The Hague: the diverse city in the Netherlands

With around 514,000 inhabitants, The Hague is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands and at the same time an attractive destination for holidaymakers. Numerous sights, the proximity to the sea and the colourful cultural programme offer the right holiday activities for every taste. In addition, the Dutch government has its seat in The Hague.

Attractions in The Hague

The cityscape of The Hague offers holidaymakers an exciting mix of historic buildings and modern buildings. Certainly one of the most impressive buildings in The Hague is the Peace Palace. It houses the International Court of Justice and the Hague Academy of International Law. However, a visit to this historic place is only possible after prior registration. However, interested parties can get a first overview of the history and significance of the impressive building in the freely accessible visitor center of the Peace Palace. The Binnenhof is also one of the most visited sights in The Hague. It is the seat of the Parliament of the Netherlands. The historic building complex consists of the Count’s Castle with a knight’s hall and adjoining buildings. The Binnenhof also has its own visitor centre where guided tours can be booked. The most important sacred building in the city is the Grote Kerk with its 100-metre-high tower. However, the Kloosterkerk, which dates back to 1400, is also worth seeing. Narrow alleys, which are lined with many small shops and gastronomic establishments, characterize the picture in the heart of The Hague.

Things to do in The Hague

For a shopping spree, the Haagse Market , which takes place several days a week, is ideal. It is the largest open-air market in Europe and is visited by around 25,000 people every day. In addition to groceries, you can shop for souvenirs, clothes, plants and much more. The museum landscape of the Dutch metropolis is also varied.

There is a lot going on in the Mauritshuis.
If you want to see the “Girl with the Pearl Earring” or pictures by Rembrandt up close, you will find them here.
Of particular interest at the moment (August 2024) is the restoration of the painting “The Bull” by Paulus Potter.
This is explained to the visitors in detail. During a visit to the Communication Museum, you can immerse yourself in the history and development of communication and the Letterkundig Museum provides information on topics of literary studies. If you are interested in special cars, you should pay a visit to the Louwman Museum – Nationaal Automobiel Museum with around 230 exhibits. Friends of photography, on the other hand, can visit the changing exhibitions in the Fotomuseum in The Hague. The city’s large museum landscape offers many attractive destinations for holidays with bad weather.

Tips for a holiday in The Hague

From Germany , it is possible to travel to The Hague on holiday by various means of transport. Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, which is only about 50 kilometres from the city centre, can be reached by plane from many German airports without changing trains. From here you can easily continue your journey to The Hague by train or pick up a rental car directly at the airport. In addition, The Hague has two large railway stations, which are connected to the international rail network of the railway. It is also possible to travel to The Hague by car or long-distance buses from all parts of Germany. The city area offers a wide range of different accommodation options, from cheap hostels to hotels of all star categories to holiday apartments and holiday homes. There are also various campsites in the wider area. While the warm summer months are the most suitable travel time for a beach holiday in the Scheveningen district, the metropolis has many leisure activities in store at any time of the year and is therefore an attractive destination all year round. The culinary specialties of the Netherlands include the savory stew Stamppot, Frikandel, the sweet poffertjes, stroopwafels and, of course, Dutch fries.

Excursion destinations and activities in the surrounding area of The Hague

Scheveningen is the district of The Hague, which is located directly on the North Sea and offers a lively beach section. With the Kurhaus and an imposing pier, Scheveningen attracts both citizens and visitors to The Hague, especially in summer. The Madurodam miniature park is also interesting here, where more than 300 replicas of important buildings in the Netherlands can be seen. The Beelden aan Zee Sculpture Collection is accessible at any time directly on the beach promenade. The perfect destinations for a day trip from The Hague are the two major cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Amsterdam is known for the canal system in the city, the Royal Palace on the central square Damm, the Vondelpark and a large museum landscape. Rotterdam also has some highlights in store for visitors, such as the modern harbour, the Old Harbour, the Euromast, the Laurenskerk, the Cube House and the Erasmus Bridge. Article updated on August 14, 2024