The Hague Guide 
Sights and attractions - What you shouldn't miss in The Hague. Binnenhof, Royal Palace, Mauritshuis.
Accommodation - Tips for accommodation in the center of The Hague or on the beach, from hostels to luxury hotels, accommodation in a hotel room or apartment.
Typical food and drink - What you should definitely try in The Hague - herring, cheeses, local sweets or maybe gin.
Practical tips - Here you will learn about local transport, customs, safety, where to shop or where to eat.
Weather - When is it worth visiting The Hague? When does it rain here and when do you have a chance of sunny weather?
Celebrities - Which famous personalities lived and created in The Hague?
AI poem - And what did artificial intelligence come up with about The Hague and its history?
The Hague (Dutch: Den Haag or formally 's-Gravenhage) is the third largest city in the Netherlands and the administrative center of the country. Although the official capital of the Netherlands remains Amsterdam, The Hague plays a vital role as the seat of government, parliament, the royal court and many international organizations. The city is located in the province of South Holland, on the North Sea coast, approximately 60 km southwest of Amsterdam. It has a population of around 550,000.
The Hague was founded around 1230, when Count Floris IV. built a hunting lodge near the medieval Hofvijver pond. This lodge became the core of today's Binnenhof, a complex of government buildings. The city gradually grew and gained importance, especially in the 16th century, when it became the administrative center of the Netherlands. And a little historical interest to conclude this paragraph - The Hague never received formal city status.
The Hague is home to the International Court of Justice, which sits in the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), and many other organizations, such as the International Criminal Court and Europol. Due to these institutions, the city is often called the "city of law and peace".
It is home to prestigious universities, such as the Haagse Hogeschool, which specialise in international law and politics.
The Hague offers many cultural treasures, from historic buildings to art museums, such as the Binnenhof, the Peace Palace, the Mauritshuis and the Noordeinde Palace.
The Hague combines city life with nature. The beaches of Scheveningen and Kijkduin offer relaxation by the sea, while parks such as the Haagse Bos and the Westbroekpark are ideal for walks and picnics.
Sights and attractions
Binnenhof - A complex of government buildings dating back to the 13th century, which houses the Dutch parliament. It is considered one of the oldest functioning political centres in the world.
Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall) - Located in the Binnenhof, it serves as the venue for important state ceremonies, including the annual opening of the parliamentary season.
Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) - Home to the International Court of Justice and the International Court of Arbitration. This beautiful building was built in the neoclassical style.
Noordeinde Palace - The official residence of the King of the Netherlands. Although not open to the public, the surrounding gardens are a popular place to relax.
Mauritshuis - A world-famous gallery that exhibits works by masters such as Vermeer ("Girl with a Pearl Earring"), Rembrandt and Rubens.
Gemeentemuseum Den Haag - A modern building with a collection of fine art, fashion and ceramics, including the largest collection of works by Piet Mondrian.
Scheveningen - A seaside resort with beaches, a promenade, an iconic pier and entertainment attractions. It offers the opportunity to surf, swim or just relax on the sand.
SkyView de Pier - A giant Ferris wheel in Scheveningen, offering a magnificent view of the North Sea.
Westbroekpark – A park known for its beautiful rose gardens, an ideal place for a picnic or a romantic walk.
Madurodam – A miniature park that presents the most famous Dutch monuments on a scale of 1:25. The park will be enjoyed not only by families with children.
Accommodation
In The Hague, you can stay in the city near the monuments or in Scheveningen by the beach. City accommodation includes various apartments, hotels, guesthouses, holiday houses or villas and hostels. By the beach, you can choose mainly from apartments or hotels.
You can indulge in luxury in the city center at the 5* Hotel Des Indes The Hague. You can pamper yourself in the hotel's spa and wellness center with a heated pool, sauna, solarium or steam bath or in an excellent local restaurant. At the 24-hour reception, you can use the concierge service, currency exchange, luggage storage, car rental or valet parking.
The boutique hotel Residenz Stadslogement offers pleasant 3* accommodation. This hotel, housed in a renovated old house, offers accommodation with breakfast in spacious apartments with a massage shower. The 24-hour reception can arrange breakfast in your room, bike rental, parking or luggage storage. You can relax on the terrace, in the library or outside in the garden.
For cheaper accommodation in the centre of The Hague, Pink Flamingo Boutique Hostel offers, for example. Guests can choose between shared rooms with multiple beds or a private double or larger family room. The hostel offers a sun terrace, garden, lounge or shared kitchen. Services such as luggage storage, concierge and evening film screenings are also available.
For accommodation by the beach, Ocean House Scheveningen offers, for example. You can stay in smaller or larger rooms with a kitchenette. You can park in a private paid car park. Ocean House rents bicycles. You can also stay with your pets.
The classic 3* Boulevard Hotel Scheveningen is also located right by the beach. The hotel offers accommodation in double and family rooms or apartments with their own kitchenette. The hotel offers a beautiful view of the sandy beach. You can enjoy it from the terrace, restaurant or sun lounge. You can have fun on the beach, in the garden or in the casino.
For a complete offer of accommodation in The Hague, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.
Typical food and drink
The Hague, like the rest of the Netherlands, offers a varied cuisine with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, especially fish and seafood. The city has a unique offer of dishes inspired by the sea due to its proximity to the Scheveningen coast.
Haring – Herring pickled in brine, served with onions and pickled cucumbers. This is a traditional delicacy that people often enjoy at fish stalls.
Kibbeling – Fried pieces of fish, usually cod, served with tartar sauce or garlic dip.
Mosselen (mussels) – Boiled mussels in various variations, for example with white wine, herbs or garlic.
Stamppot – A traditional Dutch winter dish, a mixture of mashed potatoes and vegetables, such as cabbage or carrots, often served with sausage.
Cheese – You can buy traditional Dutch cow's milk cheeses such as Gouda and Edam at the market or in specialized stores.
Haagsche hopjes - Traditional coffee-flavored caramel candies, originally created in The Hague.
Appeltaart - In addition to classic Dutch desserts like poffertjes and stroopwafels, you can also try Dutch apple pie, rich in apple, cinnamon and raisin filling.
Genever (Dutch gin) - A distillate made from juniper, considered the predecessor of modern gin. There are several historic distilleries in The Hague.
Fresh juices - Freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices are popular in markets or restaurants.
Practical travel tips
The Hague has excellent public transport. Trams and buses are operated by HTM, and you can use the contactless OV-chipkaart to travel.
If you plan to explore the city by bike, there are bike rentals and well-marked cycle paths.
If you are planning to visit the Mauritshuis or Panorama Mesdag, we recommend booking your tickets in advance, especially during the summer season.
Many attractions offer discounts with the Museumkaart or Holland Pass.
Popular beaches include Scheveningen and Kijkduin. Pack your swimsuit, but also some warmer clothes - the weather on the coast can be windy and cold at times. If you want a quieter environment, choose Kijkduin.
The city offers a wide range of restaurants - from local fish specialties to international cuisine. You can try traditional herring at stalls, for example. Reservations are often required for dinner in restaurants, especially during the busiest periods.
Where to shop? Head to De Passage and Noordeinde for fashion brands or souvenirs. You can buy fresh food or local products at markets, such as the Haagse Markt.
The Hague is generally considered a safe city, but be careful with personal belongings in busy areas, such as on the tram or at the markets.
Respect local rules – for example, smoking is banned in many public places and cycling is restricted in pedestrian zones.
Weather
The Hague has a mild maritime climate, typical of Western Europe. During pleasantly warm summers, average temperatures rise to 20–22°C, while winters are mild, with temperatures usually not falling below freezing (average 2–6°C).
It rains evenly throughout the year, so rain can come at any time. Due to the proximity of the North Sea, the weather is often windy and humid, even on sunny days. So never forget an umbrella or raincoat.
Celebrities
Willem van Oranje (William of Orange, 1533–1584) - Founder of the Dutch independent state. The Hague played an important role in its political activities. He was also awarded the Knight of the Golden Fleece.
Johan de Witt (1625–1672) - One of the important statesmen during the Dutch Golden Age. He also dealt with law, mathematics and economics.
Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898 – 1972) - World-famous graphic artist known for his optical illusions. The Escher Museum is located in The Hague.
Louis Couperus (1863 - 1923) - One of the most important Dutch writers, who lived in The Hague and drew inspiration for his novels.
Koningin Máxima (1971) - The current Queen of the Netherlands comes from Argentina. She often stays at the Royal Palace in The Hague.
A poem about The Hague written by artificial intelligence
The Hague, a city of law and history
In the heart of the country where tulips bloom,
The Hague stands firm, where the breezes whisper.
The city of courts, laws, peace,
writes history in the majesty of calm.
William of Orange had a vision here,
bravely guarded the freedom of the people.
Johan de Witt, a man of reason and strength,
ruled the golden moments in The Hague.
The Peace Palace gives the world a voice,
the courtrooms where time passes more easily.
The laws are kept here, as in a golden chronicle,
the message of peace is sent by the rich country.
Artists, writers, the spirit of wisdom,
you will find their traces in the streets of The Hague.
History sings its song in silence,
the city on the Dune remains a pride.
The Hague, city of history, city of light,
your glory will never be erased.
Under your wings hope burns,
in a city where peace never ceases.
