The Hague
Updated October 19, 2026
Also known as: Den Haag, 's-Gravenhage, City of Peace and Justice
Main Landmarks in The Hague
History
The Hague, Den Haag, on the North Sea coast, began in the 13th century as a hunting lodge of the Counts of Holland, whose official name, 's-Gravenhage, means the count's hedge. Count Floris IV bought land here around 1230, and his son, William II, built a castle, of which the Ridderzaal, the Hall of Knights, completed around 1280, survives. The Binnenhof, the inner court, became the seat of government of the County of Holland. The Hague grew as an administrative centre, but it never received city rights in the Middle Ages, and it was called the largest village in Europe. During the Dutch Republic, from 1588, the States General met in the Binnenhof, and the city became the political centre of the country, with foreign embassies and the court of the stadtholders of the House of Orange. In 1806 Louis Napoleon gave The Hague city rights. After 1815, Amsterdam became the capital, but the government, parliament and the king remained in The Hague. In 1899 and 1907, the Hague Peace Conferences were held here, and the Peace Palace, funded by Andrew Carnegie, opened in 1913. During the Second World War, part of the city was demolished for the Atlantic Wall. The International Criminal Court was established here in 2002. Today about 560,000 people live in the city.
Culture
The Hague is the political centre of the Netherlands, where the government, the parliament, the Supreme Court and the king work, although Amsterdam is the capital, and it is also an international city of peace and justice, home to about 200 international organisations, such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, Europol and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. This gives the city a diplomatic and international atmosphere, with many expatriates and embassies. The Hague is elegant and green, with wide avenues, parks, such as the Haagse Bos, stately houses and royal palaces, and it has a long cultural tradition, with museums such as the Mauritshuis, the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, with the world's largest Mondrian collection, and Escher in the Palace. The Hague School of painters, in the 19th century, painted the landscapes and seaside life around the city. Its seaside district, Scheveningen, has been a fishing village and beach resort since the 19th century, and it has a lively atmosphere in summer. The city has a large Indonesian community, and Indonesian food and culture, celebrated at the Tong Tong Fair, are part of local life. Prinsjesdag, on the third Tuesday of September, when the king rides in a golden carriage to open the parliamentary year, is a major event.
Climate
Spring
4–16°C
March to May brings mild, changeable weather, with days of about 10–16°C, sunshine, showers and wind from the sea, and f…
Summer
12–22°C
June to August is mild, with days of about 19–22°C, sometimes warmer during heatwaves, and sea breezes. Scheveningen bea…
Autumn
6–17°C
September to November brings cooler days of about 10–17°C, more rain and strong winds from the sea. Prinsjesdag, on the …
Winter
1–7°C
December to February is cool and damp, with days of about 5–7°C, nights around 1–2°C, wind and rain. On New Year's Day, …
Fun Facts
A seat of government that is not the capital
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government, the parliament, the Supreme Court and the king's working palace, Noordein…
One of the oldest parliament buildings
The Binnenhof, the inner court, in the centre of The Hague, has been the seat of Dutch government since the 13th century…
A palace for world peace
The Peace Palace, opened in 1913, built with funding of about 1.5 million dollars from the American industrialist Andrew…
A famous painting with a girl
The Mauritshuis, a 17th-century mansion on a pond next to the Binnenhof, displays Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl E…
The world's largest Mondrian collection
The Kunstmuseum Den Haag, in an Art Deco building from 1935 designed by H.P. Berlage, has the world's largest collection…
A cold swim on New Year's Day
Every year on 1 January, about 10,000 people run into the cold North Sea at Scheveningen, in the Nieuwjaarsduik, the New…
Local Cuisine in The Hague
Practical Travel Information
Transport & Accessibility
International Transport
The Hague is about 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which has flights worldwide, and about 20 minutes from Rotterdam The Hague Airport. Den Haag Centraal and Den Haag Hollands Spoor stations have frequent trains to Amsterdam, about 50 minutes, Rotterdam, about 25 minutes, Delft, Leiden and Utrecht, and international trains to Brussels and Antwerp via Rotterdam. The RandstadRail light rail connects The Hague with Rotterdam and Zoetermeer. FlixBus stops at Den Haag Centraal. Check timetables in advance, especially on public holidays.
Local Transport
The Hague has an efficient tram and bus network, run by HTM, connecting the centre with Scheveningen, Kijkduin, Madurodam and the museums, with payment by contactless bank card or OV-chipkaart. A day ticket costs about €8–9. RandstadRail light rail lines run to Rotterdam and Zoetermeer. Cycling is popular, with bike lanes through the parks to the beach, and rentals at stations. The centre is compact and walkable. Taxis and Uber are available. Parking in the centre is limited and expensive.
Safety & Health
Personal Safety
The Hague is generally safe, with low crime rates. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas, such as stations, trams and Scheveningen in summer. Some neighbourhoods, such as parts of Schilderswijk and Transvaal, can be less safe at night, so stay in busy areas. At the beach, swim only where lifeguards are present, as the North Sea has strong currents. Bike theft is common, so lock your bike well. Look out for cyclists and trams. In an emergency, call 112. Most visits are trouble-free with basic precautions.
Medical Services
The Hague has good hospitals, such as HMC Westeinde, Haaglanden Medical Centre, and Haga Hospital, with emergency departments and English-speaking staff. For non-urgent care, visitors can see a general practitioner or use out-of-hours GP services. EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card, while others need travel insurance. Pharmacies are common. Tap water is excellent and safe to drink. Carry your insurance details and any personal medicines. Keep a small first-aid kit for day trips. For urgent advice outside office hours, call the huisartsenpost.
Budget & Costs
Travel Costs
The Hague is cheaper than Amsterdam. A hostel bed costs about €30–55, a mid-range hotel €110–190 and a luxury hotel, such as the Hotel Des Indes or the Kurhaus, from €250 per night. A coffee costs about €3–4, a lunch €10–16 and dinner in a mid-range restaurant €25–45 per person. An HTM day ticket costs about €8–9, the Mauritshuis €20–22, the Kunstmuseum €18–20, Escher in the Palace €12–15, Madurodam €20–25 and the Peace Palace tour about €15. A mid-range traveller should budget about €120–190 per day.
Budget Tips
Buy the Museumkaart if you visit several museums. Visit free attractions, such as the Peace Palace visitor centre, the Binnenhof area, the Palace Garden, the Haagse Bos and Scheveningen beach. Eat at Indonesian takeaways and fish stalls. Rent a bike to cycle to the beach. Stay in The Hague and visit Delft, Leiden and Rotterdam as day trips. Visit outside summer for lower hotel prices. Walking is free and often the best way to explore. Booking early usually secures better prices.
Culture & Traditions
Social Norms
People in The Hague are polite, formal and reserved compared with Amsterdam, reflecting its diplomatic character, though Scheveningen is more relaxed. Greet people with a handshake or hallo. English is widely spoken, especially in the international community. Do not walk in bike lanes. Respect security around government buildings, embassies and international courts. Tipping is not obligatory, but rounding up is appreciated. Dress smart casual in upscale restaurants. A few words of the local language are always appreciated. Patience and a smile go a long way.
Cultural Activities
Watch the royal procession on Prinsjesdag. Visit the Mauritshuis and the Kunstmuseum. Explore Escher in the Palace. Join the Nieuwjaarsduik on 1 January. Celebrate Vlaggetjesdag, the herring festival, in Scheveningen in June. Visit the Tong Tong Fair, a festival of Indonesian culture, in spring. Watch the International Fireworks Festival in Scheveningen in August. Attend a concert at the Amare cultural centre. Walk in the Haagse Bos. Visit the Peace Palace. Check local listings for free events during your stay. Ask your hotel about seasonal festivals.
Unique Experiences in The Hague
See Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft at the Mauritshuis, a 17th-century mansion on a pond, in intimate rooms filled with Dutch Golden Age masterpieces. Tickets cost about €20–22. Book online, and visit early in the morning for the quietest rooms.
Cycle from the centre of The Hague through the Scheveningse Bosjes woods and the dunes to Scheveningen beach, then walk along the boulevard and the pier, and eat fresh fish in the harbour at sunset. Bike rental costs about €12–15 per day. Cycling takes about 20 minutes.
Join the Nieuwjaarsduik, the New Year's Dive, on 1 January, running into the cold North Sea at Scheveningen with about 10,000 people in orange hats, then warm up with pea soup. Registration is free or cheap. Bring warm clothes and a towel.
Watch Prinsjesdag on the third Tuesday of September, when the king rides in a carriage through the streets of The Hague to open the parliamentary year, with soldiers, bands and crowds. It is free. Arrive early to find a good spot along the route.
Explore the optical illusions of M.C. Escher at Escher in the Palace, a former royal winter palace, and then visit the Kunstmuseum to see Mondrian's Victory Boogie Woogie, two museums of Dutch modern art. Tickets cost about €12–20 each. Combine them with the Museumkaart.
Travel Recommendations for The Hague
Visit The Hague for its art museums, such as the Mauritshuis, the Kunstmuseum and Escher in the Palace, which are among …
Combine the city with the beach at Scheveningen, reached by tram or bike in about 15–20 minutes, especially in summer, w…
Take day trips to Delft, about 15 minutes away, Leiden, about 15 minutes, and Rotterdam, about 25 minutes, as The Hague …
Try Indonesian food, as The Hague has the largest Indonesian community in the Netherlands and some of the best Indonesia…
Check the status of the Binnenhof renovation and the Peace Palace tours before visiting, as access may be limited. The P…