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The Hague
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The Hague blends Dutch royal heritage, world courts, North Sea beaches, art museums and elegant streets into a compelling Netherlands city break for curious travellers.

Royal and Civic Character

The Hague occupies a distinctive place in the Netherlands: it is the seat of the Dutch government, the residence of the monarch and an international centre for law, diplomacy and peace. Its historic core combines grand avenues, quiet courtyards and elegant townhouses with the working institutions of modern public life. Around the Binnenhof, the long-established political heart of the country, streets lead towards the Mauritshuis, the Noordeinde royal quarter and the tree-lined Lange Voorhout. The city's architecture is varied rather than uniform, ranging from medieval remnants and seventeenth-century residences to rationalist civic buildings and contemporary office towers.
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Art, Neighbourhoods and the Coast

The Hague's cultural identity is especially visible in its museums. The Mauritshuis houses celebrated Dutch Golden Age paintings, while Kunstmuseum Den Haag is known for modern art, design and the world's largest collection of works by Piet Mondrian. The quieter Museum Panorama Mesdag offers an unusual 360-degree view of the nineteenth-century seaside landscape. Neighbourhoods such as Zeeheldenkwartier, the Denneweg area and Chinatown bring independent shops, cafés and restaurants into the city centre, while the leafy Statenkwartier provides a more residential atmosphere.

From City Streets to the North Sea

The tram ride west reaches Scheveningen, where the urban fabric opens onto a broad North Sea beach, a busy boulevard, the historic Kurhaus and the sculptural Pier. Further south, Kijkduin has a more relaxed coastal character beside dunes and protected landscapes. This closeness to the shore gives The Hague an uncommon rhythm: political and artistic institutions occupy the morning, while sea air, dune paths and changing light shape the afternoon.

When is the best time to visit The Hague?

Best: June–August · 20–22°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January660
February650
March950
April1240
May1650
June (best)2060
July (best)2270
August (best)2170
September1860
October1480
November1080
December770

Getting to and around The Hague

How to get there

The Hague is served by frequent Dutch Rail services at Den Haag Centraal and Den Haag Hollands Spoor, with direct connections to Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam and other major Dutch cities. Intercity and regional trains make rail the most practical way to arrive from elsewhere in the Netherlands. Schiphol Airport is the principal international gateway, with onward trains to The Hague, while Rotterdam The Hague Airport is a smaller alternative serving selected European routes. International coaches also call in the city, and the A4, A12 and A13 provide road access from Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam. Check current rail engineering works and airport connections before travelling, as schedules can change.

Transportation

The historic centre is compact and well suited to walking, while cycling is an integral part of everyday travel; use marked cycle lanes and avoid walking in them. HTM operates an extensive network of trams and buses linking the centre with districts including Scheveningen, Statenkwartier and Kijkduin. Trains are useful for longer journeys within the metropolitan region, including Delft and Rotterdam. Contactless bank cards, mobile payment and the OV-chipkaart can generally be used on public transport, with check-in and check-out required. Taxis are available, but driving is rarely necessary in the central area, where parking can be limited and some streets prioritise public transport, pedestrians or bicycles.

Best attractions in The Hague

The Hague’s attractions range from major art collections to seaside recreation and unusual cultural viewpoints. At the Mauritshuis, compact historic rooms display masterpieces of Dutch and Flemish painting, including Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Kunstmuseum Den Haag offers a broader modern and contemporary programme, with works by Piet Mondrian, design, fashion and decorative arts. Museum Panorama Mesdag presents a vast nineteenth-century coastal panorama that makes the former fishing landscape tangible. In the centre, the Binnenhof and its Ridderzaal reveal the city’s long political history, while Escher in Het Paleis interprets M.C. Escher’s imaginative graphic work inside a former royal residence. West of the centre, Scheveningen provides a very different setting with its beach, Pier, boulevard and Kurhaus; nearby Madurodam offers miniature views of Dutch buildings and landscapes.

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Best landmarks in The Hague

The Binnenhof is The Hague’s defining civic landmark, a medieval complex around a courtyard that includes the Ridderzaal and has served as a centre of Dutch political life for centuries; access to parts of the complex can vary during renovation and security works. Nearby, the Mauritshuis occupies a seventeenth-century residence whose classical façade and royal art collection connect architecture with national cultural history. The Peace Palace is the city’s most recognisable symbol of international law, designed in an early twentieth-century historicist style and set among formal grounds, although interior access is limited and organised. Along the Lange Voorhout, mature trees frame former aristocratic houses and Escher in Het Paleis, a former royal palace. At Scheveningen, the Kurhaus represents the nineteenth-century rise of seaside tourism, while the Pier and waterfront mark the resort’s later entertainment identity.

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Neighbourhoods in The Hague

Best restaurants in The Hague

The Hague’s dining scene reflects both its position on the North Sea and its long international connections. Indonesian food has a particularly strong presence, with rijsttafel offering a selection of small dishes shaped by the Netherlands’ colonial history; Indonesian cooking should be understood within that complex history rather than as a simple local tradition. Seafood, herring, smoked fish and mussels appear in seasonal and casual eating, while Dutch staples such as bitterballen, kroketten and pancakes are available in cafés and brasseries. Chinatown around Wagenstraat and the Grote Marktstraat area provides Asian restaurants and specialist food shops, while Denneweg, Prinsestraat and Zeeheldenkwartier offer varied contemporary dining. Bakeries, coffee bars and food halls add informal options, and markets such as the Haagse Markt reflect the city’s multicultural everyday food culture.

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Best bars in The Hague

Evenings in The Hague are spread across several districts rather than concentrated in one large club quarter. The Plein and Grote Markt are central meeting places, with terraces, pubs and bars that become particularly active after office hours and at weekends. Around Denneweg and Prinsestraat, wine bars, cocktail venues and smaller cafés provide a more relaxed setting, while the Zeeheldenkwartier has an independent neighbourhood atmosphere. Live music and performances can be found at venues such as Paard, an established concert hall near the centre, as well as at theatres and cultural institutions across the city. Scheveningen offers hotel bars, beach venues and seasonal entertainment beside the sea, though its character changes outside the summer period. Rotterdam and Amsterdam are more prominent clubbing destinations, so The Hague’s nightlife is best understood as varied, sociable and moderately scaled.

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Best nightclubs in The Hague

Evenings in The Hague are spread across several districts rather than concentrated in one large club quarter. The Plein and Grote Markt are central meeting places, with terraces, pubs and bars that become particularly active after office hours and at weekends. Around Denneweg and Prinsestraat, wine bars, cocktail venues and smaller cafés provide a more relaxed setting, while the Zeeheldenkwartier has an independent neighbourhood atmosphere. Live music and performances can be found at venues such as Paard, an established concert hall near the centre, as well as at theatres and cultural institutions across the city. Scheveningen offers hotel bars, beach venues and seasonal entertainment beside the sea, though its character changes outside the summer period. Rotterdam and Amsterdam are more prominent clubbing destinations, so The Hague’s nightlife is best understood as varied, sociable and moderately scaled.

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Best shops in The Hague

The Hague combines established central retail with independent streets and culturally diverse markets. Grote Marktstraat is the principal modern shopping axis, connecting major shops with Spui and the area around the central station. For a more characterful walk, Denneweg and adjacent Frederikstraat offer design shops, antiques, galleries, specialist food retailers and independent boutiques in historic surroundings. Noordeinde adds art dealers and upmarket stores near the royal palace, while Prinsestraat and the Zeeheldenkwartier have smaller lifestyle businesses and cafés. The Haagse Markt, one of the city’s largest open-air markets, is known for produce, spices, clothing and goods reflecting The Hague’s diverse communities. Visitors may also find Dutch food products, ceramics, design objects and practical souvenirs, though genuine craft provenance varies and should be checked rather than assumed.

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The Hague essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the euro, written as EUR or €. Debit and credit cards are widely used, and contactless payment is common on public transport and in shops, cafés and restaurants. Some smaller businesses, market stalls or older payment terminals may have restrictions, so carrying a modest amount of cash is sensible. ATMs are available in central districts and at transport hubs; use machines attached to established banks where possible and check any fees charged by the card issuer. Dutch shops may display card-only or cashless notices, while some businesses may decline cash, so international visitors should keep a working card or mobile wallet as well as a backup payment method.
Safety
The Hague is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary urban precautions remain appropriate. Keep wallets and phones secure in crowded trams, stations, shopping streets and busy areas around Scheveningen, and take extra care with belongings when cycling or leaving a bicycle unattended. At night, stay aware around transport interchanges and quieter streets, particularly after entertainment venues close. Coastal conditions can change quickly, and visitors should follow local warnings near the sea, dunes and harbour areas. Cyclists have priority in many situations and may approach quietly, so check both directions before crossing cycle lanes. Use licensed taxis or recognised ride-hailing services when a taxi is needed.
Emergency Situations
Call 112 for urgent police, fire or medical emergencies anywhere in the Netherlands; the operator can connect callers with the appropriate service and may provide assistance in English. Give the exact location, explain what has happened and remain available for questions. For a non-urgent police matter, the national number is 0900 8844 within the Netherlands. Visitors needing medical care should contact their accommodation, insurer or a local huisarts, or general practitioner, for guidance outside emergencies. European visitors should carry a valid European Health Insurance Card where applicable, while travellers from elsewhere should retain travel-insurance details and identification. In a coastal emergency, follow instructions from lifeguards and local authorities.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to the right on pavements and never stand in marked cycle lanes, where bicycles may move quickly and silently. Ask before photographing people, particularly in markets or residential areas, and observe restrictions in museums, churches and government buildings. Dutch communication is usually direct but not intended as hostility; punctuality and clear arrangements are appreciated. Tipping is not compulsory, though rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is customary. Treat the beach, dunes and public spaces responsibly by using bins and respecting marked paths. At the Binnenhof, the Peace Palace and other civic sites, follow current security instructions and do not assume that an exterior landmark is open for unrestricted visits.
Local Tips
The city centre is easiest to understand by linking the Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, Lange Voorhout and Noordeinde on foot before branching towards the Hofjes and Zeeheldenkwartier. Tram 1 provides a useful scenic connection towards Scheveningen, while tram and bus routes reach other coastal districts. For a quieter cultural visit, combine Kunstmuseum Den Haag with the nearby Gemeentemuseum quarter and the surrounding Statenkwartier streets. The Hague’s museums vary significantly in scale and subject, so checking current exhibitions and advance-entry arrangements is worthwhile. On sunny days, leave time for a walk through the dunes or along Scheveningen beach, but remember that wind and temperature on the coast can differ from conditions inland.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[ha-lo]
GoodbyeTot ziens[tot zeens]
YesJa[ya]
NoNee[nee]
Please/You're welcomeAlstublieft[ahl-stu-bleeft]
Thank youDank je[dank ye]
Excuse me/SorrySorry[soh-ree]
How are you?Hoe gaat het?[hoo gat het]
Fine. And you?Goed. En met jou?[hut. en met yow]
Do you speak English?Spreekt u Engels?[spreekt oo en-gels]
I don't understandIk begrijp het niet[ik buh-greyp het neet]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMag ik de menukaart zien, alstublieft[mag ik de menu-kart seen, ahl-stu-bleeft]
I don't eat meatIk eet geen vlees[ik ayt kheyn vlays]
Cheers!Proost![prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIk wil graag betalen, alstublieft[ik vil khrahg buh-tah-len, ahl-stu-bleeft]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Ga weg![ga vekh]
Call the Police!Bel de politie![bel de poh-lee-see]
Call a doctor!Bel een dokter![bel ayn dohk-ter]
I'm lostIk ben verdwaald[ik ben fer-dwahlt]
I'm illIk ben ziek[ik ben zik]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ik wil graag kopen...[ik vil khrahg koh-pen]
I'm just lookingIk kijk alleen maar even rond[ik kike ayl-uhn mahr ay-ven ront]
How much is it?Hoeveel kost het?[hu-vel kost het]
That's too expensiveDat is te duur[dat is tuh dur]
Can you lower the price?Kunt u de prijs verlagen?[kunt oo de prise vuh-rah-ghen]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hoe laat is het?[hoo laht is het]
It's one o'clockHet is een uur[het is ayn oor]
Half past (10)Half elf[half elf]
MorningOchtend[okh-tent]
AfternoonMiddag[mid-dahkh]
EveningAvond[ah-vohnt]
YesterdayGisteren[khis-ter-uhn]
TodayVandaag[vahn-dakh]
TomorrowMorgen[mohr-khern]
1Een[ayn]
2Twee[tvay]
3Drie[dree]
4Vier[veer]
5Vijf[vayf]
6Zes[zehs]
7Zeven[zay-ven]
8Acht[ahkht]
9Negen[nay-khen]
10Tien[teen]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Waar is de...[var is de]
What's the address?Wat is het adres?[vat is het ah-dres]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kunt u mij laten zien (op de kaart)?[kunt oo may la-ten seen (op de kart)]
When's the next (bus)?Wanneer is de volgende (bus)?[ven-ehr is de vol-hen-duh (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)Een kaartje (naar ....)[ayn kart-yuh (nar)]

History of The Hague

The Count’s Hunting Residence

The Hague developed around a thirteenth-century hunting residence built for Count Floris IV of Holland near a small lake and woodland area. His son, Count Willem II, expanded the complex after becoming King of the Romans, and the Ridderzaal, or Knights’ Hall, became its most important surviving medieval building. Unlike many Dutch cities, The Hague was not founded as a walled commercial town with formal urban rights. Its early identity instead grew from the court, administrative households and settlements that gathered around the residence. The name’s association with the count’s woodland, ’s-Gravenhage, reflects this origin. The complex later became the Binnenhof, whose layered buildings still define the political centre of the city.

Court, Government and Urban Growth

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, The Hague became increasingly important as a seat of government for the County of Holland and later the Dutch Republic. The States of Holland met at the Binnenhof, while diplomats, officials and wealthy residents established homes along streets such as the Lange Voorhout and Spui. The city’s growth was shaped less by heavy industry than by administration, court life and international connections. The Mauritshuis, built in the seventeenth century for Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen, reflects the period’s elite architecture, although its history is also linked to Dutch colonial wealth and the transatlantic slave trade. This combination of political authority and cultivated residences remains visible in the historic centre.

A Constitutional Capital

The French occupation and the foundation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands transformed the constitutional order in the early nineteenth century. Although Amsterdam was designated the capital, The Hague continued as the seat of government and court. The city expanded beyond its old centre, with new streets, squares and residential districts accommodating a growing administrative population. In 1848, Johan Rudolf Thorbecke’s constitutional reforms strengthened parliamentary government, giving the Binnenhof renewed significance as the setting for national political life. The period also brought improvements in transport and urban infrastructure. The Hague’s modern character consequently rested on a dual role: royal and governmental rather than mercantile, with public institutions shaping the city’s architecture and social geography.

The Rise of the Seaside Resort

Scheveningen began as a fishing village on the coast, separate from the administrative centre, but its relationship with The Hague changed during the nineteenth century. Better roads and new transport links encouraged visitors to reach the beach, and Scheveningen developed as a seaside resort with hotels, bathing facilities and entertainment venues. The Kurhaus, opened in 1885, became the most prominent emblem of this transformation. Fishing remained part of the coastal community, yet tourism increasingly influenced the waterfront’s appearance and economy. The resort’s growth also established one of The Hague’s defining characteristics: a city whose civic and cultural centre lies only a short journey from an accessible North Sea shore.

International Peace and Justice

The Hague’s international role grew markedly at the end of the nineteenth century. The first Hague Peace Conference met in 1899, followed by a second conference in 1907, and these gatherings helped establish the city as a forum for international law and diplomacy. The Peace Palace, opened in 1913, became the home of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and later the International Court of Justice. Other institutions followed, including the International Criminal Court and organisations connected with chemical-weapons disarmament. The city’s reputation as a centre for peace and justice is therefore rooted in institutions, treaties and legal practice rather than a single historic event, and it continues to influence The Hague’s contemporary identity.

War, Reconstruction and Renewal

During the Second World War, The Hague suffered occupation, persecution and severe disruption. Jewish residents were deported, coastal areas were cleared or altered for military purposes, and the city endured bombardment and shortages. After 1945, reconstruction restored damaged neighbourhoods while new housing and office districts extended the urban area. The city also became more socially and culturally diverse through post-war migration, including communities with roots in Indonesia, Suriname, Turkey and Morocco. In recent decades, redevelopment around the central station and former industrial areas has accompanied the expansion of international organisations. The result is a city where royal institutions, historic quarters, post-war neighbourhoods and global legal bodies coexist within a comparatively compact urban landscape.

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Welcome to The Hague, a city rich in history, culture, and modern attractions. With Evendo, your travel experience is about to get a whole lot easier and more enjoyable. Imagine walking through the charming streets of The Hague, knowing exactly where to go, what to see, and what to do—all at your fingertips.

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