23 Unmissable Things to Do in The Hague

The beautiful city of The Hague, or Den Haag as it is known locally, is located in the western Netherlands, on the North Sea coastline. It is the third largest city in the Netherlands, the capital of the South Holland province, and is both the royal and administrative capital of the country. The Hague is also home to the seat of the Dutch parliament, the United Nations’ International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court.

This being said, there are also many fun and interesting things to do in The Hague that are not of political or administrative nature. The Hague is one of the only large cities in the Netherlands that is located directly on the coastline and boasts an 11km stretch of beach at Scheveningen. It is home to a plethora of beautiful monuments and buildings, modern hotels, and open spaces. Coupled with the beaches, you really get the feeling of freedom and openness in a buzzing city.

In this article, you will learn a little bit about the history of The Hague, things to do, and by the end of it, you should have an in-depth understanding of the city and how to get around. So, sit back, relax, and prepare to transport yourself to the wonderful city of The Hague.

Read more:
Where to stay in The Hague – a hotel guide with recommendations for the best places to stay in The Hague per neighbourhood, per type of traveller and per budget
Things to do in Scheveningen – exploring the best attractions and the hidden gems of The Hague’s seaside resort

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How to get to The Hague

Being the second most important city in the Netherlands, The Hague is well-connected to the rest of the country by highways and public transport. The Hague is also the second most visited city in the Netherlands together with Rotterdam, switching places now and then.

Wherever you are staying in the Netherlands The Hague could be the perfect destination for a day trip. My preference would be to visit The Hague by train, as the train station is conveniently located in the centre of the city and it has been renovated recently.

Pro tip: Buy your train tickets online with the Dutch Railways (NS) for hassle-free travel. On the website of NS you can also check for any discounts.

However I have visited The Hague many times by car, with my favorite place to park being Q Park Maliveld, just a few hundred metres from the city centre.

Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!

Here are some distances from other major cities in the Netherlands to The Hague by car and the time it takes both by car and by train:

Amsterdam – The Hague: 65 km/55 min; by train: 50 min
Schiphol – The Hague: 47 km/40 min; by train: 32 min
Groningen – The Hague: 240 km/2 hr 40 min; by train: 2 hr 40 min
Utrecht – The Hague: 70 km/60 min; by train: 38 min
Rotterdam – The Hague: 25 km/30 min; by train: 23 min
Eindhoven – The Hague: 140 km/1 hr 40 min; by train: 1 hr 30 min
Maastricht – The Hague: 225 km/2 hrs 25 min; by train: 2 hrs 40 min

Besides a train connection with the largest Dutch cities, The Hague is also well-connected by bus. Check out the website of FlixBus for more information. For international travel options, check out Omio, where you can also buy train and bus tickets.

If you are staying in Amsterdam and would like to visit The Hague on a day trip, you can also opt for an organized day tour. Here are a couple suggestions:

• Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Full-Day Tour
• Guided Trip to Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague
• Delft and The Hague Private Tour
• Kinderdijk and The Hague Tour with Museums

Top things to do in The Hague

The Hague is a large cosmopolitan city with beautiful architecture and lots of things to see and do. Read further to find out which are the best things to do in The Hague. On the handy map below I’ve marked all tourist attractions in the city. You can add the map to your Google Maps and use it even if you are offline.

1. Escher in The Palace

Escher in Het Paleis, or Escher in The Palace in English, is one of the famous museums in The Hague that contains the work and literature on the life story of M. C. Escher. Maurits Cornelius Escher was a world-famous Dutch graphical and imaginative artist who, for the most part of his life, was overlooked in the art world.

However, since 2002, there is now a permanent exhibition of his finest works on display at the Lange Voorhout Palace in The Hague, the former home of Queen Mother Emma. Some of his most famous artworks that you will be able to see here include the lithographs Belvedere, Relativity, and Convex and Concave as well as the woodcuts Day and Night, Snakes, and Tower of Babel.

If you are a fan of the impossible art of M. C. Escher, the museum dedicated to him in The Hague is a must-visit.

2. Louwman Museum

The Louwman Museum, formerly known as the Nationaal Automobiel Museum (National Automobile Museum) and Louwman Collection, is one of the most amazing automobile museums in The Hague. It contains many historic cars, coaches, and motorcycles – 275 to be exact! The collection includes the likes of the Ahrens-Fox Model N-5-2 1000 GMP Fire Engine, the Briggs and Stratton Flyer, Chrysler Town & Country Barrel Back Station Wagon, and the Detroit Electric Clear Vision Brougham to name a few.

Whether you’re a classic automobile fan or not, no visit to The Hague is complete without stopping by the Louwman Museum. It is an appropriate excursion for both young and old and definitely one of the top things to see in The Hague.

3. Madurodam

Located in the Scheveningen district of The Hague, Madurodam is a miniature city containing 1:25 scale replicas of some of the most well-known Dutch cities and cultural landmarks. It is possible to explore the Netherlands within an hour, navigating through the network of buildings, squares, and streets.

It is one of the highly recommend things to see in The Hague, as it accurately tells the story of the Netherlands and how it has evolved into the eccentric country that it is today. With all the buildings and landmarks at a maximum height of 60 cm, it’s a fun adventure for the whole family, including the little ones.

4. Hop on the historical tram

One of the most fun things to do in The Hague is taking a ride on the historical tram. This vintage tram will take around all famous attractions in The Hague all the way to Scheveningen and the beach and back to the city. There are 14 stops in total en route where you can hop on and off. There’s also an audio tour available, which I can highly recommend.

5. Panorama Mesdag

The Panorama Mesdag is a delusional, cylindrical painting by artist Hendrik Willem Mesdag in 1881, which can be viewed in one of the only especially constructed museums in The Hague. It was painted from the highest sand dune in Scheveningen and highlights the sea, dunes, and old fishing village in seaside town.

The painting took a total of four months to complete and Mesdag had the help of four other artists in order to do so. It stands more than 14 meters high, boasting an impressive circumference of 120 meters, justifying the time and manpower taken to paint it.

6. The Mesdag Collection

The Mesdag Collection is one of the few museums in The Hague that houses some of the most famous art pieces from around the world, assembled by Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his wife Sina van Houten (affectionately known as Sientjie). The museum is located directly next door to the former residence of the couple and has some pieces of artwork from the likes of Théodore Rosseau, Vincent van Gogh, and Charles-Francoise Daubigny.

Aside from these wonderful paintings, there was an exquisite collection of ceramics by Theo Colenbrander, who was a local from The Hague. The collection even contained pieces from as far as Japan, with the likes of a once-functional Samurai sword and a unique sacrificial vase.

7. The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery

Sticking to the theme of museums in The Hague, The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery is a state-owned collection of artworks from non-other than Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other masters from the Dutch Golden Age.

The museum is centrally located in the city on the Hofvijver lake and no visit to The Hague is complete without going to visit the Girl with a Pearl Earring of Vermeer or the Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp of Rembrandt.

8. Prince William V Gallery

The Prince William V Gallery is a part of the Mauritshuis, but is quite often overlooked as it is located in another building. For sure it’s one of the lesser-known hidden gems in the city. The gallery boasts an impressive collection of Dutch and Flemish masterpieces from the personal collection of William V, Prince of Orange.

The Prince William V Gallery is also the oldest museum in the Netherlands. It opened for public in 1774.

9. City Canal Cruise

Moving away from the museum theme for a moment, take a leisurely cruise on the canals of The Hague and see the city from a completely unique angle. Not only do you get to see the city from the water but also hear the stories of the history of The Hague and current affairs in the city.

A well-renowned company like De Ooievaart has a host of extremely knowledgeable guides that will no-doubt broaden your understanding of this wonderful city with the wind blowing through your hair. There are two routes to choose from, so whether you pick the canal route or the barge route, you will be sure to hear an interesting story or two about The Hague.

10. Oranjehotel World War II Prison

Moving back to the theme of museums in The Hague, National Monument Oranjehotel in Scheveningen was a prison used by the Germans in the Second World War. It was here that they interrogated and prosecuted some 25, 000 people who had resisted laws imposed by the Germans. The name Oranjehotel was the name given to the prison as a tribute to those who were housed there.

Oranjehotel is one of The Hague attractions where you can really transport yourself back in time and experience what it was like to be a prisoner here. You’re able to enter one of the death cells as used by the Nazis and put yourself in the Dutch prisoners’ shoes. Luckily you don’t have to stay there for the entire length of a sentence, and you can be released after a couple minutes.

11. Kunstmuseum Den Haag

Kunstmuseum Den Haag is one of The Hague attractions that has changed names several times over the past 150 years. What started out as Museum voor Moderne Kunst became Haags Gemeentemuseum and until 2019, was known as Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. It is one of the ideal museums in The Hague to wander around and gaze at the diverse artworks from some of the most famous modern artists. Think Piet Mondrian, van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso, to name a few.

It is one of the largest museums in Europe, housing in the region of 160, 000 pieces of artwork. Designed by renowned architect Hendrik Berlage, the museum also has many exhibitions on display. Permanent exhibitions include Discover the Modern, Delftware WonderWare, and Chambers of Wonder while current exhibitions include Mondrian Moves and Wiebke Siem.

Fun fact: Hendrik Berlage is also the architect of the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam, another beautiful example of the Amsterdam School.

12. Scheveningen beach

One of the all-time favorite things to do in The Hague is to pop down to Scheveningen beach on the North Sea coast. It is here that you can get your toes in the sand and enjoy a swim in the summer months. It’s also a great beach for sport lovers and beginners can even try their hand at surfing thanks to surf shops along the promenade offering lessons and rentals.

The beautiful promenade lends itself to walking, cycling, and skating in the summer months and the pristine sandy beaches have earned blue flag status as a result of their superior cleanliness and safety. There is also a plethora of amazing restaurants and beach bars to fill your stomach or quench your thirst after a long day in the sun or a heated volleyball match.

13. SkyView de Pier

SkyView de Pier is definitely one of the attractions in The Hague that is not to be missed! Towering 50 meters above the North Sea, the giant Ferris wheel offers unparalleled views of Scheveningen beach, the sea, and the nearby neighborhood.

A full rotation trip takes around 12 to 15 minutes, during which time you will be housed in a luxurious gondola and can even share a unique high tea with friends and family. The pastry tower, tea, and prosecco are bound to attract both young and old – no prosecco for the young ones, of course! The combination of amazing views and a glass of prosecco makes it one of the favorite things to do in The Hague.

14. Sea Life Scheveningen

SEA LIFE Scheveningen is one of the best things to see in The Hague for families with children. There are 45 aquariums that accommodate an array of sea life from fish, sharks, rays, and even Max the Asian small-clawed otter. With more than 4,000 species of marine life, your visit to SEA LIFE Scheveningen will be nothing short of amazing.

As a bonus, you will be able to contribute to the Sea Life trust, an organization that has been set up in order to protect the world’s oceans. Not only will you be able to see this beautiful marine life at Sea Life, but also ensure that the natural marine habitats of these animals are conserved.

15. Omniversum

If you are looking for things to do in The Hague that are out of the ordinary and will stimulate your senses, then look no further. Omniversum is a state-of-the-art movie theater that can accommodate some 300 people. The domical theater boasts a screen that surrounds the entire audience, proven to provide an all-round better viewing experience.

The incredible visual experience coupled with amazing audio is bound to give you the feeling that you’re in the screen. Films such as Serengeti, Dinosaurs of the South Pole, or Wild Canada will be nothing short of spectacular in this football-sized arena. You will also be able to taste weird and wonderful things such as algae, urine tea, and insects. It really is an experience not to be missed!

16. Museum Beelden aan Zee

Beelden aan Zee is one of the only museums in the Netherlands to specialize exclusively in exhibiting sculptures. It was founded by Theo and Lida Scholten in 1994, a Dutch couple who were avid collectors of sculptures. You can see some rather impressive artworks at Beelden aan Zee from artists such as Piet Esser, Jaap Kaas, Tony van de Vorst, and Ossip Zadkine.

Aside from the permanent exhibits, there are several temporary exhibits in the museum that continuously change. The Studio by the Sea is made up of three sections – an artists’ studio, an interactive education room, and a lounge. Johan Tahon will be present to teach you all there is to know about sculptures and how they are produced. There is a lot more that goes into it than you might think!

17. The Binnenhof and Hofvijver

When visiting The Hague, things to do around the city center include a visit to the Binnenhof complex and the Hofvijver lake. Binnenhof is of significant political importance as it is the meeting place of both the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) and the Senate (Eerste Kamer).

In the middle of the Binnenhof is the famous Ridderzaal (The Hall of Knights), which was originally a ball room. Today it’s used for formal receptions and conferences. The most important role of the Ridderzaal is on Prinsjesdag, when the Dutch monarch opens the Dutch Parliamentary year in September and gives there the famous speech from the throne.

The office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands (currently Mark Rutte), is also stationed here as well as the Ministry of General Affairs – responsible for government policy, planning, information, and the Dutch Royal House.

The Hofvijver lake, at the center of The Hague, is surround by Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, Korte Vijverberg Road, and Lange Vijverberg Road. There is also a small island to be observed in the middle, which has no official name but is often referred to as “the island in the Vijverberg”.

18. Enjoy a drink at The Square

One of the most famous squares in The Hague is called simply The Square – Het Plein. It is located adjacent to the Binnenhof and once served as the kitchen garden of the palace. The square was created in 1632 following the model of Place de Vosges in Paris. The statue in the middle of the square is of William the Silent, who became the founder of Orange-Nassau dynasty, the line of the Dutch monarchs since the 16th century.

On two sides the square is lined up by numerous cafes and restaurants and is a favorite lace for both locals and visitors of the city to get a drink or a bite.

19. Peace Palace

If you’re still asking yourself what to do in The Hague at this point, the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) is absolutely worth a visit. It is of immense international importance as it is home to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the UN International Court of Justice, and The Hague Academy of International Law.

You can visit the Peace Palace with a guided tour. There’s also a guided tour of the Palace’s Gardens.

Tip: You need a valid passport or an EU ID-card if you want to visit the Peace Palace.

20. The Hague Historical Museum

Another interesting museum to visit in The Hague is The Hague Historical Museum (Haags Historisch Museum) located just at the Hofvijver in the heart of the city. This museum tells the story of the city of The Hague through art and it has lovely collection of historical objects. There also temporary exhibitions that handle sensitive historical subjects, like the colonial past of the city.

21. Palace Huis ten Bosch

Huis ten Bosch is one of the three official residences of the Dutch monarch and is one of the most visually stunning things to see in The Hague. It is designed in the style of Dutch Baroque architecture and Dutch Classicism, by architects Jacob van Campen, Pieter Post, and Daniel Marot.

The two other official residences of the Dutch Monarch are Nooordeinde, also located in the Hague, and the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The current tenant (as of 2019) is Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, King of the Netherlands since 2013.

22. Palace Noordeinde

One of the last things to see in The Hague is the Noordeinde Palace, one of the three palaces of the Dutch Royal family. It was once a medieval farmhouse, converted in 1533 in a palace. Following the fall of Napoleon, Noordeinde became a Royal Palace used on and off by various Dutch Kings and Queens as a winter residence.

Since the thorough restoration of the palace in 1984, it has been used as the official workplace of the Dutch Monarchs.

The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens which are open to the public.

23. The Prison Gate Museum

Rounding off the list of top things to do in The Hague is The Prison Gate Museum, one of the oldest operational museums in The Hague – it’s been going since 1882! Located on the Buitenhof, next to Prince William V Gallery, a former gate and medieval prison, Gevangenpoort allows you into the inside of an ancient prison.

You can also meet the jailer, executioner, or judge and also be striking distance away from a former functioning guillotine. Make sure you’re on your best behavior though – you wouldn’t want to meet the razor-sharp edge of the mighty blade!

Final words

There are so many reasons to visit and things to do in The Hague that it should be on every traveler’s list. It’s the perfect day trip from Amsterdam, taking a mere 40 minutes by intercity train, or less than half an hour from Rotterdam.

Ease of travel to and within the city, open spaces, long sandy beaches, and a deep history marked by political and administrative ties makes The Hague a must-see destination. When visiting The Hague, attractions are not difficult to come by and you can find something to see and do constantly. After a long day of sight-seeing or laying on the beaches of Scheveningen, there is also no shortage of modern restaurants and bars to end the day at. If you’re not concerned about your waistline, a stroopwafel is the perfect sweet ending to a day in The Hague.