The Hague, also known as Den Haag in Dutch, is a city in the Netherlands that has many beautiful old buildings. It may match the expectations of visitors who picture what a Dutch city should look like. Even though it’s not the capital, it is where the Dutch government is located.
The Hague is often called the International City of Peace and Justice because it is home to many organizations, like the World Court, that work towards global peace. This lively city has a lot of old-fashioned charm and is known for its numerous museums that house some of the world’s most important art collections.
Additionally, The Hague is famous for its coastal atmosphere, and you can find excellent beaches at Kijkduin and Scheveningen, which used to be a fishing village.
10. Peace Palace
The Hague is a city known for its dedication to peace and justice on an international level. One of the iconic symbols of this commitment is the Peace Palace, which turned 100 years old in 2013. The Peace Palace was funded by Andrew Carnegie, a wealthy businessman, and it is still owned by the Carnegie Foundation today.
Inside this famous building, you can find many important international organizations such as the World Court, Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the Peace Palace Library. If you’re interested in exploring the facility, there are guided tours available on weekends.
Additionally, there is a visitor center open every day, providing information in seven languages.
9. Panorama Mesdag
Panorama Mesdag is an impressive sight, with its massive circular mural reaching a height of 14 meters and a circumference of over 120 meters. Painted by renowned artist Hendrik Wilhelm Mesdag, it depicts the sea, dunes, and the village of Scheveningen as they appeared in 1881.
To accommodate its size, a dedicated building was constructed to house this extraordinary artwork. Even more fascinating, Panorama Mesdag remains in the same location it was originally built, making it the oldest 19th-century mural still standing.
8. Scheveningen Boulevard
Scheveningen Boulevard is a wide road next to the beach in Scheveningen. Scheveningen used to be a quiet fishing village, but now it is a popular seaside resort. One thing that many people like to visit is the Scheveningen Pier. It has been around since the early 1900s and now it is a place with lots of things to do and shops to visit.
Another place that is worth seeing is the Kurhaus. It started as a place where people could go to take baths in the 1800s, but now it is a big hotel. Many famous people have stayed there, like Churchill and Bon Jovi. Sculptures by the Sea is an interesting exhibition of sculptures.
What makes it special is that it is built underground, instead of on top of the sand dunes.
7. Japanese Garden at Clingendael
Clingendael Park, located in The Hague, is renowned for its awe-inspiring beauty, being filled with numerous exquisite gardens. Among these gardens, the most famous one is the Japanese Garden. This particular garden was established during the 20th century by a baroness who had a deep fascination with Japan.
She collected various Japanese artifacts such as sculptures and bridges during her multiple visits to the country. Inside the garden, you will find vibrant and lush vegetation, including mosses. Moreover, there is also an enticing island housing turtles and a stone crane, both symbolizing longevity.
Being the only garden of its kind from that era in the Netherlands, the Japanese Garden in Clingendael Park has become a highly sought-after tourist attraction in The Hague.
6. Madurodam
Madurodam, which is the smallest city in the Netherlands, is a small-scale replica of a typical Dutch city. It showcases various well-known Dutch buildings and landmarks. These include buildings, markets, canals, windmills, Schiphol Airport, the Port of Rotterdam, Dam Square, and the Delta works.
Every tiny detail of these structures is carefully replicated. Unlike other miniature cities, Madurodam is not just static and lifeless. It is filled with activity and movement, with windmills spinning, airplanes landing at the airport, trains running, and boats floating.
This lively attraction is loved by people of all ages and is one of the most popular destinations to visit in The Hague.
5. Mauritshuis
The Mauritshuis Museum is a place where you can see beautiful paintings from the Dutch Golden Age of Painting. It has 841 works by famous artists like Hans Holbein the Young, Frans Hals, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. The museum is located in an old house from the 17th century that used to belong to a rich person.
Even though it’s not very famous outside the Netherlands, about 250,000 people visit it every year.
4. Escher in Het Paleis
Maurits Cornelis Escher is often regarded as one of the greatest graphic artists in history, despite his passing in 1922. He had an exceptional talent for creating drawings that play tricks on our eyes, known as optical illusions.
Two of his most famous works are Air and Water, where birds magically transform into fish, and Waterfall, where water appears to defy gravity and flow upwards. These remarkable pieces of art can be admired in the Palace Museum, which was previously used as a winter residence by the Dutch queens.
The museum’s permanent exhibition also offers a virtual reality experience, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in Escher’s extraordinary creations.
3. Louwman Museum
If you’re done looking at beautiful paintings, you might be interested in checking out some stunning vintage cars. The Louwman Museum has an impressive collection of over 250 antique and classic vehicles, some of which even date back to 1886. You can find early motorcycles there too.
Among the highlights are a Jaguar XKD 606 that was victorious at Le Mans in 1957 and a Laconda that won in 1935. This whole collection is regarded as one of the world’s oldest and most captivating privately owned collections of classic cars. Additionally, the museum features artwork related to automobiles, like posters.
2. Binnenhof
Binnenhof, a castle from the 13th century, now serves as the top government offices in the Netherlands. It is the meeting place for both houses of Parliament, as well as the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Dutch prime minister.
Binnenhof is known for being the oldest house of parliament in the world that is still actively used today. This gothic structure is situated in the city center of The Hague, next to Hofvijver pond. At the heart of the castle is the Ridderzaal or Knight’s Hall, which is currently used for ceremonial purposes.
Guided tours are available to visit the Knight’s Hall.
1. Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
Gemeentemuseum Den Haag is an interesting museum that showcases a variety of exhibitions. It not only features artwork from famous artists but also focuses on fashion, ceramics, and music. This museum is considered to be one of the most stunning in the Netherlands.
In fact, it holds the world’s largest collection of Mondrians, including the famous Victory Boogie Woogie painting. Visitors highly recommend taking a closer look at the Art Deco building that houses the museum. Despite being located outside the city center, it is easily accessible by bus.
Best Time to Visit the Hague
The Hague is the capital of the Netherlands and is located near the North Sea, about a forty-minute train ride southwest of Amsterdam. Many people prefer to visit during the summer because the weather is warm, allowing for activities such as sunbathing and swimming at Scheveningen, a popular seaside resort.
From June to September, the average temperatures range from 19 to 21°C (66 to 70°F), and there are exciting events like Parkpop and the Tong Tong Fair. However, it is important to note that during these sunny months, the city tends to be crowded and prices tend to be higher, including nearby day trip destinations like Delft and Leiden.
In addition, hotel prices increase in April due to the massive Koningsnacht celebrations. Nevertheless, April and May are pleasant months to visit, attracting visitors who want to see the blooming daffodils or admire the beautiful tulips at Keukenhof.
Autumn can also be a lovely time to visit, as The Hague has many parks that showcase colorful leaves on the trees. On the other hand, both autumn and winter are the rainiest periods of the year, with shorter and gloomier days.
