The Hague is not the Dutch capital, which is Amsterdam, but it is where the country is governed and where the king works. Parliament, the government, the Supreme Court and the monarch's working palace are all here, along with dozens of embassies and international courts. For visitors, that means a city of stately streets and palaces, though some of the best-known buildings can only be seen from the outside, and the Binnenhof is in the middle of a long renovation.
Noordeinde Palace: The King's Workplace
Paleis Noordeinde, in the centre of the city, is the working palace of King Willem-Alexander. It is where he receives ambassadors, holds meetings with ministers and carries out much of his official business. The building is not generally open to the public; it opens only on occasional days, which are announced by the Royal House.
What you can visit is the Paleistuin, the palace garden behind the building, which is open to the public daily between sunrise and sunset. It is a quiet, formal park and a good place to sit in the centre of the city. The Royal Stables and the Royal Archives are also located on the palace grounds but are not regular visitor attractions. The street in front of the palace, Noordeinde, is lined with galleries and independent shops.
Huis ten Bosch: The Royal Residence
Huis ten Bosch, a seventeenth-century palace in the Haagse Bos woods on the edge of the city centre, is the residence of the king and his family. It is a private home and not open to visitors. The Haagse Bos itself is a public forest with walking and cycling paths, but the palace grounds are closed off, and you will only glimpse the building from a distance. Treat the woods as a pleasant walk rather than a palace visit.
The Binnenhof: Renovation Until 2031
The Binnenhof, a complex of buildings around a courtyard next to the Hofvijver pond, has been the seat of Dutch government for centuries, and its centrepiece, the medieval Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights), is one of the most recognisable buildings in the country. Since 2021 it has been closed for a major renovation, and Parliament and government have moved to temporary premises elsewhere in the city.
The project has been delayed repeatedly. It was originally due to finish at the end of 2026; according to NOS, the government announced in 2026 that completion is now expected in summer 2031, with costs risen to 2.7 billion euros. In the meantime, the complex is largely behind scaffolding and construction fencing. You can still walk around the outside and see it from across the Hofvijver, where the view of the buildings reflected in the water remains one of the classic sights of the city. An information centre about the renovation is open to visitors; check its current opening times before going.
Prinsjesdag
On Prinsjesdag, the third Tuesday of September, the king opens the parliamentary year with the Speech from the Throne. The day includes a procession of carriages and a military escort from Noordeinde Palace, and after the speech the royal family appears on the palace balcony to greet the crowd. During the Binnenhof renovation the speech has been held in a temporary venue rather than the Ridderzaal, and the procession route has been adjusted accordingly. Crowds gather early along the route, so arrive well ahead if you want a view.
Royal and Political Sights Nearby
- Mauritshuis, next to the Binnenhof on the Hofvijver, is a museum in a seventeenth-century palace with Dutch Golden Age paintings, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. It remains open during the Binnenhof works.
- Lange Voorhout, a broad tree-lined avenue a few minutes away, is lined with mansions and embassies. The former royal winter palace at Lange Voorhout has housed the Escher museum, Escher in Het Paleis; a move has been reported, so check the museum's website for its current location.
- The Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice, is a short tram or bike ride away. Its visitor centre is open to the public; tours of the building itself are limited.
A Suggested Half-Day Route
Start at the Hofvijver for the view of the Binnenhof, visit the Mauritshuis, then walk up Lange Voorhout past its mansions and the former royal palace. Continue to Noordeinde Palace and its garden, and finish with a walk in the Haagse Bos if you have time, or take the tram to the Peace Palace.
Practical Tips
- The Hague Centraal and Den Haag HS stations are both within walking distance of the centre.
- Royal and government buildings can close at short notice for official events. Check the Royal House and venue websites for current access before planning around a specific building.
- Security is visible around government buildings; follow instructions from police and do not fly drones in the centre.
