The Hague (Den Haag) is the Netherlands’ royal and political city, and the only Dutch city with its own beach. Amsterdam is the capital, but the government, the parliament, the King’s working palace and the international courts are all here, giving the city its elegant avenues, embassies and green parks. You come for Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt in the Mauritshuis, the Peace Palace, Escher’s impossible worlds and Mondrian at the Kunstmuseum, and for the sea at Scheveningen, with its long sandy beach, the grand Kurhaus hotel, surf schools and fish restaurants on the harbour. It is about 50 minutes by train from Amsterdam and 25 from Rotterdam. Give it one or two days, more in summer for the beach.
Right now in The Hague
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Top tours in The Hague
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The Hague at a glance
- Best for: Golden Age art, royal and political history, international justice, beach days and surfing, families and a calmer city break.
- How long: 1 day for the Mauritshuis, the old centre and Scheveningen; 2 days to add the Peace Palace, the Kunstmuseum, Escher and Madurodam.
- Best time: June to September for the beach; spring and autumn for museums and walks; Peace Palace tours run at weekends from May to October.
- Getting in: trains from Amsterdam take about 50 minutes, from Schiphol about 30 minutes and from Rotterdam about 25 minutes, to Den Haag Centraal or Den Haag HS.
- Getting around: on foot in the centre; trams 1 and 9 run to Scheveningen (tap a contactless card); bikes everywhere.
- Before you go: entry rules, money and general safety are in our Netherlands travel guide.
The Hague, area by area
The city stretches from the historic centre around the Binnenhof to the North Sea coast, about 4 km away, with leafy residential districts, parks and woods in between.
The historic centre and the Binnenhof
The Binnenhof, a cluster of medieval and later buildings around the Gothic Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights), has been the seat of Dutch government for centuries. It is now closed for a major renovation, and the parliament has moved to temporary buildings; the government expects visitors to be able to walk around the Binnenhof again from around 2031. You can still walk past the Hofvijver pond, the most photographed view in the city, with the Mauritshuis on its corner. Nearby are the Lange Voorhout avenue, the Grote Kerk, the Plein and Buitenhof squares and the shopping streets. Best for: sights and museums on foot.
Zeeheldenkwartier and the Peace Palace
West of the centre, the Zeeheldenkwartier (“sea heroes’ quarter”) is a relaxed area of 19th-century houses, independent shops and cafés around the Prins Hendrikplein, close to Noordeinde Palace, where the King works, and the Peace Palace. Best for: a local feel and good cafés.
Statenkwartier and the museum district
Between the centre and the sea, the elegant Statenkwartier holds the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, the Museon-Omniversum science museum, the World Forum and, at the edge of the woods, Madurodam. Best for: families and museum days.
Scheveningen
The old fishing village became a fashionable seaside resort in the 19th century. Today it has a wide sandy beach lined in summer with beach pavilions, a renovated boulevard, the Kurhaus hotel, the pier, the Beelden aan Zee sculpture museum and, to the south, a working harbour with fish restaurants and the city’s surf scene. Quieter Kijkduin lies further south. Best for: beach holidays, surfing and summer evenings.
Top things to see in The Hague
Prices and hours below were checked on official sites in October 2026. They change, so check before you go.
Mauritshuis
One of the finest small art museums in the world fills a 17th-century palace beside the Hofvijver. Its 250 or so masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age include Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft, Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp, Fabritius’s The Goldfinch and Paulus Potter’s The Bull. It takes two or three hours at a gentle pace.
Tickets and hours. As of October 2026, a single adult admission cost €24, including the Prince William V Gallery around the corner, and children and teenagers enter free. The museum opens daily 10:00–18:00, except Mondays, when it opens at 13:00. Booking online is recommended, especially at weekends. Girl with a Pearl Earring was on loan to Osaka in late summer 2026 and is back on display from 5 October 2026. From 15 October 2026 to 17 January 2027, the exhibition Thyssen-Bornemisza X Mauritshuis shows masterpieces from Madrid’s Thyssen-Bornemisza museum.
The Peace Palace
Opened in 1913 with money from the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, the Peace Palace houses the International Court of Justice of the United Nations, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague Academy of International Law and a great library of international law. Its rooms were decorated with gifts from countries around the world, from Japanese silk wall hangings to a Chinese vase and Italian marble.
Visitor rules. It is a working court, so access is limited, and the rules are strict:
- Visitors Centre: free entry (donations welcome), with a 30-minute audio tour in 10 languages and a view of the palace and garden. Bring your own phone and headphones, or borrow them.
- The palace and grounds only on a guided tour: tours inside the palace, around the outside and of the garden run at weekends from May to October, subject to the courts’ schedule. Tickets go on sale on the official website about two weeks ahead and are non-refundable; groups are capped at 20.
- Bring your original passport or EU ID card (or EU driving licence); photos and copies are refused.
- Security: everyone goes through a metal detector, and bags, cameras and mobile phones must be left in lockers in the Visitors Centre, so bring as little as possible.
- Children: under-8s go free, a maximum of two children per adult may join, and the tours are not suitable for very young children. Arrive 15 minutes early.
- Access: limited for wheelchairs and strollers; the garden tour has many steps.
If you cannot get a tour, the Visitors Centre and the view through the gates still make a worthwhile stop, and the palace offers a virtual 360-degree tour online.
Kunstmuseum Den Haag
In an Art Deco building by H.P. Berlage, the Kunstmuseum holds the world’s largest collection of works by Piet Mondrian, including his last painting, Victory Boogie Woogie, along with Delftware, fashion and modern art. Next door, the photography museum and the Museon-Omniversum make it easy to fill a day.
Escher in Het Paleis and Panorama Mesdag
Escher in Het Paleis shows the mind-bending prints of M.C. Escher in a former royal winter palace on the Lange Voorhout, with optical illusions to play with upstairs; it opens Tuesday to Sunday. Panorama Mesdag, painted in 1881, is a 120-metre circular painting of Scheveningen’s dunes and fishing boats, viewed from a dune-like platform; it is one of the oldest panoramas still in its original building.
Madurodam
The whole Netherlands in miniature, at a scale of 1:25: canal houses, the Rijksmuseum, Kinderdijk’s windmills, Schiphol airport and the Delta Works, with interactive models where you can open a storm barrier or load a container ship. A good half-day with children; book online for the best price.
Monuments
- Binnenhof
- Peace Palace
Museums
- Escher Museum
- Kunstmuseum Den Haag
- Mauritshuis
Churches and cathedrals
- Great Church (Grote Kerk)
Theme parks
- Madurodam
Scheveningen: the beach
Scheveningen’s beach runs for kilometres of fine sand backed by dunes, and it is only 15–20 minutes from the city centre by tram. From spring to autumn, beach pavilions set up along the sand with sunbeds, food and drinks; lifeguards watch the main stretches in summer, and swimming is safest between the flags. The sea is cool, around 17–19 °C in August, so most people paddle rather than swim.
- The boulevard and the Kurhaus: the seafront boulevard between the pier and the Beelden aan Zee museum was rebuilt and reopened in spring 2026, with a new square in front of the Kurhaus, a grand hotel of 1885.
- The pier: the Pier, with its Ferris wheel, is due to be rebuilt by a private developer, and current plans foresee it closing for several years from around the end of 2027. Check what is open before you go.
- The harbour: walk to the harbour for fresh fish, from herring and kibbeling (battered fish) to seafood restaurants, and for boat trips and sea fishing.
- Surfing: Scheveningen is the main surf spot in the Netherlands, best in autumn and winter swells; surf schools by the harbour rent boards and wetsuits and teach beginners in summer. See our surfing guide.
- Events: the New Year’s Day dive into the North Sea and, in some summers, fireworks over the beach.
For quieter sand, try Kijkduin to the south or the beaches beyond the harbour. More ideas are in our beaches guide.
Things to do in The Hague
Royal and political history
Walk the royal route from Noordeinde Palace, the King’s working palace (not open to the public, but its gardens are), past the Binnenhof and the Hofvijver to the Lange Voorhout, lined with embassies and old mansions. On Prinsjesdag, the third Tuesday of September, the King rides in a golden carriage to open the parliamentary year. During the Binnenhof renovation, the organisation ProDemos runs guided tours of parliament in its temporary home.
Parks, woods and dunes
The Haagse Bos, one of the oldest woods in the country, reaches almost into the centre; the Westbroekpark has a famous rose garden, best in July; and the Scheveningse Bosjes and the dunes of Meijendel are great for walks and bike rides to the sea. See our cycling guide.
Food and markets
The Hague has a strong Indonesian food tradition, a legacy of the many families who came from the former Dutch East Indies; try a rijsttafel or a simple nasi rames. The Haagse Markt is one of the biggest open-air markets in Europe, and the Grote Markt and Plein are lined with bars and terraces.
Activities and best months
- Beaches and swimmingScheveningen is The Hague's own kilometre-long beach, with the famous Pier at the Noorderstrand, beach pavilions and a lively boulevard; the Kurhaus beach and Pier area is busy 365 days a year, in winter too.
- City sightseeingThe Hague's highlights include the Peace Palace (the city's most photographed building and the symbol of peace and justice), the Binnenhof (the heart of Dutch democracy), Noordeinde Palace, Huis ten Bosch in the Haagse Bos and the Pier at Scheveningen; the city has more than 1,000 national monuments.
- SurfingVisit The Hague calls Scheveningen the surfing mecca of the Netherlands; beach clubs there (such as Hart Beach and Aloha Beachclub) give surf lessons.
Getting to The Hague
By train. The Hague has two main stations: Den Haag Centraal, next to the centre and the government district, and Den Haag HS (Hollands Spoor), a little to the south. Intercity trains run from Amsterdam Centraal in about 50 minutes (about €15.30 second class in 2026), from Schiphol in about 30 minutes, and from Rotterdam in about 25 minutes (about €6.40). You can tap a contactless bank card at the gates. Some international trains stop at Den Haag HS.
By air. Schiphol is the main airport. Rotterdam The Hague Airport, between the two cities, has a small number of European flights.
By metro from Rotterdam. RandstadRail metro line E runs from central Rotterdam to Den Haag Centraal, slower than the train but with more stops.
Getting around The Hague
HTM runs the city’s trams and buses; check in and out with a contactless bank card or phone, or buy a ticket in the HTM app. Tram 1 runs from Delft through the centre past the Peace Palace to Scheveningen, and tram 9 from Den Haag Centraal to the Scheveningen beach and pier. The centre is easy on foot, and cycling to the beach through the woods and dunes takes about 20 minutes.
When to go and how long to stay
The Hague has a sea climate: mild winters, cool summers, steady breezes and a bit more sunshine on the coast than inland. The table uses the WMO 1991–2020 normals for Voorschoten, about 8 km north-east of the centre, for temperatures and sunshine, and for Rotterdam The Hague Airport, about 15 km south-east, for rainy days.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days per month | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 10–17 °C / 3–8 °C | 9–10 | Bright days, beach pavilions opening, tulips at Keukenhof 30 minutes away |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 20–22 °C / 11–14 °C | 10–11 | Beach season, surf schools and festivals at Scheveningen; busiest by the sea |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 19 °C falling to 10 °C / 11 °C falling to 5 °C | 11–14 | Prinsjesdag in September, storms and the best surf, wetter weather |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 6–7 °C / 1–2 °C | 11–14 | Windy beach walks, the New Year’s dive, quiet museums |
Voorschoten records about 1,850 hours of sunshine a year, peaking at about 240 hours in May, while the airport station records rain on about 134 days a year, most of it from August to January. For the beach, go from June to early September; for museums, any time of year.
The Hague in 1 day
Start at the Mauritshuis at 10:00, walk around the Hofvijver and the Lange Voorhout to Escher in Het Paleis, then lunch in the Zeeheldenkwartier and see the Peace Palace Visitors Centre. Take tram 1 or 9 to Scheveningen for a walk on the beach and a fish dinner at the harbour.
The Hague in 2 days
Add the Kunstmuseum and Panorama Mesdag, Madurodam with children, a bike ride through the dunes, and a day trip to Delft, 15 minutes by tram or train, for its canals, Vermeer Centre and Delft Blue pottery. On a summer weekend, book a Peace Palace tour.
Weather month by month
Day trips from The Hague
Delft is next door. Leiden, 10 minutes by train, is a canal-lined university town with the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden and Rembrandt’s birthplace. In spring, Keukenhof and the bulb fields lie about 30 minutes north. Rotterdam and Kinderdijk are to the south-east, and Amsterdam and Utrecht are under an hour by train. For a longer coastal trip, head south to the beaches and storm barriers of Zeeland.
Nearby destinations
Where to stay in The Hague
- City centre: historic and business hotels near the Mauritshuis and Den Haag Centraal; easiest for museums and trains.
- Zeeheldenkwartier and Statenkwartier: boutique hotels and B&Bs in quieter, attractive streets between the centre and the sea.
- Scheveningen: beach hotels, from the grand Kurhaus to apartments by the harbour; best in summer.
Prices rise on summer weekends at the coast and during big international conferences; book early for those dates.
Practical tips for The Hague
- Peace Palace: book tours as soon as they appear, about two weeks ahead, and carry your original passport or EU ID.
- Mondays: the Mauritshuis opens only at 13:00, and Escher in Het Paleis is closed.
- Beach safety: swim near lifeguards and between the flags; North Sea currents can be strong near the piers and groynes.
- Two stations: check whether your train goes to Den Haag Centraal or Den Haag HS.
- Pay by card: trams and almost all shops and cafés take contactless cards.
What to pack for The Hague
A windproof and waterproof jacket, layers for breezy beach walks, comfortable shoes, swimwear and sun cream in summer (the sea breeze hides the strength of the sun), and your passport or EU ID card if you plan to visit the Peace Palace.
What to pack
- City walking shoesLisbon and Porto are steep, with polished limestone cobbles that get slippery, so grippy soles matter.
- Day packs and anti-theft bagsCarries water, towel and sunscreen down the long stairways to Algarve coves.
- Dry bags and phone pouchesProtects phones and cameras from sand and spray on beaches reached by ferry or steep paths.
- Quick-dry beach towelsA sand-shedding quick-dry towel packs small for beach days and lido visits.
- Rain jacketsFrom October to April Porto and Lisbon see rain on roughly a third of days.
- Reef-friendly sunscreenSummer UV is strong on Portuguese beaches and there is little shade below the cliffs.
- Surf accessories (boots, leashes, wax)Neoprene boots keep feet warm in winter and protect them on rock and reef breaks.
- Travel adapters and convertersPortugal uses Type C and F sockets at 230 V, so most visitors from outside Europe need an adapter.
- Water shoesRocky coves, lava pools and weever fish in shallow sand make water shoes useful.
- WetsuitsOn the west and north coasts the sea stays around 16–18 °C even in summer, so a thin suit helps for long swims.
The Hague travel FAQ
Is The Hague the capital of the Netherlands?
No, Amsterdam is the capital. The Hague is the seat of the government and parliament, the King’s working palace and the international courts.
How much is the Mauritshuis?
As of October 2026, a single adult ticket cost €24, including the Prince William V Gallery. It opens daily 10:00–18:00, from 13:00 on Mondays.
Is Girl with a Pearl Earring on display?
Yes. After a loan to Osaka in late summer 2026, Vermeer’s painting is back in the Mauritshuis from 5 October 2026.
Can you visit inside the Peace Palace?
Only on a guided tour, offered at weekends from May to October when the courts allow. Tickets go on sale online about two weeks ahead; bring your original passport or EU ID, and expect to leave bags, cameras and phones in a locker. The Visitors Centre is free and open more often.
How do I get to Scheveningen beach?
Take tram 9 from Den Haag Centraal or tram 1 from the centre; the ride takes about 15–20 minutes. Tap in and out with a contactless card. By bike it is about 20 minutes through the woods.
Can you swim at Scheveningen?
Yes, in summer, near the lifeguard posts and between the flags. The North Sea is cool, around 17–19 °C in August, and currents can be strong near the pier and groynes.
Is the Binnenhof open to visitors?
Not during the renovation. The government expects the Binnenhof to reopen to walkers around 2031. You can see it from the Hofvijver, and ProDemos runs tours of parliament in its temporary building.
How far is The Hague from Amsterdam?
About 50 minutes by direct Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal, and about 30 minutes from Schiphol airport.
Is The Hague worth a day trip?
Yes. In one day you can see the Mauritshuis, the government quarter and the Peace Palace and still reach the beach at Scheveningen for the evening. Add Delft, next door, if you have a second day.
Plan your trip
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🇳🇱 Useful Dutch phrases for The Hague
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Mauritshuis prices, hours and exhibitions: The Hague’s official visitor site (The Hague & Partners) and Mauritshuis press information; Peace Palace visitor rules and tours: the Peace Palace Visitors Centre; Binnenhof renovation: the Dutch House of Representatives; Scheveningen boulevard: the City of The Hague; pier plans: regional broadcaster Omroep West; trains: NS; climate: WMO 1991–2020 climate normals for Voorschoten and Rotterdam The Hague Airport. Prices, timetables and rules change, so check the official links before you go. For entry rules and money, see our Netherlands travel guide.
Also: denhaag.com · KNMI normals 1991–2020, Rotterdam The Hague Airport (climate)
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)