The Hague

A stately seat of government, a great art museum and a seaside promenade.

Overview

Why go to The Hague

The Hague blends government buildings and international courts with a beautiful old centre, world-class art and a lively beach at Scheveningen. It is calmer than Amsterdam and full of green space.

City breakBeachCulture & historyFamilyFood & drink

Where
South Holland, Netherlands
Recommended stay
2–3 nights
Best time to go
May–September for beach weather; art museums work year-round.
Approx. daily budget
£70–135 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.

What does The Hague cost?

Full cost guide
  • Budget traveller£65–90a day
  • Mid-range traveller£120–175a day
  • Luxury traveller£245+a day

Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.

Things To Do

Top picks in The Hague

See all 12
Must See~£17

Mauritshuis

Centre

A small jewel box of Golden Age masterpieces, including Girl with a Pearl Earring.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Daily, roughly 10:00–17:00

View Tickets
Must See~£8

Binnenhof

Centre

The medieval complex of the Dutch parliament, with a Great Hall and courtyard.

  • Suggested time: 1h 15m
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Open most days; tours vary

View Tickets
Must SeeFree

Peace Palace

Zorgvliet

The home of the International Court of Justice, viewed from the outside.

  • Suggested time: 45 min
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Grounds open daily; interior by tour

Culture~£12

Escher in Het Paleis

Lange Voorhout

A museum of M. C. Escher’s optical illusions, in a former royal palace.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Culture lovers

Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 11:00–17:00

Hidden Gems

Beyond the checklist

See all 4
Hidden GemsFree

Haagse Bos

Haagse Bos

A large ancient woodland on the edge of the city centre, with walking paths and the royal palace Huis ten Bosch.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Outdoor lovers

Open daily

Hidden Gems~£8

Museum Bredius

Centre

A small canal-side museum with a private collection of Old Master paintings, including Rembrandts, in a historic house.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Hidden GemsFree

Haagse Markt

Transvaal

The largest outdoor market in the Netherlands, with stalls selling food, fabric and flowers from many cultures.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Food lovers

Open Monday to Saturday

Culture~£12

Panorama Mesdag

Centre

A giant 19th-century circular painting of Scheveningen that surrounds the viewer.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Daily, roughly 10:00–17:00

Hotels

Best-value hotels in The Hague

Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.

All 3 hotels
The Hague (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best Budget ChoicePopular Choice
Example listing

Noordeinde Townhouse

Noordeinde, The Hague

8.6Guest rating 8.6/10 · Excellent

Very good valueValue score 70 out of 100

Rated 8.6/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in The Hague, in a central location.

From £80 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants

Where to eat

Food guide
  • Fresh herring at Scheveningen harbour

    A daily-catch tradition

  • Haagse bluf

    A whipped-egg-white dessert

  • Indonesian rijsttafel

    A rice table of small dishes, reflecting the city’s history

A suggested The Hague itinerary

3 nights Couple

The Hague · Highlights

The Hague in 3 nights

A balanced first-visit plan built from our The Hague picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.

  1. Day 1 · Mauritshuis, Escher in Het Paleis, Binnenhof, Peace Palace
  2. Day 2 · Delft Day Trip
  3. Day 3 · Scheveningen Beach and Pier, Madurodam, Panorama Mesdag

Plan The Hague your way

Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.