{"id":9329,"date":"2020-10-08T15:12:24","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T15:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tiqets-blog-staging.local\/things-to-do-in-the-hague\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T10:45:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T10:45:21","slug":"things-to-do-in-the-hague","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/things-to-do-in-the-hague\/","title":{"rendered":"From Palaces to Beaches: the Top 21 Things to Do in the Hague","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u2013\u00a0This post was written by\u00a0Lauren Voges<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, you\u2019ve planned a trip to the other<\/em> Dutch capital and now you\u2019re looking for things to do in the Hague? If you\u2019d never heard of the Hague before planning your trip to the Netherlands, or you already live here and consistently overlook this quaint little city, you would be forgiven.\u00a0

Often overshadowed by its sister cities, ever-trendy Amsterdam and oh-so-cool Rotterdam, the second capital of the Netherlands is a beauty best appreciated up close. From afar, you might see her as the home of Dutch parliament and a hub for international law. But up close, she sparkles with hidden gems, like the Kurhaus and the Peace Palace, and unrivalled natural features, like expansive nature reserves and a bunch of beaches.\u00a0

Whether you\u2019re on the hunt for historical attractions, art museums, adventure or the great outdoors, the Hague will satisfy your cravings with its rich cultural history and bountiful pockets of nature. Without further ado, let\u2019s dive into the top 21 things to do in the Hague.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to do in the Hague for history lovers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Visit the Peace Palace in the Hague <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Possibly one of the greatest symbols of international peace, the Peace Palace in the Hague was commissioned in the beginning of the 19th century by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. And contrary to what its name may suggest, the Peace Palace is not and never was a royal residence. 

The Palace was built to house a court of arbitration which would settle international disputes peacefully. To truly bring home the message of peace and international cooperation, the Palace was built with and decorated in gifts from the countries that signed on to be members of the court of arbitration. For example the clock tower was a gift from Switzerland, the marble used in the supporting columns and the floors was a gift from Italy, and a statue of Lady Justice in the front hall was a gift from the United States. 

Today the palace hosts not only the permanent court of arbitration, but also the International Court of Justice and several other international law organisations and initiatives \u2013 including the largest international law library in the world. 

Fans of architecture and Art Nouveau will appreciate the impressive facade and richly decorated interior of the peace palace, and international law fans will thoroughly appreciate the significance of this extraordinary building. 

Top tip:<\/strong> If you\u2019re visiting in the spring or summer months, make sure you ask your guide to include a quick tour of the Peace Palace gardens in your visit. With several fountains, a rose garden and a range of sculpted hedges, the gardens are a treat to behold. <\/p>\n\n\n

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2. Discover centuries of crime and punishment at the Museum of Gevangenpoort<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overlooking the Hofvijver pond in front of the Binnenhof and situated just off Noordeinde (a shopping street boasting high-end brands, cute boutiques and top-notch restaurants), the Museum of Gevangenpoort is a great way to break up a day of shopping, wandering and cafe-hopping through the Hague. 

The Prison Gate Museum was originally the entrance gate to the castle of the Counts of Holland. When the Court of Holland was established, the building was transformed into the prison for the court. Today, you can visit the museum to learn about the history of crime and punishment in the Netherlands. Wander through its centuries-old rooms to peer at old torture devices and hear stories of what it was like to be a prisoner in 17th century Holland. <\/p>\n\n\n

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3. Get to know the Hague a little better with the Hague’s Historic Museum<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From why the city of the Hague is decorated in storks to its origins as a symbol of peace and justice, the Hague\u2019s Historic Museum has all the answers. It\u2019s also situated in a 17th-century archery house which will delight architecture fans. 

The museum not only tells the story of the history of the Hague, it also features prized artefacts like a massive, five-metre wide painted view of the city by Jan van Goyen, and (rather oddly) the preserved finger of one of the De Witt brothers \u2013 whom you\u2019ll find out more about when you visit the museum. 

If, however, you\u2019re visiting the museum to buff up on your Hague history and not to gawk at a collection of artefacts, you\u2019ll not be disappointed. A digital chronological map of the city shows you how the Hague has developed over time and you can feast your eyes on a series of townscapes that show the Hague in different periods throughout history, giving you a real sense of the rich political and administrative history of the city. 

Like many museums in the Hague, the Historic Museum is not overwhelming in size, making it a good addition to a day of gallivanting around the city. It\u2019s also close to other cultural and historical attractions like the Mauritshuis and the Museum of Gevangenpoort.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Read between the lines at Museum Meermanno<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re fanatical about the history of the print industry, Museum Meermanno or Huis van het Boek (House of the Book) is a must-visit when you\u2019re looking for things to do in the Hague. From papyrus scrolls to a collection of miniature printed books, and some of the earliest books ever printed, this museum is paradise for those who love the look of a good cover design, the sound of the turning of the page, and hate being told how far into a book they are in percentages. 

One wander through this museum\u2019s wondrous collection of medieval manuscripts and yellowed, dog-eared pages and you\u2019ll be setting aside your kindle, and falling back in love with good old hardcovers and paperbacks. 

Top tip:<\/strong> Yes, you\u2019re there to appreciate the wonders of print, but don\u2019t miss the assortment of old objects featured in the museum\u2019s collection. Keep a lookout for the mummy of a cat, a cork model of the Temple of Vesta, and the matrices (the molds in which printing types are cast) of the Zilverdistel Press. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t miss these landmarks in the Hague<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

5. The Binnenhof <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Built in the 13th century for a couple of Dutch counts, the Binnenhof has got to be one of the prettiest government buildings in all of Europe thanks to its gothic architecture and its placement next to the picturesque Hofviijfer pond. Today, the buildings in the Binnenhof complex house the States General of the Netherlands, the Ministry of General Affairs and the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. 

Take a walk along the promenade next to the Hofvijver for stunning views of the 700-year-old buildings and make sure you wander through the courtyard in the middle of the Binnenhof to get a view of the Ridderzaal. You might even spot Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte cycling to, or from, his office.<\/p>\n\n\n

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6. Ridderzaal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What was that bit about the Ridderzaal? The Ridderzaal, or the Knight\u2019s Hall, is the main building in the inner courtyard of the Binnenhof. Take a seat near the fountain and spend some time admiring the splendid facade of this 13th-century building, with its lovely rose window and heaven-bound spires, before you move onto more things to do in the Hague. <\/p>\n\n\n

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7. Noordeinde Palace <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you came to the Hague for a sneak peek at how King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima spend their days, you\u2019ve come to the right place. The Hague houses one of the three official palaces of the Dutch royal family, and Noordeinde Palace just happens to be the official workplace of the king. There\u2019s not much to see, but if you\u2019re already taking advantage of the shopping opportunities on Noordeinde street, you might as well take a moment to see if you can spy the king through the gates to the palace. 

Top tip: <\/strong>If you were hoping for a peek inside the palace, you better time your visit well. Noordeinde Palace and the Royal Stables (behind the Palace Gardens) are open to the public for just a few days in the summer each year. Tickets go fast, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled and your fingers ready to book your tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n

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8. The Old City Hall<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is another one of the landmarks that you just can\u2019t miss thanks to its convenient location in the middle of the city. Or perhaps that\u2019s what makes it so easy to walk by? Surrounded by more modern-day eye candy \u2013 think shops like The Sting and H&M and restaurants like the cocktail-serving Milu and great-for-people-watching ‘t Goude Hooft \u2013 the Renaissance-style Old City Hall might be easy to wander past. But make no mistake, it\u2019s well worth stopping for. 

The former government residence is characterised by bright red shutters and an imposing facade \u2013 an excellent Instagram backdrop. <\/p>\n\n\n

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9. Grote of Sint Jacobskerk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It wouldn\u2019t be an old European city centre if it didn\u2019t have a church. And sure enough, just around the corner from the Old City Hall is the Grote of Sint Jacobskerk, the Great Church or the Church of St James. Characterised by its tall tower and very musical bells, this 14th-century church is a beloved feature of the city. It\u2019s not always open to the public, so you\u2019ll need to check that it\u2019s open before you plan your visit. Top tip: <\/strong>Try and make sure you\u2019re in the vicinity of the Great Church between 12:00 and 13:00 so that you can hear the bell tower\u2019s daily carillon concert. The carillon players belt out an impressive range of songs, from well known hymns and Christmas carols to Tears for Fears’ Mad World<\/em> (very apt these days). <\/p>\n\n\n

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Things to do in the Hague for art lovers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

10. Deep dive into the Dutch Golden Age at the Mauritshuis<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Mauritshuis is home to some of the most famous paintings created during the Dutch Golden Age. From Fabritius\u2019 The Goldfinch<\/em> to Rembrandt\u2019s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp <\/em>to Vermeer\u2019s Girl with a Pearl Earring<\/em>, there is simply no shortage of masterpieces to fangirl over. 

Added to its wildly impressive collection of paintings by Dutch masters (did we mention this is where the Girl with a Pearl Earring<\/em> spends its days?), the Mauritshuis is also a gorgeous building to hang out in. Built in the 17th century as a private residence for Count Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen, the Mauritshuis still has a stately feel to it. 

Top tip:<\/strong> With over 800 paintings on display, a visit to the Mauritshuis can be more than a little overwhelming for those who are not bona fide art lovers. If you\u2019re mainly visiting the Mauritshuis to gawk at Girl with a Pearl Earring<\/em>, make sure you head to the top floor first (which is where she hangs out) and then work your way down so that you\u2019re not fatigued by the time you lay eyes on this fabulous artwork by Vermeer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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