So are you planning to visit South Holland? Looking for some ideas on things to do in The Hague? The Hague (Den Haag) is known as the political heart of the Netherlands. Where most of the government offices are located including the International Law administration of the United Nations.
The Dutch Royal family also lives on the outskirts of The Hague.
Read More: A First Time Visitors Guide To The Best Amsterdam Neighbourhoods
Best things to do in The Hague, Netherlands.
1. Admire the fine arts at Mauritshuis
📍Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag, Netherlands
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Visit the Girl with the Pearl Earring, The Hague & Delft
🌟 Ratings: 5 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Holiday Inn Express the Hague – Parliament, an IHG Hotel
The Mauritshuis is located at the centre of The Hague. The museum is the home of the best Golden age Dutch paintings including the world-known and admired painting of Johannes Vermeer – The Girl with a Pearl Earring.
The museum also has some of Rembrandt’s painting like the Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp. This painting is one of the main highlights of the museum.
All the art afficionados’ favourite things to do in the Hague is visit to Mauritshuis. You can purchase your ticket online to avoid the queue. You can also book this guided tour of Mauritshuis. Alternatively, you can buy a Holland Pass that will let you have access to hundreds of museums for 30 days.
2. Enjoy the Madurodam
📍Address: George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ Den Haag, Netherlands
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Madurodam Miniature Park Entry Ticket
🌟 Ratings: 4.6 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Leonardo Royal Hotel Den Haag Promenade
Want to see the beauty of Holland in a short time? Consider visiting Madurodam, it is one of the best things to do in the Hague most especially for families.
Madurodam is known for the miniature model villages of the various famous attractions around Holland. You can see some known tourist attractions from Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and the UNESCO Mills “Kinderdijk”.
You can buy your Madurodam tickets here or buy this group of 4 family tickets.
3. Binnenhof
📍Address: 2513 AA The Hague, Netherlands
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: City Center Walking Tour
🌟 Ratings: 4.4 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Boutique Hotel Corona
The political centre of the Dutch government. The Binnenhof is where the Dutch parliament meets and you can watch the debate live if there is a session. It is one of the most visited places in the Hague. One of the free places to visit in The Hague.
Inside the Binnenhof is the Ridderzaal, which translate to “Knight’s hall’. Located at the centre court of Binnenhof. This is the place where the King of Holland makes his public speech from the throne. Just in front of the Ridderzaal, you can find a well ornamentally designed golden fountain dedicated to Count William II of Holland.
Just outside of Binnenhof is a small lake called Hofvijer. I personally love the view of Binnenhof sitting in front of the Hofvijer. A relaxing way to spend an afternoon in the Hague.
4. Peace Palace
📍Address: Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag, Netherlands
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: City Center Walking Tour
🌟 Ratings: 4.4 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Hotel Pistache
The Peace Palace in the Hague was opened in 1913. Home of the International Court Justice of the United Nations, Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), The Hague International Law and the Peace Palace Library. The Peace palace serves mainly as the administrative building for international law and relations between countries in conflict.
The Hague convention is any of the international peace treaty, peace talks, conference and agreements by different conflicting parties/countries made in the court or the Peace Palace of The Hague.
There are some guided tours offered to see the beauty of the Peace Palace. You can also find here the Dutch Royal Family-sponsored, Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
5. Visit the Scheveningen Beach
📍Address: Haarlemsestraat 12, 2587 RA Den Haag, Netherlands
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Scheveningen Beach RIB Speedboat Tour
🌟 Ratings: 4.6 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Ramada by Wyndham The Hague Scheveningen
If you want to see the beach and relax, head to the Scheveningen beach in The Hague. It is one of the most popular beach destinations in Holland. The whole stretch of sandy beach gives a great recreational space for the locals and visitors of The Hague.
There are loads of activities, beach and water sports that you can do in the area. You can also just spend the whole day relaxing on your sun lounger. The Scheveningen pier is the main focal point of the beach area. The 400 metres long and 45 metres high, it’s definitely noticeable and provides a good view of the town.
6. Shop at the Hague Market
📍Address: Herman Costerstraat, 2525 EP Den Haag, Netherlands
🌟 Ratings: 4.4 / 5
If you love to shop, you came to the right place. The Hague Market is the largest outdoor market in Europe! Located at the Herman Coster street, this is the mecca of pretty much of all shoppers in the region. Visiting the market is one of the best things to do in the Hague.
The Hague Market is open every Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. You can find pretty much anything here from fresh goods up to exotic bric-a-brac that you can possibly think of. There are around 500 stalls to choose from to do your shopping, so better ready your most comfortable shoes and your wallet.
You are up for a serious shopping spree here! Time to flex those haggling skills.
7. See the Noordeinde Palace
📍Address: Noordeinde 68, 2514 GL Den Haag, Netherlands
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour
🌟 Ratings: 4.4 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Hotel Indigo The Hague – Palace Noordeinde, an IHG hotel
One of the three palaces in The Hague. The Noordeinde Palace is used by the current monarch as the “working palace”. This palace is not open to the public and only used for a special state visit by other foreign royalties and dignitaries.
Behind the Noordeinde Palace are the palace’s garden and the Royal stable.
The Palace garden is one of the free places to visit in The Hague. Enjoy some fresh air from the serene ambience of the garden. A perfect way to spend some quality time with the family.
The Royal stable is where horses and royal coaches are kept.
8. Huis Ten Bosch
📍Address: Huis ten Bosch, 2594 BD Den Haag, Netherlands
🌟 Ratings: 4.8 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Babylon Hotel Den Haag
Another one of the three palaces in the Hague. The Huis Ten Bosch is the official residence of the Dutch Royal family. The palace was built in 1645 and was then passed on to the various members of the Dutch Royal Family.
The palace is not open for the public. However, the woods around the palace is open to the public to enjoy the tranquil garden that surrounds the palace.
Read More: How to Visit Keukenhof Gardens: Guide for the Tulip Season in Holland
9. Visit the Gevangenpoort
📍Address: Buitenhof 33, 2513 AH Den Haag, Netherlands
🎟️Find Tickets – Book in Advance: Prison Gate Museum
🌟 Ratings: 4.4 / 5
🛌🏻 Accommodation Nearby: Boutique Hotel Corona
The Gevangenpoort was once a gate to the Binnenhof. In the fifteenth century, it became a prison of the Hague.
The Gevangenpoort became a medieval prison for the outlaws that were waiting for their trials and sentences. In 1828, the Gevangenpoort became an abandoned prison and then in 1882, it was then turned into a museum.
Until now, the Gevangenpoort museum, tells the grim and infamous stories of the that only the walls of this building have seen over the centuries.
10. Enjoy the beer garden and cafes
The Hague has a more relaxed city centre atmosphere than Amsterdam. Catching with your breath after a busy day roaming around The Hague or even just catching up with your friends, enjoying the pleasant beer gardens and cafes in the city is the best way to go.
Sitting in a cafe and watching the world go by is one of my favourite thing to do when I’m in a foreign city. So would you like to experience it first-hand? Book this GetYourGuide city-centre beer tour around The Hague.
11. Admire the beauty of The Passage
📍Address: Passage 72, 2511 AA Den Haag, Netherlands
🌟 Ratings: 4.4 / 5
If you are up for a serious luxury shopping, the head towards The Passage arcade in The Hague. The Passage was built around 1885 specially created to serve the upper market by selling luxury goods from Paris. It is known as the “Oldest Shopping centre in the Netherlands”.
It is a unique place to visit in The Hague high street, due to its beautiful Parisian architectural design. The high ceiling, glass atrium, marble floor and the intricately decorated facade will give you the luxury vibes.
In 2014, they opened a new part of The Passage to expand a whole new shopping experience and a great addition to the great places to visit and things to do in the Hague.
Map of The Hague, Netherlands:
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
So definitely include these awesome places and things to do in the Hague on your next visit to the Netherlands!
Have you been to The Hague?
Share your travel experience in the comment box below.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryazan Tristram
Travel Writer & PhotographerRyazan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She also has more than 10 years of work experience gained from working in the hotel and travel sectors in Asia and Europe. Her work has been featured and published in BBC, Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Discovery Channel, World Travel Guide, MSN, CNBC, GMA, Daily Mail UK, Lonely Planet, and many more. She is currently living in the UK as a dual citizen (British-Filipina). Join her in travelling around the UK, Europe, and beyond with a mission to promote sustainable tourism and share travel guides, travel tips, foodies, history, and culture.
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