the world.

I’ve never seen anything like it and no photo can do this place justice, you just have to see it for yourself. It’s incredible!

Housed in a specially made rotunda, Panorama Mesdag is a gigantic painting measuring 120 meters in length and 14 meters in height. HW Mesdag, and other artists of the Hague School painted this epic scene depicting the coastal town of Scheveningen as it was around 1880.

To bring the painting to life are real sand dunes, the sound of the waves lapping, and the smell of sea air wafting throughout the space. Don’t ask me how.  It feel s like you’ve stepped back in time.

9. Wander around the Netherlands’ most famous buildings at Madurodam

The kid in me wanted so desperately to visit Madurodam, but alas I ran out of time. On display here is an 1:25 scale miniature of a fictional Dutch city and replicas of the Netherlands’ most famous buildings.

By visiting Madurodam you’ll also be doing a service to the community as the entirety of net proceeds from the park go towards various charities in the Netherlands.

Book your guided tour here 

Where to Relax and Have and Adventure in The Hague

10. relax at the beach in scheveningen.

Perhaps the main tourist attraction in Scheveningen is the Kurhaus. This Art Nouveau style structure (now protected as a national monument) was built in 1885 and houses a first-rate hotel, an art gallery, elegant promenades, and the impressive Kurzaal, a huge glass domed.

What to See in The Hague’s Historical Centre

11. explore the beautiful binnenhof complex.

The centrepiece of The Hague is Binnenhof, meaning ‘Inner Court’. This beautiful complex of buildings in sits opposite the picturesque Hofvijver lake, meaning ‘Court Pond’. This is a wonderful place to sit back and watch the world go by.

Originally this 13th- century Gothic castle functioned as a residence for the counts of Holland, then in 1584 became the political centre of the Dutch Republic. Today, it houses both chambers of Parliament and is the oldest House of Parliament in the world still in use.

Located in the centre of Binnenhof in its large central courtyard is the exquisite Ridderzaal, or Knights’ Hall. This large Gothic hall is still used for state receptions and the opening of parliament each September. In the North Wing is the chamber and official residence of the Prime Minister.

12. See an official Dutch Residence at Palace Noordeinde

As one of the three official palaces of the Dutch royal family, Noordeinde Palace is modest in size and location. Situated near a popular shopping mall, it has been a “working palace” for King Willem-Alexander since 2013.

Fo r a quiet oasis, visit its romantic gardens with flower beds, fountains, hedgerows and ponds lies . It’s from the Palace Gardens that the Palace is best enjoyed as it offers a great view of the Royal Stables.

On warm days, this is a great picnic spot.

13. Be blown away by the decor at The Peace Palace

The Hague is the ‘International City of Peace and Justice’ and the cornerstone of this is the famous Peace Palace or Vredespaleis. This imposing brick building is an international law administrative building which houses the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague Academy of International Law and the Peace Palace Library. Bit of a mouthful, hey?

Not only that but it has an equally impressive interior. This was another place I missed out on seeing properly. Doh! Going inside the Peace Palace is only available on weekends and as part of a guided tour which must be booked in advance. Alternatively, you can head to the Visitors Centre near the entrance. Just let me say that the rich interior décor of this Gothic and Neoclassical style building brings together the crème de la crème. Its marble comes from Italy , wood panelling from Brazil and the USA , and its ornamental iron railings from Germany .

Guided tours must be booked via their website. 

14. Stroll along Lange Voorhout

Opposite Escher in Het Paleis are the lush tree-lined roads of Lange Voorhout. In the Middle Ages, the Lange Voorhout was bordered by several farms but by the 14th and 15th centuries houses were built in this area when the Counts of Holland modernised the governance of the county with new administrative divisions. This area soon became the neighborhood where courtiers and later statesmen came to live.

15. Step back in time at The Prison Gate Museum

On the north side of the Binnenhof stands the Prison Gate or Gevangenpoort. This well-preserved structure was built in 1296 as a gatehouse then was converted into a prison in the 15th century.

It was here that brothers Cornelis and Johan de Witt, accused of an attempt on the life of Prince William III, were murdered in 1672 (a monument to them stands in the nearby courtyard).

The old prison and torture chambers have been open to the public since the 1880s and include a large collection of paintings, prints, and relics – as well as some rather gruesome torture devices.

Where to Shop in The Hague

16. visit the hague market.

The Hague Market or ‘De Haagse Markt’, is one of the largest multicultural markets in Europe. Looking for something? You’ll probably find it here amongst its extensive range of exotic products.

Open four days a week, the market is visited by approximately 35,000 people. While The Hague Market is primarily known for its large range of exotic products it also has some of the best from fresh produce including vegetables, fruit, fish and meat to herbs plus women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and electronics.

17. Shop in Style at De Haagse Passage

Fancy something more elegant? Step inside The Hague’s famous shopping arcade De Passage. Beneath the glass atria and chiselled façades are classy boutique stores, bustling food and drink establishments, and even a hotel. This place is stunningly beautiful.

This arcade was built by local dignitaries between 1882 and 1885 for the express purpose of ‘high-class shopping’ in imitation of Paris. Today, it is the Netherlands’ oldest shopping arcade and has official UNESCO monument status.

Where to Stay in The Hague

Best Accommodation in The Hague for Sightseeing

In The Hague, most of the main attractions and architectural landmarks lie between the city centre and the sea so it makes sense to base yourself here if you’re visiting for the first time.

Hotels tend to cluster around the Binnenhof, where you’ll also find the Ridderzaal (Knights’ Hall) and Prison Gate Museum. Other attractions, such as the Mauritshuis and the Escher Museum, are within walking distance from here, and the beach resort of Scheveningen is just a 10-15 minute tram ride away.

Hotel Boutique Hotel Corona

During my three days in The Hague, I stayed at the 4-star boutique establishment, Hotel Boutique Hotel Corona . The hotel itself is just across the road from De Passage and Binnenhof. From my room, I had a wonderful view overlooking the lively Buitenhof square.

It was the size of my room and bathroom that made this hotel memorable. Can you get beds larger than king size? Because my bed could easily fit four people! The bathroom had two sinks, a huge shower not to mention the epic six-seater spa tub. The breakfast buffet was included and the lovely chef even made my pancakes with local ingredients. Check rates and availability of Hotel Boutique Hotel Corona here .

Getting to The Hague

I flew with KLM who offer direct flights to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport from both Heathrow and City Airport; conveniently covering those in both the west and east of London. For the first time ever I flew out from London City Airport. The best thing about small airports is that you don’t have to arrive too early to get through all the checkpoints. From the time I arrived at the airport to getting to my gate, it took a whole fifteen minutes! I’ve never had a less stressful airport experience.

From Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport it was a quick 30-minute taxi ride to the hotel. Alternatively,  book your transfer here. Easy!

Got more time? Take a day trip from The Hague

• Visit Rotterdam! – Get my full Rotterdam city guide here
• Visit the famous tulips at Keukenhof Garden and Flowerfields 
• Duivenvoorde Castle –  Just 15 kilometers northeast of The Hague is the small town of Voorschoten with its delightful Duivenvoorde Castle (Kasteel Duivenvoorde), a medieval fortress restored in 1631. The original decoration and furnishings have been preserved, including family portraits, Delftware, a large collection of Chinese and European porcelain, and numerous items of silver.
• Old Town Gouda and the Grote Kerk of Sint Janskerk –   Visit Gouda for its cheese, stay for its gorgeous historic town, 33 kilometres east of The Hague. Visit one of the most attractive town halls in the country, build in the 15th century, it’s famous for looking more like a place of worship than of government.

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Over to you!

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Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

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Great article. With Den Haag (The Hague) it is the same as with Los Angeles .. It’s real name is of course “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula,” (“The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels on of the River Porciúncula”) The Hague of the Count…. (The Counts Hague (‘s Gravenhage).

In your article you forgot the canaltours.. There are several nice organisations on the Canals Willemsvaart brings you to the Beach from the city center, others do tours in the City or to Delft The Hague Boat, Bootvaren, Salonboot Den Haag, Rondvaartbootje or Oranje Boot.

And don’t forget the many parks in and around the city. The Royal Gardens, the Forest of The Hague, the Forest of Scheveningen, Westbroekpark (behind Madurodam). Nice during all 4 seasons.

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23 Unmissable Things to Do in The Hague

The beautiful city of The Hague, or Den Haag as it is known locally, is located in the western Netherlands, on the North Sea coastline. It is the third largest city in the Netherlands, the capital of the South Holland province, and is both the royal and administrative capital of the country. The Hague is also home to the seat of the Dutch parliament, the United Nations’ International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court.

This being said, there are also many fun and interesting things to do in The Hague that are not of political or administrative nature. The Hague is one of the only large cities in the Netherlands that is located directly on the coastline and boasts an 11km stretch of beach at Scheveningen. It is home to a plethora of beautiful monuments and buildings, modern hotels, and open spaces. Coupled with the beaches, you really get the feeling of freedom and openness in a buzzing city.

In this article, you will learn a little bit about the history of The Hague, things to do, and by the end of it, you should have an in-depth understanding of the city and how to get around. So, sit back, relax, and prepare to transport yourself to the wonderful city of The Hague.

Read more: Where to stay in The Hague – a hotel guide with recommendations for the best places to stay in The Hague per neighbourhood, per type of traveller and per budget

How to get to The Hague

1. escher in the palace, 2. louwman museum, 3. madurodam, 4. hop on the historical tram, 5. panorama mesdag, 6. the mesdag collection, 7. the mauritshuis royal picture gallery, 8. prince william v gallery, 9. city canal cruise, 10. oranjehotel world war ii prison, 11. kunstmuseum den haag, 12. scheveningen beach, 13. skyview de pier, 14. sea life scheveningen, 15. omniversum, 16. museum beelden aan zee, 17. the binnenhof and hofvijver, 18. enjoy a drink at the square, 19. peace palace, 20. the hague historical museum, 21. palace huis ten bosch, 22. palace noordeinde, 23. the prison gate museum, final words.

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of those links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost for you.

Being the second most important city in the Netherlands, The Hague is well-connected to the rest of the country by highways and public transport. The Hague is also the second most visited city in the Netherlands together with Rotterdam, switching places now and then.

Wherever you are staying in the Netherlands The Hague could be the perfect destination for a day trip. My preference would be to visit The Hague by train, as the train station is conveniently located in the centre of the city and it has been renovated recently. However I have visited The Hague many times by car, with my favorite place to park being Q Park Maliveld, just a few hundred metres from the city centre.

Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands . It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!

Here are some distances from other major cities in the Netherlands to The Hague by car and the time it takes both by car and by train:

• Amsterdam – The Hague: 65 km/55 min; by train: 50 min
• Schiphol – The Hague: 47 km/40 min; by train: 32 min
• Groningen – The Hague: 240 km/2 hr 40 min; by train: 2 hr 40 min
• Utrecht – The Hague: 70 km/60 min; by train: 38 min
• Rotterdam – The Hague: 25 km/30 min; by train: 23 min
• Eindhoven – The Hague: 140 km/1 hr 40 min; by train: 1 hr 30 min
• Maastricht – The Hague: 225 km/2 hrs 25 min; by train: 2 hrs 40 min

The best way to find out how to travel from A to B in the Netherlands is to use the Glimble app. You can buy your tickets in the app and travel hassle-free. The app is absolutely free to download .

• Click here to download Glimble for Android
• Click here to download Glimble for iPhone

Besides a train connection with the largest Dutch cities, The Hague is also well-connected by bus. Check out the website of FlixBus for more information. For international travel options, check out Omio , where you can also buy train and bus tickets.

If you are staying in Amsterdam and would like to visit The Hague on a day trip, you can also opt for an organized day tour. Here are a couple suggestions:

• Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Full-Day Tour
• Guided Trip to Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague
• Delft and The Hague Private Tour
• Kinderdijk and The Hague Tour with Museums

Top things to do in The Hague

The Hague is a large cosmopolitan city with beautiful architecture and lots of things to see and do. Read further to find out which are the best things to do in The Hague. On the handy map below I’ve marked all tourist attractions in the city. You can add the map to your Google Maps and use it even if you are offline.

Escher in Het Paleis , or Escher in The Palace in English, is one of the famous museums in The Hague that contains the work and literature on the life story of M. C. Escher . Maurits Cornelius Escher was a world-famous Dutch graphical and imaginative artist who, for the most part of his life, was overlooked in the art world.

However, since 2002, there is now a permanent exhibition of his finest works on display at the Lange Voorhout Palace in The Hague, the former home of Queen Mother Emma . Some of his most famous artworks that you will be able to see here include the lithographs Belvedere , Relativity , and Convex and Concave as well as the woodcuts Day and Night , Snakes , and Tower of Babe l.

If you are a fan of the impossible art of M. C. Escher, the museum dedicated to him in The Hague is a must-visit.

Practical info

Address: Lange Voorhout 74, 2514 EH Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 11,50 EUR; kids (13-17 yoa) – 8,50 EUR; kids (7-12 yoa) – 6,50 EUR Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 11:00 till 17:00 Website: www.escherinhetpaleis.nl

The Louwman Museum , formerly known as the Nationaal Automobiel Museum (National Automobile Museum) and Louwman Collection, is one of the most amazing automobile museums in The Hague. It contains many historic cars, coaches, and motorcycles – 275 to be exact! The collection includes the likes of the Ahrens-Fox Model N-5-2 1000 GMP Fire Engine, the Briggs and Stratton Flyer, Chrysler Town & Country Barrel Back Station Wagon, and the Detroit Electric Clear Vision Brougham to name a few.

Whether you’re a classic automobile fan or not, no visit to The Hague is complete without stopping by the Louwman Museum. It is an appropriate excursion for both young and old and definitely one of the top things to see in The Hague.

Address: Leidsestraatweg 57, 2594BB Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 19 EUR; kids (5-18 yoa) – 10 EUR Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 10:00 till 17:00 Website: www.louwmanmuseum.nl

Located in the Scheveningen district of The Hague, Madurodam is a miniature city containing 1:25 scale replicas of some of the most well-known Dutch cities and cultural landmarks. It is possible to explore the Netherlands within an hour, navigating through the network of buildings, squares, and streets.

It is one of the highly recommend things to see in The Hague, as it accurately tells the story of the Netherlands and how it has evolved into the eccentric country that it is today. With all the buildings and landmarks at a maximum height of 60 cm, it’s a fun adventure for the whole family, including the little ones.

Address: George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ Den Haag Admission fee: fixed day ticket – 18 EUR; a family (or friends) of 4 – 18,75 EUR; flex ticket – 23,50 EUR; kids (0-2 yoa) – free of charge Opening times: daily, from 10:00 till 17:00 Website: www.madurodam.nl

One of the most fun things to do in The Hague is taking a ride on the historical tram . This vintage tram will take around all famous attractions in The Hague all the way to Scheveningen and the beach and back to the city. There are 14 stops in total en route where you can hop on and off. There’s also an audio tour available, which I can highly recommend.

Day ticket including audio tour: adults – 16 EUR; kids (4-12 yoa) – 5 EUR Schedule: from 8 April to 11 November, Saturday and Sunday; in July and August, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday; every 30 minutes Website: touristtram.nl

The Panorama Mesdag is a delusional, cylindrical painting by artist Hendrik Willem Mesdag in 1881, which can be viewed in one of the only especially constructed museums in The Hague. It was painted from the highest sand dune in Scheveningen and highlights the sea, dunes, and old fishing village in seaside town.

The painting took a total of four months to complete and Mesdag had the help of four other artists in order to do so. It stands more than 14 meters high, boasting an impressive circumference of 120 meters, justifying the time and manpower taken to paint it.

Address: Zeestraat 65, 2518 AA Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 15 EUR; kids (12-18 yoa) – 12 EUR; kids (4-11 yoa) – 7 EUR Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 10:00 till 17:00 Website: panorama-mesdag.nl

The Mesdag Collection is one of the few museums in The Hague that houses some of the most famous art pieces from around the world, assembled by Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his wife Sina van Houten (affectionately known as Sientjie). The museum is located directly next door to the former residence of the couple and has some pieces of artwork from the likes of Théodore Rosseau, Vincent van Gogh, and Charles-Francoise Daubigny.

Aside from these wonderful paintings, there was an exquisite collection of ceramics by Theo Colenbrander, who was a local from The Hague. The collection even contained pieces from as far as Japan, with the likes of a once-functional Samurai sword and a unique sacrificial vase.

Address: Laan van Meerdervoort 7-F, 2517 AB Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 13 EUR; kids (under 18 yoa) – free of charge Opening times: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, from 10:00 till 17:00; in April, Wednesday-Sunday, from 10:00 till 17:00 Website: www.demesdagcollectie.nl

Sticking to the theme of museums in The Hague, The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery is a state-owned collection of artworks from non-other than Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other masters from the Dutch Golden Age .

The museum is centrally located in the city on the Hofvijver lake and no visit to The Hague is complete without going to visit the Girl with a Pearl Earring of Vermeer or the Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp of Rembrandt.

Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 19 EUR; kids (under 18 yoa) – free of charge Opening times: Monday, from 13:00 till 18:00; Tuesday-Sunday, from 10:00 till 18:00 Website: www.mauritshuis.nl

The Prince William V Gallery is a part of the Mauritshuis, but is quite often overlooked as it is located in another building. For sure it’s one of the lesser-known hidden gems in the city. The gallery boasts an impressive collection of Dutch and Flemish masterpieces from the personal collection of William V, Prince of Orange .

The Prince William V Gallery is also the oldest museum in the Netherlands. It opened for public in 1774.

Address: Buitenhof 33, 2513 AH Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 5,50 EUR; kids (under 18 yoa) – free of charge; If you have a Mauritshuis ticket you don’t need to pay for the Gallery Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 12:00 till 17:00 Website: www.mauritshuis.nl

Moving away from the museum theme for a moment, take a leisurely cruise on the canals of The Hague and see the city from a completely unique angle. Not only do you get to see the city from the water but also hear the stories of the history of The Hague and current affairs in the city.

A well-renowned company like De Ooievaart has a host of extremely knowledgeable guides that will no-doubt broaden your understanding of this wonderful city with the wind blowing through your hair. There are two routes to choose from, so whether you pick the canal route or the barge route, you will be sure to hear an interesting story or two about The Hague.

Moving back to the theme of museums in The Hague, National Monument Oranjehotel in Scheveningen was a prison used by the Germans in the Second World War. It was here that they interrogated and prosecuted some 25, 000 people who had resisted laws imposed by the Germans. The name Oranjehotel was the name given to the prison as a tribute to those who were housed there.

Oranjehotel is one of The Hague attractions where you can really transport yourself back in time and experience what it was like to be a prisoner here. You’re able to enter one of the death cells as used by the Nazis and put yourself in the Dutch prisoners’ shoes. Luckily you don’t have to stay there for the entire length of a sentence, and you can be released after a couple minutes.

Address: Van Alkemadelaan 1258, 2597 BP Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 12,50 EUR; youth (8-24 yoa) – 7 EUR Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 11:00 till 17:00 Website: www.oranjehotel.org

Kunstmuseum Den Haag is one of The Hague attractions that has changed names several times over the past 150 years. What started out as Museum voor Moderne Kunst became Haags Gemeentemuseum and until 2019, was known as Gemeentemuseum Den Haag . It is one of the ideal museums in The Hague to wander around and gaze at the diverse artworks from some of the most famous modern artists. Think Piet Mondrian , van Gogh , Monet , and Picasso , to name a few.

It is one of the largest museums in Europe, housing in the region of 160, 000 pieces of artwork. Designed by renowned architect Hendrik Berlage , the museum also has many exhibitions on display. Permanent exhibitions include Discover the Modern , Delftware WonderWare , and Chambers of Wonder while current exhibitions include Mondrian Moves and Wiebke Siem .

Fun fact: Hendrik Berlage is also the architect of the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam, another beautiful example of the Amsterdam School .

Address: Stadhouderslaan 41 2517 HV, Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 16 EUR; kids (up to 18 yoa) – free of charge; youth (19-25 yoa) – 8 EUR Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 10:00 till 17:00 Website: www.kunstmuseum.nl

One of the all-time favorite things to do in The Hague is to pop down to Scheveningen beach on the North Sea coast. It is here that you can get your toes in the sand and enjoy a swim in the summer months. It’s also a great beach for sport lovers and beginners can even try their hand at surfing thanks to surf shops along the promenade offering lessons and rentals.

The beautiful promenade lends itself to walking, cycling, and skating in the summer months and the pristine sandy beaches have earned blue flag status as a result of their superior cleanliness and safety. There is also a plethora of amazing restaurants and beach bars to fill your stomach or quench your thirst after a long day in the sun or a heated volleyball match.

SkyView de Pier is definitely one of the attractions in The Hague that is not to be missed! Towering 50 meters above the North Sea, the giant Ferris wheel offers unparalleled views of Scheveningen beach, the sea, and the nearby neighborhood.

A full rotation trip takes around 12 to 15 minutes, during which time you will be housed in a luxurious gondola and can even share a unique high tea with friends and family. The pastry tower, tea, and prosecco are bound to attract both young and old – no prosecco for the young ones, of course! The combination of amazing views and a glass of prosecco makes it one of the favorite things to do in The Hague.

Address: Strandweg 156 2586 JW Scheveningen Admission fee: including a drink: adults – 15 EUR; kids (up to 12 yoa) – 7,50 EUR; only the Ferris Wheel: adults – 10,50 EUR Opening times: Monday-Thursday, from 12:00 till 20:00; Friday-Saturday, from 11:00 till 22:00; Sunday, from 11:00 till 21:00 Website: skyviewdepier.nl

SEA LIFE Scheveningen is one of the best things to see in The Hague for families with children. There are 45 aquariums that accommodate an array of sea life from fish, sharks, rays, and even Max the Asian small-clawed otter. With more than 4,000 species of marine life, your visit to SEA LIFE Scheveningen will be nothing short of amazing.

As a bonus, you will be able to contribute to the Sea Life trust, an organization that has been set up in order to protect the world’s oceans. Not only will you be able to see this beautiful marine life at Sea Life, but also ensure that the natural marine habitats of these animals are conserved.

Address: Strandweg 13, 2586 JK Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 21 EUR; kids (up to 3 yoa) – free of charge Opening times: daily, from 10:00 till 17:00 Website: www.visitsealife.com

If you are looking for things to do in The Hague that are out of the ordinary and will stimulate your senses, then look no further. Omniversum is a state-of-the-art movie theater that can accommodate some 300 people. The domical theater boasts a screen that surrounds the entire audience, proven to provide an all-round better viewing experience.

The incredible visual experience coupled with amazing audio is bound to give you the feeling that you’re in the screen. Films such as Serengeti, Dinosaurs of the South Pole, or Wild Canada will be nothing short of spectacular in this football-sized arena. You will also be able to taste weird and wonderful things such as algae, urine tea, and insects. It really is an experience not to be missed!

Address: Stadhouderslaan 37, 2517 HV The Hague Tickets: see the website of Omniversum Opening times: daily, from 10:30 till 17:00 Website: www.museon-omniversum.nl

Beelden aan Zee is one of the only museums in the Netherlands to specialize exclusively in exhibiting sculptures. It was founded by Theo and Lida Scholten in 1994, a Dutch couple who were avid collectors of sculptures. You can see some rather impressive artworks at Beelden aan Zee from artists such as Piet Esser, Jaap Kaas, Tony van de Vorst, and Ossip Zadkine.

Aside from the permanent exhibits, there are several temporary exhibits in the museum that continuously change. The Studio by the Sea is made up of three sections – an artists’ studio, an interactive education room, and a lounge. Johan Tahon will be present to teach you all there is to know about sculptures and how they are produced. There is a lot more that goes into it than you might think!

Address: Harteveltstraat 1, 2586 EL Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 17,50 EUR; kids (13-18 yoa) – 8,75 EUR Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday, from 10:00 till 17:00 Website: www.beeldenaanzee.nl

When visiting The Hague, things to do around the city center include a visit to the Binnenhof complex and the Hofvijver lake. Binnenhof is of significant political importance as it is the meeting place of both the House of Representatives ( Tweede Kamer ) and the Senate ( Eerste Kamer ).

In the middle of the Binnenhof is the famous Ridderzaal (The Hall of Knights), which was originally a ball room. Today it’s used for formal receptions and conferences. The most important role of the Ridderzaal is on Prinsjesdag , when the Dutch monarch opens the Dutch Parliamentary year in September and gives there the famous speech from the throne.

The office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands (currently Mark Rutte), is also stationed here as well as the Ministry of General Affairs – responsible for government policy, planning, information, and the Dutch Royal House.

The Hofvijver lake, at the center of The Hague, is surround by Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, Korte Vijverberg Road, and Lange Vijverberg Road. There is also a small island to be observed in the middle, which has no official name but is often referred to as “the island in the Vijverberg”.

One of the most famous squares in The Hague is called simply The Square – Het Plein . It is located adjacent to the Binnenhof and once served as the kitchen garden of the palace. The square was created in 1632 following the model of Place de Vosges in Paris. The statue in the middle of the square is of William the Silent , who became the founder of Orange-Nassau dynasty, the line of the Dutch monarchs since the 16th century.

On two sides the square is lined up by numerous cafes and restaurants and is a favorite lace for both locals and visitors of the city to get a drink or a bite.

If you’re still asking yourself what to do in The Hague at this point, the Peace Palace ( Vredespaleis ) is absolutely worth a visit. It is of immense international importance as it is home to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the UN International Court of Justice, and The Hague Academy of International Law.

You can visit the Peace Palace with a guided tour. There’s also a guided tour of the Palace’s Gardens.

Tip: You need a valid passport or an EU ID-card if you want to visit the Peace Palace.

Address: Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag Admission fee: Visitors Centre – free of charge; a guided tour of the Palace – 15 EUR; kids (up to 7 yoa) – free of charge; guided tour of the Palace Gardens – 12,50 EUR; kids (up to 8 yoa) – free of charge Opening times: (Visitors Centre) Wednesday-Sunday, from 12:00 till 16:00 Website: www.vredespaleis.nl

Another interesting museum to visit in The Hague is The Hague Historical Museum ( Haags Historisch Museum ) located just at the Hofvijver in the heart of the city. This museum tells the story of the city of The Hague through art and it has lovely collection of historical objects. There also temporary exhibitions that handle sensitive historical subjects, like the colonial past of the city.

Address: Korte Vijverberg 7, 2513 AB Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 18 EUR; kids (6-17 yoa) – 5 EUR Opening times: Tuesday-Friday, from 10:00 till 17:00; Saturday-Sunday, from 12:00 till 17:00 Website: www.haagshistorischmuseum.nl

Huis ten Bosch is one of the three official residences of the Dutch monarch and is one of the most visually stunning things to see in The Hague. It is designed in the style of Dutch Baroque architecture and Dutch Classicism, by architects Jacob van Campen, Pieter Post, and Daniel Marot.

The two other official residences of the Dutch Monarch are Nooordeinde, also located in the Hague, and the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The current tenant (as of 2019) is Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, King of the Netherlands since 2013.

One of the last things to see in The Hague is the Noordeinde Palace , one of the three palaces of the Dutch Royal family. It was once a medieval farmhouse, converted in 1533 in a palace. Following the fall of Napoleon, Noordeinde became a Royal Palace used on and off by various Dutch Kings and Queens as a winter residence.

Since the thorough restoration of the palace in 1984, it has been used as the official workplace of the Dutch Monarchs.

The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens which are open to the public.

Rounding off the list of top things to do in The Hague is The Prison Gate Museum , one of the oldest operational museums in The Hague – it’s been going since 1882! Located on the Buitenhof, next to Prince William V Gallery, a former gate and medieval prison, Gevangenpoort allows you into the inside of an ancient prison.

You can also meet the jailer, executioner, or judge and also be striking distance away from a former functioning guillotine. Make sure you’re on your best behavior though – you wouldn’t want to meet the razor-sharp edge of the mighty blade!

Address: Buitenhof 33, 2513 AH Den Haag Admission fee: adults – 15 EUR; kids (4-17 yoa) – 7,50 EUR Opening times: Tuesday-Friday, from 10:00 till 17:00; Saturday-Sunday, from 11:00 till 17:00 Website: www.gevangenpoort.nl

There are so many reasons to visit and things to do in The Hague that it should be on every traveler’s list. It’s the perfect day trip from Amsterdam, taking a mere 40 minutes by intercity train, or less than half an hour from Rotterdam.

Ease of travel to and within the city, open spaces, long sandy beaches, and a deep history marked by political and administrative ties makes The Hague a must-see destination. When visiting The Hague, attractions are not difficult to come by and you can find something to see and do constantly. After a long day of sight-seeing or laying on the beaches of Scheveningen, there is also no shortage of modern restaurants and bars to end the day at. If you’re not concerned about your waistline, a stroopwafel is the perfect sweet ending to a day in The Hague.

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About The Hague

Located on the west coast of the Netherlands, with no less than 11 km of sandy beach, The Hague is the administrative capital of the country, home to the Dutch royal family and the base for numerous international organisations. But beyond that it is a lovely place to stay wether you want to enjoy the city or the beach. Its residents are proud of their identity, but they also tend to look beyond borders.

There is a good reason why The Hague is the international city of peace and justice. It’s the city where people enjoy living while working towards a better world. Living, working, exploring or studying in the Hague, come and discover this unique city.

15 Amazing Things to Do in The Hague

Updated April 15, 2024

// By Margherita

Get ready to be surprised by The Hague/Den Haag! This Dutch city is a wonderful alternative to Amsterdam, with cool museums, canal houses, a walkable historic centre, and even 11 km of beaches with stunning beach houses! Here are 15 cool things to do in The Hague to get you started! 

Would you like to explore The Hague with no hassle? Here are some wonderful tours!

• Private Day Trip to The Hague from Amsterdam – also including Rotterdam!
• The Hague Highlights Bike Tour – discover the city on two wheels like a true Dutch!
• The Hague City Discovery Game – explore The Hague as you solve clues
• The Hague Private Walking Tour – take your time on this private tour!
• The Girl with the Pearl Earring, the Hague and Delft – see The Hague and one of the world’s most famous paintings
• Escher in the Palace – get your tickets in advance and skip the line to see this amazing Escher exhibition!

This is probably the most cliched ever way to start a blog post, but this time it needs to be done.

If I say The Hague, what comes to your mind? If you asked me, I would say government buildings, the International Court of Justice , and that’s about it. I imagined it as a drab, government-focused city, with not much to see and do – and naturally, I saw very little reason to visit. 

Then, in March, we spent three days in The Hague – and we were very pleasantly surprised. The city, known as Den Haag in Dutch, is packed with things to see and do – unusual museums, buildings, canals, and naturally, the famous Peace Palace , housing the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. 

With over tourism hitting Amsterdam more and more each year , The Hague is the perfect alternative to Amsterdam for a Dutch city break.

To make matters even better, The Hague has 11 km of beaches. Yes, I had no idea The Hague was so close to the beach – my bad!

Weather in The Hague/Den Haag

I can’t say we’ve been lucky with the weather during visit to The Hague. The city is located in the southern part of the Netherlands, by the coast. You’ll find typically Northern/Central European weather – with cold winters and warm, but not boiling hot summers, and abundant rain year round. 

On top of that, The Hague’s coastal location also means that it’s windy pretty much every day. The windiest period of the year lasts between October and March, when the city beaches become a popular kitesurfing location, despite the cold. 

During our visit in mid-March, we had cloudy skies with frequent rain showers and a temperature ranging between 0°C at night and 12-13°C during the day, with very, very strong winds , touching 90 km per hour. However, this didn’t stop us from enjoying the amount of amazing attractions in The Hague!

So, let’s have a look at 14 fun things to do in The Hague , even when it’s super windy!

Want to explore the Benelux area more? Check out our 20 Fun Things to do in Luxembourg post!

Would you like to discover The Hague in one fun minute? Here’s our cartoon video!

Free Things to do in The Hague/Den Haag

1) visit the binnenhof.

‘This is where my city was born’ said our guide Remco as we reached the Binnenhof , a complex of buildings right next to the Hofvijver ,  a small lake in the centre of The Hague. 

The Binnenhof started out as a small homestead by the lake, which was purchased by the count of Holland in the 13th century and slowly grew into a small keep.

A few decades later, the count built the Ridderzaal , one of the largest non-religious Gothic buildings in Europe. Ridderzaal means ‘riders hall’ , as its original purpose was to welcome riders visiting the court of the counts of Holland. 

What is now the city of The Hague grew around the Binnenhof. From residence of the counts it became the administrative centre of the country, housing the meeting place of both houses in the Dutch parliament, the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry for General affairs.

The Ridderzaal still stands proud , dominating the complex, and it is used by the Dutch monarch to deliver the annual speech opening Parliament.

Visiting the buildings in the Binnenhof costs money, but walking around the complex is definitely one of the best free things to do in The Hague. 

Are you a castle fan? Discover the best castles in Luxembourg!

2) Walk Along the Canals

Did you know The Hague also has canals? The city has about 10 canals, dug in the 14th century for transportation and defence purposes. However, The Hague is not known for its waterways , probably because similarly to many other cities in Europe like my very own Milan , many canals were filled over the 20th century to improve sanitation in the growing city. 

In 2004, part of The Hague canal system was uncovered, and now it is possible to sail or walk along it. If you want to go sailing, naturally you’ll need a ticket, but walking along the canals won’t cost you a cent, and it’s surely a great free activity to enjoy in The Hague. 

A good place to start is Lange Voorhout , the street where you’ll find the wonderful museum Escher in the Palace ( another great thing to do in The Hague – more on it later!)

From there, head towards Maliestraat , right next to the most beautiful canal in The Hague. You can follow Nieuwe Uitleg,  a road creating a ring around the canal, then turn right on to Hooikade . At the end of that street, cross the street and follow the canal on your left, running parallel to the Mauritskade .

Keep walking along Mauritskade all the way to the end. Then, turn left until you get to a canal with a bridge with a bike covered in flowers, a tribute to a young girl who died in a bike accident. 

Follow that canal past Prinsessewal , until you reach the end. On your right there will be another short canal named Veenkade, where you’ll find bars and an ice cream shop that all have floating terraces on the canal. Can you imagine a better end to this canal walk?

This itinerary will take you about 2 hours, depending on how often you stop for pictures, and it’s a wonderful free thing to do in The Hague!

3) See the Peace Palace

This was, by far and away, my favourite thing to do in The Hague. The Peace Palace is the reason why The Hague is known as the City of Peace and Justice – the complex was built around 100 years ago, to provide a home for the Permanent Court of Arbitration , established at the end of the 19th century to provide an alternative solution to war for disputes between countries. 

Construction was sponsored by the American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, and the Carnegie Foundation still owns and manages it. Nowadays, besides the  Permanent Court of Arbitration , the Peace Palace accommodates the International Court of Justice , the Library of International Law , and the Hague Academy of International Law. 

We were lucky to tour the interiors of the Peace Palace. Tours last approximately an hour and a half and include a visit of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Permanent Court of International Justice, as well as the artworks located in the corridors and hallways, all gifts from various city governments.

One of the coolest places is the Japanese Room , the secondary room of thePermanent Court of Arbitration, taking its name from the stunning silk tapestries gifted by the Japanese government. 

The Peace Palace can only be visited when courts are not in session. You can get info about dates and book tours on the official website – but please be aware that tours may be cancelled if court sessions are scheduled or moved last minute. 

However, you can always see the Peace Palace from outside for free. The imposing neo-Renaissance building is clearly visible through the fence, looking a little bit like Hogwarts. Don’t you think? 

4) Walk Around the City

The Hague is a wonderful place to walk around aimlessly , getting lost its streets and marvelling at its architecture.

The Hague is divided in two parts, one built on sand, and one built on clay. The two parts of the city are divided by  Laan van Meerdervoort,  the longest street in Europe.

The richer people live on the sandy part, the northern half of the city, and call themselves Hagenaar , whereas the southern half of the city built on clay is home to Hagenees , working class people.

A good place to wander around are the shopping streets around  Spuistraat and Grote Marktstraat.  You’ll find many department stores like HEMA, a Dutch institution, and upmarket de Bijenkorf. Right next to that there’s a cool shopping building decorated with Art Nouveau storks, the symbol of The Hague.

5) Check out De Passage and try a Hopje

Another fun free thing to do in The Hague is walking down De Passage , the only remaining covered shopping arcade built in the second part of the 20th century in the Netherlands. 

De Passage was originally built to house luxury stores, and still remains faithful to this ‘upmarket’ soul. If you want a small souvenir typical of The Hague , grab some Hopje from Hop & Stork, one of the best coffee shops in town.

Hopje coffee-flavoured sweets were born by mistake, after a coffee-loving baron was forbidden by his doctor to drink coffee, and tried to find a way to do it anyway. He left a mixture of coffee and sugar on the stove simmering for too long, until it hardened up into caramelised lumps.

The result was so good, that he commissioned a local baker to recreate his ‘mistake’ – and from then onwards, hopje have become The Hague’s most beloved sweet export. 

5) Visit The Hague’s Two Stations

The Hague is also unique in the sense that it has not one, but two central stations – both of which are really cool in a different way, and visiting them is another unusual free thing to do in The Hague. 

If you’re coming from Amsterdam or from Schiphol airport, more than likely you’ll be arriving at Den Haag Centraal, the largest of the two located right in the city centre. The station was recently renovated and it is now a modern steel and glass building, with a mini food court, as well as some cafés and restaurants on the upper floor.

We especially liked Station Huiskamer , meaning ‘the station’s living room’, a cozy café with couches and working spaces, and a views over the trains.

The second station is Den Haag HS, about 20 minutes walk from the centre, with trains to Antwerp, Brussels and other Dutch cities. The building dates back to 1843, when the station was opened.

Den Haag HS is less busy than Centraal station, and worth visiting to appreciate the 19th century architecture of the station building. There’s also a spectacular royal waiting room, which can be visited once a month joining a guided tour. 

Are you a fan of train travel? Read about our winter rail journey from Finland to France!

Museums in The Hague

6) the mauritshuis.

If it’s windy or rainy in The Hague , as it often is, there’s no need to worry about finding things to do – there are many museums to choose from!

If you only had time to visit one museum in The Hague , we highly recommend the Mauritshuis , housing an impressive collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings.

The best known and most popular artwork is undoubtedly the Girl With The Pearl Earring by Vermeer , but there are many more to see, including some impressive still lifes and paintings depicting daily life in the Netherlands in the 17th century.

If you are visiting this year you can also visit the Rembrandt and the Mauritshuis exhibition, with all 11 Rembrandt paintings in the museum collection on show, including the famous The Anatomy Lesson. 

7) Escher in the Palace

Even if the name Escher doesn’t ring a bell, you’ll be familiar with the Dutch graphic artist’s mathematically-inspired prints and illustrations . Escher in the Palace (Escher in Het Palais) is a museum dedicated to Escher’s artwork, located in a former royal palace dating back to the 18th century. 

The exhibition displays original wood blocks used by the artist, as well as a selection of prints, including some of Escher’s earliest depicting Italian landscapes. The exhibition was designed especially to display Escher’s work – don’t miss The Waterfall , example of the artist’s ‘impossible perspectives’, the Drawing Hands , and the three Metamorphosis , with a sequence of tessellated images morphing into one another in a circle.  

Skip the line and get your Escher in the Palace ticket in advance!

8)  Museum Voorlinden

The Mauritshuis may be The Hague’s big ticket museum, and Escher in the Palace is definitely worth a visit for the scenic palace setting, but in my opinion the coolest museum in the Hague is Museum Voorlinden , a contemporary art gallery opened in 2016. 

Museum Voorlinden is set in a private estate, in a modern building with large windows providing plenty of natural light, really enhancing the artwork on display. Part of the museum houses temporary exhibitions – at the time of our visit in mid March, there was one titled ‘Less is More’ , about minimal art, and an exhibition dedicated to Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama was due to open within a few days. 

Yet, Museum Voorlinden is best known for its Highlights , a selection of large-scale, immersive art installations like Leonardo Elrich’s Swimming Pool , where visitors can access the bottom of the pool and see other visitors watching them from above, and Open Ended , a maze made of steel plates.

Visiting Museum Voorlinden was definitely one of our favourite things to do in The Hague – don’t miss it!

The Hague Beaches

9) scheveningen.

The long, sandy beach resorts of The Hague are probably what sets it apart from other Dutch cities. Where else can you spend the morning visiting museums, and then hop on the tram for an afternoon on the beach?

Beaches in The Hague cover a length of 11 km , divided between two different beach resorts – the first to be established and largest of the two is Scheveningen , about 5 km north from the city centre. 

Scheveningen is best known for its pier, opened in 1959 after an existing pier was destroyed during World War II. The pier was renovated in 2015, and it now includes a covered shopping centre with restaurants, cafés and entertainment opportunities. 

At the end of the pier you’ll find the Skywheel , the best known Scheveningen landmark. There’s also a bungee jump and a zipline, connecting the bungee platform to the upper pier deck.

When we visited in March, Scheveningen was deserted, with only a few souls braving the wind and cold. In summer, beach bars line the promenade and you’ll find people skating, cycling and braving the chilly waves of the North Sea. You can also try your hand at riding the waves – book a surfing lesson!

10) Kijkduin

Scheveningen is indeed a happening place – if peace and quiet are what you’re after, you’d better head to Kijkduin , the smaller of the two resorts which is a little further from the city centre, surrounded by sand dunes. 

The vibe at Kjikduin is definitely more low-key and family friendly compared to Scheveningen. There are a few beach clubs, mostly cafés and restaurants, but don’t expect much action if you’re visiting in March as beach bars in The Hague are taken apart in winter and reassembled in summer – except for Havana Beach , open year round. 

There’s also one more reason to visit Kijkduin , which is really one of the coolest and most unusual things to do in The Hague – but I’m not ready to reveal it just yet. Read on, and you shall find out!

Unusual Things to do in The Hague

11) visit the prison gate museum.

In the 1400s, The Hague wasn’t the peace and justice-loving city it is these days. The Prison Gate museum (Museum de Gevangenpoort) reveals visitors how the concept of crime and punishment evolved over the centuries, when justice wasn’t administered in courts, and confessions were extorted through torture.

The museum is not far from the Binnenhof and includes the largest collection of instruments of torture , like branding irons, hand clamps and flogging benches, and the cell block where prisoners used to be incarcerated and tortured. This is not for the faint of heart, but it’s definitely a must if you’re looking for unusual points of interest in The Hague.

12) Visit the Haagse Markt

Market lovers, did you know that Haagse Markt is the largest outdoor market in Europe? Besides its size, what makes this market special is the variety of goods on offer, including food from all over the world.

It’s a great place if you’re looking for street snacks, with food reflecting the multicultural side of The Hague – within a few stalls you can find Dutch kibberling , Surinamese donuts, Turkish snacks, empanadas from the Caribbean and more.

The market is located in between Transvaal and Schilderswijk , the two most multicultural neighbourhoods in the Hague. A market has taken place for centuries in the same location, and in the late 19 th century it was already well known for exotic goods coming from the Dutch colonies and beyond.

Nowadays, the market is a great destination for food lovers , but you can also find clothes, flowers, household goods and pretty much anything you can imagine.

The Haagse Markt takes place four days a week – on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm.

13) Eat at the Highest Restaurant in Town

The Hague Tower (Haagse Toren) is the 5th highest building in The Hague, and it is nicknamed  Het Strijkijzer (the Flatiron) as it was inspired by the famous New York building. 

You may expect this kind of building to house luxury offices or apartments – but this is when The Hague surprises you with its democratic soul , as the Hague Tower contains 300 studio flats for students and first-time property owners, and only 50 luxury apartments. 

The 42nd floor of Hague Tower is also where you’ll find The Penthouse , the highest restaurant in the Netherlands. You can start your evening with a cocktail at the Sky Bar, then take your pick from the creative, international dishes found on the menu.

Or better still, do what we did and opt for the Journey , a surprise menu with the daily specials.

14) Stay in Beach Huts

By now, you will have gathered that The Hague has 11 km of beaches , since I repeated it about three times in the course of this post. I loved all the things we did and saw in The Hague – seeing The Girl With The Pearl Earring, Escher’s artworks, visiting the Peace Palace, eating tasty food while looking at The Hague city lights from above… and more.

Yet, my best memories from The Hague are from the Haagse Strandhuises (The Hague beach houses) on Kijkduin beach, our home away from home in The Hague. The beach houses are located on an isolated stretch of beach, surrounded by sand dunes, with the sound of the wind and waves singing you to sleep.

The beach houses are compact, but they include everything you need to enjoy your stay on the beach, including heating, TV, super fast wifi, a small kitchen and even a cart to carry everything you need across the beach. The front of the beach houses is completely covered in windows looking out to sea , and there’s also a small veranda where you can sit and enjoy the view – if the wind doesn’t blow you away!

To make matters even better, the beach houses are made with natural materials and powered by sustainable energy. Even when it’s super windy, the feeling of being surrounded by the elements is simply magical, and you’re guaranteed to have a comfortable night sleep.

How to Get to The Hague from Amsterdam 

The Hague is only 52 km from Amsterdam , and the closest airport is Amsterdam Schiphol, only half an hour away by train.

Travelling between Amsterdam and The Hague by train is super easy , with departures every half an hour from Amsterdam to The Hague central stations, with trains taking under an hour and tickets cost €12.20 . There are even more frequent trains travelling via Leiden or Schiphol airport, but you will need to change trains.

Rotterdam is also very close to The Hague , about 36 km away. Train between the two cities depart every 10 minutes, cost €5.10 and take less than half an hour.

Many thanks to Stefan, Remco and Danielle from The Hague Marketing for welcoming us!

Touropia Travel

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10 Most Popular Attractions in The Hague

By Carl Austin · Last updated on November 6, 2023

Filled with wonderful old buildings, The Hague, known as Den Haag in Dutch, fits many visitors’ pre-conceived notions of how a city in the Netherlands should look. Though not the capital, it is the seat of the Dutch government and is referred to as the International City of Peace and Justice because so many organizations such as the World Court devoted to world peace can be found here. This bustling city of old-world charm is home to numerous museums that house some of the world’s greatest art collections, The Hague also is known for its seaside atmosphere, with great beaches to be found at Kijkduin and Scheveningen, a fishing village in an earlier life.

10. Japanese Garden at Clingendael [SEE MAP]

Clingendael Park is considered the most impressive park in The Hague, a place that is home to many beautiful gardens. But this four centuries old garden is best known for its Japanese Garden, created in the 20th century by a baroness who brought back items, such as sculptures and bridges, from her many trips to Japan. The garden contains lush vegetation, including mosses, an island with turtles and a stone crane – the turtle and crane are symbols of long life. The Japanese Garden is a popular The Hague attractions because it’s the only one from this time period in the Netherlands.

9. Peace Palace [SEE MAP]

The Hague is known as the International City of Peace and Justice. Nothing says this more than the iconic Peace Palace, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2013. Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie funded the building of the Peace Palace, and it remains the property of the Carnegie Foundation today. This Hague landmark houses several important international organizations, including the World Court, Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Peace Palace Library. Guided tours of the facility are available on weekends. A visitor center, with information available in seven languages, is open every day, however.

8. Gemeentemuseum Den Haag [SEE MAP]

Gemeentemuseum Den Haag is a multi-faceted museum that includes exhibitions not only by well-known artists but also exhibitions on fashion, ceramics and music, among others. Considered one of the most beautiful museums in the Netherlands, the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag’s contemporary arts division has the largest collection of Mondrians, including Victory Boogie Woogie, in the world. Visitors say the Art Deco building that houses the museum also is worth a closer inspection. The museum, also known as the Municipal Museum, is outside the city center, but easily accessible by bus.

7. Louwman Museum [SEE MAP]

After looking at masterpieces on canvas, visitors may want to look at another type of masterpiece: antique and classic cars. The Louwman Museum contains more than 250 antique and classic autos, including vehicles dating back to 1886 as well as early motorcycles. Top cars include a Jaguar XKD 606 that won Le Mans in 1957 and a Laconda that won in 1935. The entire collection is considered one of the oldest and most beautiful private collections of classic cars in the world. The museum also has a collection of automobile related art, such as posters.

6. Escher in Het Paleis [SEE MAP]

Maurits Cornelis Escher is considered one of the world’s greatest graphic artists, though he died in 1922. He was a master at drawing optical illusions. Escher’s masterpieces include Air and Water, in which birds become fish, and Waterfall, with water flowing upwards. The gallery of his art works is housed in the Palace Museum, which was once a winter residence for Dutch queens. The permanent exhibition includes a virtual reality display that allows visitors to more fully experience his unique artworks.

5. Madurodam [SEE MAP]

The smallest city in the Netherlands, Madurodam is a 1:25 scale model of a Dutch city. It features traditional Dutch buildings and famous landmarks from around the country. Buildings, markets, canals, windmills, Schiphol Airport, the Port of Rotterdam, Dam Square, the Delta works are all perfectly replicated to the smallest detail. Instead of being a static miniature city, Madurodam is actually full of life. The windmills turn, airplanes land at the airport, trains run through the park and the boats are floating. Popular with both young and old, it is one of the most visited attractions in the Hague.

4. Panorama Mesdag [SEE MAP]

Panorama Mesdag definitely has lots of wow! factor. It’s a gigantic circular mural that is 14 meters (46 feet) high and more than 120 meters (280 feet) in circumference. It is a painting of the sea, dunes and the village of Scheveningen as it was in 1881. It was pained by Hendrik Wilhelm Mesdag, one of the most important painters from The Hague School. The mural is so huge, a special building was constructed to house it. Panorama Mesdag is the oldest 19th century mural that is still on the site it was built on.

3. Mauritshuis [SEE MAP]

Mauritshuis Museum provides an amazing opportunity to view some of the finest paintings from the Dutch Golden Age of Painting. It is home to 841 works by great artists such as Hans Holbein the Young, Frans Hals, Rubens (Night Scene), Rembrandt (Self-Portrait) and Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring). The museum is housed in a 17th century Dutch Classicist house that belonged to a nobleman. This little known museum (outside the Netherlands, that is) attracts about a quarter million visitors a year.

2. Scheveningen Boulevard [SEE MAP]

Scheveningen Boulevard is a wide boulevard that runs along the beach at Scheveningen, once a sleepy fishing village and now a seaside resort. One top attraction is the Scheveningen Pier, a promenade that dates back to the early 20th century; today, it is an entertainment and shopping complex. The Kurhaus also is a must-see; it’s a large hotel that started out as a bathhouse in the 19th century, and has since played host to famous people from Churchill to Bon Jovi. The Sculptures by the Sea focuses on international sculpture works. It is notable because it’s built underground instead of atop the sand dunes.

1. Binnenhof [SEE MAP]

Binnenhof is a 13th century castle that makes a mighty impressive home for the top government offices in the Netherlands. It’s where both houses of Parliament meet and houses the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Dutch prime minister. Once a series of buildings that were joined together, Binnenhof is famous as the oldest house of parliament in the world still in use today. The gothic structure is located in The Hague’s city center next to the Hofvijver pond. In the center stands the Ridderzaal or Knight’s Hall, the centerpiece of the castle, today used for ceremonial purposes. The Knight’s Hall is accessible in guided tours.

Best Time to Visit the Hague

The seat of the Dutch government, The Hague lies along the North Sea, just a forty-minute train journey southwest of Amsterdam. Summer is when most people visit as the weather is warm and you can sunbathe and swim at its popular seaside resort Scheveningen.

From June to September, temperatures average 19 to 21°C (66 to 70°F) with huge events like Parkpop and the Tong Tong Fair taking place. During these sunny months though, the city is quite crowded and expensive as are nearby day trip destinations like Delft and Leiden.

Hotel prices also rise in April as the Koningsnacht celebrations are so massive. Otherwise it and May are pleasant times to visit with many coming to see its beautiful blooming daffodils or all the tulips at Keukenhof.

As Den Haag is full of parks, autumn can also be lovely due to all the colourful leaves on the trees. Both it and the winter are by far the rainiest periods of the year though with the days also being shorter and gloomier.

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Netherlands Tourism

The Hague (in Dutch: Den Haag) is the capital city of the province South Holland . With over 500 thousand inhabitants it is the third largest city of the Netherlands (after Amsterdam and Rotterdam ). The Dutch government and parlement are located in The Hague, this might seem strange as The Hague is not the capital city of the Netherlands . You also might know The Hague as The International Court of Justice and The International Criminal Court are located in the city, both are often referred to in news programs around the world.

History of The Hague

The first recorded historical reference to The Hague is circa 1230 when a lodge, for hunting, was built there by Count Floris the fourth. This was rebuilt as a castle in 1248 by his son William the 2nd. The name, The Hague, is based on the word for hedge as an enclosure where the building was set. More buildings, such as the Knights Hall, were built close to the castle and it eventually came to be the home of the Counts of Holland. These buildings can now be found in the old quarter, Binnenhof. A lake was built close by this area in 1350 and is still there today.

The New Capital

This area, in the late 1200’s and the 1300’s, became an center of commerce and the area grew as trading flourished with many merchants coming to the district. In the 16th century when Holland was under rule from Spain, The Hague was established as the center for the Dutch and later, under William the 1st, it became the capital of the Netherlands. In 1585 all of the main bodies of the Dutch government moved into the area, further establishing it as the center of power in the country.

Although it is no longer used, The Hague, in the 16th century was named Gravenhage, this roughly translated as “The Counts Wood”, harking back to its origins as a hunting lodge. in 1575 the whole area came under threat of demolition As the lack of city walls made it almost impossible to defend, as when it was overrun by the Spanish at the onset of the “80 years war”, but this idea was abandoned after the intervention of William of Orange.

The area was finally granted city status in the early 19th century by Louis Bonaparte in the Napoleonic wars, after which the Netherlands and Belgium were formed into a single state, as The United Kingdom Of The Netherlands, although Belgium was once again separated in 1830 with Amsterdam remaining as the capital, but the government remaining in The Hague.

The Modern era

The building of The Hague as a large city really started in 1850 with new residential areas being built to house government employees and also employees of the Dutch East India Company.

The city encompassed the area of Looseduinen in 1923 as it grew even further beyond it’s boundaries. During the 2nd world war large parts of the city were demolished to make way for the “Atlantic wall” and in 1945 a residential area was accidentally bombed by the British who were attempting to bomb the V2 rocket site in a nearby park.

After the war there was a massive building programs, both to repair the damage and to accommodate the growing population. Today the city is still expanding beyond it’s borders with new areas being annexed and new residential areas being built.

Home of Justice

The Hague has been the center for international law for centuries. It was once referred to as the “legal capital of the world” by then United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Known as the City of Peace and Justice, The Hague is home to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. It is also one of the major cities hosting the United Nations; along with New York, Nairobi, Geneva, Vienna and Tokyo.

Here is a list of important dates in the political history of The Hague:

• · Late 16th Century – The government of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands was founded.
• · 1838 – Since this date the Supreme Court of the Netherlands has been based in The Hague.
• · 1893 – The Hague Conference on Private International Law was founded by Nobel Prize winner by Tobias Asser.
• · 1903 – Construction of the Peace Palace was completed and housed the Court of Permanent Court International Justice: the legal branch of the League of Nations.
• · 1946 – Court of International Justice is founded following WWII and is housed in the Peace Palace.
• · 1981 – The Iran-United States Claims Tribunal was founded.
• · 1990 – An explosion of the founding international bodies in The Hague, resulting in 160 such bodies in the city and surrounding area.

Transportation in The Hague

The Hague is a bustling, though not overly large, city of around 500,000 people. Transportation in the city is very affordable, clean and efficient. There is a good network of around 30 tram and bus routes that should be able to get you to wherever you want to go. There is also a regular light rail link. The main operators are, Conexxion, Veolia and HTM. Although there is not a full service operating at night, there are several night buses  run by the public transportation company.

Paying For Your Journey

The buses and trams in The Hague are paid for by using the OV-chipcard . These are a plastic card about the size of a credit card that you have to “validate” at the beginning and end of every journey.  One of the best options is to get an HTM day ticket, it costs 7.70 euros, for the days travel on all trams, RandstadRail line and also the buses that are run by HTM. Although this covers you for all day trips, you will need to pay extra if you are taking the night bus.

If you have a chipcard you can get the day ticket loaded on to that, but if you do not have one then you can get a paper ticket. Unfortunately you are not able to buy a day ticket on the bus, tram, or train, but they are sold in hotels, train stations, and the tourist information centers. The day ticket is valid from when it is first validated until the end of service that day. For single journeys, if you do not have a chipcard you can pay in euros.

If you are traveling to The Hague by car and do not want the hassle of parking and driving in the city, there are 4 different “park and ride” terminals around the main roads that lead in to The Hague.

Travelling By Taxi And Bicycyle

If you want to travel by taxi you can flag them down in the street, phone to be picked up, or go to one of the many taxi stands that are around The Hague. Taxis are obliged to charge a standard fare that is the same throughout the country. But there is one company called Regio Taxi Haaglanden which charges a fare that is halfway between that of a bus or tram and that of a taxi.There are also cabs in The Hague that are quiet electric taxis.

Possibly the best way of travelling around The Hague is by bicycle. All of the main streets and thoroughfares have cycle lanes on them and, due to the compact nature of the city it is often quicker to travel by bicycle than other means of transport.

The Hague Tourism

The Hague is a great city to visit. It has a wealth of history for the tourist to get to know, and it  also, with it’s modern skyline looks firmly toward the future. it also has a wonderful coast on the North Sea and some great beaches, but it also has a more serious side as the government and legislature for the Netherlands is based here. There are also many royal palaces and monuments in The Hague and it is still home to many members of the Dutch royal family . The Hague is also known as the “City of Peace” as there are many national, and international organizations working to that goal.

The Palace of Peace is a lovely Palace that was built around the turn of the twentieth century and is well worth a visit. It is closed on Mondays but on other days you are able to book a very interesting and informative tour of the building

Night life and Shopping

There are many are many great bars and restaurants in  The Hague. And you will never be short of something to do in the evenings as there is a wealth of great nightlife there. The plein market and Grote market squares contain many clubs as well as some great places to eat.

For the best shopping go to the Vlamingstraat and the Spuistraat. There you find a wide variety of shops offering fashion and designer goods as well as some more individual shops. but for real specialty shops and individual retailers you should visit The Hofkwartier, there are also upmarket fashion and footwear shops here.

Museums and Visitor Attractions

There are over 30 museums in The Hague, and there should be something for everyone. The Mauritshuis art museum has works from the grand masters of Dutch and Flemish masters, such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. The Louwman museum is a fascinating auto museum containing cars and vehicles through the ages. Museum Meermanno has some unusual and interesting collections, including one on 200 years of Dutch comics.

Madurodam is a wonderful visitor attraction with a miniature city to look around and enjoy. the Amusement park Duinrell is a great family attraction with plenty to see and do and some great rides to go on

The Hague, with its tradition and current political establishments, bars, cafes Amusement parks and museums really has something for everywhere and is a destination that is nit to be missed..

Parks In The Hague

The Hague is a fascinating place to visit, especially so being the seat of government in this Netherlands. Although the center of the city is quite built up there are many greens spaces and some beautiful parks, fields and forests.

The Japanese Garden

One of the most fascinating of these is Clingendael Park , which is home to the wonderful Japanese Garden this was originally laid out in the early 1900’s by Marguérite M. Baroness van Briene.

She undertook a number sea voyages to Japan, in order to bring back the plants, sculptures, bridges and the pavilion that grace the park today and give it it’s wonderful and unique character. Although it is free to go to the gardens, unfortunately, due to fragile nature of the area it is only possible to visit in the spring and autumn. But it is a fascinating place and well worth the wait.

The Malieveld is a large grassed area in the center of The Hague, just near the Central Station. As well as being an excellent place for a picnic, or to enjoy the summer sun, it is also home to many events throughout the year, with a funfair and also a circus in the autumn. In contrast it is a favorite place for protests and political rallies, due to it’s central location.

The Park Of Roses

Another excellent place to relax is the Rosarium. It is a very well maintained Park where you can wander among a stunning display of flowers in the summer it is a very peaceful location in which to spend a quiet afternoon. As the name implies it is home to a stunning amount and variety of roses.

The Haagse Bos is an ancient forest that reaches right into the middle of the city. Being in such a central location it is a firm favorite among the residents and workers of the area where they are able to spend awhile out of the traffic and buildings and amongst the grass and trees of the forest.

It is also home to a large amount of wildlife in the shape of red deer and many different types of birds. Originally covering a much larger area it was reduced, both by the needs of the population, for land for building and wood for the war against the Spanish. But it was protected by a law that was brought in in 1576 and is still in force today.

Although the Hague is a very busy place it has many beautiful parks and it is well worth taking the time explore them.

Pictures of The Hague

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20 Must-Visit Attractions in the Hague, the Netherlands

The Hague is the third-largest city in the Netherlands and has acted as the country’s political capital for centuries. Over the past 100 years many international organisations have settled in the Hague and the city has developed deep ties with the United Nations. Although these political factors are certainly important, there’s significantly more to the Hague than governance and the city features many fascinating attractions that will appeal tourists, travellers and day trippers.

1. mauritshuis.

2. Binnenhof

Historical Landmark

3. Madurodam

Amusement Park

This sprawling miniature theme park features thousands of tiny replicas of famous Dutch landmarks such as the Binnenhof, Dam Square and the Dom Tower . The sheer number of miniatures at Madurodam is truly remarkable and everything inside the park has been painstakingly realised in order to capture the essence of Dutch architecture.

5. Escher in the Palace

Art Gallery, Museum

6. SkyView Pier

Architectural Landmark

7. Huis ten Bosch

Many famous figures have lived inside Huis ten Bosch over the past 400 years and the palace is currently owned by the Dutch Royal Family. According to official sources, King Willem-Alexander and his family will relocate to the palace sometime in the near future and make it their formal residence.

8. The Peace Palace

The Hague’s Peace Palace has housed the International Court of Justice and several other important legal organisations since the early-20th century. Guided tours are available around the palace on certain days and there is a permanent visitor centre onsite.

9. Panorama Mesdag

10. Bungy Scheveningen

Sports Center

This hair-raising attraction is located on top of the spiralling tower at the head of Scheveningen pleasure pier. At Bungy Scheveningen, adrenaline junkies are invited plunge from a 60m (197ft) platform and then bounce candidly over the Hague’s coastline.

11. Gemeentemuseum

12. scheveningen beach.

Chilling out on Scheveningen Beach is a staple of Dutch summertime and legions of day trippers flock to this coastal resort during sunny spells. The beach is around five kilometres (3.1mi) aways from the Hague’s city centre and easily accessible via tram or bike.

13. Mesdag Collection

14. Kijkduin

Although Kijkduin is slightly overshadowed by Scheveningin, there are many reasons to visit this smaller seaside resort. Its natural dune landscapes, for example, are absolutely stunning and offer unrivalled views across the Netherland’s western coastline.

15. Haagse Bos

Natural Feature

Haagse Bos is among the oldest surviving forests in the Netherlands covering a rectangular parcel of land that trails from the Hague’s centre to a small town called Wassenaar. The forest has always played an important role within the Hague’s history and provided timber for the Binnenhof’s walls during the palace’s early years.

16. Museum Beelden aan Zee

17. Clingendael

The gardens around Clingendae l manor are renowned for their stunning natural beauty and have been open to the public since the mid-20th century. This marvellous estate contains a painstakingly designed Japanese garden that features many authentic Japanese items and many rare and exotic plants.

18. Sea Life Scheveningen

19. kinderboekenmuseum, 20. museum de gevangepoort.

The stone keep near the Binnenhof in the Hague incarcerated serious criminals for over four centuries and has held several famous figures from Dutch history. Today, this medieval building contains an educational, family-friendly museum that retraces the history of crime and punishment in the Netherlands.

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The best cafés in the hague, the netherlands.

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Visiting The Hague in 24 Hours: A complete Guide

As a political science major at University, a trip to The Hague has been on my to-go list for quite some time. Yet standing there in the centre of it all, it was still surreal to me to be standing where the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court reside. I had just one night in The Hague for my book signing tour in the Netherlands , so I was determined to hit the ground running and see as much as I could within 24 hours. So with that, here’s what to see and do in The Hague in 24 hours!

How to Visit The Hague in 24 Hours

I told many Dutchies I encountered of my plans to visit The Hague but every single one of them looked at me in confusion. “Den Haag” is how to say it in Dutch, so I would suggest you use this term as it warranted a much better reaction!

Although not the capital of The Netherlands (a title that belongs to Amsterdam), The Hague is indeed the seat of the Dutch parliament and as previously mentioned, the judicial capital of the world. With such a strong international identity, I wasn’t surprised to see this spill out into all aspects of life in The Hague – not least the fantastic little Italian restaurant I found near to my hotel! With stunning stately architecture and cute little cafes/boutiques to discover, I had my work cut out to see in the city in such a short space of time.

Checking In: Hotel Des Indes

For my one night stay, I checked in to the ultra-luxe bucket list hotel, Hotel Des Indes . As part of the Leading Hotels of the World, this hotel has a strong clientele of men in suits and ladies dressed without wrinkles (in their clothes – an unattainable luxury for someone living out of a suitcase).

The hotel is in a great location for exploring, especially if you’re anything like me and plan to find all the great eats around town. A short walk away you will stumble upon Frederikstraat, home to many cute cafes, restaurants and tiny boutiques as you continue to wander along.

Sights & Attractions Not to be Missed

The Hague is deceptively large and there’s much to see, so be ready to hit the ground running!

Binnenhof –  Surrounded by moats, Binnenhof was once a castle and now the seat of Dutch parliament. It is probably the most impressive building in all of The Hague, centrally located and with great restaurants nearby.

Plein –  The most elegant square in the city centre and a great central point to begin your explorations.

Peace Palace –  Home of the International Court of Justice.

Paleis Noordeinde –  The royal palace, used as the office of King Willem-Alexander since he became king in 2013.

Eats & Drinks

How I managed to fit so much in to my two half days in The Hague one will never know, but believe me when I say I found some great eateries!

De Bakkerswinkel – Got a huge portion of yoghurt + granola here for breakfast one morning. They also have a house cat!

FOAM – This is a great little vegan find on Frederikstraat. They do superb smoothies!

Barista Cafe –  Probably the best coffee in town (even if its the only one I tried). But yeah, it was good!

Delicious Sweetness –  Cute little patisserie I picked up a couple of macarons from. The macarons were nice enough, but I knew I could find better!

Patisserie Jarreau –  Hands down the best macarons in The Hague – unsurprisingly by a French pastry chef!

Day Trips from The Hague

If you have more time or are planning a larger trip of the Netherlands, I would highly recommend taking a day trip to Delft (the cutest little town to ever exist) and Leiden (ten minutes by train and another pretty city in the Netherlands).

Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.

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Home » Europe » Netherlands » 20 Top Things to Do in The Hague, Netherlands

20 Top Things to Do in The Hague, Netherlands

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: December 1, 2023

With magnificent gardens, world-class museums, and a lively culinary scene, The Hague is a gorgeous and culturally rich destination. This city in the Netherlands has nearly 800 years of history and the monuments and sites to go along with it. There is never a shortage of interesting and fun things to do in The Hague.

The Hague (Den Haag) is the home of the Dutch royal family and the seat of government for the Netherlands. It is not only the location of the country’s parliament, but it also plays a critical role in the maintenance of world peace and justice with the presence of several international courts, some of which are open to visitors. Add in the nearby seaside, art, and live music throughout the squares and you have a city full of activities for every traveler’s interests.

We spent several weeks exploring what to do in The Hague and developed this list of some of our favorites.

Visit the Peace Palace

See the binnenhof, relax in the plein, appreciate art at mauritshuis, wander the canals, appreciate escher in het paleis, enjoy noordeinde palace & garden, indulge at van kleef distillery, grab a drink at grote markt, explore street fairs and festivals, find a hofje, sample beer at kloosterbrouwerij haagsche broeder, get outside at landgoed clingendael, try indonesian food, get beachy at scheveningen, stroll lange voorhout, visit prison gate museum, explore chinatown, eat at minglemush, visit delft.

The Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) is the most photographed building in The Hague. It is home to the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and other institutions. Some of the most important disputes in the world are settled here. Just standing in front of it, it feels like an important place.

Largely financed by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the construction of this Gothic and Neoclassical building began in 1907. Its materials come from around the world with marble from Italy, wood from Brazil and the US, and ornamental iron railings from Germany. To see the features up close, you need to book a guided tour , which is available on select weekends.

The Visitors Center has a detailed exhibit about the Peace Palace, its courts, and the international peace conferences that led to its founding before World War I. If you’re short on time, get an audio guide and watch the featured movie for a good overview.

The Hague is the Dutch seat of government, and much of that activity takes place in the Binnenhof in the city center. This collection of buildings alongside the picturesque Hofvijver pond dates to the 1200s.

The Binnenhof is the oldest House of Parliament in the world. The most notable buildings in the complex are the Gothic Ridderzaal, or Knights’ Hall, where the Dutch Monarch opens Parliament every year, and the official residence of the Prime Minister, which is located in the North Wing. Take a spin through the courtyard and admire the buildings and ornamental fountain.

To see the Binnenhof, the Peace Palace, and other important sites with an expert guide, consider this walking tour .

Hanging out in the Plein is what to do in The Hague on a nice day. Lined with trees and historic buildings, this square is a great location for dining al fresco because of the string of cafes and bars that comes alive on the weekends and in the evenings.

There are occasional pop ups or promotional events as well, so there is often something unique to see. In the evenings, the Plein becomes one of the city’s nightlife hubs thanks to its trendy clubs.

A grand 17 th -century count’s residence is the setting for one of the most important museums in The Hague, Mauritshuis. It houses over 200 works of art from the Dutch Golden Age, including pieces from masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Rubens, and Frans Hals.

Walking through the floors of the Mauritshuis feels like visiting the most glorious private collection ever. There is no cavernous, sterile gallery space here. Instead, the lavish interior provides nearly as many unique details as the works themselves.

Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft along with Rembrandt’s Anatomy Lesson are among the most notable artworks in the collection. A guided tour and the museum’s free app can provide additional details and stories about the works.

Most people associate canals in the Netherlands with Amsterdam, but many other cities like The Hague, Delft, and Utrecht have them, too. In The Hague, many of the canals were filled in beginning as far back as the 17 th century to help with sanitation concerns, but they have since been restored.

Now, it’s possible to walk along the canals, take a canal cruise , or even rent your own boat to enjoy the waterways at your desired speed. If you happen to visit at the end of August, you can also see the annual Jazz in the Canal festival in which musicians play on waterside stages and on pontoons in the canals.

When I was a teenager in the ‘90s, I think everyone I knew had a t-shirt or a poster with drawings by M.C. Escher. The unique perspectives and the graphic, bold nature of his work have appealed to me since then, so I jumped at the chance to visit the museum dedicated to him— Escher in Het Paleis .

The museum houses some of M.C. Escher’s most famous works, including Drawing Hands and Hand with Reflecting Sphere along with about 150 other woodcut prints, geographic tessellations, and other mind-bending pieces. The exhibits trace Escher’s journey from a reluctant student to a famous artist, providing insight into his life and process. On the museum’s second floor, visitors have the chance to explore optical illusions for themselves.

The museum building is an attraction in and of itself—it’s the former winter palace of Queen Emma of the Netherlands. There are original furnishings and photos of the Queen Mother’s life, which adds a unique layer, almost like a second museum.

Noordeinde Palace in the city center is a “working palace” for the King—you’ll know he’s there if the flag is raised. The building itself is modest from the outside, but locals love it because of the Palace gardens.

On warm days, a visit here is one of the best things to do in The Hague. With a lush garden full of trees, hedgerows, flowers, and a pond, it’s the ideal location for a picnic or just relaxing outside. It also has a view of the Royal Stables and a great location near one of the canals. If you’re feeling adventurous, see if you can find the semi-secret entrance.

Trying genever (jenever) is a must when you visit the Netherlands. We first discovered genever in Amsterdam several years ago and love sampling it whenever we can. This clear liquor flavored with juniper and spices—similar to gin—has been made by the Dutch for over 400 years, and Van Kleef Distillery is the place to try it.

The only genever distillery remaining in The Hague, Van Kleef is part tasting room, part museum. In the exhibits, visitors can learn about the long history of genever and the distillation process. The most fun part is tasting, and you can sample old and young genevers alongside the distillery’s bitters, vodkas, and large selection of liqueurs.

The Grote Markt (literally “main market”) in the city center is more compact than many market squares in other European cities. But, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in atmosphere.

The square is ringed by bars, cafes, and clubs, so it is often full of people enjoying happy hour or lounging at night and on weekends. The middle of the square has regular events and popups year-round, and there is often live music thanks to the square’s location in the heart of the city’s music scene. We particularly enjoyed VaVoom Tiki Room here, the only tiki bar in The Hague.

Many weekends of the year the city is filled with different types of special events. There are major festivals that draw from around the region and smaller street fairs that have fewer attendees but lots of fun.

In May, you’ll find the Sniester festival, which brings over 70 performers to Grote Markt and Paard in the Hague’s Pop district. August and September, respectively, bring the International Fireworks Festival and the Kite Festival in Scheveningen.

Throughout the late spring and summer, over 75 stalls fill Lange Voorhout for the twice-weekly antique and book market. A smaller but similar market happens Thursdays on the Plein in the winter. There is also an Easter market, a Christmas market, and regular food markets.

Cities throughout the Netherlands have charming, hidden courtyards surrounded by almshouses. From outside, it’s often impossible to tell that these complexes—known as hofjes—are even there.  

Hofjes started in the Middle Ages as a way to provide housing, often for low-income, single adults, and that tradition continues in many Dutch cities today. The hofjes are generally private property, but the courtyards are sometimes open to the public during select times. We visited the lovely ‘t Hooftshofje, but there are others to choose from. If you’re lucky enough to visit one, make sure to be respectful, as they are people’s homes.

The tradition of monks brewing beer goes back hundreds of years, but at Kloosterbrouwerij Haagsche Broeder , the practice is a little more recent. In 2006, one of the brothers of St. John began brewing as a hobby and the others joined him. That brewery turned into a small business.

The current brewery has a small capacity but regularly churns out porters, saisons, stouts, barrel-aged specialties, and more. If you’re able to visit the brewery shop in the city center, take a quick trip upstairs to see the chapel.

Landgoed Clingendael is the 16 th -century estate just a few minutes from the heart of the city. The considerable grounds have ponds, walking trails, and a café. Visitors can also see the manor house and several gardens, including the rose garden and the azalea and rhododendron garden, making it a lovely place to spend an afternoon.

Our favorite part of visiting one of the most beautiful parks in The Hague was the Japanese Garden. It was created in 1910 by a previous owner of the estate using stone lanterns, sculptures, bridges, and other pieces brought from Japan.

Because of its fragility, the garden is only open a few weeks each spring and fall. Put the Japanese Garden at the top of your list of things to see in The Hague, if your visit aligns with its opening time.

Some of the most traditional food in the Netherlands is Indonesian, and it’s a must-try in the Netherlands. The food of the former Dutch colony has lots of different flavors and textures.

A great way to try a lot of options is by sampling the rijsttafel , a Dutch word that literally means “rice table.” You’ll receive small portions of at least a dozen items like satay, egg rolls, and vegetables.

As soon as the weather gets sunny (and often even before then), crowds begin to flock to Scheveningen, one of the top places to go in The Hague. The beach resort on the North Sea is just 15 minutes by tram from center city, which means you can explore the city attractions in the morning and have your toes in the sand in the afternoon.

At Scheveningen, you can spend your time relaxing or walking along the beach or checking out all the different activities available. Walk through the Art Nouveau-style Kurhaus, the beautiful hotel along the beach, or wander the pier, which has a Ferris wheel, shopping mall, and even bungee jumping and zip lining. Surfing and windsurfing are also enormously popular.

If all of that sounds like too much activity, scope out a good spot to hang out at one of the seaside restaurants. There are dozens to choose from, and many offer music, cocktails, and some of the seafood specialties the Netherlands is known for like herring and kibbeling.

If you’re feeling adventurous, a surf lesson is a fun way to experience Scheveningen.

In the old city center of the Hague is Lange Voorhout. For 700 years, this tree-lined street has been home to city residents, and it later welcomed statesmen and nobles as a fashionable area where people came to be seen.

Today, the area is still upscale, but it has a quieter elegance. The boulevard is lined with regal hotels, embassies, and galleries, and the adjoining park is typically filled with people out for a stroll. It’s a lovely place to come for people watching and a quiet afternoon or evening walk.

One of the unusual points of interest in The Hague is just beside the Binnenhof at the Prison Gate. Constructed in 1296, it was converted into a prison for the Court of Holland in 1428.

The Prison Gate Museum ( Rijksmuseum De Gevangenpoort ) is filled with the stories of the unfortunate souls who found themselves here due to debt, political conspiracies, assassination plots, and other unsavory activities. Once inside, they were often subjected to torture to encourage confessions. The instruments of that torture—stocks, branding irons, and other devices—are all on display.

As you walk through the old spaces and original cells of this interesting museum, you’ll learn all about the history as well as the intrigue of escape plots, murders, and other tales of 400 years of “justice” in The Hague. 

Two striking gates mark the unmistakable entrances to Chinatown. A neighborhood filled with restaurants, supermarkets, and specialty stores, this is the place to go for anything Asian. There is a mix of Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, and Thai cultures present in the food, decorations, and items sold here.

Woeng Kee and Full Moon City are popular for dim sum. St. Anny Tea House is the best choice for pastries, and Asian Street Food by Momiji has a little bit of everything, including fruit teas.

MingleMush is all about fun. Right outside Den Haag Centraal Station (the central railway station) this food hall brings together flavors from all over the world. The 15 food stands include Hawaiian poké bowls, Polish specialties, tapas, and lots of other dishes. Our favorite was the amazing Pad Thai at Lime Leaf & Red Pepper. There are also three on-site bars with different specialties, which make MingleMush a great stop for coffee, a cocktail, or a specially crafted gin and tonic. 

In addition to the food and drinks, there’s almost always something going on here. Whether it’s the arcade games, jazz, swing dancing, or kids crafts, there are lots of things to keep you entertained.

Only about 15 minutes from The Hague, Delft is a fun place to explore for a few hours. It’s most well-known for its Delft Blue pottery, which has been produced in the same way for centuries. A short walk will take you to Royal Delft (De Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles), a 17th-century pottery factory where you can see historic pieces and watch artisans paint the earthenware in its famous shade of blue.

The center of Delft is small and easy to get around, so it’s possible to stroll along the canals and see some of the city’s highlights in a short amount of time. The 17 th -century Delft City Hall is stunning and ringed by cafes that provide a great view. For a lesson in the royal history of the Dutch, don’t miss Nieuwe Kerk which houses the tomb of William of Orange.

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

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Tourist Tram The Hague

The Tourist Tram is a unique Hop-on Hop-off connection in The Hague between city and beach with original, historic The Hague trams. During the tour along the many tourist attractions and sights you will learn everything about The Hague via an audio tour. With a ticket you can get on and off unlimited during the route until the last Tourist Tram goes to the depot again.

Route  The Tourist Tram runs between the city center of The Hague and the beach of Scheveningen. The tram starts right in the center of The Hague at the stop Gravenstraat (postal code 2513 AL Den Haag) and after a tour through the city center it runs via the Malieveld and miniature city Madurodam to the Kurhaus and Scheveningen. On the way back, the tram takes the route via the Scheveningseweg and the Peace Palace back to the center. During the route, the tram passes many tourist attractions and sights, such as Museum Escher in Het Paleis, Binnenhof, Mauritskade, the Peace Palace, Kunstmuseum Den Haag and Scheveningen and the Kurhaus. From the Kurhaus stop you can walk to the beach and highlights such as De Pier and Museum Beelden aan Zee in a few minutes. In total, the route has sixteen stops where you can get on and off.

The Tourist Tram is recognizable by the historic PCC trams in the classic Hague color scheme cream-green and the inscription Hof-on Hop-off.

Times and duration The Tourist Tram The Hague is a Hop-on Hop-off tram connection between the center of The Hague and the beach and is operated with historic trams from the 1950s.

In 2024, the Tourist Tram will run on the following days: 

• From Saturday March 30 to Sunday October 13: 'all Saturdays and Sundays (except April 27, June 1, 2 and 29 and September 14 and 15'. 
• 'Extra working days on Monday April 1 ( Easter Monday), Thursday, May 9 (Ascension Day), and May 20 (Whit Monday)'. 
• From Wednesday, July 3 to August 28 on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 
• In October: October 5 and 6 and October 12 and 13

Check the Tourist Tram website for times. The tram runs every 30 minutes between 10:15 and 16:45 from the center of The Hague to the beach of Scheveningen. During the route along the many tourist attractions and places of interest you will hear interesting stories about The Hague via an audio tour. You can hop on and off as many times as you like in a day.

Multilingual audio tour Every seat on the Tourist Tram comes with an audio tour that explains the sights along the route. The audio tour is available in ten languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and the Hague dialect. With Haags, the Hop-on Hop-off tram offers Dutch visitors an extra introduction to The Hague in a humorous way. Headphones are included in the price.

Historic Trams The Hague Public Transport Museum (HOVM) uses historic trams for the Hop-on Hop-off connection. These original Hague trams, type PCC, were built from the 1950s. The vehicles have a classic Hague color scheme: cream-yellow with green piping. The interior also breathes the atmosphere of that time. The route of the Hop-on Hop-off tram has an even longer history. The very first tram connection in the Netherlands, then a horse tram, was opened in 1864 and ran from The Hague to Scheveningen. At the time, people thronged to go along with this then new and special means of transport.

Tickets There are two types of tickets for sale for the Tourist Tram:

• Adult -  €16.00
• Child (4 to 12 years) - €5.00
• Child (0 to 4 years) - Free

You can buy the tickets when boarding the tram (only debit and credit card), or in advance online on the website of the Tourist Tram  or various online ticket agencies. 

A hostess or host welcomes you in every Tourist Tram and answers all your questions about the tram ride.

Timetable Tourist Tram

Extra information about the timetable

Route & Highlights

Extra information about the Route & Highlights

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The Hague Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 9, 2023

While that can make it a “stuffy” place to visit, the city has fascinating architecture, an amazing array of parks and museums, a wide variety of restaurants, and even a beach that is hugely popular in the summer (head there for some tasty seafood restaurants on the boardwalk). The Hague may not be as cool as youthful Amsterdam , but it is no less interesting.

This travel guide to The Hague can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this underappreciated destination.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on The Hague

Top 5 Things to See and Do in the Hague

1. Walk around the Plein

This square, which was once home to a fruit and vegetable garden, is filled with medieval and historic buildings, like the Binnenhof (meeting place of the States General of the Netherlands), the House of Representatives, and the Mauritshuis art museum. In the evenings, it gets bustling, with people meeting in the restaurants, bars, and shops that line the north side of the square. Later on, those same venues transform into bars and clubs, making the Plein one of the most popular nightlife scenes in the city.

2. Tour Mauritshuis

Located in the center of The Hague, this small museum is home to an impressive collection of works by artists like Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Andy Warhol, among others. It’s not a massive gallery so you can see everything in about an hour. The museum is actually split in two: the Mauritshuis is located in a city palace on the Plein while the nearby Prince William V Gallery is just down the street at the Buitenhof (more on it below). Admission is 17.50 EUR and includes entry to both locations.

3. Visit the Binnenhof

The Binnenhof is where the Dutch government has resided since 1446. It’s also where the Dutch throne is located and where the monarchy delivers its speech to parliament every year (the Netherlands has been an independent monarchy since 1815). Among the ancient buildings, there’s an old Neogothic fountain in the main square, a Dutch equestrian statue of King William II from around 1600, and an artificial pond that dates to the late 13th century. A tour is a good way to learn about the inner workings of the Netherlands government and politics. They’re run by ProDemos and include an overview of the history of the complex and its current renovation as well as an overview of the Dutch political system. Tours cost 5 EUR.

4. Enjoy the beach

The Hague is located right on the North Sea. During the summer, the beach — with its 11 kilometers of coastline — is a cheap and popular thing to do for locals and tourists alike. Scheveningen Beach is the most popular though it’s always crowded so get there early to find a good spot (there are plenty of great restaurants nearby too as well as De Pier, a pleasure pier with a Ferris wheel and bungee jumping, among other things). Zandmotor and Strandslag 12 are also very striking beaches although there aren’t as many restaurant options there.

5. See Madurodam

Open in the 1950s, this interactive miniature park showcases a miniature version of Holland, with exhibitions ranging from Amsterdam’s canals and church spires from Utrecht and Den Bosch to modern architecture from Rotterdam and the enormous Delta works that protect the country (the Delta works are structures that protect the low-lying country from floods). There are tons of activities here, such as an interactive soccer showcase, a place to take 3D selfies, and a cheese themed exhibit. Admission is 17 EUR.

Other Things to See and Do in The Hague

1. shop along denneweg.

This is one of the oldest streets in The Hague and many of its buildings date back to the 18th century. Because the Denneweg has been a shopping street for centuries, many of the shops sell antiques. In the summer, there is an open-air antique and book market every Thursday and Sunday. Although some of the restaurants in this area are pretty upscale, it’s worth a visit to browse and window shop.

2. Relax in Westbroekpark

If you want to get away from the touristy parts of the city, come to this serene park, which has over 20,000 types of roses that bloom from June through November (there are over 300 different types of roses here). Designed in the 1920s, the park is popular with people of all ages and there are a few cafes nearby where you can grab a drink or snack. For a few euros, you can rent a rowboat and paddle around the small lake.

3. Explore the Art Museum

If you’re an art lover, don’t miss the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. It contains some of the early works of Picasso, Monet, and van Gogh, but it’s best known for its collection of Dutch artists, including van Gogh and Piet Mondriaan. The museum also has one of the largest collections of the iconic Dutch Delftware (pottery objects like plates, figurines, vases, etc.) in a permanent exhibition highlighting the Dutch “Golden Age” (an era that spanned from 1588-1672). Admission is 16 EUR.

4. Tour the Museum de Gevangenpoort

Originally an entrance gate to the castle of the Counts of Holland, from the 15th century to the 19th century, this building operated as a prison. Opened in 1882, you can walk through and learn about medieval torture practices as well as the types of punishment for different crimes committed in Medieval Holland. It’s right next door to the Prince William V Gallery and admission is 15 EUR.

5. Stroll through the Japanese garden

Originally designed and constructed during the 1870s, this Japanese garden includes a tea house, beautiful rocks laid out in manicured areas, Japanese lanterns and statues, and plenty of idyllic pathways lined by flowers. Located in Clingendael Park, there are clear pathways through the garden to keep the exotic and immaculate landscape safe. Admission is free though it’s only open a few weeks per year so check the website in advance before you go.

6. Visit the Peace Palace

Home to the International Court of Justice (the judicial body of the United Nations), this Palace is a working court. Its visitor center provides an important look into the building and its role in history (it investigates genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other serious international crimes). There is a video and audio tour through the exhibition space, which includes information on the judicial bodies that work in the Peace Palace, as well as the history of the courts and their vital role in international affairs. It’s super informative as this isn’t really a topic most people learn about in school. Admission is free and guided tours cost 15 EUR.

7. Check out the Escher Museum

Born in 1898, M. C. Escher was a Dutch graphic artist who made mathematically inspired woodcuts and lithographs. His work became famous throughout the world and this museum is dedicated to his life and work. It features over 150 prints, highlighting his graphic work, optical illusions, and mathematical tessellations (art made with repeating shapes). It’s an insightful museum about an artist most people aren’t familiar with. Admission is 11 EUR.

7. Visit the Ridderzaal Knights Hall

Originally built between the 13th and 14th centuries, this castle once belonged to the Earls of Holland. Part of the Binnenhof building complex, the Ridderzaal Knights Hall boasts a beautiful interior made of wood carvings reminiscent of Dutch shipbuilding (a staple of the economy for centuries). The hall is used annually for royal events and important parliament speeches by the monarchy. Guided tours are necessary to visit and cost 5 EUR.

9. See contemporary sculptures

Located along the seaside, the Beelden aan Zee museum has a subterranean exhibition space with a large sculpture garden. The sculpture museum exhibits contemporary international and national artists and is one of the only museums in the Netherlands that solely shows sculpture. The exhibition space is really impressive, with works from the likes of Mark Quinn and Atelier van Lieshout, and it’s an easy cultural activity to take advantage of near the beach. It’s 17.50 EUR to visit.

10. Hang out in the Malieveld

A large field and park in the city center of The Hague, Malieveld is the busiest spot in the city — especially in the summer. Because there are many government buildings in The Hague (despite Amsterdam being the official capital), there are often protests and demonstrations taking place in the city center and, specifically, at Malieveld. It’s opposite the main train station, so it’s worth checking out to see if there are any special demonstrations or events you might be interested in. From the field, you can easily walk (or cycle) along several walking paths through the forested section at the northern edge.

11. Visit the Prince William V Gallery

Prince William V of Oranje-Nassau, the last stadtholder (a title similar to a Duke) in the Netherlands, built this room in 1774 to show off his priceless paintings. The walls were entirely covered in artwork, including the likes of The Garden of Eden with the Fall of Man by Peter Paul Rubens. Today, there are more than 150 masterpieces on display, enhanced by the room’s opulent decor of silk wall coverings and crystal chandeliers. It’s 5.50 EUR to visit just this gallery or you can purchase a 17.50 EUR ticket that also provides access to the Mauritshuis.

  For more information on other cities in The Netherlands, check out these guides:

• Amsterdam Travel Guide
• Rotterdam Travel Guide
• Utrecht Travel Guide

The Hague Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Hostel dorms with 6-8 beds cost 30-40 EUR per night in the summer while private rooms cost at least 70 EUR. In the off-season, prices are a little cheaper, with dorms starting from 26 EUR per night.

There aren’t a lot of options for hostels in the city (no matter the season) so it’s best to book in advance, especially during the peak summer months.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available outside the city. A basic tent plot without electricity for one person costs at least 15 EUR per night.

Budget hotel prices – Budget two-star hotels that are centrally located cost 65-90 EUR per night. Prices start at around 90 EUR in the summer months. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and air conditioning.

On Airbnb, you can find private rooms from 40 EUR per night although they average around 70 EUR. Entire homes/apartments start at around 100 EUR. expect to pay double (or more) if you don’t book in advance.

Food – Dutch cuisine typically involves lots of vegetables, bread, and cheeses (gouda originated here). Meat, while historically not as prominent, is a staple of dinner meals. Breakfast and lunch usually involve open-faced sandwiches, often with cheeses and cold cuts. Dinners are very much a “meat and potatoes” meal, with meat stews and smoked sausage being two popular choices. For those with a sweet tooth, the stroopwafel (a waffle cookie with a syrup filling) is the go-to choice.

Falafel and shawarma shops are your best bet for cheap food. Quick meals here cost around 5-10 EUR. Fast food or places like Maoz cost around 10 EUR. A combo meal at McDonald’s is around 9 EUR.

There are a lot of international food options in The Hague because of the international workers and government buildings in the city so it’s one of the better cities to eat out in if you want to splurge.

A three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant serving traditional cuisine costs at least 35 EUR with a drink. If you really want to splash out, expect to pay at least 30 EUR per entree at some of the city’s finer establishments.

Beer costs around 5 EUR while a latte/cappuccino is 2.90 EUR. Bottled water costs 2.30 EUR.

If you cook your own meals, expect to pay around 55-65 EUR per week for groceries including pasta, rice, vegetables, and some meat.

Backpacking The Hague Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking The Hague, expect to spend about 65 EUR per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, taking public transit, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, and doing free activities like lounging in the parks and hitting the beach. If you plan on drinking, add 10-20 EUR per day to your budget.

On a mid-range budget of about 170 EUR per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out for most meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi to get around, and do paid activities like visiting the museums and galleries.

On a “luxury” budget of 360 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out as much as you want, drink more, rent a bike or a car to get around, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

The Hague Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

The Hague can be expensive to visit, especially considering the fact it’s a government city with many professional and business visitors from around the world. Fortunately, a visit doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some ways to save money in The Hague:

• Rent a bicycle – Bikes are a big part of Dutch culture and most people use them to get around. You can rent a bike starting at 8.50 EUR for a full day but you need to shop around (try Ga Den Haag). Another option is Donkey Republic, a bike-share app that has stations all over the city. You can get a bike with them for around 3.30 EUR per hour or 10-13 EUR per day.
• Get the Museumkaart (Museum Card) – Good for one month for non-residents, this card gets you into several museums in the Netherlands for only 64.90 EUR. With the Museum Card, you get access to more than 400 museums throughout the Netherlands, though the temporary card available to tourists can only be used at a maximum of 5 different museums. Depending upon your trip through The Netherlands, though, it can save you money if you choose which museums to use it at wisely.
• Stay with a local – Couchsurfing is a service that lets travelers stay with locals for free. Since a lot of travelers use this service, make your requests for hosts early. It’s a great way to meet locals and get insider tips and advice!
• Cook your own meals – Dutch food isn’t going to win any culinary awards so head to the supermarket and buy groceries instead of eating out. It’s not glamorous but it saves a ton.
• Take a free walking/bicycle tour – If you want an overview of the city, take one of the free walking tours via The Hague Greeters. This is a network of local volunteers who can show you around their city. You can request a walking or bike tour, just be sure to plan one at least two weeks in advance through their site as advanced notice is required. They don’t accept tips but do welcome donations to their head office.
• Save money on rideshares – Uber is way cheaper than taxis and is the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in The Hague

The Hague doesn’t have as many hostels as other Dutch cities, but there are still a handful of budget-friendly places to choose from. Here are my suggested places to stay in The Hague:

• Pink Flamingo Hostel
• Stayokay Den Haag

How to Get Around The Hague

Public transport – The Hague has a reliable public transit system of buses and tram lines that connects the whole city. The buses and trams run on a network called HTM, while the light rail network is part of RandstadRail. You can buy a day pass for 7.10 EUR or a ticket that’s valid for two hours for 4 EUR.

There is also the tourist day ticket, which lets you travel on all trams, buses, metros, and water buses in the province of Zuid-Holland for 14.50 EUR per day.

Cash fares are not accepted on public transit; you need a reloadable or single-use transit card, which are available at stations and kiosks all over the city.

Bicycle – Like other cities in the Netherlands, cycling is one of the most popular ways to get around. You can rent bikes starting at 8.50 EUR per day (though most places also require a deposit). Donkey Republic is a bike-sharing app that has stations all over the city. You can get a bike with them for around 3.30 EUR per hour or 10-13 EUR per day.

Taxi – Taxis cost a minimum of 3.20 EUR and charge 2.40 EUR per kilometer. They add up quickly so skip them if you’re on a budget.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in The Hague but since public transportation goes everywhere, including the beach, you shouldn’t need them.

When to Go to The Hague

The Hague’s peak season is in the summer, from June to August. This is when the city is liveliest and busiest (though it’s not nearly as busy as Amsterdam). Expect daily highs around 21°C (70°F).

In June, the city comes alive with the annual Holland Festival, an international performing arts festival that takes place across The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. Expect lots of street art performers and fringe shows during the same period. It’s a fun time to visit if you’re interested in art and culture, just be sure to book your accommodation in advance as the city fills up.

Visiting during the shoulder season (late spring/early fall) offers temperate weather with fewer crowds, making it an ideal time to visit (though you’ll miss out on the beach). You may get a bit of rain though so bring a rain jacket.

The average daily temperature in the winter is 4°C (40°F). I’d avoid visiting during this time unless you’re just planning to go museum hopping as there isn’t nearly as much to do in the winter.

How to Stay Safe in the Hague

The Hague is an incredibly safe place to backpack and travel. Violent crime is rare, however, pickpocketing can occur on public transit and at the beach so keep your belongings close and your valuables out of sight just to be safe.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

There are also a few common scams to be aware of as well, such as people trying to sell you public transit tickets that have already been used. Additionally, be wary of purchasing a really cheap bike from someone off the street as it likely means it’s been stolen. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

The Hague Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

The Hague Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling the Netherlands and continue planning your trip:

The 8 Best Hotels in Amsterdam

The Best Walking Tours in Amsterdam

Where to Stay in Amsterdam: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 34 Best Things to See and Do in Amsterdam

The 9 Best Hostels in Amsterdam

My Suggested 3-5 Day Itinerary for Visiting Amsterdam

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Is The Hague Worth Visiting? – The Netherlands’ Third Largest City

Visiting The Hague: worth it or not?

The Hague, or Den Haag in Dutch, is the city in which I recently bought my home but a city I never really explored before…

I travel, I live abroad and I love exploring the world. But for years I overlooked my own country.

I am born and raised in The Netherlands and somehow always saw this as a boring country. It’s so ‘normal’ and ‘standard’. But traveling made me realize that the only reason why I find The Netherlands ‘normal’ is because it is my country… No matter how much I travel and how many years I’ll live abroad, this is my country, this is where I’m from.

So, now that I’m back in this ‘normal’ country of mine for a while I decided to look at it a bit closer. Read about it, explore it like a tourist and enjoy the good and beautiful things it has to offer, to be able to share with you whether visiting The Hague is worth it or not.

Visiting The Hague

Tourists traveling to the Netherlands visit Amsterdam and often nothing else.

Is that justified? Is the Netherlands not much more than that cool city where, if you have to believe foreigners, everyone is constantly stoned riding around on their bicycles ?

Of course, the Netherlands is more than that!

Its countryside is beautiful (once you manage to find it, outside of the many densely populated areas), its infrastructure is good, its people generally friendly and the country as a whole is quite well organized.

And, the Netherlands has more cities worth visiting than just Amsterdam!

Also Read: Is it Holland or The Netherlands?

The Hague is the country’s third-largest city (after Amsterdam and Rotterdam ) and with only 43% of its population being of Dutch ethnicity it is the most international city in the Netherlands .

As the seat of the Dutch national government as well as the residence of the Dutch royal family, The Hague has an international appeal.

It is internationally renowned as the City of Peace and Justice due to its role as the official seat of the International Criminal Court of Justice.

But The Hague is more than that. It is a city with two faces. The old, historic center with its international focus, many embassies, and multicultural population contrasts sharply with the lively and in summer very touristy seaside resorts of Scheveningen and Kijkduin .

History of The Hague

The Hague originated around 1230, when Count Floris IV of Holland purchased land alongside a pond, the present-day Hofvijver, in order to build a hunting residence.

Only in 1806 the settlement was granted city rights .

After the Napoleonic Wars, modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands were combined in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands to form a buffer against France . As a compromise, Brussels and Amsterdam alternated as capital every two years, with the government remaining in The Hague.

After the separation of Belgium in 1830, Amsterdam remained the capital of the Netherlands, while the government was situated in The Hague.

The city sustained heavy damage during World War II and many Jews were killed during the German occupation.

Tip: if you want to learn more about The Hague and its history I highly recommend going on a walking tour .

Additionally, the Atlantic Wall was built through the city, causing a large quarter to be torn down by the Nazi occupiers. On the 3rd of March 1945, the Royal Air Force mistakenly bombed the Bezuidenhout quarter. The target was an installation of V-2 rockets in the nearby Haagse Bos park, but because of navigational errors, the bombs fell on a heavily populated and historic part of the city . The bombardment caused widespread destruction in the area.

After the war, The Hague was, at one point, the largest building site in Europe . The city expanded massively to the southwest and the destroyed areas were quickly rebuilt.

Both the rapid expansion and the large-scale rebuilding efforts after World War II have left clear marks on the city. You now see a combination of beautiful historic buildings and more modern, wider roads that were created in the late 19th and early 20th century to allow for more traffic.

You can also find a large number of post-war buildings in The Hague; affordable but rather dull housing blocks for the middle class and simple office buildings. And then there are the modern buildings showing that The Hague constantly changes, evolves, and modernizes.

Some of the most prosperous and some of the poorest neighborhoods of the Netherlands can be found in The Hague, giving it a weirdly unique mix .

With only just over half a million inhabitants The Hague is not a big city. You quickly walk from one of the most expensive and luxurious areas to one of the poorest.

People from more than 100 nationalities live in The Hague . That is what gives this city its unique vibe. Every nationality brings its own culture, food, and traditions and if you visit The Hague you see a bit of all of them.

Also Read: Interview With an Expat About Life in The Hague

City life in The Hague concentrates around the Hofvijver and the Binnenhof, where the Parliament is located.

There are only a few canals in The Hague, as most of these were drained in the late 19th century.

Instead, it has cute small streets in the city center dating back to the late Middle Ages and several spacious streets boasting large and luxurious 18th-century residences built for diplomats and affluent Dutch families.

The Hague has a large church (the ‘ Grote Kerk ‘ or ‘ Sint-Jacobskerk ‘) dating back to the 15th century, an impressive former City Hall from the 16th century, several large 17th-century palaces, and many important 18th-century buildings.

Best Beach in The Netherlands

The Hague has an impressive 11 kilometers of coastline and two beach resorts: Scheveningen and Kijkduin.

Some will say the Hague has the best beaches in the Netherlands but this is very debatable because there are so many beaches in the Netherlands, appealing to different types of people.

I would say though that Scheveningen beach is one of the most lively beaches in the Netherlands and especially in summer, when the beach is lined with beach bars, it’s one of my favorite places to visit .

Scheveningen is located in the northwestern part of the city. It is a popular destination for both tourists visiting The Hague and for locals.

Scheveningen forms a second cultural center of The Hague, with its own cinema as well as the well-known musical theater Circustheater. But, especially in summer, most entertainment and nightlife is concentrated around the sea-front boulevard with its bars, restaurants, and gambling halls.

Kijkduin, in the southwest, is significantly smaller and attracts mainly local residents. The beach here is quieter and much more unspoiled.

Things to Do in The Hague

The first thing I’d recommend when you visit The Hague is: just walk.

Walk, get lost in the old city center , enjoy its small streets and admire all the different building styles… Only after you have done that you should start focusing on visiting sites and ticking off boxes.

But, some boxes worth ticking and main things to do in The Hague:

1. Check Out the Binnenhof

The Binnenhof (Inner Court) is a square in The Hague city center. This is where the city started and it’s now the center of politics in the Netherlands.

2. Visit the Mauritshuis and Gevangenpoort Museum

The Hague has its share of museums, most notably the Mauritshuis, located next to the Binnenhof, which exhibits many paintings by Dutch masters , such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Paulus Potter.

Other museums in The Hague include:

• Museon: a science museum
• Gemeentemuseum: a modern art museum
• Haags Historisch Museum: a historic museum
• Museum voor Communicatie: the national postal museum
• Museum Bredius: an art museum inside an accurately restored 18th-century Herenhuis with period furnishings
• the Louis Couperus Museum: a museum dedicated to the Belle Époque writer Louis Couperus
• Museum Beelden aan Zee: a sculpture museum in Scheveningen
• Louwman Museum: an automobile museum 
• Gevangenpoort: a former prison, housed inside a 15th-century gatehouse.

If I had to pick two museums when visiting The Hague I would choose Mauritshuis and Gevangenpoort .

3. Check Out the Grote Kerk or Sint-Jacobskerk

This church is a landmark in The Hague and a beautiful building. It’s worth a visit and it’s located right in the center so it would be hard to miss anyway when visiting The Hague!

4. Walk Around the Passage

The Hague’s Arcade ( Passage in Dutch) was built by local dignitaries between 1882 and 1885 for the express purpose of ‘high-class shopping’ in imitation of Paris .

It is the oldest shopping arcade in the Netherlands and listed as a national heritage site of the Netherlands.

It offers some nice shops in a beautiful surrounding.

5. Admire Palace Noordeinde

Palace Noordeinde is King Willem-Alexander’s working palace.

It is not open to the public but the building is worth having a look at. Plus it is surrounded by the loveliest boutiques and most beautiful galleries.

6. Take a Break at the Paleistuin (Palace Garden)

On the other side of Paleis Noordeinde you can enjoy some peace and quiet in the Palace Garden.

It’s a small park and admission is free.

Just next to the park you’ll see the Royal Stables where the horses and coaches of the Royal House are kept.

7. Visit the World Famous Peace Palace

The International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration are based here in this beautiful building.

The Eternal Peace Flame burns next to the entrance. A monument bearing the inscription “May all beings find peace” is surrounded by the ‘World Peace Path’, a border of stones with a history from 196 countries.

The Peace Palace is on most people’s list of things to do in The Hague and it’s well worth it. The Visitors Centre has a nice interactive exhibition on war and peace.

8. Go to Scheveningen

Especially if you are visiting The Hague in summer you will enjoy Scheveningen.

I love going here on a sunny day. Walk onto the pier for a great view of Scheveningen and go on a Ferris wheel ride for an even more impressive view.

Visit one of the many bars and restaurants on the beach (only there in summer), stroll along the boulevard, and enjoy The Hague’s long, sandy coastline.

Although the Netherlands might not be the first country that comes to mind when thinking of surfing , The Hague is popular among Dutch surfers, windsurfers, and kiteboarders alike. Join them, or just admire them from the beach as the water is quite cold most of the year!

9. Visit Madurodam

This miniature park in Scheveningen allows you to see holland in a day: canal houses, tulip fields, a cheese market, a wooden shoe factory, windmills, the Peace Palace, the Delta Works: you will find them all in Madurodam.

Of course I recommend traveling through the country for real but if you don’t have enough time and do want to see what Holland has to offer… spend a few hours in Madurodam .

And especially if you are visiting The Hague with kids this is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon.

The Hague Tours & Activities

From walking tours to beer tours or surfing lessons. There is a lot to do in and around The Hague.

Check out some of these popular The Hague tours if you are looking to do something special while visiting The Hague.

How to Get to The Hague?

That’s easy: by train . If you are traveling between cities in the Netherlands you will want to use trains. They run on time and, to all major cities, run frequently.

Buses in the Netherlands are used more to get around cities and to get to neighboring towns. Not to get from one city to the next. Dutch people will also not drive from one city center to another a lot because you are likely to get stuck in traffic and parking in city centers is expensive.

So, if you are planning a day trip to the Hague or are visiting different cities in the Netherlands , take the train.

From Amsterdam to The Hague

There is a direct train from Amsterdam to The Hague every 30 minutes. It takes you from Amsterdam Central Station to Den Haag Central Station in about 50 minutes.

And if you don’t want to wait 30 minutes for the next train there are trains from Amsterdam Central Station to The Hague Central Station with one or two transfers about every five to 10 minutes.

But, do as the locals do and download the 9292 public transport app or use their website 9292.nl to check train times, platforms, delays, etc. Both the app and website are available in English and can give you door-to-door directions and combine all forms of public transport.

Of course, Google Maps can also do that for you.

From Amsterdam Airport to The Hague

There is a direct train from Amsterdam Airport to The Hague several times an hour. It takes you from Schiphol Airport to Den Haag Central Station in about 30 minutes.

But again, just check the 9292 app for exact times and routes.

Note: trains to Den Haag Central Station do not run all night. They do run all night to Den Haag Hollands Spoor, which is another centrally located train station in The Hague. Unfortunately, this one isn’t located in the best of neighborhoods so especially if you are traveling alone I would recommend getting into a taxi outside of Den Haag Hollands Spoor instead of walking here at night.

Getting Around The Hague

Although it’s the third-largest city in The Netherlands, The Hague is not a massive city and the center can easily be explored on foot.

The Hague’s points of interest are well-signposted and for those who don’t have Google Maps, quite a few street maps can be found around the city.

But, if you do have to go further than your feet can carry you, do as the locals do: cycle ! There are many places where you can rent a bicycle, just ask your hotel or Airbnb host for the nearest one.

Or use the bus or tram and let 9292.nl tell you which bus or tram to take.

Restaurants in The Hague

The Hague offers more than 800 restaurants and bars .

Whether you are looking for a good Vietnamese restaurant, a Moroccan snack, an Argentinian Steakhouse, or some traditional Dutch food , it’s all easy to find in The Hague.

So, decide what type of food you are craving, type it into Google or search through Tripadvisor and I’m sure you’ll find what you fancy!

Or check out one of these food and drinks tours to taste the best of what The Hague has to offer.

Nightlife in The Hague

Although Scheveningen offers reasonable nightlife in summer, The Hague is not known for its great nightlife. For that, locals tend to go to Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

Hotels in The Hague

The Hague currently has more than 60 hotels . Whether you are looking for a basic hostel or a fancy five-star hotel, The Hague offers it all.

I recommend using Booking.com to find the best deals on hotels.

But, if you are planning on going all out, the two most impressive hotels in The Hague would be Hotel des Indes and Kurhaus:

• Hotel des Indes : A historical hotel in the center of The Hague, built in 1858 as a city palace and a hotel since 1881. Completely renovated by interior designer Jacques Garcia in 2006, the 92 guest rooms and suites blend contemporary amenities with traditional architectural statements.
• Kurhaus : A beautiful, iconic hotel right on the boardwalk of Scheveningen. the Kurhaus was built in 1885 by German architects Johann Friedrich Henkenhaf and Friedrich Ebert from the Krasnapolsky Hotel in Amsterdam. Kurhaus is the place to be for a classical Grand Hotel experience in a historical ambiance, with a sea view.

And, even if you don’t stay in either of these hotels, visit them anyway because they are definitely worth a look!

Hotel des Indes has a really nice hotel bar where I occasionally go for a coffee or a glass of wine. It’s not the cheapest, but the decoration and atmosphere make it worth it.

So is The Hague Worth Visiting?

I would say it is! The city has plenty to offer any type of traveler and, with more than 20 million people visiting The Hague each year I guess I’m not the only one who thinks so!

I hope this article has given you an idea of what to see and do when you visit The Hague.

Thinking About Moving to The Hague?

Not a bad choice! Its international vibe and large expat community will make it easier to start a new life here as an expat.

Would you like to know more about living in The Hague? Read this Interview With an Expat About Living in The Hague or send me an email: [email protected]. 

If You Are Planning to Visit The Netherlands, Also Read:

• 10 Dutch Towns Worth Visiting Besides Amsterdam
• Typical Dutch Food You Should Try
• Amsterdam: 10 of The Best Annual Events
• Amsterdam Travel Tips From a Local
• Things to Do in Utrecht
• What to See & Do in Eindhoven
• Zeeland in Pictures
• Leiden in Pictures
• Holland or The Netherlands?

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6 thoughts on “Is The Hague Worth Visiting? – The Netherlands’ Third Largest City”

It was a brief and great explanation of The Hague, Thank you. Do people speak English or French in The Hague? (especially locals?)

Hi Gigi, Most people in The Hague can speak English. Some fluently, others a bit more limited, but always enough to help with basic directions and other questions. Almost everyone who has been to school in the Netherlands has learnt some French, but not many speak it well. So yes, you will find some locals who speak French perfectly, but not nearly as many as people speaking English.

A lovely blog! You may want to adjust something though. You mention that The Hague is known for the ICC. But people who know the Hague for international law, know it because of the International Court of Justice “the UN World Court” which is housed at the Peace Palace (since 1946). Next to that a lot of people in this category know The Hague because of the International Court for the Former Yugoslavia, and for the special Chambers for Kosovo and the Appeals court for Rwanda. The ICC is yet another ‘world court’, but it’s not what people knew The Hague for initially or today. A last addition: although everyone now knows the Geneva Conventions, the reason why the Peace Palace and International Court of Justice were established in The Hague was The Conventions of The Hague of 1899 and 1907: the first and most substantive laws of war. The Hague is where laws of war and international humanitarian law were born.

Thanks Jeffrey, you are right, and I appreciate you taking the time to write these additions!

I don’t think you being Dutch finding the Netherlands boring is a bad thing.

I know many people who find the country boring both locals and expats alike.

I think the reason why people choose to live in the Netherlands is money. 🙂

It’s technically a very flat country and not much really happens. People here do love to keep it normal. It’s a cultural thing from what I see.

Really informative article about The Hague 🙂 thanks!

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Created by Mar y San Design

• Nederlandse Den Haag site

Public transport

The Hague boasts an excellent public transport system. Over 30 bus and tram lines will take you quickly and safely to your destination in and around The Hague. This page provides handy information on travelling around The Hague hassle-free.

Bus and tram

The principle operators of bus, tram and the RandstadRail light rail link services in The Hague region are HTM and HTMbuzz. HTMbuzz also operates several night buses. For information in English on the website of HTM, visit Begin external link: htm.nl/english (External link) , end external link. . You can also download the Begin external link: HTM app for Android (External link) , end external link. or Begin external link: HTM app for Apple (External link) , end external link. (only in Dutch). For up-to-the-minute travel disruption updates in The Hague, visit Begin external link: @HTM_ReisInfo (External link) , end external link. . The updates are written in Dutch and are available even if you are not registered on X. Other bus operators in The Hague region are Begin external link: Arriva (External link) , end external link. and Begin external link: Connexxion (External link) , end external link. .

Like other metropolitan areas, The Hague has a number of Begin link: park-and-ride facilities , end link. both at the edge of the city as well as in the city. There you can easily park your car and then take public transport or hire a bicycle to get to the city centre and Scheveningen and Kijkduin beach.

The Netherlands has an extensive network of railways. The Begin external link: Nederlandse Spoorwegen, or NS (External link) , end external link. , is the Netherlands Railway company and one of the most modern in Europe. Travelling by train has many advantages: trains in the Netherlands are most often on schedule, they are very comfortable and clean and most of the staff speaks English. The NS operates a Begin external link: night train (External link) , end external link. , which stops at the Den Haag HS station. Most train stations in the Netherlands also allow you to rent an Begin external link: OV-fiets (External link) , end external link. to cycle to your destination.

The Hague has 6 train stations all offering good connections with other forms of public transportation:

• Den Haag Centraal (CS)
• Den Haag Hollands Spoor (HS)
• Den Haag Mariahoeve
• Den Haag Laan van NOI
• Den Haag Moerwijk
• Den Haag Ypenburg

Paying for public transport

You can pay for all train, bus, tram and metro lines throughout the Netherlands with OVPay. You check in and out by using your contactless debit card, credit card or mobile. This is another way of paying, in addition to the plastic Begin external link: OV-chipkaart (External link) , end external link. . If you are unable to use OVPay or an OV-chipkaart, you can purchase other types of tickets for travel on HTM trams and buses including a day ticket, 3-day ticket and tourist day ticket. Visit the Begin external link: website of HTM (External link) , end external link. for more information about paying for public transport and the types of tickets available. For more general information in English on fares and public transport, visit the Begin external link: website of 9292.nl. (External link) , end external link.

Travel planner

Use the Begin external link: 9292 (External link) , end external link. door-to-door journey planner to plan your door-to-door itinerary by public transportation. Also see for more tips on reaching your destination hassle-free.

It is often possible to hail a taxi in the street. But you will also find special taxi stands at the train stations and various points throughout the city. Or you can order a taxi by app or telephone. If you wish to file a complaint about poor taxi service, contact the taxi company directly.

One taxi company, Begin external link: RegioTaxi Haaglanden (External link) , end external link. , offers a price which is between that for normal public transport and a taxi. You can use the service 7 days a week between 6.00 and 1.00 hrs. RegioTaxi is available to everyone and it is suitable for disabled and less mobile passengers.

The Begin link: AV 070 , end link. is special for disabled residents of The Hague who are unable to use public transportation. The van service operates within the municipalities of The Hague, Rijswijk and Leidschendam-Voorburg. An AV 070 pass is required.

• Begin link: Cycling in The Hague , end link.
• Begin link: Getting to The Hague’s beaches , end link.

Published: April 22, 2021

Modified: January 18, 2024

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UN Tourism and Croatia to Establish Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism

• 12 Apr 2024

UN Tourism is to work with the Government Croatia and the University of Zagreb to establish a research and development centre focused on sustainable tourism.

Croatia currently serves on UN Tourism’s Committee on Tourism and Sustainability, having chaired it between 2019 and 2023. Alongside the Government’s record of promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices, this clear leadership and support for UN Tourism’s core values make it the ideal location to host a collaborative platform to drive innovation and catalyse positive change in the tourism sector.  

Croatia leads by example in growing tourism in a sustainable manner

This landmark centre will engage stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society to will address some of the most critical challenges facing tourism, including:  

• Reducing the Environmental Impact of Tourism: The centre will prioritize initiatives to minimize waste generation and plastic usage, thereby mitigating the environmental footprint of tourism activities. 
• Increasing Usage of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: By promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources and implementing energy-efficient practices, the centre aims to reduce carbon emissions associated with tourism operations. 
• Accelerating Adaptation to Climate Change: Recognizing the urgent need to address climate-related risks, the centre will support adaptation strategies to enhance the resilience of tourism destinations and communities. 
• Preserving Social Sustainability and Local Communities: The centre will work to safeguard the cultural heritage and livelihoods of local communities by promoting responsible tourism practices and equitable distribution of benefits. 
• Enhancing Evidence-Based Policy Making: Through rigorous research and data analysis, the centre will provide policymakers with the evidence needed to formulate effective policies that balance tourism development with environmental and social considerations. 
• Providing Relevant and Updated Research: The centre will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and knowledge exchange, delivering timely insights and best practices for the sustainable development of tourism. 

In Zagreb, the Minister of Tourism and Sport of Croatia Nikolina Brnjac and UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the cutting-edge research institution.  

Welcoming the collaboration, Secretary-General Pololikashvili said: “Croatia leads by example in growing tourism in a sustainable manner. The new research centre in Zagreb will contribute to UN Tourism’s commitment to data-driven policymaking at the regional, national and destination level, ensuring tourism grows responsibly and inclusively, for the benefit of communities everywhere.”   

Minister of Tourism and Sport of Croatia Nikolina Brnjac adds: “I am proud that UN Tourism, the most relevant tourism organization globally, has recognized our efforts in Croatian tourism management reform and our strong commitment to sustainable tourism and put forward the initiative to create the first UN Tourism Centre for sustainable tourism in Croatia together with the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia. With the University of Zagreb as a partner in the establishment of this Centre, I am convinced that this Centre will be successful and provide very relevant research for future sustainable development of tourism.” 

Related Links:

• Download News Release on PDF
• UN Tourism: Regional Department for Europe
• Transforming Tourism for Climate Action
• Sustainable tourism development

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14 Cities With The Cleanest Air In The World, Ranked

• Honolulu, USA, Auckland, New Zealand, and Brisbane, Australia are among the cities with the cleanest air in the world, thanks to their strict environmental regulations and low pollution levels.
• Clean air in these cities makes them attractive destinations for travelers who want to experience natural beauty, outdoor activities, and vibrant cultural scenes.
• Geneva, Switzerland, Oslo, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden are also known for their clean air, making them ideal places to visit for environmentally conscious tourists.

Air pollution is a global trend as the world continues to grow in industrialization. Some cities of the world are highly polluted, and the air quality in them poses a health risk to both locals and visitors. However, some cities still boast cleaner air quality due to greener environments and tough environmental regulations.

Such cities are great to visit and even live in because one will not have to put up with polluted skies or breathe in contaminated air. Without further ado, here are the top cities in the world with the cleanest air.

UPDATE: 2023/10/10 13:23 EST BY REENA JAIN

More Cities With The Cleanest Air In The World, Ranked

Although it is nearly impossible to get clean air in large metropolitan areas, certain cities and nations are making an effort to maintain a clean environment by lowering carbon emissions and reducing pollution levels. This list has been updated with four more cities with the best air quality in the world, making them the best places to live and travel.

Honolulu, USA

The American city of Honolulu takes great pride in claiming to have some of the cleanest air in the world. Its geographical location and Hawaii's strict environmental regulations result in clean air conditions.

Honolulu is a popular tourist destination with a lot to discover and experience , including natural splendor, cultural richness, and recreational opportunities. Visitors swarm to Hawaii for its breathtaking beaches, especially the famous Waikiki, historical landmarks, and outdoor activities, including hiking, marine life exploration, and cultural appreciation. Plus, its tropical climate, inviting aloha spirit, and delectable cuisine are a treat for visitors.

• Top Attractions: Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head State Monument, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Iolani Palace

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand, is one of the best cities in the world to visit , not only because of its incredible sights, whale-watching opportunities, and adjacent volcanic islands but also for the excellent air quality. The city has some of the world's cleanest air, all thanks to strict environmental policies and a commitment to sustainable practices.

Beyond its clean air, Auckland is home to many stunning beaches, forests, mountains, and over 50 islands. There are three captivating wine regions that add to its allure. The city's great nightlife, vibrant cultural scene, diverse cuisine, and numerous outdoor activities make it an appealing tourist destination for anyone seeking both indulgence and relaxation.

• Top Attractions: Sky Tower, Auckland Museum, Waiheke Island, Auckland Zoo, Piha Beach

Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane, the scenic jewel of Queensland, is a bustling metropolis with an astounding number of exciting attractions . Brisbane's air quality is another draw for travelers. Situated along the southeastern coast, the city's pristine air is a result of low industrial pollution, strict air quality laws, and efforts to limit emissions.

Brisbane has a picturesque riverfront, world-class dining, and a thriving arts scene. The city also serves as a gateway to the stunning Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef, two of Australia's natural wonders, making it a popular destination for both adventure buffs and outdoor lovers.

• Top Attractions: South Bank Parklands, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)

Geneva, Switzerland

With very low pollution levels, the city's policies for a clean city, efficient public transportation, and support for sustainable development, Geneva is another Switzerland city that made it onto this list of the cities with the cleanest air in the world.

Geneva's clean air quality adds to the city's attraction as a top tourist destination. The proud home of the UN, the city entices tourists with its picturesque lakeside setting, rich cultural heritage, and world-class dining . Visitors can stroll through the old town to appreciate historical architecture, splurge on designer goods, and engage in outdoor activities amidst breathtaking natural beauty.

• Top Attractions: Jet d'Eau, United Nations Office at Geneva, St. Pierre Cathedral, Lake Geneva, Palais des Nations

Oslo, Norway

Oslo is the capital city of Norway and the country's most populous city. It's a calm city for business and relaxation and enjoys a moderate population. The city is also a global maritime destination, housing some of the world's top maritime companies.

The air in Oslo is fresh and clean, boasting a moderate air quality index, which makes it one of the world's most livable cities. Norway generally has clean air, and this also contributes to the amazing visibility, which makes it easy to see its most beautiful places .

• Top attractions: Akershus Fortress, Folk Museum of Norway, Norwegian Maritime Museum

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden and one of the most amazing cities in the European Union, renowned for its number of bridges and landscapes. The city comprises 14 islands, making it a waterfront capital.

However, there's one thing yet outstanding about this Swedish capital. It's the air quality that is a major draw for environmentally conscious visitors. The city enjoys a fair air quality index, which is termed safe and moderate for breathing, even as the most populated Swedish city.

• Top attractions: The Royal Palace, Vasa Museum, Djurgarden, the National Museum of Fine Arts

Victoria, Canada

On the southernmost point of Vancouver Island, off the Pacific coast of Canada, is the city of Victoria, the capital of British Columbia province. Nicknamed the "Garden City," Victoria comprises many parklands, trees, and gardens, making it a popular tourist destination in Canada.

Residents and tourists of this beautiful city enjoy better air quality which is on the safe side of the air quality index rankings. One won't need a face mask for protection against toxic air pollutants because the city has a relatively untainted atmosphere.

• Top attractions: Royal BC Museum, the Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle

Related: 10 Awesome Things To Do In Victoria, British Columbia

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is a quiet and charming city perched on a scenic bay of the Gulf of Finland's shore, north of Estonia. Despite having a population of fewer than 500,000 people, the city is still the most populous in Estonia. With the surrounding bay, fewer industrial centers, and trees, it's no surprise the air quality here is super clean.

Once in Tallinn, visitors can soak in one of the purest forms of air, unspoiled by pollutants and industrialization.

• Top attractions: Tallinn's Old Town, Tallinn TV Tower, Toompea Castle

Related: Why Estonia's Historic Capital City Of Tallinn Is Worth Visiting

The Hague, The Netherlands

The Hague in the Netherlands is one of the world's most famous cities for hosting the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. These two international courts attract several visitors to the Hague annually from across the world, but still, its air remains clean.

This is partly due to the ocean air since the city is on the Netherlands' west coast overlooking the North Sea. Also, there are strict Dutch laws that limit the emission of harmful substances and prevent the exposure of humans to long-term pollution.

• Top attractions: Louwman Museum, the Peace Palace, Duivenvoorde Castle

Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg is Sweden's second-largest city, situated on its west coast. The city has a low population density, which helps to keep the air moderately pure and safe for breathing.

Other factors, such as the air from the West Coast, the many parks and gardens, trees in its boulevards, and environmental laws, help to keep the air quality in Gothenburg cleaner and safer.

Sweden is also one of the world's most livable cities with a better quality of life, which is partly due to its less toxic atmosphere.

• Top attractions: Gothenburg Museum of Art, Liseberg Amusement Park, Gothenburg Botanical Garden

Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich is a picturesque city on the north side of Lake Zurich, Switzerland, and it's the country's largest city. The city, beyond its jaw-dropping beauty, is a major financial hub in the heart of Europe and the most famous city in Switzerland.

The air quality here is as clean as the city's beauty, and Zurich has been on the list of cities with the cleanest air in the world for several decades. While tourists troop in to behold the city's elegance, the air quality is the icing on the cake of their experiences.

• Top attractions: Lake Zurich, Swiss National Museum, FIFA Museum

Related: 9 Things To Do In Zürich: Complete Guide To Switzerland's Vibrant Hub

Helsinki, Finland

Finland's capital and most populous city is also the social, cultural, and political nerve center of the country. Yet, the air in Helsinki is clean, breathable, and considered one of the safest in the world for humans.

This air quality is partly due to the many forests that surround the country. Helsinki is also one of the world's most livable cities. Certainly, air quality plays a major role in this livability ranking because air pollution makes most cities unsafe or unlivable.

• Top attractions: Ateneun Art Museum, Helsinki Railway Station, Korkeasaari Zoo

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is one of the most populated countries in the European Union, housing nearly half of the entire nation's population, but this has not stopped it from being one of the cities with the cleanest air in the world. The city still boasts an impressive air quality index, which is considered fairly safe for locals and tourists.

Besides being one of the cities with the cleanest air in the world, Vienna is also known for many other amazing things. It is also known as one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world , the city with the biggest Christmas market in the world , and the city of music/ most beautiful city in Europe .

• Top attractions: Imperial Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens, Belvedere Palace, Vienna Zoo, Vienna State Opera House

Reykjavik, Iceland

Despite being the largest city in Iceland and a melting pot for all kinds of activities, Reyjavik remains one of the safest cities in the country to take deep breaths without worrying about getting one’s lungs contaminated with pollution.

Reykjavik is also one of the world's cleanest and greenest cities, making it a hub for global tourism. If one is looking for a laid-back and beautiful city with exceptional and fine air quality, Reykjavik is the place to be.

• Top attractions: Hallgrimskirkja Church, Harpa concert hall, Bruarfoss waterfall

Seeing the sights during travel often involves traipsing through polluted cities, but with these travel destinations, clean air is a highlight.

UN Tourism and Hotelschool The Hague to drive innovation in hospitality

UN Tourism and Hotelschool The Hague, have agreed to partner around the development and execution of pioneering projects in the hospitality industry.

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to stimulate innovation and fresh ventures within the hospitality industry, promoting entrepreneurship and education while engaging in open innovation projects that can enhance the tourism industry, with a particular focus on hospitality. Currently, 20% of entrepreneurs of the UN Tourism Network are directly related to hospitality and are the most dynamic projects including a variety of stakeholders of the industry.

Building on the UN Tourism’s established innovation network, this agreement will further facilitate connections between startups and potential investors, as well as promote knowledge and skills through joint events, communication channels, and media interactions. This partnership not only underlines a commitment to a more sustainable future for the industry but also signifies a shared commitment to providing inclusive opportunities and memorable global student experiences, demonstrated through Hotelschool The Hague’s global Sustainable Hospitality Challenge.

Strong foundations for innovative future

Ms. Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, expresses: “Unfortunately 90% of startups within the hospitality sector eventually do not succeed. A decent tourism education and knowledge of the hospitality sector is necessary to develop a disruptive and well-functioning product. Through our collaborative efforts, we aspire to alter this trajectory by offering a more robust foundation, fostering invaluable connections, and providing a conducive testbed for emerging startups. Given that technology now permeates 70% of tourism enterprises, it is imperative that these startups are seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem, connected with pertinent stakeholders, and afforded the opportunity to validate their solutions in real-world settings before embarking on a larger scale.

Ms. Regine von Stieglitz, President of the Board of Directors of Hotelschool The Hague says: “At Hotelschool The Hague, we provide our students with the perfect balance of theory, real-world experience and applied research to prepare them for a career in the hospitality industry. We develop leaders who shape our global industry and drive it to give back more than it takes. We are proud to join forces with UN Tourism. We fully embrace their vision to Foster Innovation in the Hospitality Industry. In fact, our Sustainable Hospitality Challenge is a student competition designed to enhance the evolution of sustainable practices in hospitality, aligning seamlessly with the objectives of UN Tourism.”

Hotelschool The Hague, founded and funded by the hospitality industry in 1929, provides high-quality education and cutting-edge research in the field of international hospitality management, with an emphasis on the transformation of sustainability and digitalization and on developing students into sought-after hospitality graduates who excel in leadership roles worldwide.

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Middle East Crisis Israel Appears to Soften Stance in Cease-Fire Talks

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• Destroyed buildings in Rafah on Monday. Associated Press
• Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages protest in Tel Aviv on Monday. Ohad Zwigenberg/Associated Press
• Palestinians flee after a strike in Nuseirat in central Gaza. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Mourning relatives killed overnight in Rafah. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Looking at a damaged building in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday. Hatem Khaled/Reuters
• Posters of kidnapped Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
• A Palm Sunday service at a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City. Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Children at a makeshift movie theater set up among the tents in Rafah on Sunday. Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock
• Israeli soldiers resting outside the border with southern Gaza. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Israel is open to a truce involving an initial release of 33 hostages, officials say.

Israel’s latest offer would accept fewer hostages to be freed during the first phase of a new truce in Gaza, according to three Israeli officials, offering a hint of hope for cease-fire negotiations that could restart as soon as Tuesday.

For months, Israel had demanded that Hamas release at least 40 hostages — women, older people and those who are seriously ill — in order to secure a new truce. Now the Israeli government is prepared to settle for only 33, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the sensitive matter.

The change was prompted partly by the fact that Israel now believes that some of the 40 have died in captivity , according to one of the officials.

Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, said at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday that Israel had made an “extraordinarily generous” offer and that Hamas alone stood in the way of a deal. David Cameron, the British foreign minister, said at the same conference that the offer included a sustained 40-day cease-fire and the release of potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli hostages.

Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s foreign minister, said at the conference that he was “hopeful” about the latest cease-fire proposal, but did not say what it involved or who had proposed it.

“The proposal has taken into account the positions of both sides,” Mr. Shoukry said, adding that “we are waiting to have a final decision.”

The shift has raised expectations that Hamas and Israel might be edging closer to sealing their first truce since a weeklong cease-fire in November, when Hamas released 105 captives in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, said on social media on Monday that Hamas was studying a new Israeli proposal, but did not say what the proposal was.

Hamas and its allies captured roughly 240 Israelis and foreigners in their attack on Oct. 7, which prompted Israel to go to war in Gaza. More than 130 hostages are believed to still be held in Gaza, but some are thought to have died.

Negotiations over a new pause, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, have stalled for months over disagreements about the number of hostages and prisoners who should be exchanged in a future deal. Another obstacle has been whether Israel would allow civilians from northern Gaza who fled the Israeli invasion to return to their homes, and how many would be permitted to do so.

The length of a cease-fire has also been a key stumbling block. Hamas wants it to be permanent, while Israel wants another temporary pause so that it could still send troops into Rafah, the last major Gazan city under Hamas control, though one where more than a million displaced Palestinians have sought shelter. Far-right members of Israel’s governing coalition have threatened to bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if the war ends without Hamas’s total defeat.

A mid-ranking Israeli delegation is planning to fly to Cairo on Tuesday to restart talks mediated by Egypt, but only if Hamas also agrees to attend, according to two of the Israeli officials. A senior Hamas official said that a delegation was already in Cairo on Monday.

At the economic forum in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Cameron, the British foreign secretary, said something else must happen for the conflict to end: “The people responsible for Oct. 7, the Hamas leadership, would have to leave Gaza.”

Vivian Nereim and Edward Wong contributed reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

— Patrick Kingsley and Adam Rasgon reporting from Jerusalem

Biden speaks to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to press for Hamas’s agreement on a new cease-fire.

President Biden spoke on Monday with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar as he sought to increase pressure on Hamas to accept a deal that would result in a temporary cease-fire in the war in Gaza and the release of some of the hostages held there.

According to a statement from the office of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, he and Mr. Biden discussed the negotiations and Egypt’s efforts to broker a cease-fire. They also reiterated their support for a two-state solution, discussed the importance of containing the conflict to the region and emphasized their opposition to a military escalation in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, which Israel seems poised to invade.

Mr. Biden also spoke on Monday with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar. According to the White House, Mr. Biden urged the Qatari leader “to exert all efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas,” saying that “this is now the only obstacle” to an immediate cease-fire.

Mr. al-Sisi and Mr. al-Thani have been prime intermediaries with Hamas through months of fitful negotiations to reach a deal to halt the hostilities, and Mr. Biden hopes they will prod the group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar, to accept the U.S.-brokered proposal on the table. On Sunday, Mr. Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, expressed a hopeful view of the prospects for an agreement. “In recent days, there has been progress in talks,” she told reporters at the White House.

Like other American officials, Ms. Jean-Pierre said that Hamas, not Israel, was the obstacle to an agreement.

“The onus is indeed on Hamas,” she said. “There is a deal on the table, and they need to take it.”

— Peter Baker reporting from Washington

Blinken meets with Arab officials to discuss Gaza and postwar plans.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Arab officials on Monday in Saudi Arabia about the war between Israel and Hamas and the difficult issues it has created, from humanitarian aid to hostages. Mr. Blinken plans to travel to Jordan and Israel on Tuesday.

After landing in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, shortly after dawn, Mr. Blinken met with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, and then with foreign ministers and a top foreign policy adviser from five other Arab nations in the Persian Gulf that, along with Saudi Arabia, form the Gulf Cooperation Council. Prince Faisal was also part of that second meeting. On Monday night Mr. Blinken met with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

The State Department listed the cease-fire and hostage issues first in the summary it released of Mr. Blinken’s one-on-one meeting with the prince. The two “discussed ongoing efforts to reach an immediate cease-fire in Gaza that would secure the release of hostages held by Hamas,” the department said.

The two diplomats also talked about greater regional integration and “a pathway to a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel,” the summary said. That was a reference to negotiations over a broad deal that would involve the United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Palestinian representatives agreeing to terms that would result in the creation of a Palestinian state and greater diplomatic recognition for Israel in the region.

Mr. Blinken planned to meet with Arab and European officials in a group later on Monday to talk about plans for rebuilding Gaza, even though Israel is still carrying out its war there and has not stepped back from its difficult — and perhaps impossible — goal of fully eradicating Hamas.

Saudi Arabia is hosting a three-day meeting of the World Economic Forum, and top Arab officials, including Mr. Blinken’s diplomatic counterparts, are attending the event in Riyadh. The gathering includes senior ministers from Qatar and Egypt, the two Arab mediators in multiple rounds of talks over a potential cease-fire between Israel and Hamas .

“The quickest way to bring this to an end is to get to a cease-fire and the release of hostages,” Mr. Blinken said in an onstage talk with Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum. “Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel. And at the moment, the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas.”

“I’m hopeful they will make the right decision and we can have a fundamental change in the dynamic,” he added.

Mr. Blinken and other top aides of President Biden have also been trying to push for a long-term political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is where the broader deal comes in. In a call meant to pave the way for Mr. Blinken’s trip, his seventh to the region since the war began, Mr. Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel spoke by phone on Sunday afternoon for nearly an hour.

The two leaders discussed “increases in the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” according to a White House statement released after the call, and Mr. Biden repeated his warning against an Israeli ground assault on Rafah in southern Gaza. He also reviewed with Mr. Netanyahu the negotiations over a hostage release.

In their best-case scenario, the Biden administration envisions Saudi Arabia and perhaps a few other Arab nations agreeing to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel. In exchange, Saudi Arabia would receive advanced weapons and security guarantees, including a mutual defense treaty , from the United States and a commitment for U.S. cooperation on a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom .

For its part, Israel would have to commit to a concrete pathway to the founding of a Palestinian nation, with specific deadlines, U.S. and Saudi officials say.

“I think it’s clear that in the absence of a real political horizon for the Palestinians, it’s going to be much harder, if not impossible, to really have a coherent plan for Gaza itself,” Mr. Blinken said at the public talk on Monday.

Prince Faisal said Sunday that Saudi officials hoped to discuss concrete steps toward creating a Palestinian state during Mr. Blinken’s visit to Riyadh. Calling the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza “a complete failing of the existing political system,” he told a news conference that the kingdom’s government believes that the only solution is “a credible, irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state.”

Before the war started last October, U.S. and Saudi officials were in intense discussions to reach an agreement on the terms of such a proposal. For those negotiators, a big question at the time was what Israel would agree to. Since the war began, the Americans and the Saudis have publicly insisted that Israel must agree to the existence of a Palestinian state.

But Israeli leaders and ordinary citizens have become even more resistant to that idea since the Oct. 7 attacks, in which the Israeli authorities say that Hamas and allied gunmen killed about 1,200 people and took about 240 people as hostages. Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, including thousands of children, say officials from the Gaza health ministry.

Vivian Nereim and Zolan Kanno-Youngs contributed reporting.

— Edward Wong traveling with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken

Deadly Israeli strikes hit residential buildings in Rafah, Palestinian news media say.

Deadly Israeli airstrikes flattened concrete buildings overnight in the crowded southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to news agencies, which published video on Monday of rows of body bags containing what Palestinian officials said were victims of the strikes.

The Reuters news agency said the strikes in Rafah, which Israel seems poised to invade , killed 20 people. The Palestinian news media said the death toll was at least 24. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 34 people were killed in the Gaza Strip during the previous 24 hours, but it did not specify how many of them were killed by the strikes in Rafah.

Asked for comment on the strikes, the Israeli military issued a statement on Monday saying that its “fighter jets struck terror targets where terrorists were operating within a civilian area in southern Gaza.”

More than one million Gazans have been crowding into shelters and tents in Rafah to seek safety from almost seven months of Israel’s military offensive. Israeli officials have said they will soon send ground troops into Rafah, the last Gazan city Israel has not invaded, in order to eliminate Hamas battalions there, an operation that the Biden administration has warned against because of the risk to civilians.

Palestine TV — a channel backed by the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank — said the strikes had hit residential buildings in Rafah. One survivor, carrying a baby she said had been pulled from the rubble, spoke to a Reuters video journalist.

“The entire world is seeing what’s happening to us,” the woman, Umm Fayez Abu Taha, said. She said the child appeared to be uninjured, but that her parents had been killed.

“Look at us with some compassion, with some humanity,” Ms. Abu Taha continued. “This is all we ask for, we’re not asking for much just end the war, nothing more.”

— Liam Stack reporting from Jerusalem

Hamas fires a barrage of rockets into Israel from Lebanon.

Hamas’s military wing said on Monday that it had launched a salvo of rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, an apparent attempt by the group to signal that it is still capable of striking within Israel’s borders even as it studies the latest proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza.

The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, said in a statement that it had targeted an Israeli military position in Kiryat Shmona, the largest city in Israel’s far north, with a “concentrated rocket barrage” from southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said in a statement that most of the roughly 20 launches that crossed the border had been intercepted, and that it had responded by striking the source of fire. There were no injuries or damage, the military said.

Though Hamas is based in Gaza, many of its leaders are exiled in Lebanon , where the group has a sizable presence and operates largely out of Palestinian refugee camps. Since the Hamas-led terror attack on Oct. 7 prompted Israel to go to war in Gaza, Hamas has occasionally launched rocket attacks into northern Israel from within Lebanon’s borders, though its ally Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, has launched far more. Both groups are backed by Iran. Israel has also targeted Hamas figures in Lebanon in deadly strikes.

Walid al Kilani, Hamas’s spokesman in Lebanon, said the attack was “the minimum duty” given Israel’s continued attacks in Gaza. “We know that Hezbollah is doing its duty and more, but the battlefield requires everyone to participate,” Mr. Kilani said.

The launches on Monday, although muted in their impact, highlighted Hamas’s continuing ability to threaten Israel with rocket fire despite more than 200 days of a devastating Israeli air and ground offensive that has decimated the group’s military capabilities in Gaza.

Mohanad Hage Ali, a Beirut-based fellow with the Carnegie Middle East Center, said the attack was likely an attempt by Hamas to signal that it was “still part of the fight.” While it was largely symbolic, it could also be a means to apply pressure amid the Gaza cease-fire negotiations, he said.

Data compiled by the online website Rocket Alert — which tracks warnings of rocket launches using Israeli military figures — shows that there were just 37 alerts in April in response to detected rocket fire from Gaza, compared to around 7,300 in October at the onset of the war. More than six months into the conflict, the data shows a significant drop-off in the number of warnings of rockets from Gaza.

Alerts indicating rocket fire from Lebanon, however, have remained largely steady, the data shows. Most of those are launched by Hezbollah, but Hamas continues to launch attacks from Lebanon with Hezbollah’s blessing.

Amin Hoteit, a military analyst and former brigadier general in the Lebanese army, said the latest attack was a sign of the “integrated front of operations” among Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups in the region .

Hwaida Saad and Jonathan Rosen contributed reporting.

— Euan Ward reporting from Beirut, Lebanon

Israeli officials believe the International Criminal Court is preparing arrest warrants over the war.

Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on charges related to the conflict with Hamas, according to five Israeli and foreign officials.

The Israeli and foreign officials also believe the court is weighing arrest warrants for leaders from Hamas.

If the court proceeds, the Israeli officials could potentially be accused of preventing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and pursuing an excessively harsh response to the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, according to two of the five officials, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

The Israeli officials, who are worried about the potential fallout from such a case, said they believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among those who might be named in a warrant. It is not clear who might be charged from Hamas or what crimes would be cited.

The Israeli officials did not disclose the nature of the information that led them to be concerned about potential I.C.C. action, and the court did not comment on the matter.

Arrest warrants from the court would probably be seen in much of the world as a humbling moral rebuke, particularly to Israel, which for months has faced international backlash over its conduct in Gaza, including from President Biden , who called it “over the top.”

It could also affect Israel’s policies as the country presses its military campaign against Hamas. One of the Israeli officials said that the possibility of the court issuing arrest warrants had informed Israeli decision-making in recent weeks.

The Israeli and foreign officials said they didn’t know what stage the process was in. Any warrants would require approval from a panel of judges and would not necessarily result in a trial or even the targets’ immediate arrest.

Karim Khan, the court’s chief prosecutor, has previously confirmed that his team is investigating incidents during the war, but his office declined to comment for this article, saying that it does not “respond to speculation in media reports.”

Mr. Netanyahu’s office also would not comment, but on Friday the prime minister said on social media that any intervention by the I.C.C. “would set a dangerous precedent that threatens the soldiers and officials of all democracies fighting savage terrorism and wanton aggression.”

Mr. Netanyahu did not explain what prompted his statement, though he may have been responding to speculation about the arrest warrants in the Israeli press.

He also said: “Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense. The threat to seize the soldiers and officials of the Middle East’s only democracy and the world’s only Jewish state is outrageous. We will not bow to it.”

Based in The Hague, the I.C.C. is the world’s only permanent international court with the power to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The court has no police force of its own. Instead, it relies on its 124 members , which include most European countries but not Israel or the United States, to arrest those named in warrants. It cannot try defendants in absentia .

But warrants from the court can pose obstacles to travel for officials named in them.

The Hamas-led raid last October led to the killing of roughly 1,200 people in Israel and the abductions of some 250 others, according to Israeli officials. The subsequent war in Gaza, including heavy Israeli bombardment, has killed more than 34,000 people, according to Gazan officials, caused widespread damage to housing and infrastructure, and brought the territory to the brink of famine.

The Israeli assault in Gaza has led the International Court of Justice, a separate court in The Hague, to hear accusations of genocide against the Israeli state and has spurred a wave of protests on college campuses in the United States.

If the I.C.C. does issue arrest warrants, they would come with deep stigmatization, placing those named in them in the same category as foreign leaders like Omar al-Bashir, the deposed president of Sudan, and Vladimir V. Putin, the Russian president, who was the subject of a warrant last year tied to his war against Ukraine.

The I.C.C.’s focus on individuals rather than states differentiates it from the International Court of Justice, which settles disputes between states.

The I.C.C. judges have ruled that the court has jurisdiction over Gaza and the West Bank because the Palestinians have joined the court as the State of Palestine.

Mr. Khan has said that his team will be investigating incidents that have occurred since Oct. 7 and that he will be “impartially looking at the evidence and vindicating the rights of victims whether they are in Israel or Palestine.”

Mr. Khan’s office has also been investigating allegations of war crimes committed during the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas; one of the officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity believes the new arrest warrants would be an extension of that investigation.

Hamas and the Israeli military did not respond to requests for comment. The office of Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defense minister, declined to comment.

In general, Israeli officials say that they fight according to the laws of war and that they take significant steps to protect civilians, accusing Hamas of hiding inside civilian areas and forcing Israel to pursue them there. Hamas has denied committing atrocities on Oct. 7, saying — despite video evidence to the contrary — that its fighters tried to avoid harming civilians.

Marlise Simons , Gabby Sobelman and Myra Noveck contributed reporting.

— Ronen Bergman and Patrick Kingsley The reporters spoke to Israeli and foreign officials.

World Central Kitchen plans to resume working in Gaza.

World Central Kitchen said on Sunday that it would resume operations in Gaza with a local team of Palestinian aid workers, nearly a month after the Israeli military killed seven of the organization’s workers in targeted drone strikes on their convoy.

Israeli military officials have said the attack was a “grave mistake” and cited a series of failures , including a breakdown in communication and violations of the military’s operating procedures.

The Washington-based aid group said that it was still calling for an independent, international investigation into the April 1 attack and that it had received “no concrete assurances” that the Israeli military’s operational procedures had changed. But the “humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire,” the aid group’s chief operating officer, Erin Gore, said in a statement .

“We are restarting our operation with the same energy, dignity, and focus on feeding as many people as possible,” she said.

The aid group said it had distributed more than 43 million meals in Gaza so far and that it had trucks carrying the equivalent of nearly eight million meals waiting to enter the enclave through the Rafah crossing in the south. World Central Kitchen said it was also planning to send trucks to Gaza through Jordan and that it would open a kitchen in Al-Mawasi, a small seaside village that the Israeli military has designated as a “humanitarian zone” safe for civilians, though attacks there have continued.

Six of the seven workers killed on April 1 were from Western nations — three from Britain, one from Australia, one from Poland and one with dual citizenship of the United States and Canada. The seventh was Palestinian. They were killed in back-to-back Israeli drone strikes on their vehicles as they traveled toward Rafah after unloading food aid that had arrived by sea.

The attack prompted World Central Kitchen to immediately suspend its operations in Gaza and elicited outrage from some of Israel’s closest allies.

The World Central Kitchen convoy’s movements had been coordinated in advance with the Israeli military, but some officers had not reviewed the coordination documentation detailing which cars were part of the convoy, the military said.

Some 200 aid workers, most of them Palestinians, were killed in Gaza between Oct. 7 and the attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy, according to the United Nations. A visual investigation by The New York Times showed that, well before the World Central Kitchen attack, six aid groups in Gaza had come under Israeli fire despite sharing their locations with the Israeli military.

The episode forced World Central Kitchen to decide between ending its efforts in Gaza or continuing, “knowing that aid, aid workers and civilians are being intimidated and killed,” Ms. Gore said in the statement.

“Ultimately, we decided that we must keep feeding, continuing our mission of showing up to provide food to people during the toughest of times,” she said.

At a memorial in Washington for the World Central Kitchen workers on Thursday, the group’s founder, the celebrity chef José Andrés, said that there were “many unanswered questions about what happened and why,” and that the aid group was still demanding an independent investigation into the Israeli military’s actions.

The seven aid workers had “risked everything to feed people they did not know and will never meet,” Mr. Andrés said. “They were the best of humanity.”

— Anushka Patil

Arab ministers suggest ways to ‘force peace’ amid Israel’s refusal to recognize a Palestinian state.

At a conference in Saudi Arabia’s capital on Monday, senior diplomats from around the world appeared to agree on one thing: The pathway to a durable peace between Israel and the Palestinians is the creation of a Palestinian state.

But with Israel’s refusal to recognize a Palestinian state, three Arab foreign ministers posited how best to proceed, with Ayman Safadi of Jordan presenting the bluntest proposal among them. The international community, he said, should find a way to “force peace” against the will of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

“If we come up with the best plan ever, and all of us in the international community agree that this is the plan to go forward, and then Netanyahu and his government say no, what happens then?” Mr. Safadi said during a World Economic Forum panel discussion in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. “Will he face consequences?”

He added, “The party that is responsible for denying Palestinians, Israelis and the whole region peace must be held accountable.”

Israel’s foreign ministry declined to comment, and the prime minister’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Both before and during this war in Gaza, which began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Mr. Netanyahu has rebuffed calls for the creation of a Palestinian state.

Analysts say that the attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and about 240 people taken captive, according to the Israeli authorities, has made it even more unlikely that the Israeli government would agree to such a path. Israeli officials have said that they are trying to eradicate Hamas.

“There is a contrary move, an attempt to force, ram down our throats, a Palestinian state, which will be another terror haven,” Mr. Netanyahu said this month.

Polling shows that a majority of Israelis oppose creating a Palestinian state.

In the Biden administration’s plan for resolving the underlying conflict — and end a war in which Israel’s military has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to officials from the Gazan Health Ministry — it envisions Saudi Arabia agreeing to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel.

In exchange, Saudi Arabia would receive advanced weapons and security guarantees, including a mutual defense treaty from the United States and U.S. commitment for cooperation on a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom .

For its part, Israel would have to commit to the founding of a Palestinian nation, with specific deadlines, U.S. and Saudi officials say.

“In the absence of a real political horizon for the Palestinians, it’s going to be much harder, if not impossible, to really have a coherent plan for Gaza itself,” Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, said on Monday during the conference in Riyadh.

On Sunday at the same event, the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, said that the only solution was “a credible, irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state.”

He added, “We need to move from talk to action, to concrete steps, and it can’t be left up to the warring parties.”

Prince Faisal implied that diplomats could maneuver around an Israeli refusal, referring to “mechanisms within the toolbox of the international community that can overcome the resistance of any party.”

“If we make that decision, the pathway will unfold before us, even if there are those that will try to stop it,” he said. “There are levers clear, there are levers hidden, that can push us in that direction.”

Mr. Safadi, the Jordanian foreign minister, said that the challenge Arab states had faced while trying to resolve the conflict was that “we don’t have a partner in Israel now.”

“Do we allow Netanyahu to doom the future of the region to more conflict, war and destruction — or do we do what it takes to force peace?” he said.

Speaking on the same panel, Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s foreign minister, said that if the international community made a “categorical” commitment to creating a Palestinian state, there were “points of leverage that can fulfill that requirement.”

“We have the mechanisms, but is there the political will to utilize it?” he asked.

— Vivian Nereim reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Ab Rauf in Netherlands to examine world's oldest written record on Hang Tuah

Tuesday, 30 Apr 2024

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Melaka to work with Dutch to conduct Hang Tuah research

Melaka politicians have international travel restrictions lifted after paying tax arrears, melaka ‘oldies’ on a mission to bring back state’s sporting glory.

MELAKA: Delegates from the Melaka government are in The Hague, Netherlands to examine a 265-year-old manuscript that could shed more light on the legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah.

The document, which is at Leiden University in The Hague, is the world's oldest Hang Tuah Tale manuscript dating back to 1758.

Other documents include the Hikayat Hang Tuah, which was translated into several foreign languages.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh ( pic ) will also meet Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Roseli Abdul, to discuss the possibility of a collaboration between stakeholders in the state and Leiden University to explore the facts behind Hang Tuah.

Other state government delegates include tourism, heritage, art and culture committee chairman Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman and rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh.

In a statement on Tuesday (April 30), Ab Rauf said they were keen on forming a special working committee to study historical records, artefacts and the Melaka Sultanate heritage with officials from the Netherlands.

Ab Rauf said his delegate also touched on strengthening bilateral ties between Melaka and the Netherlands.

"The state also focused on investment and trade opportunities during the discussion.

"Roseli was also informed that some 70,000 Dutch tourists arrived in Melaka in 2023," he added.

On March 6, Ab Rauf said the state government would bring back artefacts and documents related to Hang Tuah from various countries to be displayed in conjunction with Visit Melaka Year 2024.

Tags / Keywords: Melaka , Hang Tuah , Leiden University , The Hague , Netherlands , Ab Rauf

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