The Hague
THE QUICK VERDICT
Choose The Hague if you want world-class art (Vermeer at the Mauritshuis), Dutch parliamentary history, and a North Sea beach all in one walkable city..
- Best for
- Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis, Binnenhof parliament, Scheveningen pier
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Budget anchor
- $175/day mid-range
- Worth a look
- Madurodam shrinks the whole country to 1/25 scale, a 30-min curiosity that beats most museum gift shops
The Hague is the Netherlands' political capital, the seat of parliament, and home to the International Court of Justice at the Peace Palace. The 13th-century Binnenhof courtyard sits at the city's core, the Mauritshuis around the corner holds Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Fabritius's Goldfinch, and Madurodam shrinks the entire country into a one-twenty-fifth scale model park. A short tram ride later you are on Scheveningen beach with the pier and a North Sea promenade. Less postcard than Amsterdam, more institutional, with serious museums and easy access to the coast.
Tours & Experiences
Bookable tours, activities, and day trips in The Hague
Where to Stay
Compare hotels and rentals in The Hague
📍 Points of Interest
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 560K (city) / 850K (metro)
- Timezone
- Amsterdam
- Dial
- +31
- Emergency
- 112
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government, the parliament, the Supreme Court, and the official residence of the Royal Family - but Amsterdam is still the constitutional capital
The 13th-century Binnenhof courtyard at the city's heart has been the meeting place of Dutch parliament since 1446 - the longest continuously used parliament building in the world
The Mauritshuis, set right next to the Binnenhof, holds Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, View of Delft, and Fabritius's The Goldfinch in fewer than 20 small rooms
The International Court of Justice (the UN's top court) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration both sit at the Peace Palace, opened in 1913 with funding from Andrew Carnegie
Madurodam is a one-twenty-fifth scale miniature park covering Dutch landmarks from across the country - the Binnenhof, Schiphol, the Delta works, all in walking distance
Scheveningen is a full North Sea beach resort 5 km from the city centre, with a 381m pier, Ferris wheel, casino, and Europe's largest indoor water park
Locals call the city Den Haag in Dutch; the official long form is 's-Gravenhage (literally "the count's hedge")
Top Sights
Binnenhof and Hofvijver
🗼The 13th-century courtyard at the heart of Dutch government, ringed by parliament buildings and reflected in the Hofvijver pond. Currently undergoing major renovation through 2028, but the pond view from Lange Vijverberg is unchanged.
Mauritshuis
🏛️A small but extraordinary art museum next to the Binnenhof, holding Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft, plus Rembrandt, Hals, and Fabritius. Just 18 rooms - plan 90 minutes. Book online; weekends sell out.
Peace Palace (Vredespaleis)
🗼Home of the International Court of Justice, opened in 1913 with Andrew Carnegie's funding. The visitor centre tells the building's story; guided tours of the interior run on weekends only and book up weeks ahead.
Madurodam
🌳A 1:25 scale miniature park covering Dutch landmarks, ports, dykes, and cities. Far better than it sounds - the engineering is meticulous, kids love it, and adults end up identifying every place they have visited.
Scheveningen Beach and Pier
🏖️The Hague's beach resort, reached in 15 minutes by tram 9 or 1 from the centre. The 381m pier has a Ferris wheel, bungee jump, and restaurants. The promenade stretches 4 km along the North Sea.
Escher in Het Paleis
🏛️A museum dedicated to M.C. Escher inside the former Winter Palace of Queen Emma. The full collection of his prints, plus interactive exhibits exploring his impossible spaces. Plan 90 minutes.
Kunstmuseum Den Haag
🏛️Holds the world's largest collection of Mondrian, including the unfinished Victory Boogie Woogie, plus a strong fashion and design wing. The 1935 Berlage building is itself an architectural highlight.
Panorama Mesdag
🏛️A 14m-tall, 120m circular panoramic painting from 1881 showing Scheveningen as a fishing village. You walk into a room at the center and the dunes appear to surround you. Strange and very effective.
Off the Beaten Path
Haagse Markt
A 500-stall open-air market in the Schilderswijk neighborhood, running Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The most multicultural market in the Netherlands - Turkish, Surinamese, Moroccan, and Indonesian stalls dominate.
Locals shop here; tour buses do not stop here. The Surinamese roti stalls and Turkish gozleme are two of the city's best cheap meals.
Zeeheldenkwartier
A small neighborhood north of the centre with independent boutiques, vinyl shops, neighborhood cafes, and the city's best concentration of small bars on Prins Hendrikstraat.
The most authentically Dutch hangout neighborhood in The Hague - young professionals, students, and creatives. Saturday brunch on Anna Paulownastraat is the giveaway.
Old Scheveningen Harbour (Tweede Haven)
Walk past the Kurhaus and pier and keep going to the working fishing harbour. Old herring boats, smoked fish stands, and far fewer tourists than the main beach.
You see the Scheveningen that existed before tourism. The Simonis fish stand by the harbour serves the city's best kibbeling and herring.
Hofkwartier and Noordeinde Palace gardens
The streets around Noordeinde (the working royal palace) have antique shops, art galleries, and cafes. The Paleistuin (palace garden) is open to the public most days.
You can sit in the King's back garden for free with a coffee from one of the surrounding cafes. Few cities let you do that.
Indonesian rijsttafel
The Hague has the largest Indo-Dutch community in the Netherlands and the best Indonesian food in the country. Try Garoeda, Tampat Senang, or the more casual Toko Frederik on Frederik Hendriklaan.
A rijsttafel (literally "rice table") is 15-25 small dishes built around the colonial Indonesian-Dutch tradition - this is where to eat one. Tampat Senang has a tropical garden room.
Climate & Best Time to Go
The Hague has a maritime climate with mild summers, cool damp winters, and a steady North Sea wind. The coast moderates extremes - summers are slightly cooler than inland Utrecht, winters slightly milder. Wind, particularly along the beach, is a constant; even sunny summer days can feel cool at Scheveningen.
Spring
March - May41-61°F
5-16°C
Cool, variable, increasingly sunny. Tulip fields north of the city peak in mid-April to mid-May. Wind can be strong, particularly at the beach. Outdoor terraces start opening late April.
Summer
June - August55-73°F
13-23°C
Mild and pleasant with long daylight hours (sunset 10:30 PM in June). Brief warm spells above 28°C are increasingly common. Scheveningen beach packed on sunny weekends.
Autumn
September - November43-64°F
6-18°C
September often the warmest month and one of the best for visiting. October and November bring rain, wind, and shorter days. Beach storms can be dramatic to watch from the Pier.
Winter
December - February34-45°F
1-7°C
Cold, damp, dark. Coastal location keeps it slightly milder than inland Netherlands. North Sea storms occasionally hit the coast. Christmas market in the Plein in December.
Best Time to Visit
May through September is the best window: Scheveningen beach is open, festivals run, and tulip fields north of the city peak in mid-April to mid-May. Prinsjesdag (the third Tuesday of September) is the city's big royal/parliamentary event. Winter is cold and dark but cheap and uncrowded.
Spring (March - May)
Crowds: Moderate; high during King's Day weekendCool but improving. Tulip fields north of the city peak in mid-April. King's Day on April 27 is a citywide party, though The Hague is calmer than Amsterdam.
Pros
- + Tulip blooms within 30 min reach
- + King's Day party
- + Hotel rates still reasonable
- + Peace Palace tours easier to book
Cons
- − Cold and rainy through March
- − Wind on the beach
- − Some beach pavilions still closed
Summer (June - August)
Crowds: High at Scheveningen on sunny weekends; manageable in the centreWarm enough for the beach, long days. Scheveningen is busy on sunny weekends; the dunes north of it are quieter. Festivals like Vlaggetjesdag (Herring Day) bring big crowds in early June.
Pros
- + Beach in full swing
- + Long daylight (sunset 10:30 PM in June)
- + Festival season
- + Outdoor terraces busy
Cons
- − Highest hotel prices
- − Scheveningen packed on hot weekends
- − Mauritshuis weekends require advance booking
- − North Sea wind can chill the beach even on sunny days
Autumn (September - November)
Crowds: Moderate in September, low by NovemberSeptember often the best month - warm, fewer crowds, tulip fields gone but light still good. Prinsjesdag (third Tuesday of September) brings the King in his golden coach to the Binnenhof.
Pros
- + Prinsjesdag is a unique event - King's parade with the Golden Coach
- + September warmth
- + Hotel prices drop sharply from October
- + Quieter museums
Cons
- − Rain and wind from October
- − Daylight gone by 5 PM in November
- − Some beach restaurants close after October
Winter (December - February)
Crowds: Low except Christmas/New Year weekCold, dark, occasionally stormy. The coastal location keeps it slightly milder than inland. Christmas market on the Plein, ice skating at the Hofvijver some years.
Pros
- + Lowest hotel rates
- + Plein Christmas market
- + Empty museums
- + Dramatic North Sea storms from the pier
Cons
- − Cold, damp, dark
- − Sunset around 4:30 PM
- − Beach closed for swimming
- − Some Scheveningen attractions reduce hours
🎉 Festivals & Events
King's Day (Koningsdag)
April 27National celebration. The Hague is calmer than Amsterdam but the centre and Hofvijver fill with orange-clad crowds and a flea market.
Vlaggetjesdag (Flag Day)
Early JuneA traditional celebration of the new herring catch in Scheveningen harbour, with old fishing boats decked in flags, herring tastings, and historical reenactments.
North Sea Jazz Festival
July (Rotterdam, day-trippable)One of Europe's biggest jazz festivals, just 25 minutes by train. Many visitors stay in The Hague and commute. Sells out by April.
Prinsjesdag
Third Tuesday of SeptemberThe King opens parliament by riding from Noordeinde Palace to the Binnenhof in the Glass Coach (the Golden Coach is being restored). Crowds line Lange Voorhout. Free to watch.
Safety Breakdown
Very Safe
out of 100
The Hague is a very safe city. As a hub of international institutions and embassies, the police presence is high, particularly around the Peace Palace and government buildings. Petty crime is the main visitor concern - pickpocketing on busy trams and at Scheveningen beach during summer weekends. As elsewhere in the Netherlands, cyclists are the biggest day-to-day hazard.
Things to Know
- •Stay off the red bike lanes when walking. Cyclists move fast and have right of way
- •Pickpocketing happens on trams 1, 9, and 17 (the Scheveningen routes) and at Centraal Station - keep wallets in front pockets
- •Schilderswijk and Transvaal neighborhoods have higher crime rates than the centre, mostly affecting residents not visitors. The Haagse Markt itself is fine
- •Scheveningen beach is busy and safe but watch for rip currents - lifeguards (red and yellow flags) are posted in summer
- •Avoid the dunes north of Scheveningen after dark - it is a known cruising area
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
112
Police Non-Emergency
0900 8844
GGD Health Service
088 355 5500
Tourist Information VVV
070 361 8888
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayBackpacker = hostel dorm + street food + public transit. Mid-range = 3-star hotel + neighbourhood restaurants + transit cards. Luxury = 4/5-star + fine dining + taxis. How we calibrate these numbers →
Quick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$75-105
Hostel dorm or budget hotel, supermarket and Haagse Markt food, free Binnenhof and beach walks, one paid museum
mid-range
$155-220
Mid-range hotel, two cafe meals, two museums, tram day pass, drink at Scheveningen
luxury
$380+
Kurhaus or Hotel des Indes, fine dining (rijsttafel at Garoeda), private Peace Palace tour, premium museums
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationHostel dorm bed | €28-45 | $30-49 |
| AccommodationMid-range hotel double | €120-200 | $130-218 |
| AccommodationKurhaus or Hotel des Indes | €280-500 | $305-545 |
| FoodCoffee | €2.50-3.80 | $2.70-4.15 |
| FoodKibbeling at Simonis | €8-10 | $8.70-10.90 |
| FoodCafe lunch | €11-18 | $12-19.60 |
| FoodIndonesian rijsttafel | €35-55 per person | $38-60 |
| FoodBeer in a brown cafe | €3.80-5.50 | $4.15-6 |
| TransportSingle tram or bus | €2.50-4 | $2.70-4.35 |
| TransportHTM day pass | €7.50 | $8.20 |
| TransportTrain to Amsterdam | €13 | $14.20 |
| AttractionsMauritshuis | €19 | $20.70 |
| AttractionsMadurodam | €21.50 | $23.45 |
| AttractionsKunstmuseum Den Haag | €19 | $20.70 |
| AttractionsEscher in Het Paleis | €12.50 | $13.60 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •The Museumkaart (€65/year) covers Mauritshuis, Kunstmuseum, Escher, Panorama Mesdag, and most others - pays back after 4 visits anywhere in NL
- •The HTM day pass (€7.50) beats individual tram tickets if you make 3+ trips
- •Eat at the Haagse Markt - Surinamese roti or Turkish gozleme for under €8
- •Lunch at Simonis fish stand at the Old Scheveningen Harbour - kibbeling or herring for €5-8
- •Many museums are free with a Mauritshuis ticket if visited the same day (Galerij Prins Willem V combo)
- •Tap water is excellent; carry a refillable bottle
- •Walking the dunes between Scheveningen and Kijkduin is free and covers 6 km of coast
- •The Binnenhof courtyard view from Lange Vijverberg is free and one of the city's best photo spots
Euro
Code: EUR
1 EUR is approximately 1.09 USD (early 2026). ATMs from ING, ABN AMRO, and Rabobank are widespread. Avoid the GWK Travelex exchange offices - poor rates. The Netherlands is one of Europe's most card-friendly economies.
Payment Methods
Cards are dominant. Dutch debit (Maestro/PIN) is the local default; Visa and Mastercard work everywhere larger but a few small cafes and market stalls take only PIN or cash. Carry €20-30 in cash as backup. Contactless is universal.
Tipping Guide
Service is included; locals round up or leave 5-10% for good service. 10% is generous.
No tip expected. Round up the change.
Round up or add 5-10%.
€1-2 per bag for porters; housekeeping tips are not customary but appreciated.
€5-10 per person for walking tours. Free walking tour guides depend on tips.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol(AMS)
40 km northeastDirect Intercity train from Schiphol to Den Haag Centraal every 15-30 minutes (35 min, €11). The default option. Taxi or Uber ~€80-100.
✈️ Search flights to AMSRotterdam The Hague Airport(RTM)
15 km southeastBus 33 from the airport to Rotterdam Centraal (25 min), then Intercity to Den Haag Centraal (25 min). Total ~70 min and around €8. Limited international routes.
✈️ Search flights to RTM🚆 Rail Stations
Den Haag Centraal
500 m walk to the PleinThe main station, terminus of most Intercity routes. Direct trains to Amsterdam (50 min), Rotterdam (25 min), Utrecht (40 min), Schiphol (35 min), and Eurostar to Brussels (1h45) and London (3h15) via Rotterdam.
Den Haag HS (Hollands Spoor)
1.5 km south of the PleinSecondary station on the south side of the centre, served by Sprinter trains and some Intercity services. Slightly closer to the Schilderswijk and Haagse Markt.
🚌 Bus Terminals
Den Haag Centraal Bus Terminal
Regional HTM and Connexxion buses, plus FlixBus international routes to Brussels, Antwerp, and Paris. Most international travelers use the train.
Getting Around
The Hague has an extensive HTM tram network covering the centre, Scheveningen, and outer neighborhoods - twelve tram lines and a handful of buses. The centre is small enough to walk; most visitors only need transit for Scheveningen and the Peace Palace. An OV-chipkaart, contactless bank card, or HTM day ticket all work.
HTM Trams
€2.50 base + €0.18/km; ~€3-4 most rides; €7.50 day passTwelve tram lines crisscross the city. Lines 1, 9, and 17 connect the centre to Scheveningen. Line 9 stops at the Peace Palace and continues to the beach. Trams run roughly 6 AM to 1 AM.
Best for: Reaching Scheveningen, the Peace Palace, Madurodam, and Kunstmuseum
Bicycle Rental
€10-14/day standard; €18-25 e-bikeLess ingrained than in Amsterdam or Utrecht but rentals are easy at Centraal Station and on the beach. The dedicated cycle path between the centre and Scheveningen along the dunes is one of the best in the country.
Best for: The Centrum-Scheveningen run; weekend rides through the dune paths
On Foot
FreeThe centre - Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, Plein, Noordeinde - is walkable in 15 minutes corner to corner. You only need transit for Scheveningen, Madurodam, or Kunstmuseum.
Best for: Everything inside the centre
Taxi / Uber / Bolt
€10-20 most ridesUber and Bolt operate. Taxis are metered. Reasonable for late-night returns from Scheveningen but rarely needed otherwise.
Best for: Late nights, returning from beach restaurants
NS Sprinter to Scheveningen
€3-5 short-distance SprinterThere is no direct train to Scheveningen beach - tram is the way. But Sprinter trains from Centraal serve Delft, Leiden, and the airport.
Best for: Day trips to Delft and Leiden
Walkability
The centre is compact and walkable. The Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, Plein, Noordeinde Palace, and Escher in Het Paleis are all within 10 minutes of each other. Scheveningen and the Peace Palace need a tram. Watch for cyclists at every junction.
Travel Connections
Delft
Vermeer's birthplace and the home of Royal Delft Blue. Best done as a half-day trip or stop on the way to Rotterdam.
Rotterdam
Modern architecture (Cube Houses, Markthal), Europe's largest port, and a completely different vibe. Easy day trip.
Amsterdam
The capital, easy as a day trip but worth its own multi-day stay. Trains run every 15 minutes.
Utrecht
A medieval university city with sunken canals and the country's tallest church tower. Quieter alternative to Amsterdam.
Keukenhof Gardens
The world-famous tulip gardens, only open mid-March to mid-May. 7 million bulbs in bloom across 32 hectares.
Leiden
A canal university city, Rembrandt's birthplace, and home of the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Easy half-day trip.
Entry Requirements
The Hague is part of the Netherlands and the Schengen Area. Most Western visitors enter visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. ETIAS travel authorization is rolling out for visa-exempt nationals - check current requirements before booking.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Passport must be valid 3+ months beyond departure. ETIAS may apply - check before travel. |
| UK Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Post-Brexit, follow 90/180-day Schengen rules. Passport required. |
| Canadian Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Standard Schengen rules. Working Holiday Program for ages 18-30. |
| EU/EEA Citizens | Visa-free | Unlimited | Freedom of movement. National ID card sufficient. |
| Australian Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | Standard Schengen rules. Working Holiday visa available. |
| Indian Citizens | Yes | Up to 90 days | Apply for Schengen visa via VFS Global. Travel insurance, accommodation, and financial proofs required. |
Visa-Free Entry
Tips
- •The 90-day Schengen limit is cumulative across the entire zone
- •Passport must be valid 3+ months beyond planned departure
- •Schiphol immigration has eGates for EU/EEA, US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, NZ, and Korea passports
- •Direct Intercity trains run from Schiphol to Den Haag Centraal every 15-30 minutes
- •For US entrepreneurs, the DAFT visa allows residency with a low €4,500 investment threshold
Shopping
The Hague's shopping is split between the Hofkwartier (independent boutiques, antiques, art galleries near the royal palace), the high-street Grote Marktstraat and the covered Passage (the Netherlands' oldest covered shopping arcade, 1885), and the multicultural Haagse Markt in Schilderswijk. Frederik Hendriklaan in Statenkwartier is the upmarket neighborhood shopping street.
Hofkwartier
independent and antiqueThe streets around Noordeinde Palace, packed with antique dealers, art galleries, design boutiques, and cafes. The most upscale and least chain-store district.
Known for: Antiques, Dutch art, design objects, jewelry, bookshops
Passage and Grote Marktstraat
mainstream retailThe 1885 Passage is the oldest covered shopping arcade in the Netherlands. Grote Marktstraat is the modern high-street pedestrian zone with all major chains.
Known for: De Bijenkorf department store, Dutch and international fashion, HEMA
Haagse Markt
open-air marketA 500-stall multicultural open-air market running Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat in Schilderswijk. Food, fabric, electronics, household goods - Turkish, Surinamese, Moroccan, and Dutch traders.
Known for: Cheap fresh produce, halal meat, Surinamese roti, Turkish gozleme, fabric
Frederik Hendriklaan
neighborhood shopping streetA 1 km tree-lined street in Statenkwartier with deli's, fishmonger, butchers, bookshops, fashion boutiques, and cafes. The most pleasant shopping street in the city.
Known for: Specialty food, neighborhood cafes, independent fashion, the Indo-Dutch deli Toko Frederik
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •Royal Delft Blue ceramics from a specialist (Delft itself is 12 minutes away)
- •Mondrian-themed prints, books, and design objects from the Kunstmuseum shop
- •Escher prints and tessellation objects from the Escher Museum shop
- •Indonesian spice mixes (sambal, bumbu) from a Toko (Indo-Dutch grocer) like Toko Ramee
- •Hopjes - The Hague's own caramel coffee candy, invented here in 1792
- •Stroopwafels straight off the iron at the Haagse Markt
- •Dutch licorice (drop) - dozens of varieties from the Drop Specialist shops
- •Vermeer-themed prints, books, and replicas from the Mauritshuis shop
Language & Phrases
Dutch is the official language but English is universal in The Hague - the city has a huge international community thanks to the courts, embassies, and Shell HQ. About a third of the population are expats. Trying a few words of Dutch is appreciated. The "g" sound is guttural.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo / Dag | hah-LOH / dahg |
| Good morning / Good evening | Goedemorgen / Goedenavond | GOO-duh-MOR-gun / GOO-duh-NAH-vond |
| Thank you | Dank je wel / Bedankt | dahnk yuh vel / buh-DAHNKT |
| Please | Alsjeblieft | AHL-shuh-bleeft |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardon / Sorry | par-DON / SOR-ee |
| Yes / No | Ja / Nee | yah / nay |
| How much is this? | Hoeveel kost dit? | HOO-vale kost dit? |
| Where is...? | Waar is...? | vahr is...? |
| The check, please | De rekening, alsjeblieft | duh RAY-kuh-ning, AHL-shuh-bleeft |
| I do not understand | Ik begrijp het niet | ik buh-GHRYPE het neet |
| Do you speak English? | Spreekt u Engels? | spraykt oo ENG-uls? |
| A herring, please | Een haring, alsjeblieft | ayn HAH-ring, AHL-shuh-bleeft |
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