Why visit The Hague?
Alright, I admit I’m a little biased when it comes to my hometown but honestly, The Hague is absolutely worth a visit. It’s home to some of the finest museums in the country, including the world-renowned Mauritshuis, the contemporary beauty of Voorlinden, the thought-provoking Kunstmuseum, and family-friendly gems like Museon and Madurodam. Don’t miss the surreal magic of Escher in the Palace either. But what truly sets The Hague apart is its unique blend of city and sea it’s right on the coast! While Dutch weather can be unpredictable (though, thanks to climate change, it’s warming up), the natural beauty of the Meijendel dunes and the endless stretch of soft, sandy beaches from Hoek van Holland in the south to Alkmaar in the north offer incredible outdoor escapes. In Scheveningen, beach clubs and surf schools line the shore, making it the perfect place to soak up sun, ride some waves, or simply unwind with your feet in the sand.
Stroll through The Hague’s historic city center and pass by the iconic Binnenhof, where Dutch politics play out often with more drama than success. Then kick back with a local craft beer and a plate of bitterballen on Het Plein or De Grote Markt, and you might just find yourself falling for the city’s laid-back charm, just like so many expats who came for a visit and never left. Hop on a bike or jump on a tram, and you can explore the whole city in minutes beaches, parks, museums, and nightlife all within easy reach. Epic adventures await, my friends. Don’t miss my insider’s guide to the best things to do in The Hague for even more (mostly unbiased) tips. It’s no surprise this coastal gem ranks among the top must-see destinations in the Netherlands!
Please explore The Hague by bike! This guide is amazingly fun and will show you around the city in no time.
Top 16 things to do in The Hague (don’t miss out on the fun!)
- Explore the Mauritshuis museum to see the famous painting “The Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer. But the location and building of the museum is just epic. Take some time to stroll around the area.
- Walk along the beach promenade at Scheveningen and enjoy the beautiful views of the sea. You can grab a cold or warm drink in one of the many beachclubs. If you are young we can recommend going to Zwarte Pad (on north side) for some beachclubbing and chillaxing. Our favourite beachclub picks are Karavaan, Indigo or Whoosah. For more family time go to Zuiderstrand to beachclub Strandpaviljoen Zuid and you won’t be disappointed.
- Take the bike and visit the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis in Dutch), which is the home of the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Be sure to check before you go as there are fixed time slots for tours, no free roaming around there!
- The Binnenhof is closed to normal public access during renovation. You can still see the complex from around the Hofvijver. Check the Binnenhof visitor information for the information centre, viewing point and any special access days.
- Visit the Escher in Het Paleis museum to see the incredible optical illusions of Dutch artist M.C. Escher. Whoop, I even named my kid after this guy. It’s and amazing museum for young and old!
- Visit the Kunstmuseum Den Haag (Previously Gemeentemuseum), which has a world-class collection of modern and contemporary art. Be sure to check out the Victory Boogie Woogie from Piet Mondriaan, my favourite.
- Explore the Haagse Markt, the largest market in the Netherlands, and sample some of the delicious local food and drink. It is raw but shows you a different side of The Netherlands. Good bargains here!
- Visit the Panorama Mesdag, which is a 360-degree panoramic painting of the coastal resort of Scheveningen. It is enormous! The museum isn’t that big so you can visit it within an hour.
- Take the bike a ride through the parks and dunes to museum Voorlinden, which is a museum that explores the boundaries of modern art. It’s a private museum but offers world class art. The museum is one of the most unique in The Netherlands if you ask me. I’m a big fan!
- Visit the Madurodam, which is a miniature park that has scale models of famous Dutch landmarks and buildings. Take a tour through The Netherlands in an hour. Perfect place to go with kids! You can also pick your next destination to go here.
- Visit the Gevangenpoort, which is the oldest and most famous prison in the Netherlands. Death and darkness ruled here. The history of this place keeps amazing me, be sure to book a guided tour for the full experience.
- Visit the Royal Palace Noordeinde of Den Haag, which is the official residence of the Dutch royal family. It is on the famous shopping street Noordeinde which is full with art galleries and hip shops. You cannot visit the palace from the inside, so just take some nice pics. Fun fact: the statue of Willem van Oranje was turned by Wilhelmina (queen of The Netherlands) because she wasn’t fond of looking at the testikels and ass of the horse all the time from her working office.
- Visit the Beelden aan Zee museum, which has a collection of contemporary sculptures from around the world. Technically not in The Hague as it lies in Scheveningen. However, these two cities are intertwined and you won’t even notice crossing the borders.
- Visit the Huis ten Bosch palace, which is a beautiful royal palace surrounded by gardens and parkland. This is the actual home of the Royal Family. Which is to be fair in decline of popularity as who needs a king these days? Seems like a waste of public funds right?
- Bike around the city! This way you can explore multiple neighbourhoods like Zeeheldenkwartier or Statenkwartier which are famous for their hipster food and bars.
- If you like cars of all sorts but mainly the fast ones then a visit to the Louwman museum must be on the bucket-list.
Be sure to book your musea tickets in time! As full=full.
Where to eat in The Hague?
Here’s our ultimate local food guide to The Hague based on over 12 years of living, eating, and drinking in this vibrant city, so you can count on zero missteps.
For a classic Dutch dining experience, head to Het Plein the lively main square right next to Parliament and the historic Binnenhof. It’s packed with bars, cafés, and restaurants offering everything from pub food to more refined fare. In summer, the terraces are buzzing with life, especially on warm evenings when the bars stay open until 5:00 a.m. It’s more about the atmosphere than Michelin-star cuisine here, but that’s the charm. Our favorites? Barlow for laid-back drinks, Cloos and Millers for a mix of bites, music, and late-night club vibes.
Don’t be fooled by the name the Grote Markt isn’t a market, but one of the city’s most energetic squares. It’s a hotspot for locals and students alike, overflowing with bars, eateries, and live music venues. Catch us sipping tropical cocktails at Vavoom! Tiki Room, grabbing a student-friendly meal at Zèta, or enjoying live performances at De Zwarte Ruiter and the legendary Paard pop venue.
Looking for standout food? These are our top picks: Pastis for classic French cuisine, Van Kinsbergen for a modern grand café experience, Dekxels for something more luxurious, and Café Bistro Jules for that upscale brasserie vibe. Craving Italian? Go for Vincenzo’s. For a stylish brunch or dinner, Walter Benedict and Café Pistache hit the spot. Coffee lovers, don’t skip Lapsang, and for the best fries in town, make a beeline for Friet District.
Whether you’re after fine dining, cozy cafés, or a vibrant night out with street food on the side, The Hague serves it all seasoned with local flair.
Where to stay for the night?
Looking for a great place to stay in The Hague? From elegant luxury hotels to comfortable, affordable accommodation, the city has something for every kind of traveler.
For a touch of old-world class, Hotel Des Indes is a standout. Nestled right in the heart of the city, this historic five-star hotel combines timeless elegance with modern comforts. With amenities like a wellness spa, fitness center, fine dining restaurant, and an impressive interior that echoes its royal past, it’s perfect for travelers who want to experience The Hague in style. Plus, you’ll be steps away from top attractions like the Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, and Het Plein.
Other great options are voco The Hague by IHG (amazing old building and super central), COVE Centrum (in the shopping street), The Collector (in the shopping area and on budget) and La Paulowna Boutique Hotel (most budget).
International allure in The Hague
The Hague gained international fame throughout the years because of multiple famous international NGO’s such as the Peace Palace, International Criminal Court and the headquarters of the OPCW. But more importantly The Hague is also famed for being the seat of the government, jep not the capital Amsterdam is in charge here!
Sneak peak into the history of The Hague
The Hague has a long and fascinating history that stretches back to the Middle Ages, playing a pivotal role in shaping the Netherlands as we know it today. The earliest known settlement in the area was a small village known as Die Haghe (meaning “the hedge”), established around the 10th century near the dunes of the North Sea coast. Over time, this modest village evolved into a key hub of trade and governance. By the 13th century, it had gained prominence as the seat of the Counts of Holland, setting the stage for its enduring political significance.
Throughout the Middle Ages, The Hague developed into a vital center of government and culture, attracting scholars, artists, and writers. Its role only grew in the 16th and 17th centuries, when it became home to the Dutch royal court and a nerve center for political and cultural life during the Dutch Republic’s rise to power. The 18th and 19th centuries brought industrial growth and commercial expansion, along with a flourishing intellectual scene.
In the 20th century, The Hague cemented its role as the administrative heart of the Netherlands, hosting the Dutch Parliament, the Prime Minister’s office, and the International Court of Justice. Today, it thrives as a cosmopolitan city known for its beautiful green spaces, renowned museums, vibrant city center, and its status as a global hub for peace, justice, and diplomacy home to numerous international institutions and organizations. With its deep cultural roots and forward-looking energy, The Hague continues to shape the story of the Netherlands.
What neighbourhoods to live in
Where in The Hague would you want to buy a house, start your family or live out your old days in peace? That is a question we often get from our expat friends. The city itself has two faces when it comes down to various districts. However, it would be considered very safe and solid in the general sense when comparing it to other great cities around the globe. We can recommend the following neighborhoods to rent, buy or just chill as the house prices are mostly stable and the facilities within the district are growing.
- Centrum
- Zeeheldenkwartier (expat paradise)
- Archipelbuurt
- Benoordenhout (place-to-be for families)
- Bezuidenhout
- Statenkwartier
- Vogelwijk (Rich people neigbourhood)
- Regentessekwartier (upcoming expat district)
- Upcoming Bloemenbuurt and vruchtenbuurt Binckhorst
Fun fact: In The Hague, your local nickname used to depend on which part of the city you were born in. If you were born “on the sand” the higher, wealthier neighborhoods closer to the dunes you were called a Hagenaar, often seen as posher and more refined. If you came from “the peat” the lower-lying, working-class areas you were known as a Hagenees. The beloved local cartoon character Haagse Harry is a perfect (and hilarious) example of the latter. While this division has mostly faded with time, it still pops up in jokes and friendly teasing between locals based on where they live.
The city itself goes by many names in Dutch: Den Haag, ’s-Gravenhage, Agga, De Mooiste Stad, De Stad achter de Duinen, or simply 070, after its telephone area code. Want to learn more about the Dutch language?
Things to do near The Hague
The Hague has been our hometown for years and we have been exploring the area around it endlessly. Here are some of the top things to do near The Hague.
- Take a walk in the nature reserve Meijendel and you will find yourself in the unique Dutch landscape of dunes and small ponds. The views from the biggest dunes are from another world. Interested in more national parks in Holland?
- Another popular attraction near Den Haag is the Zuiderstrand beach, which is located in the town of Scheveningen (bordering The Hague). The Zuiderstrand is a beautiful and popular beach, with wide sandy stretches, clean water, and plenty of beachclubs. The beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or just enjoying the fresh sea air, and it’s a great place to relax and unwind. We like to bike or skate there through the dunes!
- Visit the Zandmotor, an experiment of Dutch scientist on how to fend off the rising sea levels by strengthening our coastlines. You can ride your bike there from the city center in around an hour.
- Visit the Driemandspolder or other polders around Stompwijk. This is some serious Dutch countryside with windmills here and there.
- Head to Delft (by bike) or Leiden (by train) to visit two other famous Dutch cities. Perfect daytrips if you ask me!
- If you’re interested in history and culture, consider visiting the Huygens’ Hofwijck, which is a beautiful estate located in the town of Voorburg. The Huygens’ Hofwijck is a historic building, dating back to the 18th century, and it has been beautifully preserved and restored. The estate is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland, and it offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture of the Netherlands.
The city and its surroundings offer a wide range of attractions and activities, and there is something to suit every taste and interest.