The Hague, city by the sea
High-quality cultural offer
Some places always remain dear to one’s heart. The Hague can be said to be one such place. The city of peace and justice. The city of the cosmopolitan and the beach. From shops to palaces. From exotic cuisines to Dutch fishing harbours. From international jurisdiction to street savvy. The Hague will captivate you with its modern skyline combined with beautiful historical and royal buildings in the city centre. The Hague is the residence of King WillemAlexander and Queen Máxima.
The Hague is home to a wealth of museums. Boasting some modern art, intimate theatre plays, world-famous museums (e.g. ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ from Vermeer at the Mauritshuis and the ‘Victory Boogy Woogy’ from Mondrian at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag) and bustling festivals all contribute to the city’s reputation for being a magnificent cultural potpourri all year round.
The Hague offers you no less than two destinations in one: city and beach. The Hague is the only coastal city in the Netherlands. Soak up culture in the historical city centre followed by a walk across the beach of Scheveningen, which is less than 15 minutes away by bike or by tram. With attractions and museums, two theatres and numerous restaurants and hotels, Scheveningen offers visitors all the ingredients for a city trip.
Home to the royal family The Hague has been home to the royal family for centuries. With its historical monuments, working and residential palaces and favourite addresses of the king and queen, there is no denying that The Hague is home to the royal family.
City of peace and justice The Hague is synonymous with international law, peace and diplomacy. It is the United Nations’ second city, after New York. There are more than 160 international organisations based in The Hague, among them the renowned Peace Palace, ICC and the OPCW, dedicated to the cause of world peace.
Political heart of the Netherlands
Shopping 7 days a week The Hague has a charming and historical city centre where shops are open seven days a week. It’s a compact area where you’ll find vintage, fashion and department stores and art galleries within walking distance.
From fresh fish to exotic cuisine A visit to The Hague offers a wealth of choice that will appeal to all tastes. For hip restaurants, wander down to Prinsestraat and sit down along one of the canals in the city. The harbour is a great choice for having a sunset dinner with fresh fish on your plate. As ‘widow of the Dutch East Indies’, the city boasts a wide range of restaurants serving elaborate ‘rice tables’ in typical colonial atmosphere.
Green city The greenest city in Europe? That must be The Hague! Considering the population density of the Netherlands, visitors to The Hague are always amazed to find such an abundance of lush greenery throughout the city. Parks, forests, dunes and numerous green open spaces occupy over 400 hectares, which means that no less than a third of the city is green.
The Hague is the political capital of the Netherlands. The centre of the political heart can be found at Binnenhof, where the future of the Netherlands is decided. Other well-known sites are the Knights’ Hall and the Court Pond. 11