Five popular attractions in The Hague

Of the three largest cities in the Netherlands, The Hague was the one with the biggest growth in tourism in 2015. Especially visitors from abroad are discovering the historical and culture-filled city!

The Hague offers sights like the seat of the Dutch government, a famous beach, grandiose embassies, lots of green space and all kinds of fascinating museums.

Every year, several interesting festivals take place on the streets of this Dutch treasure as well. Due to the city’s large international community, many events are expat-friendly.

Popular attractions

Take a look at five of the most popular attractions you can find in The Hague:

› Madurodam

Why travel all around the Netherlands to see its sights when you can see all of them together in a park with 1:25 scale model replicas?

Famous Dutch heritage sites and landmarks can be found in miniature park Madurodam. Not just the buildings, but also the tulip fields, wind mills, dikes and much more are presented here, with tiny people cycling through the streets and visiting the miniature locations.

The park is highly informative and interactive. You can learn all about the sites in fun ways with interactive installations. Taxi a plane on a Schiphol runway, put your finger in a hole in the dike or close a dam right before a flood.

The park is divided into three themes: "Water, as a friend and an enemy", "Historical cities" and "The Netherlands as an inspiration for the world".

Madurodam is open all year round.

› The Peace Palace

The Peace Palace was opened in 1913 as a direct result of the blossoming peace ideals of the time.

In 1899, a large international peace conference was held in The Hague. This occasion brought forth the notion that conflict should be settled through law, rather than with armies.

The Peace Palace was created as a monumental housing for the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The monumental structure now also houses the International Court of Justice, which is a UN institution.

Surrounding the palace you’ll find the famous Library and The Hague Academy of International Law.

An intriguing visitor's centre showcases a permanent exhibition and a short informative film. The Peace Palace has been awarded the European Heritage label.

› The Scheveningen Pier

The Scheveningen Pier is located in the North Sea, by one of the Netherlands’ most popular beaches.

This seaside attraction consists of an indoor promenade, an open deck and four islands at its extremities. It was renovated and reopened in 2015.

A lookout tower offers a view of up to 17 kilometres over the sea. You will also find a food boulevard, a bungee jumping installation, terraces and shops.

Throughout the entire year, Scheveningen hosts festivals, cultural events and concerts.

› The Mauritshuis

The Mauritshuis was built in the 1630s for John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen. The majestic house now serves as a museum to display the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, consisting of Dutch and Flemish masters from the Golden Age.

The classical historic rooms of the museum are filled with a total of 841 objects, including iconic artworks by Rembrandt, Steen and Rubens. One of the famous works you can find here is Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.

The plot borders on the Binnenhof and the adjacent Hofvijver pond, and is listed in the top 100 Dutch heritage sites.

The Mauritshuis reopened in 2014 after a thorough renovation, doubling its surface to 6.400 square meters of exhibition space.

There are many other interesting museums in The Hague as well, such as Gemeentemuseum Den Haag.

› Noordeinde Palace

Noordeinde Palace is one of the three official palaces of the Dutch royal family. This one is King Willem Alexander’s work palace. When he is present, the Dutch flag is raised on site.

Originally a medieval farmhouse, the monument was converted into a residence by the steward of the States of Holland in 1533. You can still find the original cellars in the basement.

Since 2016, the stately building and its beautiful garden can be visited by the public. It is only open for a few days.

However, just a view from the outside is interesting as well. The palace is located in one of the most elegant shopping streets in The Hague, so it’s easily combined with some high-class shopping.

What is your favourite attraction in The Hague? Let us know in the comments below!