6 Best Places To Visit in the Hague
When people think of The Hague, they often only think of the International Court of Justice, but it is so much more! It is the third-largest city in the Netherlands, and its museum houses one of the most famous Dutch paintings, The Girl with the Pearl Earring. If you are planning to visit, we have a great list of the best places to visit in The Hague.
6 Best places to visit in the Hague
Traveling to The Hague gives you the chance to explore the best of the Netherlands in one place: culture, history, and art.
Here are what we consider to be the best places to visit in the Hague:
1. Peace Palace
The first place you should visit in The Hague is the Peace Palace, the Neo-Renaissance building that houses the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The palace was established in the early 20th century as an international body of law to facilitate leaders in resolving disputes through dialogue rather than on the battlefield.
You can take guided tours inside the palace when they are not in session. This occurs most weekends from May to October.
A tour allows you to see the Great Hall of Justice, the Small Hall of Justice, and the Japanese room.
2. Mauritshuis Museum
Located in a 17th-century canal-side mansion, the Mauritshuis Museum is known for its exceptional collection of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces.
17th-century Dutch artists were known for realism, attention to everyday life, mastery of light, and groundbreaking techniques that influenced artists across Europe.
Perhaps the most famous Dutch artist, Rembrandt, excelled in his use of dramatic lighting and deep emotional expression. You will get to see this featured in The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp.
One of the Dutch master Vermeer’s most famous works, Girl with a Pearl Earring, is permanently on exhibit in the museum.
A master storyteller, Steen is renowned for his paintings of Dutch daily life, in which a moral lesson is often concealed.
3. Binnenhof
The Binnenhof is one of the oldest continuously used parliament complexes in the world, having been the political heart of the Netherlands since the 13th century.
The buildings house both the Dutch Parliament and the office of the Prime Minister.
Its most iconic building is the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights), a grand Gothic hall that the King uses for his annual speeches.
A guided tour will teach you about its history and allow you to see the Dutch House of Representatives
In order to tour the Binnenhof, you must first register with the Dutch House of Representatives.
4. Madurodam
Located in the Scheveningen district, you won’t want to miss seeing this park that features miniature 1:25 scale models of some of the most famous Dutch landmarks!
Each visitor can use a smartphone to learn about the actual landmarks as they view each replica in person.
What makes Madurodam especially fun is its interactive displays, where you can learn how the Dutch manipulated water, see art come to life, and understand how to harness the power of wind!
While this is a family-friendly activity, adults enjoy it just as much.
What People Have to Say about Madurodam on TripAdvisor:
We were totally blown away by the exhibition, the models were fantastic, so intricate and showed the sights that we would see for the rest of our trip in the Netherlands. Everything is so well thought out and considered, including the addition of interactive elements such as moving parts, games, souvenir dispensers and audio/visual experience rooms.
5. Escher in The Palace
This museum is dedicated to the mind-bending art of M.C. Escher, the Dutch artist famous for his optical illusions and mathematically inspired designs.
It guides you through Escher’s artistic evolution and does a wonderful job explaining the pieces and the reasons why he was drawn to paradox, geometry, and visual illusions.
If you are an Escher fan, you won’t want to miss visiting!
6. The Hague Market
One of Europe’s largest and most diverse markets, with more than 500 stalls selling fresh produce, clothing, flowers, spices, and household goods.
Located on Herman Costerstraat and open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, visitors can sample international street food while shopping for unique items.
The Hague offers something memorable at every turn, and whether you are here for a day or three days, you are sure to walk away with a better appreciation of this Dutch destination.
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