A local guide to Voorburg
The small city of Voorburg is enclosed by the larger The Hague (Den Haag) which now borders the city on almost all sides. Flanked by Rijswijk and Leidschendam it still stand strong against the governmental capital. But what can a tourist or expat find in this flourishing suburb?
Best things to do in Voorburg
We can recommend starting with a stroll through the main street called Herenstraat in the old city center. This will take you back to the more colonial ages of The Netherlands when the VOC still ruled the sea. Either side of the street is flanked by traditional herenhuizen and a few churches here and there. Be sure to take a minute at Huygen’s Hofwijck and the Sint-Martinuskerk.
You can get a great cup of coffie at Coffee Works or Angel’s Deli along the way and be sure to eat a croissant at Sucre Sale. Eventually after some shopping in the hip boutiques and few art galleries you can go for a lunch/dine and wine at The River which you probably already guessed is right next to the famous Vliet channel. From this point you will experience the recreational marine endeavors of the Dutch in there spare time as luxurious boats cross the channel by the minute.
After lunch you can go for a tour through the Huygens museum for some funky artworks and some history. Fancy a windmill? Take a bike and cycle around the typical Dutch village along the Parkweg via Laan van Leeuwenstijn towars the windmill Molen de Vlieger.
One thing I really like to do myself is going on a bike or skate ride around the Nieuwe Driemanspolder. It’s like the ultimate Dutch landscape experience, with nice green meadows, waterways and medium sized lake full of waterbirds. You can easily ride to Zoetermeer, Stompwijk or Nootdorp within minutes.
You can explore Voorburg in one day without a doubt. So don’t stay there overnight as the seamsless connection with the public transport from other cities such as The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer or Rijswijk makes is easyilly accesible. You can also use a bike to get to these cities within 30 minutes, the bikelanes are perfect for exploring the area especially in spring and summer.
Some highlights nearby
The location of Voorburg makes it perfect to explore the Hague which is full with musea and other fun activities to do. It’s actually ranking very high in our top things to do in The Netherlands list. Be sure to book in time as most musea have timeslots.
Westfield Mall of the Netherlands
Westfield Mall of the Netherlands actually located in Leidschendam which is adjacent to Voorburg (you actually don’t even know where both town borders are when crossing them, roughly around the Randstradrail the tram network). It is the largest and most modern shopping center in the Netherlands. Originally built as Leidsenhage in the 1970s, it underwent a massive redevelopment by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, reopening in 2021 as a high-end retail and leisure destination.
The Mall of the Netherlands features over 280 stores, including international fashion brands, flagship stores, and premium boutiques, alongside a wide range of dining options in the “Eet Theater” food court. With its sleek architecture, entertainment facilities like a state-of-the-art cinema, and immersive shopping experiences, Westfield Mall has transformed into a key shopping and lifestyle hub. Its strategic location and mix of luxury and mainstream retailers make it a popular destination for both Dutch shoppers and international visitors. Check out their official website for more information.
Where to stay for the night
Voorburg is a great place to use a basis for exploring The Hague, Scheveningen, Delft, Leiden or the surrounding polders. It’s super central location in the Randstad make it a populair place to live for example. We can recommend the following two options Central Park Voorburg – Relais & Chateaux or Holiday Inn The Hague – Voorburg by IHG. The first is my favorite and I often go there for lunch. But both places have an excellent location right next to the old Herenstraat (full with restaurants) plus very close to public transport like buses, trains and trams.
Forum Hadriani, a bit of history
Forum Hadriani was a Roman city in what is now Voorburg, the Netherlands, and the northernmost city of the Roman Empire on the European mainland. Founded in the 1st century AD, it served as the capital of the Cananefates, a local Germanic tribe allied with Rome. The city flourished under Emperor Hadrian, who visited the region around 121 AD, and it was named in his honor.
Forum Hadriani had a well-organized street plan, stone buildings, a bathhouse, and a forum, reflecting its importance as a regional trade and administrative center. However, by the late 3rd century, due to economic decline and increasing threats from Germanic tribes, the city was abandoned. Today, its remains lie beneath modern Voorburg, and the site is recognized as a significant part of Dutch Roman history, with artifacts displayed in local museums.
Where to live/buy a house in Voorburg?
Looming for a house to rent or buy in Voorburg? Depending on the budget you can pick your side. The north/west offers more budget places with some flats scattered here and there. Moving down to the south and west you’ll end up in the older part of Voorburg where the housing prices for rent or buying are higher. Especially the Oosteinde street is one of it’s kind with multimillion euro villa’s. Rumor has that George Clooney bought a house there as his wife is working at the International Criminal Court in The Hague which is just a 15 minute drive or 30 minute bikeride.
How to get to Voorburg
As Voorburg is located almost inside The Hague the city is connected to the same tram network. This makes is super easy to reach Voorburg from The Hague Centeal Station. You can pick the Randstadrail trams 3 or 4, Erasmuslijn or normal tram 2. Next to that bus 45 and 46 wil also take you to the city center. Most fun is probably renting a bike and cycle or use a Felyx sharing scooter. You can use the endless kilometers of bike lanes to easily get around.