Discover The Hague

Have you ever been to the Dutch city of The Hague? No? Well, it's about time! Read our travel magazine to discover the interesting museums and attractions, as well as the expansive beaches waiting for you in The Hague.

The beautiful Dutch city of The Hague is super convenient and quick to reach. Depending on which part of the United States you're coming from, you can reach the city after just two to three hours of driving. By train, you can usually get there quickly as well; overall, The Hague has two major train stations that you can target. If you prefer to fly, you should plan to arrive via Rotterdam or Amsterdam. Rotterdam The Hague Airport is less than 30 kilometers from the center of The Hague, and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is about 40 kilometers away. Once you're in The Hague, getting around is super convenient using public transport, but you can also explore on foot or, in the heart of the city, by bicycle.

Before we show you the most beautiful spots in The Hague, you can get an overview of the Dutch city on the following map. Look forward to great museums, historical buildings, and an extraordinary beach. Stroll through the shopping street and enjoy Dutch delicacies in a cozy café. A great time awaits you in The Hague.

As the seat of the parliament and government of the Netherlands, it is obvious that you should not overlook the politically significant buildings during your stay in The Hague. The Paleis Noordeinde, with its strictly neoclassical facade, is the office and working residence of the Dutch king, Willem-Alexander.

Admittedly, aside from taking a few photos, there's not much you can do here, but the palace is an important part of The Hague and you might even feel a bit of royal magic. Not far away, you'll find the Binnenhof, where the heads of the Dutch Parliament have been gathering for meetings for 570 years. The centerpiece of this complex is the so-called Ridderzaal, which is used annually by the monarch for the reading of the throne speech on Prinsjesdag.

You will encounter The Hague's judiciary at the Peace Palace, which houses, among other things, the International Court of Justice. Plan your visit there so you can also see the palace's interior. The interior is influenced by various countries and features Italian marble and Brazilian wood, for example. Even if it is closed to visitors, you can learn everything you need to know about the establishment of the International Court of Justice through a free audio guide tour.

The last point on our list is Madurodam, and we can tell you it strongly reminded us of the miniature world in Hamburg! On over 18,000 m², you will find models of the most important buildings and objects in the country, which present the beauty of the Netherlands at a scale of 1:25. A lot of fun, especially for young and young-at-heart visitors.

To be honest, we can't imagine the Netherlands without museums and galleries, can we? A Dutch city without names like Van Gogh, Vermeer, or Rubens? Unthinkable! The Hague is no exception; art enthusiasts will be thrilled. Your first stop should be the Mauritshuis, as not only does this 17th-century noble palace impress, but so do the masterpieces housed within.

The most famous girl of The Hague resides at the Mauritshuis, of course referring to Jan Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. But you can also admire several masterpieces by Rembrandt, van Rijn, and Rubens here. A completely different yet equally interesting type of art is exhibited at the Escher Museum. Geometric shapes play a role in this museum featuring works by graphic artist M.C. Escher; many of them will have you looking twice, as they delight in playing tricks on your perception.

Rubens, Rembrandt, and all the other artists are a challenge for you? In that case, the Louwman Museum The Hague should be your next stop. Here, instead of oil paintings, horsepower takes the spotlight. Alongside countless historical vehicles, the museum also showcases other treasures such as the Humber Pullman of Winston Churchill or the Aston Martin DB5 from James Bond 007 - Goldfinger. Another new perspective is offered by the Panorama Mesdag, a building housing the largest round painting in Europe. The 14-meter-high and 120-meter-wide painting provides viewers with a view of the beach and sea around Scheveningen. Really wonderful to see such a magnificent painting not confined within a frame.

A city trip always includes a little shopping tour, don't you think? Fortunately, The Hague also offers diverse neighborhoods catering to every shopping type. And all of this is available seven days a week without needing to use a car, bus, or train - most of The Hague is within walking distance.

Do you want to stroll along historical houses with beautifully designed facades that transport you back a century or two? Do you also enjoy luxury shopping and hope to spot a few celebrities? If so, the Palace Quarter is the right address for you. You can also shop in style at the Passage, a covered shopping street that is also the oldest shopping center in The Hague.

Do you prefer everything in one spot while enjoying a piece of cake and coffee in between? The Grote Marktstraat has you covered with its flagship stores, fashion, restaurant, and coffee chains offering everything a shopping heart desires. In Noordeinde, on the other hand, antique shops, jewellers, and fashion boutiques are housed in stunning Art Nouveau buildings. Here too, restaurants and cafés invite you to linger and relax.

Only a 10 to 15-minute walk separates the city center and thus you from The Hague's neighborhood Scheveningen and its kilometer-long beach.

The largest seaside resort in the Netherlands lures with a picturesque pier that not only grants you a wonderful view of the beach but also invites you to relax with lounge chairs and chilled cocktails. While strolling along the pier, be sure to pay attention to the over 20 art pieces distributed there, each depicting characters and scenes from a fairy tale. Can you identify them all?

If the weather permits, of course, you should dive into the waves and then sunbathe on your beach towel. Not into relaxing? No problem, as wave riders, windsurfers, and kite surfers can enjoy themselves on many days of the year. If the wind is favorable, you can spend the whole day riding the roaring waves. Incredible that you're still in the Netherlands and not in Spain or Portugal. As we always say: The good often lies very close by.

We don't know about you, but we can never get enough of the combination of beach and city, culture and shopping. In our opinion, there's no better starting point for a city trip that will definitely stay in your memory because of its diversity. So what are you waiting for? Check out our offers and spend a restful vacation in The Hague soon!