The Hague: Seat of Government, Not the Capital
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, but the parliament, government, Supreme Court and the King's working palace are all in The Hague. The city grew up around the Binnenhof, the castle complex of the medieval Counts of Holland, which has been the centre of Dutch political life for centuries. That makes The Hague the place to understand how the country is governed, and much of it can be explored on foot in a day.
The Binnenhof Under Renovation
The Binnenhof is the oldest parliament complex in the world still in use, centred on the 13th-century Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights). Since 2021, the whole complex has been closed for a major renovation. Parliament, the Senate and the Ministry of General Affairs moved to temporary buildings, and the latest projections, published in November 2025, put completion in summer 2031.
You cannot tour the Ridderzaal or the chambers during the works, but the exterior remains the city's best-known view. Stand on the far side of the Hofvijver pond for the classic picture of the Binnenhof reflected in the water, with the small octagonal tower, the Torentje, long used as the Prime Minister's office. Construction fencing and scaffolding change the scene from month to month.
Visiting Parliament Today
The House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) now meets in a former Foreign Affairs ministry building at Bezuidenhoutseweg 67, a short walk from Den Haag Centraal station. Plenary debates are generally open to the public from the gallery; bring photo ID and expect a security check. The parliament's website lists the debate schedule.
ProDemos, the Dutch centre for democracy and the rule of law, runs guided tours and educational programmes about parliament and the political centre, including during the renovation. Tours are popular with school groups, so book ahead and check which languages are offered.
Prinsjesdag
On Prinsjesdag, the third Tuesday of September, the King reads the speech from the throne setting out the government's plans for the coming year. Traditionally this happens in the Ridderzaal, but since 2022 it has been held in the Koninklijke Schouwburg theatre because of the renovation. The King travels from Noordeinde Palace in a royal coach along a route lined with spectators, followed by a balcony appearance. Crowds gather early along the route, especially on the Lange Voorhout and Kneuterdijk.
A Self-Guided Walking Route
Allow three to four hours, plus museum visits.
- Den Haag Centraal and Bezuidenhoutseweg. Start at the temporary parliament building.
- The Plein. A square lined with ministries and café terraces, with a statue of William of Orange in the centre.
- Hofvijver and the Binnenhof. The view across the pond, with the Mauritshuis museum on the corner.
- Buitenhof and the Gevangenpoort. The Prison Gate, used as a prison from 1428, is now a museum on crime and punishment. Outside it in 1672 a mob murdered the brothers Johan and Cornelis de Witt, one of the most notorious episodes in Dutch political history.
- Lange Voorhout. A tree-lined avenue of embassies and grand houses, including the former winter palace of Queen Emma, now the museum Escher in Het Paleis.
- Noordeinde Palace. The King's working palace. It is not open to visitors, but the palace gardens behind it are a public park.
- Peace Palace. A 20-minute walk or a short tram ride north-west, this building of 1913 houses the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The Peace Palace and International The Hague
The Peace Palace was funded largely by Andrew Carnegie and has become a symbol of The Hague's role as an international city of peace and justice. Its visitor centre, beside the gate, is free and explains the history of the building and the courts with a short audio tour. Guided tours of the palace interior are limited, sold only through the Peace Palace website and require a passport or EU identity card. They are offered on selected dates and often sell out.
Practical Tips
- Bring ID for parliament and the Peace Palace.
- Security closures happen around official events and state visits; check the news before you go.
- Combine politics and art. The Mauritshuis, beside the Binnenhof, houses Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and is an easy addition to the walk.
- Getting around: Most sights are within walking distance of Den Haag Centraal; trams cover the longer stretch to the Peace Palace.
