Binnenhof castle cityscape at sunset, The Hague

Things to do in  The Hague

The green city by the sea

It's easy to assume The Hague (Den Haag) is a mere bureaucratic city. It's the seat of the Dutch government, packed with embassies, and home to the U.N.’s International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. But there are more things to do in The Hague than trail government functionaries. The Netherlands' third-largest city, The Hague boasts the North Sea coastline, world-class museums like the Mauritshuis with its Rembrandts and Vermeers, historic landmarks like the Noordeinde Palace, and a buzzing going-out scene around Grote Markt.

Top 15 attractions in The Hague

Keukenhof Gardens

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With 7 million flower bulbs planted every year across 79 acres (32 hectares), Keukenhof Gardens is a colorful sea of 800 varieties of tulips and other spring flowers, attracting visitors from around the globe who want to see the Netherlands' iconic tulip fields. More than 9 miles (15 kilometers) of footpaths provide space to stroll around the park, take photos of flowers in bloom, and enjoy this Holland tradition.More

Peace Palace (Vredespaleis)

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Built using funds donated by American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) is one of The Hague’s best-known landmarks. The grand neo-Renaissance building is home to the UN’s International Court of Justice, which hears legal disputes between states.More

Noordeinde Palace (Paleis Noordeinde)

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Transformed from a farmhouse into a stately home in 1533, Noordeinde Palace (Paleis Noordeinde) in The Hague was presented to William of Orange’s widow in recognition of her husband’s service to the Netherlands. Noordeinde Palace is one of four palaces across the country owned by the Dutch royal family and serves as the office of King Willem-Alexander.More

Museum Prinsenhof Delft

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Housed in a historic 15th century former monastery, this museum holds an impressive collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings. The Prisenhof Delfthas a fascinating history; after its use as a convent it served as the residence for William of Orange, who was murdered (bullet holes still visible) in the house by a fanatic in 1584. Operating today strictly as an art museum, its collection consists mostly of 17th century paintings and Delftware ceramics. There’s also rich period furniture, tapestries, portraits, pottery, and fine gold and silver items that give a sense of Dutch aristocracy.Themes from the time period, including the life of Prince William of Orange and the House of Orange-Dassau, the city of Delft, and the Dutch Uprising, are all well represented in the art. The interior also gives visitors the chance to experience Dutch life much as it was in the 16th century. Interactive multimedia and video presentations do a great job of bringing the history to life.More

Mauritshuis

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Mauritshuis is home to one of the best collections of Dutch and Flemish paintings in the world. Often referred to as "the jewel box," the ornately elegant 17th-century mansion is a textbook example of Dutch classical architecture, built as the private residence of John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen.More

Royal Delft (Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles)

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Dating back to 1653, Royal Delft (Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles) is the world’s best-known manufacturer of the Netherlands’ iconic blue-and-white porcelain goods. The factory—the only such manufactory that remains from the 17th century—is open to travelers looking to learn about this one-of-a-kind hand-painted stoneware.More

Delft Vermeer Centre (Vermeer Centrum)

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Relishing in the glorious history of Dutch painting, Delft Vermeer Centre (Vermeer Centrum) celebrates the legacy of Johannes Vermeer, the famous painter who once called Delft home. In the Netherland’s Golden Age, Vermeer flourished as one of the most successful and highly regarded Dutch painters. His ‘Girl With the Pearl Earring’ painting has become one of the most recognizable in the world.The museum expertly tells the story of his life and his works, while also highlighting the technique of other painters of the time. There are even pieces of his equipment and supplies that lend a glimpse into his artistic process.The center is designed to show Delft as Veneer once saw it, allowing for a journey back to 17th century Holland and into his world of light and color. It teaches of his upbringing, mentors, and the influences that shaped him an his work. Visitors also have the opportunity to visit his studio and, using the camera obscura, play with light, composition, and perspective just as he once did.More

Inner Court & Hall of Knights (Binnenhof & Ridderzaal)

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The Hague’s 13th-century Binnenhof (Inner Court) complex encompasses several landmarks, including the Gothic Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights)—a state building characterized by medieval-style turrets. Now home to the Dutch Parliament, the heritage site attracts visitors with a blend of courtly features and political significance.More

Delft

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Famous for its Delft Blue pottery and as the birthplace of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, the quaint town of Delft is ringed by scenic canals and located in the western Netherlands between Rotterdam and The Hague. Delft is also notable for its striking medieval buildings, lively market, and connections with the Dutch Royal Family.More

Escher in Het Paleis (Escher in the Palace)

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Behind the 17th-century façade of this palace—formerly the winter home of Queen Emma of the Netherlands—lies a series of lavishly appointed rooms plus an ornate Art Nouveau staircase and stained-glass skylights. It’s also home to a startlingly eccentric collection of works of Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher.More

Madurodam

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Madurodam, a mini-Holland on a 1:25 scale, lets you tour the entirety of the Netherlands in an hour. One of Holland’s most popular attractions since its development in the Hague in 1952, it highlights the epitomes of Dutch culture in scale-model replicas of perfectly ornamented bridges, canals, windmills, and major national landmarks.More

Grote Kerk

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With a history dating back to the 13th century, the Great Church of St. James is one of the oldest buildings in The Hague. Dutch Royals such as King Willem-Alexander and Princess Catharina-Amalia were baptized here, but the Gothic-style church is best known for its imposing bell tower, one of the highest in the Netherlands.More

Square 1813 (Plein 1813)

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The Hague’s Square 1813 (Plein 1813) consists of a 2-lane roundabout that surrounds the country’s largest 19th-century statue. Named the Independence Monument, it commemorates two significant 1813 events: the Netherlands’ victory over Napolean and the consequent establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.More

Prison Gate Museum (Gevangenpoort)

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The Prison Gate Museum (Gevangenpoort) is the former prison of the Court of Holland, and housed both criminals and innocents for four centuries beginning in 1428. Visitors today can view the medieval cells and interrogation chambers, instruments of torture, and other vestiges of this prison’s grisly past.More

Panorama Mesdag

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Secreted away in a quiet Den Haag side street, Panorama Mesdag is the largest painting in the Netherlands, at more than 45 feet by 400 feet (14 meters by 120 meters). The sea, sand dunes, buildings, churches, lighthouses, and fishing boats of 19th-century Scheveningen are all represented in minute, accurate detail.More
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All about The Hague

When to visit

Summer is when The Hague is most crowded with tourists (and when its beaches, like Scheveningen, are in high demand). Spring is also a good time to visit: The weather should be pleasant, and major events like the Liberation Festival and Holland Dance Festival are held. Alternatively, The Hague has a cozy holiday ambiance, and its Royal Christmas Fair in December is home to one of the country's top Christmas markets.

Getting around

The nearest airport to The Hague is Rotterdam The Hague Airport, which serves both cities. The Hague's main train station, Den Haag Centraal, also links it to Amsterdam and other Dutch cities. To explore the city, you can take advantage of its 30-plus bus and tram lines—or, to travel like a local, tour the city on foot or by bike. The Hague is also well-served by taxi and rideshare services.

Traveler tips

The Hague is known as the greenest city in Europe, and while no visit here is complete without admiring Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis or seeing the seat of the government at Binnenhof, it's worth setting aside time to discover its great outdoors, too. Some of The Hague's top parks and gardens include the sprawling Zuiderpark, the waterside Westbroekpark, the historic Palace Garden (Paleistuin), and the Hague Forest (Haagse Bos), part of the country's oldest forest.

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People Also Ask

Is The Hague, Netherlands worth visiting?

Yes, The Hague is worth visiting. It's the seat of the Dutch government (housed in the historic Binnenhof) and known as the greenest in Europe. Whether you explore its parks, visit its North Sea beaches, or get acquainted with its cultural scene, there's so much to do.

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Is there much to do in The Hague?

Yes, there's much to do in The Hague. Don't miss the Mauritshuis art museum (home to Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer) or the new Amare cultural center. In between spotting major landmarks such as Binnenhof and Noordeinde Palace, you can discover the city's vibrant dining and going-out scenes.

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What is The Hague best known for?

The Hague is the third-largest city in the Netherlands, and it's home to the Dutch government, the U.N.’s International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court. The Hague is also celebrated for its North Sea beaches, and for its wealth of top-drawer museums, palaces, and historic monuments.

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Is The Hague expensive for tourists?

Yes, because it's a government seat that attracts bureaucrats and businesspeople from around the world, The Hague can be expensive to visit. However, many of the city's best-known attractions—including its many parks and beaches—are free, and it's worth investing in the Museumkaart for discounted museum entry.

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Is The Hague better than Amsterdam?

Which is better depends on your preferences. If you enjoy history and politics, then visiting Binnenhof and other historical and government buildings is a Hague must. The city's beaches also can't be beat. However, for the best of scenic canals and traditional Dutch architecture, it's hard to beat Amsterdam.

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Is The Hague a walkable city?

Yes, much of The Hague is walkable—particularly its compact center, which can easily be explored by foot or bike. However, if you plan to visit its North Sea beaches, including the ever-popular Scheveningen, it's best to travel by public transit as the area is several miles from the city center.

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