The Hague sightseeing guide
The Hague is the political capital of The Netherlands. It's a melting pot of cultures because of its international nature. You can enjoy almost any cuisine the world has to offer. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, amazing beaches and just the good vibe of our hometown. In this sightseeing guide, we happily take you along the highlights of the city we love so much!
The Hague: the political capital of The Netherlands
We have been calling this lovely coastal city our home since 2020. It's the first place we've lived together, so it has a special place in our hearts. We moved here because this city has it all: vibrant city life, a beautiful coastline, and a melting pot of nationalities and cultures (with many amazing restaurants as a result).
The Hague is the political centre of The Netherlands. There are many important national and international institutions here, from the parliament to the foreign embassies. The city is rather spacious as well, so you can enjoy the best of city life at one moment and relax in nature the next.
In this sightseeing guide, we share our favourite sights and things to do in The Hague!
The ultimate city centre tour
The best way to explore the Hague is by cycling but it is also perfectly doable by walking and taking the tram. Let's say you start at the Central Station, from here you can walk to the city centre via the Herengracht and Korte Poten. You'll arrive at Plein (literally 'square'), where there are many places to have a drink and enjoy the typical Dutch 'gezelligheid'. At night, it's beautifully lit, and when standing with your back towards the Parliament, you'll have the most beautiful view of the city skyline.
In the atmospheric Oude Molstraat, you can enjoy a classic French meal at Pastis, get some cake at the lovely little 't Bakkertje or enjoy the typical Dutch beer culture at Huppel the pub or Café de Oude Mol. Another hidden gem in this little street is the Kloosterbrouwerij Haagsche Broeder, which is a monastery brewery. Spend the rest of your time exploring the little streets, for the cutest shops and restaurants.
You can continue to the Venestraat if you want to go to the big shops, and to Hoogstraat if you want to visit the boutiques. In case you need a break from the shopping or walking, you can have a cake and coffee or a 'borrel' (typically an alcoholic drink and a snack like bitterballen) at 'T Gouden Hooft (the oldest tavern of The Hague) or Milù (Wednesday night is cocktail night!). You can also walk to Plaats (literally 'place') to enjoy a meal or a drink with a very nice view of the Hofvijver.
From here, you can walk to the beautiful Hofvijver, which is a big pond from where you can take the most amazing skyline pictures. At the weekends, there is often an artisanal market here.
Nearby there's the old picturesque promenade called the Lange Voorhout, where there's also often a market of some kind, like books or antiques. In the adjacent Denneweg, there are many great restaurants.
In case you're looking for a special experience, consider a high tea at Hotel des Indes, which is the oldest and fanciest hotel in The Hague. If you have a big budget, this is also a very cool place to stay.
Next to the Hofvijver, you'll find the Binnenhof. This is the political heart of the city as the parliament is located here. It's currently under construction but there is a yellow platform from which you can overlook the Binnenhof and the rest of the city. Then you can walk towards Buitenhof and Gravenstraat, which is where the shopping area starts.
From here, you can walk to the fancy Noordeinde street, where you'll find the work palace of the king. Consider a stay at the amazing Indigo Hotel with its very cool basement bar in the old National Bank safe. Search for some books and coffee at the cutest Bookstor, or enjoy a pint and a pub meal at O'caseys, which has been voted the best Irish pub in the world.
Walk the entire Noordeinde street until you reach Hogewal and turn left, then go left again at Prinsessewal and enter the Paleistuin (palace garden). Here you can enjoy a lovely picnic on a sunny day! Either go to the Pistache café at the corner and walk through the lovely Prinsestraat or take the secret route through the park towards the Molenstraat (you'll have to ring a bell for the door to automatically open...).
Recommended places to visit in and around the city
Haagse Bos: a lovely old city forest that also houses the palace in which the king and queen reside.
Clingendael estate: a park with a beautiful (but rarely open) Japanese garden
Meyendel: the most beautiful dune nature area, cycle through it and visit the beach café 't Puntje or de pancake restaurant de Boerderij
The Peace Palace: the most beautiful and perhaps important landmark (go on a tour!)
Plein, Plaats or Grote Markt: the best places to have a drink!
Piet Heinstraat and Prins Hendrikstraat: for some more 'local' shops and restaurants
Mauritshuis: a beautiful small classic art museum next to the Hofvijver
Escher in the Palace: very cool art from the well-known optical illusionist
De Gevangenpoort: a very small and old prison across the Hofvijver which provides a great insight into important Dutch historical events
Voorlinden: an amazing modern art museum
Recommended bars and restaurants
Bartine: there are two places, a restaurant and a bakery, both are very artisanal and wort a visit
Little V: a beautiful and atmospheric restaurant with Vietnamese food
Full moon city: for Chinese dim sum brunch or dinner
Momiji and Takumi: for some great and affordable ramen
Queru: authentic Mexican food with a modern twist and the most amazing margaritas
Giuliano's: probably one of the best Italian restaurants
Foodhallen: a lovely little hidden food court in the middle of the city
HUmmUS: the best place for falafel and hummus
Bleyenberg: for its amazing rooftop bar and karaoke booths
O'Caseys: for some awesome pub food and pints in the garden, this is also the place to be for watching international games with expats from all over the world
The beach bars at Zuiderstrand (strandslag 1 and 2)
Where to go next?
With a quick train ride, you can be anywhere in The Netherlands. Here are our personal favourites:
Amsterdam: for the pretty canals and the vibrant city life
Rotterdam: for a more metropolitan experience
Utrecht, a lovely small Dutch city, take a look at our sightseeing guide for tips!
Leiden and Delft: small typically Dutch and very atmospheric cities just a few minutes away from The Hague
Den Bosch and Haarlem: similar in vibe to Leiden and Delft, but a bit further away
Maastricht: the gem in the hilly south part of the Netherlands, we love this city and its beautiful environment!
Nijmegen and Arnhem: two lovely cities with beautiful nature around it, such as the Veluwe or the Posbank
Waddeneilanden: there are six visitable islands in the north of the Netherlands where the Dutchies come to 'waai uit' (literally blow out, loosely translated: to get some fresh air), we would advise visiting Terschelling, although we have yet to go there ourselves...
