Netherlands · Royal seat and city of peace
⚖️The Hague
Not the capital but the seat of government, the monarchy, the Peace Palace, and the International Criminal Court — plus the Netherlands' only proper beach neighborhood at Scheveningen.
- Best season
- May–September
- Mid-range
- €100–€160 / day
- Backpacker
- €55–€80 / day
- Country
- Netherlands
Safety
Very safe. Standard care around Hollands Spoor station at night.
Best travel season
May–September. North Sea beach in July–August.
Daily budget
Mid-range
€100–€160 / day
Backpacker
€55–€80 / day
Where to stay
- Centrum — near Binnenhof and Mauritshuis
- Archipelbuurt — leafy, embassies, near the Peace Palace
- Scheveningen — beachfront, pier, boardwalk
- Statenkwartier — Art Nouveau villas, quiet
Hostels
- Stayokay Den Haag — modern, near the station
- Jorplace Beach Hostel — steps from Scheveningen beach
Transportation
Tram (HTM)
12 lines, one of Europe's oldest tram networks. Single €4.50 with OV; day pass €7.50.
Bus
Same tariff. RandstadRail lines connect to Rotterdam.
Bicycle
Rent from HTM or OV-fiets at Centraal or Hollands Spoor.
Airport — RTM / AMS
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) / Schiphol (AMS)
RTM is 20 km southeast; AMS is 45 km northeast with direct trains.
Airport to city center
NS Intercity from Schiphol
Direct to Den Haag Centraal in 30 min, €10.60.
Bus 33 + metro from RTM
Via Rotterdam Centraal, then RandstadRail E to Den Haag Centraal, ~50 min.
Attractions
Museum
Mauritshuis
Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, Fabritius's Goldfinch, Rembrandt's Anatomy Lesson — all in a compact 17th-c mansion.
Must-see
Binnenhof
13th-c parliament complex around the Ridderzaal (Knights' Hall) — under restoration until 2028.
Monument
Peace Palace
Home of the International Court of Justice, opened 1913 with contributions from every world nation. Visitor centre free; interior by ticketed tour.
Museum
Escher in Het Paleis
MC Escher's illusions in a former royal winter palace.
Museum
Kunstmuseum Den Haag
World's largest Mondrian collection in Berlage's yellow-brick masterpiece.
Sunset
Scheveningen beach & pier
5 km of sand, bungee-jump pier, boulevard by Manuel de Solà-Morales.
Hidden gem
Panorama Mesdag
1881 cylindrical painting 14 m tall, 120 m round — the world's oldest surviving panorama in its original site.
Hidden gem
Madurodam
1:25 miniature Netherlands park — kitsch but the details are extraordinary.
Food & drink
Street food
Kibbeling
Battered cod chunks with garlic sauce — Simonis at Scheveningen harbour is the classic.
Street food
Poffertjes
Mini fluffy pancakes with butter and icing sugar. Poffertjes Restaurant on Denneweg.
Restaurant
Basaal
Modern Dutch bistro in a canal warehouse on Dunne Bierkade.
Restaurant
Calla's
Michelin-starred contemporary near the Peace Palace.
Café
Bagels & Beans
Local mini-chain founded here — reliable brunches.
Vegan
Hagedis
Fully vegan lunch spot in the Zeeheldenkwartier.