Why The Hague Stands Out
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government, though Amsterdam is the capital. The Binnenhof houses the parliament. The Dutch royal family lives at Paleis Noordeinde. The city hosts the International Court of Justice and the Peace Palace. Over 150 international organizations are based here. Dutch culture mixes with global influences in daily life. Den Haag sits on the North Sea coast. Scheveningen Beach is 15 minutes by tram from the city center. The city is less crowded than Amsterdam or Rotterdam. Streets are quieter, with more green spaces and wide boulevards. Cycling is the main way to get around. Bike rentals start at €10 per day. Local trams connect the center to the beach in under 20 minutes. A day trip from Amsterdam takes 50 minutes by train. Travelers can visit royal palaces, museums, and embassies in one area. The Hague’s relaxed pace and coastal setting make it unique in the Netherlands.
Peace Palace: Located at Carnegieplein 2. Home to the International Court of Justice. Guided tours cost €15. Book online. Tours run Friday to Sunday. Allow 1 hour.
Binnenhof: Dutch parliament complex. Free to walk the courtyard. Guided tours available for €12.50. Open daily 10:00–17:00. Arrive early to avoid crowds.
Mauritshuis: Art museum at Plein 29. Houses Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Entry €19.50. Open 10:00–18:00 (Mondays 13:00–18:00). Visit before 11:00 for fewer visitors.
Escher in Het Paleis: Museum in former royal palace, Lange Voorhout 74. Features Escher’s graphic art. Tickets €12. Open 11:00–17:00. Weekdays are quieter.
Scheveningen Beach: Tram 9 from Den Haag Centraal, 15 minutes. Wide sandy beach, pier, and promenade. Free access. Visit early morning or off-season for less crowding.
Zeeheldenkwartier: Local neighborhood. Known for indie shops, street art, and cafes. Explore Prins Hendrikstraat for vintage stores.
Hofkwartier: Historic quarter behind Noordeinde Palace. Small boutiques, Dutch cheese shops, and hidden courtyards.
Madurodam: Miniature park at George Maduroplein 1. Entry €22.50. Open 9:00–20:00 in summer. Best visited late afternoon.
Tips:
- Most museums closed on King’s Day (27 April).
- Buy tickets online to skip queues.
- Biking is easy; rentals from €10/day.
- Many attractions within 2 km of city center.
Public transport:
- Trams and buses run by HTM connect all districts. Most lines run every 10-15 minutes from 06:00 to midnight.
- Use an OV-chipkaart for travel. Buy at stations or kiosks. Single ride: €4.50. Day ticket: €8.00.
- Main tram lines: 1 (Scheveningen beach), 9 (Madurodam), 16 (Statenkwartier).
Cycling:
- The Hague has dedicated bike lanes on most streets. Bike rental shops: MacBike, Fietsverhuur Den Haag.
- Rental cost: €10-€15 per day. OV-fiets available at Den Haag Centraal for €4.45 per 24 hours (OV-chipkaart required).
Walking:
- Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, Noordeinde Palace, and Passage are within 10 minutes’ walk of each other.
- Scheveningen beach is 20 minutes by tram from the city center.
Day trips:
- Amsterdam to The Hague: 50 minutes by NS Intercity train. Rotterdam: 25 minutes. Delft: 15 minutes.
- Trains run every 10-20 minutes. Standard one-way fare: €9.50 (Amsterdam), €4.90 (Rotterdam), €3.20 (Delft).
Accessibility:
- Most trams and buses are low-floor. Stations have lifts. Scheveningen promenade is wheelchair accessible.
Eating, Shopping & Local Etiquette
Dutch specialties are easy to find. Try raw herring at Simonis or at seaside stalls in Scheveningen. Indonesian rijsttafel is popular; Restaurant Garoeda on Kneuterdijk serves authentic versions. For Dutch pancakes, visit 't Pannekoekenhuis in the city center. International cuisine is common on Denneweg and around Chinatown.
Food markets: Haagse Markt is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9:00–17:00. Fresh stroopwafels cost about €2. Local cheese, Surinamese snacks, and Turkish pastries are sold here.
Shopping: The Passage is a 19th-century arcade with Dutch brands and cafés. Noordeinde offers art galleries and royal-themed boutiques. Frederik Hendriklaan, known as "De Fred," is popular for local shops. Most stores open 10:00–18:00, close by 17:00 on Saturdays, and are closed Sundays.
Payment: Cards (Maestro, Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted. Some small shops prefer Dutch debit cards (PIN). Cash is less common.
Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants. Not obligatory.
Etiquette: Greet with a handshake and direct eye contact. Dutch is spoken, but English is widely understood. Locals value punctuality and straightforwardness.
Staying Safe & Savvy
The Hague is considered safe. Violent crime rates are low. Pickpocketing can occur at Den Haag Centraal, Grote Markt, and busy trams. Watch bags at Scheveningen beach and boardwalk, especially in summer. Bike theft is common; always lock bikes with two locks. Cycle lanes are marked red; yield to trams and pedestrians. Swimming at Scheveningen is allowed only in designated zones. Lifeguards are present June to September, 10:00–18:00. For emergencies, dial 112. Tourist information points are at Den Haag Centraal and Spui. Weather is unpredictable; bring a rain jacket and layers. Wind is strong near the North Sea coast. Download the 9292 app for public transport and Buienradar for rain forecasts. Use the HTM app to check tram times. Most shops accept debit cards; some do not take cash. Tap water is safe to drink everywhere.
Quick Reference: The Hague Essentials
Top 5 things to do:
- Visit Mauritshuis for Dutch masters. Entry €19.50. Closed Mondays.
- Walk Scheveningen Pier. Tram 9 from Centraal. 15 minutes.
- Explore Haagse Markt. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday.
- See Panorama Mesdag. Tickets €16.50. Open daily.
- Stroll Lange Voorhout for historic architecture.
Transport:
- OV-chipkaart required for trams/buses. Buy at Den Haag Centraal or Albert Heijn. Single ride €4.50.
Etiquette:
- Greet with "Goedemorgen." Wait for green pedestrian lights.
Must-try foods:
- Kibbeling at seaside stalls. Indonesian satay at local eetcafés.
More info:
- Visit denhaag.com or VVV Den Haag at Spui 68.
