Whether you are travelling to Netherlands for work or pleasure, The Hague is a great and cosy city to visit which offers plenty of things to do. It is located on the west side of the country, right by the sea and only a short train journey away from Amsterdam and Rotterdam. This city is popular as a weekend break destination, simply because if you’re staying in the city centre, everything is within walking (or cycling) distance. Discover the romantic side of the Netherlands!
Things to do:
-
Explore the oldtown
One of the first things to do in The Hague is to stop by Binnehof and Ridderzaal – a complex of parliament buildings. These castle-like buildings serve as the meeting place of Dutch Parliament members and it is also the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. Apparently, Binnenhof is the oldest House of Parliament in the world that is still in use. You can admire the castle from outside or there are also some guided tours available to explore the inside of the building.
From here head towards Lange Voorhout, a lovely street which leads towards Esher Palace, an exhibition centre in the old palace. A few of The Hague’s other famous museums are also nearby if you are looking for some cultural discoveries.
Finally from here you can head up to see the stunning Peace Palace (Vredespaleis). This palace is home to the International Court of Justice, the Hague Academy of International Law and a few other law administration bodies.
-
Cycle
Cycling is definitely among the main things to do in the Netherlands. No. It is a must! Everyone cycles here: young and old, businessmen and students… You can cycle pretty much anywhere in the Hague, so if cycling is your cup of tea, you’ll enjoy cycling in the Hague immensely.
Apart from cycling to (or by) seaside and city centre, you can also visit the Malieveld and Koekamp parks that are right behind the above mentioned Esher Palace.
Bike rental places are scattered around the city, so check which is closest to you, otherwise you might end up walking quite a lot before you find one!
-
Wander in a magical miniature park
For a quick overview of all the most beautiful Dutch buildings from all across the country, visit Madurodam. It showcases the heritage of the Netherlands in a small city full of miniatures, representing all the country’s most impressive highlights. A lot of miniatures are interactive which makes them even more admirable.
The miniature park also has a lot of activities for families as well as a lovely café for those too tired from walking around. Explore the entire country in one hour!
-
Seaside
The Hague has a nice stretch of seaside on the west part of the city. If you are staying in the city centre, you can either walk (1hr), cycle (20mins) or take a tram (20mins) to the seaside. The main things to do by the sea include visiting the Aquarium, checking out the sculpture museum by the sea and a taking a coffee at one of the small cafes dotted along the peer.
If the weather is nice, the seaside is also a great place to walk, jog or cycle. Or to have an outdoors workout!
Overall verdict:
I really enjoyed The Hague. It reminds me slightly of Luxembourg – relatively small, lovely colourful houses by the canals and full of green spaces. It also has an infinite number of cosy cafes and coffee shops which adds up to the homely feeling of this city. The Hague might not be a party destination, however it is definitely worth the visit if you are looking for a place to walk, think and relax!
FAQs:
-
When and how long?
- Travel duration: 3 days
- Visited: April, 2018
- Where did we stay?
Stayed in: 4* hotel (Novotel Den Haag City Centre) in The Hague’s oldtown. Our room, breakfast and service in the hotel were all fine. The best thing about this hotel was its location – walking distance to all the main attractions of the city!
- What was the weather like?
Unexpected! It was cloudy the first day, rained the second and was warm and sunny on the third one.
