The Hague

Urban Coastal Beaches Riverfront

Population: 548k

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: January–February

Famous For: International Court of Justice and Peace Palace, Mauritshuis museum, Scheveningen beach and pier, Dutch royal residences, Indonesian rijsttafel cuisine, Binnenhof parliament complex, Contemporary art galleries

Train Access: Yes (NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), RandstadRail)

Bus Access: Yes (HTM (Haagsche Tramweg Maatschappij) - trams and buses)

The Hague (Den Haag) is the administrative capital of the Netherlands and home to the Dutch royal family, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court. The city's cultural heart centers on Museumplein, where the Mauritshuis displays Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and other Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, while the Kunstmuseum Den Haag showcases modern and contemporary work. The beachfront neighborhood of Scheveningen offers a 4-kilometer sandy beach, the historic Kurhaus Hotel, and the Pier with its restaurants and amusement rides, making it a distinct seaside escape within the city. The Binnenhof, a 13th-century complex of government buildings surrounding a courtyard pond, remains the symbolic center of Dutch politics and is open for guided tours. Lange Voorhout, a tree-lined avenue in the city center, connects the royal palace Paleis Noordeinde to the Mauritshuis and hosts the weekly antique market on Thursdays and Sundays. Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), built in 1913 and set in formal gardens, serves as the seat of the International Court of Justice and welcomes visitors by appointment. The neighborhood of Statenkwartier contains 19th-century villas and the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, which houses the world's largest collection of Piet Mondrian paintings.

VRBO Vacation Rentals
Learn More

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.

VRBO Vacation Rentals

Planning Your Trip to The Hague

Weather: The Hague experiences a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers, with frequent rainfall throughout the year typical of the Netherlands.

Festivals: Holland Festival (June), Parkpop (June), Scheveningen Jazz Festival (July), Kunsthal Rotterdam (year-round exhibitions nearby), Crossing Border Festival (November)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Madurodam (Scheveningen, miniature Netherlands park with scaled replicas of famous Dutch landmarks and interactive exhibits). Scheveningen Pier (amusement rides, arcade games, and restaurants extending 400 meters into the sea). Kinderspoor (children's railway in Duinrell amusement park, 20 minutes south of the city). Museon (interactive science and natural history museum with hands-on exhibits for ages 4–12). Aqua Zoo Friesland (30 minutes north, freshwater aquarium with native Dutch fish and amphibians).

Hidden Gem: Omniversum (Scheveningen Science Museum) is a distinctive dome-shaped building housing an IMAX theater and interactive science exhibits that most international visitors overlook in favor of the beach and pier. The museum's planetarium and immersive film experiences provide a rainy-day alternative and appeal to both children and adults interested in astronomy and natural sciences.

Accessibility: The Hague's city center and Scheveningen beachfront have good wheelchair accessibility, with ramps and accessible entrances at major museums including the Mauritshuis and Kunstmuseum Den Haag. The Binnenhof offers limited wheelchair access due to historic architecture; advance contact is required. Public transit (trams and buses) includes low-floor vehicles and accessible stops, though some older tram lines have gaps. Scheveningen beach has beach wheelchairs available at the lifeguard stations and accessible beach pavilions.

For the Runner: Scheveningen Beach Promenade (8-kilometer flat coastal route along the sand and promenade from Pier to Kijkduin, ideal for seaside running). Haagse Bos (large urban forest park with 3–5 kilometer loop trails through woodland and open meadows near the city center). Clingendael Park (extensive estate with 5+ kilometers of tree-lined paths and formal gardens, located south of the city center).

Restaurants in The Hague

The Hague offers a diverse dining scene with a mix of traditional Dutch cuisine, international restaurants, and modern eateries, particularly concentrated in the city center and beachfront areas. The restaurant quality ranges from casual cafés to upscale fine dining establishments, with good representation of Mediterranean, Asian, and European cuisines. The city's culinary scene is solid though not as extensive or innovative as Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

Where to Stay

The Hague's accommodation ranges from budget hostels and mid-range business hotels concentrated near Centraal Station and Scheveningen beachfront to luxury properties in the Statenkwartier and along the seafront. Scheveningen offers beachside resort-style hotels, while the city center provides proximity to museums and government attractions. Budget options cluster around the train station, while upscale properties tend toward quieter residential neighborhoods.

Best Hotels: Kurhaus Hotel (Scheveningen beachfront, grand historic property dating to 1885 with direct beach access and fine dining). Hotel Des Indes (Lange Voorh

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Hotel Des Indes (Lange Voorhout, luxury property that welcomes dogs with special amenities and nearby Lange Voorhout park for walks). Badhotel De Favauge (Scheveningen, beachfront hotel allowing dogs with beach access for seaside walks).

The Hague

Planning Your Trip to The Hague

Restaurants in The Hague

Where to Stay

Recommended Reading