20 Things To Do In The Hague

Netherlands’ third-largest city, The Hague, is also the country’s political capital and is home to the Dutch Royal Family and the government. This international hub offers the best of both worlds: a bustling metropolitan city that is also near the North Sea, meaning residents have access to a beautiful 11km of coastline just outside the city centre.

The Hague is a wonderful place to learn about Dutch culture and history while enjoying the nearby nature and beaches. Not sure what to do during your trip? Here are the best things to do in The Hague.

The Hague, Netherlands

20 Things To Do In The Hague

1- Explore The City On A Biking Or Walking Tour

Like Amsterdam, the best way to see a variety of sights in The Hague is by bike.

This bustling city is well-equipped for cyclists with dedicated bike lanes, and you’ll feel like a local when exploring the area by bicycle.

Rent a bike at a local shop (there are plenty of options in the centre) to go out on your own or join a guided bike tour to ensure you don’t miss any of the highlights.

Prefer a walking tour? There are plenty of great guided group walking tours, or use this clever GPS App to follow a self-guided tour while walking around The Hague.

2- Stroll Around The Binnenhof

One of the top sights to see while visiting The Hague is the Binnenhof.

Dating back to the 13th century, this complex of historical buildings is home to the Dutch government offices.

The stunning architecture, complete with a large fountain and pond, home to many ducks and swans, truly looks like something out of a fairy tale.

It’s free to walk around this area (and hard to miss as it’s located right in the city centre), or you can also opt to learn more about both the history of the buildings, as well as Dutch politics on a guided tour.

Binnenhof is at 2513 AA The Hague, Netherlands.

3- Visit the Peace Palace

The grand Peace Palace is recognised globally as a symbol of ‘peace through law’, and it houses the Hague Academy of International Law, the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the United Nations International Court of Justice.

It is also home to the largest library of international law and peace.

It often hosts international events, all with the purpose of promoting collaboration and peace among nations around the world.

The visitors centre is open daily (except for Mondays) from noon to 4 pm, and you can also sometimes book a guided tour of the building. However, these tours only welcome a limited number of participants during certain times of the year.

Peace Palace is at Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag, Netherlands.

4- Learn About Famous Dutch Artists At Mauritshuis

This famous museum is home to a large variety of paintings and objects, mostly from the Dutch Golden Age, and the historic 17th-century building is a work of art in itself.

The property is recognised as one of the top 100 Dutch heritage sites, and the museum showcases artwork by some of the most famous Dutch artists like Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt, Jan Steen and more.

Most visitors are especially excited to see the iconic ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring’.

The Mauritshuis is open daily (Monday from 1 pm to 6 pm and Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm), and you can purchase tickets in advance here.

Mauritshuis is at Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag, Netherlands.

5- Admire Unique Artwork By M.C. Escher In Het Palais

This formal royal residence is now home to this must-see museum featuring the works of the world-famous Dutch graphical artist M.C. Escher.

Marvel at the more than 120 unique signature black and white prints and learn more about Escher as well as the history of the historical building where they are displayed.

The museum is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm and you can skip the line by purchasing tickets online in advance here.

Het Palais is at Lange Voorhout 74, 2514 EH Den Haag, Netherlands.

6- Experience The Miniature World of Madurodam

Located in the Scheveningen district of The Hague, this unique and very popular attraction features miniature cities made with tiny model replicas of the most famous Dutch buildings, castles and other national landmarks.

You’ll love the detail put into each scene and learn a lot about Dutch culture during this fun and interactive trip across The Netherlands.

It’s open daily from 11 am to 5 pm and is an enjoyable activity for adults and children. Purchase tickets in advance here.

Madurodam is at George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ Den Haag, Netherlands.

7- Use Your Imagination At The Children’s Book Museum

Travelling to The Hague with kids? The Children’s Book Museum is a perfect place for children of all ages to learn about literature – and have fun in the process.

The museum is interactive, with various exhibits and workshops available year-round that strive to help kids use their imagination and learn to love to read.

The museum is in the city centre on the second floor of The Hague Library. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.

The Children’s Book Museum is at Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5, 2595 BE Den Haag, Netherlands.

8- Have A 360° Look Around At Panorama Mesdag

This one-of-a-kind 360-degree painting is the largest circular canvas in Europe.

One of the best-known paintings of the famous Dutch painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag showcases a scene of the Scheveningen beach in 1880.

The immersive experience takes you back in time, giving you the feeling that you are standing high above the beach on some kind of tower, looking down at the boats and people coming ashore.

Take your time to slowly move around this circular exhibit and admire the great detail Mesdag put into each piece of this huge canvas.

It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday (10 am to 5 pm) and you can purchase tickets online.

Panorama Mesdag is at Zeestraat 65, 2518 AA Den Haag, Netherlands.

9- Browse The Huge Selection of Goods At De Haagse Markt

De Haagse Markt (The Hague Market) is the largest market in The Netherlands and one of the largest markets in Europe – you have to see it to believe just how big it is.

This enormous multicultural market has everything from food to flowers to antiques, shoes, clothing and just about everything you could ever need.

The market is especially well-known for having a wide variety of exotic products, and thousands of locals come here to purchase fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and meat.

Marvel at the amount of variety at this bustling one-of-a-kind outdoor market. It is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00 and is free to enter.

De Haagse Markt is at Herman Costerstraat, 2525 EP Den Haag, Netherlands.

10- Climb The Grote Kerk For Amazing Views

The 13th-century cathedral is one of The Hague’s oldest buildings.

It is worth a visit to learn about its long history as an important Protestant church in the city, but most visitors climb the church tower and admire its amazing views.

It’s also a very popular event location, and you may be lucky enough to enjoy one of the memorable organ concerts.

Grote Kerk is at Rond de Grote Kerk 12, 2513 AM Den Haag, Netherlands.

The Netherlands shares a border with Germany.

11- Visit The UNESCO-Recognised ‘Passage’ Shopping Centre

The Passage has been a shopping hotspot since the late 19th century and is the oldest shopping centre that still exists in The Netherlands.

Its beautiful architecture, complete with stunning glass ceilings which soar over the various storefronts, has been recognised by UNESCO and may leave you thinking about the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan.

Enjoy browsing the many shops and stop for a drink or snack at one of the cute cafes in this special shopping centre.

De Passage is free to enter and opens at 10 am Tuesday to Saturday and at 12 noon on Sunday and Monday, closing daily at 5 pm.

De Passage is at Passage 72, 2511 AA Den Haag, Netherlands.

12- Drink At De Grote Markt Terrace

One of the popular hangouts in The Hague City Centre, De Grote Markt is a perfect place for lunch or a beer, with a selection of restaurants surrounding a large square.

You’ll get a feel for the typical Dutch terrace culture.

Locals love to sit here for hours on warm days, soaking up the sun and chatting with friends and in the winter, you’ll still find plenty of people sitting outside with blankets to enjoy the fresh air and cosy vibe here.

De Grote Markt Terrace is at Grote Markt, 2512 EW Den Haag, Netherlands.

13- Go Shopping In Noordeinde Palace

Noordeinde is home to many designer shops, art galleries, restaurants, and not to forget, the working palace of King Willem Alexander.

It is often considered the most beautiful street in the city and is worth strolling through to admire the many historic buildings.

You cannot tour the Noordeinde Palace, but you can take a look from outside the gates and also visit the beautiful Palace Garden, which is one of The Hague’s hidden gems.

When you visit the gardens, you can also see the stables where the horses and carriage from the Royal Palace are housed.

Noordeinde Palace is at Noordeinde 68, 2514 GL Den Haag, Netherlands. You may like this tour.

14- Sample Jenever At Van Kleef Distillery

Jenever is a signature Dutch liquor, sometimes called ‘Dutch gin’.

Head over for a special tasting experience at Van Kleef Distillery, the last remaining Jenever producer in The Hague and has been in this same location since 1842.

This historic distillery and museum offer a variety of tours and tasting experiences daily, which you can book online on their website.

Van Kleef Distillery is at Lange Beestenmarkt 109, 2512 ED Den Haag, Netherlands.

15- Visit the beautiful Country Estate at Clingendael

Located between The Hague and Wassenaar, this 16th-century estate is simply stunning.

It’s a lovely place to enjoy a walk through the beautiful gardens, including an especially beautiful Japanese garden, and behind the house, you’ll find a large playground where kids can play.

Families are often found enjoying a picnic or a piece of apple pie at the cute tearoom on the property.

The grounds are open daily year-round, while the Japanese garden is only open at certain times of the year, and the tearoom is open seasonally.

Clingendael is at 2244 VH Wassenaar, Netherlands.

16- Visit The Famous Pier At Scheveningen

On the north end of The Hague, you’ll find the famous promenade and pier at Scheveningen.

The iconic pier, which you can visit today, was built in 1959 and replaced the original pier located in the same spot since 1901.

It’s now become a sort of ‘food boulevard’, and while it’s certainly not the most beautiful beach in the Netherlands, it is a popular tourist attraction and can be a fun day for the entire family.

The pier offers many activities all year round, including more adventurous activities like a surf school, bungy jumping and a zipline.

Book a SkyView ticket or a RIB speedboat tour for an adrenaline rush.

17- Have Fun At LEGOLAND Scheveningen

Looking for a fun indoor activity for kids near The Hague?

The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is located on the main promenade in Scheveningen and offers a fun and interactive space to entertain kids of all ages.

With activities like Lego workshops to Lego-themed games, a movie theatre and even an indoor rollercoaster, your kids will have a blast here!

LEGOLAND Discovery Center is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. You can purchase tickets online in advance to reserve your spot.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center is at Strandweg 13K, 2586 JK Den Haag, Netherlands.

18- Visit Westduinpark

Want to also experience a bit of nature during your visit to The Hague?

Head over to Westduinpark, one of the area’s largest nature reserves.

This unique landscape offers everything from dense forests to wide-open spaces and the signature high dune tops that act as a beautiful backdrop for the beautiful sandy beach.

It’s a great place to ride a bike on a sunny day and enjoy a bit of calm away from the bustling city streets.

19- Visit the Windmills in Voorburg/Leidschendam

Missing a selfie with a classic Dutch windmill? Hop on your bike and head towards Voorburg, a suburb of the Hague that is both peaceful and adorable.

There’s a perfect Dutch photo op with a windmill and some cows in the background at the Essenstijn children’s farm (which is also fun to visit with children).

If you’re up for a longer bike ride, continue to Leidschendam, where you’ll enjoy the iconic view of the Molendriegang (three windmills in a row).

Both Voorburg and Leidschendam are also very cute villages to explore if you would like to experience more of a classic ‘small Dutch town’.

20- Visit Delft And The Royal Blue Pottery Factory

Combining your visit to The Hague with a day out in Delft is a great way to see more of The Netherlands without travelling too far.

Just a 15-minute train ride away, this cute college town features typical Dutch canals and cobblestone streets and is home to the famous Royal Blue Dutch Pottery.

You can even visit the last remaining original 17th-century Delft Blue factory, where this famous pottery is still handmade.

It’s a lovely museum and experience, and Delft also has a wide variety of shops, cafes and restaurants, a perfect combination for a memorable day out. Book the Royal Delft Experience here.

The Netherlands shares a border with Belgium.