The Hague: Discover art, courtyards and nature

The Hague takes you from major art collections and political landmarks to dune landscapes and rose gardens. When choosing a hotel in The Hague, it helps to first decide what matters most to you: should your stay focus mainly on art and history, canal cruises or nature experiences? The city offers a very different perspective for each of these interests.

Politics, art and remarkable collections

For centuries, the Binnenhof has been the center of Dutch politics and is one of The Hague’s best-known sights. Right next door is the Mauritshuis. It houses Dutch paintings from the time of Rembrandt and Vermeer, including Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” The Mauritshuis can be reached on foot, by bike, by public transport or by car. The nearby Galerij Prins Willem V offers a different connection to art history: it is considered the first museum in the Netherlands.

Kunstmuseum Den Haag has the world’s largest Mondrian collection. It includes nearly 300 works and presents every phase of Piet Mondrian’s artistic development. Escher in Het Paleis also connects art with the history of a building: the museum is housed in the former winter palace of Queen Mother Emma and displays more than 120 prints by Maurits C. Escher (1898–1972). Visitors can use three free audio tours there; check the latest information about what is available before your visit.

Exhibitions at Museon-Omniversum offer further perspectives. They are interactive and explore life on Earth as well as topics in culture, nature and science; individual exhibitions may change. Panorama Mesdag displays the Panorama of Scheveningen, the largest painting in the Netherlands. The range therefore extends from an extensive artist collection to a single large-scale work.

History among institutions and courtyards

The Peace Palace houses the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice, The Hague Academy of International Law and the Peace Palace Library. On a guided tour, visitors learn about the building, the institutions housed there and artworks donated by various countries. As availability depends on the current official schedule, check in advance whether a tour is planned.

The Gevangenpoort has been a museum since 1882; the Rijksmuseum de Gevangenpoort opened that year with the largest collection of instruments of punishment and torture in the Netherlands. An original early 19th-century guillotine is displayed in the courtyard. The hofjes (courtyard almshouses) are also part of the historic cityscape: The Hague still has about 115 surviving examples and is therefore known as a city of hofjes. Access varies from one hofje to another, so do not assume that you will be able to visit them all.

Green spaces and routes through the city

Westduinpark is one of The Hague’s largest natural areas. Many protected plant and animal species live there; European agreements under the Natura 2000 framework help protect them. Westbroekpark offers a different kind of attraction: more than 300 varieties of roses grow there, along with around 20,000 rose bushes. The Scheveningse Bosjes, meanwhile, is a forest planted on dune soil, with numerous old monuments.

The cycling network also offers different ways to get around: it makes it possible to ride to the station, shopping center, beach, forest and other cities. Those who want to explore The Hague by bike can choose from a variety of destinations and include them in their day’s plans.

Canal cruises, the coast and miniatures

Stichting de Ooievaart runs 90-minute sightseeing cruises around the center of The Hague. A skipper and a guide navigate the canals, point out sights and share the city’s hidden stories. The cruise combines a set time frame with views of the city and local stories; check the current schedule in advance, as timetables and booking conditions may change.

On The Hague’s coast, De Pier offers experiences including a zipline and a Ferris wheel. Scheveningen Pier is home to the Netherlands’ first Ferris wheel over the sea; from there, you can enjoy views of the 11-kilometer-long beach and The Hague skyline. Coastal experiences may vary by season, so check what is currently available in advance.

Madurodam showcases the Netherlands at a scale of 1:25 and features 430 miniatures. The theme park also has interactive attractions, water activities and playgrounds. At the information center about the renovation of the Binnenhof, an interactive video game lets children and adults explore the Binnenhof from an archaeologist’s perspective. So, alongside museums and historic buildings, there are also playful and interactive ways to discover the city and the country.

Discover more destinations: The Hague, Strijen, Leiderdorp, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Noordwijk, Dordrecht, Westland, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel

For the regional travel overview: South Holland.