//
City and municipality in the Netherlands
Photo: Markus Bernet, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
The Hague (Dutch: Den Haag or 's-Gravenhage) is a city in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. It is the seat of the Dutch parliament and government, and the residence of King Willem-Alexander. It is not the capital city, which is Amsterdam. The municipality (which is the city) has more than 548,000 inhabitants (2021), making it the third largest city in the Netherlands.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This square — Plein simply translates as 'square' in English — is one of the most elegant in the centre. Located right next to the Binnenhof, it is lined with historic government buildings on three of its four sides. The north side is lined with bars and cafés, which spill out onto the square in summer. These sidewalk cafés are quite popular with politicians from the neighbouring Binnenhof, and even Prime Minister Mark Rutte can be spotted here with a pint regularly. The square is also the scene for demonstrations against government policies. The statue in the middle is that of William of Orange, heralded as the founding father of the Dutch nation.
The Binnenhof (Inner Court) is a castle built in the 13th century as residence of the count of Holland. Ever since, it has almost subsequently been the seat of the government of Holland, and later all of the Netherlands. It used to be surrounded by moats on all sides. Since then it has been modified countless times to accommodate the expanding Dutch government. The moats have been filled, but the castle still borders on a pond (the Hofvijver, Court Pond). In its waters the old buildings continue to mirror themselves. Today, the Binnenhof houses the two chambers of the Dutch parliament and the Prime Minister's office in a small octagonal tower opposite the Mauritshuis. Enter through one of the gates on Plein or Buitenhof and you will find yourself in a medieval enclosed courtyard, surrounded by architecture from the 13th up to the 19th century. There may be crowds gathered here on occasion because of public demonstrations, TV airings or receptions for foreign officials. In the centre stands the Ridderzaal (Knight's Hall), the centrepiece of the castle, today used for ceremonial purposes. Unfortunately, the other splendid rooms of the complex are closed to the general public. It is possible, however, to attend the meetings of the parliament. The House of Representatives of the parliament meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, in a modern chamber from 1992. The Senate meets on a weekly basis, on Tuesdays, and does so in a splendid 17th century Dutch-styled chamber with a lavishly painted ceiling. Because the Binnenhof is closed for several years (reopening is expected in 2028) there is a temporary view tower at the Buitenhof square, from where you can view some of the progress of the restauration.
Housed in a 17th-century palace overlooking the water of the Hofvijver pond, the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis contains the former collection of last Dutch stadtholder, William the V. While the museum is quite small (a complete tour takes a little over an hour) it contains some of the most famous work from the old Dutch Masters, including Johannes Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft), Rembrandt van Rijn (The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp), Andy Warhol ("Queen Beatrix"), Rembrandt self-portraits at ages 20 and 63, and others. It is well worth a visit, especially as it has just been renovated.
Prince William V Gallery
This gallery essentially is a part of Mauritshuis. A collection of 18th-century paintings from the Mauritshuis is on display there.
Prison Gate Museum
Built in 1370 as an entrance gate to the Binnenhof complex, the Gevangenpoort (Prison Gate) was converted into a prison in 1420. In 1853 the prison shutdown and it was turned into a museum. For a taste of medieval justice, have a look at their collection of torture instruments and get locked inside an original medieval cell block.
The private collection of Abraham Bredius, a 19th-century art historian contains Dutch Baroque art, as well as drawings, porcelain and crafted silver.
This former extension of The Hague Forest is now a large tree-lined square, bordered on all sides by grand 18th century townhouses. The large Baroque building on the west side is the 'Huis Huguetan', home to the Dutch supreme court. The square is especially pretty in spring, when its crocuses are in bloom. On Thursdays and Sundays there is a very good antique and book market. Every summer, the square hosts Den Haag Sculptuur (The Hague Sculpture), a free outdoor sculpture exhibition.
This former royal palace was converted in 2002 into a museum dedicated to the famous Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher. The first two floors display prints, sketches and archive material showing how Escher progressed from realistic pictures to his later works of optical illusion and geometrical pattern. The top floor offers a trip through Escher's worlds with interactive screens and games and a special Escher Room. There are also scavenger hunts for younger children. On Sunday and during the school holidays, there are workshops for children.
St Jacobs kerk
Now a meetings venue.
New Church
Built in 1649-1656, so it is not so new anymore. Now it serves as a concert hall. In the garden is the grave monument of Baruch Spinoza, who was buried in the church with six others in the same vault. In the 18th century, the vault was opened, and the remains within were scattered across the churchyard, leading to his monument being placed outside the church. The brothers Johan and Cornelis De Witt were also buried in one of the vaults within the church after they were lynched by a militia in the Rampjaar of 1672.
The original town hall is a small building from the 15th century when The Hague was a small settlement around the Royal Court. In the 18th century it was expanded upon and now has a grand façade facing the 15th-century Grote Kerk (Big Church), originally used as city's main place of worship, but now primarily functions as an exhibition space.
In the early 1990s, the municipality moved to this enormous white building by American architect Richard Meier, nicknamed by locals as the Ice Palace. Walk in to have a look at the lofty main hall, which has exhibits on various topics related to the city. The two air bridges through the hall connecting the various offices had to be fenced off to prevent suicides, but still make for a nice view of the atrium below. The city hall borders a large, somewhat barren modern square with a fountain. It contrasts sharply with the Baroque Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), located in a small park in the other side of the road.
This street is a prime area for finding antique and specialty shops. It also has some good pubs and upscale restaurants to recharge in after shopping. Parallel to the Denneweg run the Hooigracht and Smidswater canals, which are two of the very few canals in The Hague compared to other major Dutch cities and towns.
Noordeinde Palace
This is the royal palace that King Willem-Alexander uses as his office. While the inside is not open to the public, the 17th-century façade can be seen from Noordeinde street, which also has a large number of art galleries. In the summer of 2023 the palace will be opened daily 10:00–17:00 to the public for the limited period of 1–13 August (7 August excepted). The Royal Stables are also opened during that period daily 12:00–17:00. Tickets (€10 for the palace, €7.50 for the stables and €15 for a combination ticket palace/stables) are available from this website from 12 June 10:00. The Palace Gardens on the opposite side of the palace are accessible to the public for walking.
The Kunstmuseum (Art Museum) has a small collection of classical modern art (Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Monet, Sisley, Degas, Bacon). It boasts an especially large collection of Mondrians, showcasing the entire career of this painter known for his works with red, blue and yellow shapes. The Kunstmuseum also has a large selection of paintings of the Hague School, a 19th century movement of landscape artists, in addition to period rooms and collections of fashion, musical instruments and decorative arts. Rotating exhibitions on 19th- and early 20th-century art held here are also quite popular. The museum is housed in a yellow brick building built in 1938 by Dutch architect Hendrik Berlage, a pioneer in modern architecture and best known for his Beurs van Berlage - the exchange building on the Damrak in Amsterdam. Next to the Kunstmuseum are the GEM, a museum with rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, and the Fotomuseum Den Haag, which has rotating photography exhibitions.
The Panorama Mesdag is a cylindrical painting from 1881, more than 14 m high and 120 m in circumference. One of the most famous painters of The Hague School, Hendrik Willem Mesdag, created a vista of the sea, the dunes and Scheveningen village. It is the oldest 19th-century panorama in the world that's still in its original site.
The Peace Palace was built in 1913, to house the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which was hoped to provide a means to legally settle international disputes. Ironically, World War I broke out just a year later. Today the Peace Palace also houses the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial body of the UN, which settles disputes between countries only. The building can only be visited with a guided tour, available only on certain weekends. Check the right-hand column of the website for open days.
Het Strijkijzer
The tallest apartment tower in The Hague, nicknamed "the flatiron" in Dutch for its elongated triangular shape, has a viewing platform, café, bar and restaurant at the top. A drink is included in the ticket for the elevator that takes you to the top two floors, alternatively you can opt for a lunch, dinner or Highest Tea at the restaurant. The views are indeed impressive, especially at good weather and at sunset, as The Hague does not have many tall buildings to obscure them.
It is one of three official residences of the Dutch Royal Family. While the surrounding park is open, the palace itself is not open to visitors.
Nationaal Automobiel Museum
This private collection contains a century of history of the car.
Public Transit Museum
History of public transit in The Hague with exhibits of old trams and buses. Also 90-minute rides are available at 13:30 and 15:00 from the museum using an old tram or bus.
Oud Eik en Duinen cemetery
The place to see old Dutch celebrities, this Dutch equivalent to Père Lachaise in Paris is very touristic. Combine it with a visit to Nieuw eik en duinen, the cemetery on the other side of the street.
A part of a former estate, the park is best known for its Japanese garden, one of the oldest (1910) in Europe. While the garden is open only a short period of time, the surrounding area is open all year long.
An English-style park from the 1920s. Renowned for its Rosarium or rose garden, with 20,000 different varieties of roses blooming from June until November. The park includes a restaurant with lovely views.
This park is the oldest forested area in the country. It stretches from the suburb of Wassenaar to the northeast and goes right to the doorstep of Centraal Station, where there is a small fenced off area with deer. Haagse Bos also has a large birds-nest built on top of a pole with which the local municipality has succeeded in attracting a pair of storks, since the stork is in the city's emblem. Huis ten Bosch, the King's palace (not open to the public), is located there.
An interactive science museum, very popular with school groups and younger crowds.
Cinema with a round screen, offering a 360-degree viewing experience. Runs IMAX/Discovery-style documentaries; some are aimed at children.
This miniature city contains a selection of Dutch architecture, ranging from Amsterdam's canals and church spires from Utrecht and Den Bosch, to modern architecture from Rotterdam and the enormous Delta works that protect the country from the sea. Madurodam also has an airport, a seaport, beaches, and little cars, trams and trains running through the entire town. A great attraction for kids (but a tourist trap for adults). Madurodam is open year round.
They were promoted in 2026 and now play soccer in Eredivisie, the top tier. Their home ground is Cars Jeans Stadion, capacity 15,000.
This amusement park is mainly aimed at children but has accommodation as well for longer stays since it is right near the beach. The surrounding dunes and forested areas are great for walking, cycling and mountain biking.
Enjoy The Hague during a boat trip on the canals.
Evening of the 26th of April. While Amsterdam is generally known for having country's largest celebration of Dutch King's Day on the 27th of April, The Hague holds the largest anticipatory party the night before. KoningsNach (Kings' Night in The Hague dialect) has bands and DJ's giving shows in 5 locations in the city centre.
June, July and August. Free sculpture exposition on Lange Voorhout with different themes each year.
November.
Last weekend of September. International Festival Beyond Art.
A nice place for a standard Dutch lunch or a coffee.
This Indonesian place has restaurant area and take-away service.
Dudok lies right opposite the Binnenhof and is quite popular with politicians and the public out shopping.
Greek restaurant in the city centre. It is made up of two restaurants; the first one is fast food take out, where you can get the ubiquitous giros and tzatziki, with a generous portion of French fries. The second part is a fancier eat-in restaurant. Highly recommended.
Sandwiches.
Surnamese.
Lebanese.
A small restaurant serving all vegetarian and mostly vegan food.
Interior is a time-warp to the 1920s.
Small restaurant, since 1958. Nasi Rames for €12.95 is an excellent menu for take out.
Small restaurant with somewhat minimalist decor. Excellent sateh.
Vegetarian, chicken, beef and seafood dishes, no pork dishes and no alcohol.
Specialised in Sumatran Cuisine, can be very spicy, no pork dishes and no alcohol.
Known by the in-crowd as traditionally the best place in town. Simple but excellent food, has been around for over 40 years and has not changed.
Cosy place with excellent food. Lots of pictures on the wall with local celebrities who visited here.
Small 'living-room style restaurant' with very personal and attentive service. Small but excellent choice of dishes.
Kalun
Most 'local' Chinese people seem to come here. It has really good Chinese food, though the service is generally rated below average.
Preferred by Indian, Dutch and people from Suriname. Has a superb chicken and broccoli dish.
A grand cafe at the centre of The Hague, near tourist attractions such as Maurtishuis, Hofvijver, Binnenhof, Historical Museum and Escher Museum. It is a unique eating and drinking establishment with typical Dutch grandeur. You should at least have a cup of coffee here, to experience the grandeur.
Japanese restaurant
NOH is one of the most relaxing and finest Japanese sushi restaurants in The Hague, providing all the basics for an enjoyable evening. They regularly serve Toro and Uni and have a sushibar for single (travelling) people.
Open since 1992. It's a small restaurant with a sushibar, the sushi taste excellent so make a reservation or come in early for dinner.
Modern and with painstaking preparation techniques. Shorter, concentration on cuisson, light sauces and rich in taste. Food at Calla's is in the classical French tradition stripped of all frills and furbelows.
former Hanting Cuisine
Chef Han changed Hanting Cuisine into this restaurant, losing its Michelin star.
Near the Grote Kerk the best ice cream parlor in town.
Throughout the centuries the market square of The Hague has transformed into a grand outdoor café surrounded by bars and clubs. From early in the morning, until late at night you’ll find people having a good time here. In the summertime, the ‘Grote Markt’ is often home to musical events.
Opposite September, housed in a former weighing building it's a spacious and atmospheric venue. The Boterwaag is a wheelchair-accessible cafe.
Next to De Zwarte Ruiter.
A bar cum live rock venue, next to September and De Zwarte Ruiter.
Alternative, surf style bar run by tattooed people.
Located between De Zwarte Ruiter and VaVoom Tikiroom.
Located between Zeta and Supermarkt.
Over 300 kinds of beer.
Named after artists who died 27 years old, among who Brian Jones, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse.
Cafe Momfer de Mol is located in the centre of the old Hague a place steeped in history. The cafe in its present form has been in existence since 2003, and is one of the finest laid-back cafe-bars of the city. The warm interiors and the informal ambiance at the cafe, are ideal allies to its delightful snack menu.
A great pub and coffeeshop with great DJs. The one place where international visitors gather to smoke and drink. Don't miss it.
Also a venue for concerts and such. Prinsegracht 12.
easyHotels are a sister hotel chain to the no-frills airline easyJet, and run along similar principles - only the accommodation in the (very simple) rooms are included in the base price, and everything else is charged extra. The location, however, is really central. The front faces the busy Parkstraat with trams.
The HIExpress is right off the Plein and has breakfast and WiFi included in the room prices. Be aware that some rooms face the rather small inner atrium rather than the outside.
Jan Hendrikstraat 10
A fairly standard ibis hotel with a central location, with some rooms overlooking the busy Jan Hendrikstraat with trams, while others the peaceful courtyard garden (Nutstuin).
This standard but relatively soulless and uninspiring backpacking hostel has double rooms with individual toilet and shower facilities, and 8-bed dorms. It is huge, quite corporate so don't expect too much of a personal touch here. The hostel has a good location, being close to the Hollands Spoor train station (a 5 minute walk). Hostelling International members get discounts at Stayokay, and you can get a one-year membership card that is useful if you're staying at other HI Hostels. There are internet facilities available to lodgers at a reasonable fee.
A newly opened hostel which began operating in June 2017 from Bierkade, a riverfront area in The Hague. Has a variety of mixed dorm facilities, 6-, 8- and 12-bed, as well as a cafe and locker area for your valuables. Breakfast available at €5, bedding and towels are thrown in free of charge (deposit required for towels, returned when you leave). You need to pay a deposit of €10 also for your room card (the door keys are RFID based) which is returned upon departure. If you book, remember that The Hague charges a tourist tax (Toeristenbelasting) of €5.20 per night, which is not included in the cost of your stay - you have to pay that on arrival. Since 2020, the Golden Stork has been an age restricted hostel, accepting guests only between the ages of 18 and 40.
The main upside for staying at the Mercure is actually not having to see the outside of the building, which is an ugly block clad in blueish plastic. Otherwise, this Mercure is a business-oriented hotel with very modern appointments and a brilliantly central location, not leaving much to be desired - and charging for that appropriately.
Located at the heart of the Beatrixkwartier business district and within some distance from the old town and most tourist attractions. That said, being right at the tram stop within the spectacular Netkous, getting from it to any place in the city should not be a problem. It is one of the few hotels in the city located in a tall tower, so you can choose a room on one of the upper floors and enjoy sweeping vistas.
Located in the Passage shopping centre and right across the street from the Binnenhof.
Located in a funky-looking new shopping passage between the Spui and the Grote Markt, this Novotel is composed of single-room "suites" offering facilities for long-term stays, such as in-room kitchenettes and an extra "daytime" area in the room. There is a fitness room and a cosy lounge overlooking De Bijenkorf.
The other Novotel in The Hague is within the World Forum Convention Centre, away from the main centre but close to the cluster of museums around the Gementemuseum. Most of its rooms have been renovated to the new Novotel standards.
A former residence of a seventeenth century aristocrat, this über-luxury hotel opened its doors in 1881 and has been serving artists, musicians, and other celebrities ever since. It has also hosted heads of state such as Dwight Eisenhower and Jacques Chirac. Be sure to check out the ultra-luxurious bar and lounge.
The Hilton’s 195 rooms are the most spacious in the city (minimal 32 m²). This Hilton is located in the historic centre, right next to the Panorama Mesdag.
Like Hilton The Hague, this hotel is located in the Willemspark, a fitting environment for this quiet, elegant boutique hotel with its tasteful interior and superb service.
The Crowne Plaza is in the middle of the woodlands separating The Hague proper from Scheveningen, and thus a tram ride from either, but a short stroll from most of the international institutions located in The Hague and the Madurodam.
The only extant department store in The Hague is housed in a large building from 1924, built in a unique expressionist style with brick and copper. Have a look at the glass-stained windows in the staircase. The restaurant 'La Ruche' in the third floor has a good view of the surrounding area.
A unique covered shopping gallery built in 1882, with a sister-building in Brussels. Here you can find specialty and upmarket fashion shopping. Check out the outdoor cafes just outside on Buitenhof.
Has antiques, bric-à-brac, several interesting restaurants and specialty food shops.
Partly covered shopping center with fashion shops and restaurants. The open air part has copies of former houses, as well as new architecture.
Go here if you are at bargains. Multicultural market. If by car, go to Q-park Haagse Markt.
Has boutiques and haute couture. Walking the street you will pass the Noordeinde Palace.
Specialty shops, delicatessens and restaurants in the area around this street, between Grote Kerk and Noordeinde palace.
Candy Box
This building is near the up-market Hoogstraat shopping area. It houses a big branch of fashion shop The Sting. Locals call it "the Candy Box" because of its unique exterior. Completed in 2000, it's one of the newer building in the city.
Pedestrianized, shopping streets with mainly small chain stores. Other streets bordering the area with similar shops are Vlamingstraat, Venestraat and Wagenstraat.
This unique store sells new and used English titles and caters to both expats and locals. If you're dragging extra copies of books across Europe, but don't want to throw them away, try trading them in here.
By train
The Hague has two main train stations, serving domestic and international routes.
By car
The Hague is connected by toll-free motorways to Amsterdam (A4 and A44), Rotterdam (A13) and Utrecht (A12).
By car
Car traffic in the inner city is very limited. Many of them are operated by a company called Q-Park.
By bike
The Hague has a great network of bike paths. A wide variety of bike rentals are available.g. by HTM Bike, Donkey Republic (The Hague) and OV-fiets (requires a personalised OV-chipkaart).
By foot
The Hague's city centre is fairly compact and you can easily navigate the area on foot. From Centraal Station, it is about a 10 min walk to the Binnenhof and the Hofvijver pond.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Rotterdam · International · RTM
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about The Hague and Netherlands.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
7 min read
Travel tipsUnderstand the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the €20 ETIAS travel authorisation, who needs each, and how to avoid long airport border queues.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.