The Hague, the Netherlands’ third-largest city and its capital, is also its political hub. We’ve put together the following incentives to visit the Hague while inside Dutch territory to help travelers get ready for their next trip to the Netherlands.
1. There are windmills in The Hague!
The Kinderdijk windmills, a collection of breathtaking mills that are easily accessible as a day trip from Amsterdam or as a side trip from Rotterdam, are undoubtedly the most well-known of all the wooden windmills. But many people are unaware that The Hague also has a unique collection of windmills.
Three windmills, which is how the name “Molendriegang” is literally rendered, were previously used to dry mill the De Driemanspolder. For those who are unfamiliar with the term “polder,” it refers to a low-lying area that has been reclaimed from the sea or a river and is subsequently fortified by levees.
2. The Hague is the ideal combination of a city and a beach
Perhaps to your surprise, the Scheveningen region is actually a part of The Hague. The fishing sector, which is about a fifteen to twenty-minute bicycle ride from the city center, is distinguished by its sand dunes, cobblestone alleyways, and antique buildings and was formerly a separate municipality.
But as The Hague expanded, the neighborhood was woven into the character of the bigger city, even if it has since retained its own unique flavor. Sand beaches, a network of cobbled alleyways that serves as Scheveningen’s center, and a variety of water activities are all to be found there today.
3. The passage from UNESCO is definitely worth visting
De Passage Den Haag is the most well-known of the UNESCO-listed locations in this region of the Netherlands. The horseshoe-shaped covered arcade, which has a variety of small stores and restaurants, goes back to the 19th century and is built in an effort to “copy” the covered arcades in Paris.
4. The Girl with the Pearl Earring: Famous Dutch Masterpiece
Many people go to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam under the impression that they can see works by Dutch Masters from the 17th century. The Girl With the Pearl Earring, maybe Johannes Vermeer’s most well-known work. The Mona Lisa is to Paris what this well-known Dutch masterpiece is to Den Haag.
And not just because the painting is beautifully done. Instead, little is known about the artist who created famous pieces of art. Vermeer, who was most likely born in Delft in the 1630s, is as mysterious as the subject of his best-known painting, which is currently housed in The Hague’s Mauritshuis.
5. Fantastic coffee culture exists in The Hague
You might be surprised to learn that The Hague has a vibrant café culture and a wide variety of independent stores and restaurants. While certain Dutch hotspots are ideal for enjoying brunch with friends, other coffee shops offer facilities like quick WiFi and are fantastic places to catch up on work while sipping specialty coffee.
Some of the top coffee shops to check out in The Hague are Mugs & Mermaids (as implied by the name), Filtro / Speciality Coffee Bar (ideal for caffeine enthusiasts), and Walter Benedict (unquestionably the best place to go for brunch!).
6. The Hague has a Royal History museum
History lovers only need one justification to travel to The Hague! And this is the history of the city’s kings. The Dutch city of Den Haag has a long royal history and served as Holland’s political capital for much of the Middle Ages, despite the fact that it is currently arguably best recognized for its political structures.
7. The Hague has a fantastic vegan scene
Many people were pleasantly surprised to learn during a visit to Den Haag that the city offers some of the best vegan and vegetarian experiences of any place in Europe, in addition to fast food restaurants and fine dining establishments.
The city’s FOAM (for breakfasts and light lunches) and Hortus (for a more opulent, fine-dining experience) are some of the meatless places.
8. Cycling is an easy way to get around Den Haag
Like a large portion of Holland (including the city of Amsterdam), The Hague is incredibly simple to navigate on foot or, ideally, by bicycle. While many of the city’s museums and photo opportunities may be explored on foot, renting a bike will allow you to easily explore the city’s parks and outlying neighborhoods as well as the beach.
One of the greatest bicycle day trips from The Hague for individuals who enjoy cycling and want to spend the day outside the city limits is to Kasteel Duivenvoorde. The former family residence, a lavish brick castle encircled by its own grounds and moat, sits halfway between Leiden and Den Haag and about 40 minutes by bicycle from The Hague’s downtown.
9. A Simple Day Trip from The Hague
The Hague can be a good option if you wish to stay somewhere less expensive than Amsterdam while yet having easy access to the rest of the country of Holland. After all, day visits to the surrounding university cities of Leiden and Delft are convenient from the political city.
During the tulip season, which runs from late March to mid-May, traveling to the architectural city of Rotterdam or even the tulip fields of Keukenhof couldn’t be simpler. Check out this list of the top day trips from The Hague for additional suggestions and motivation on day travels.
10. The Hague was Mondrian’s birthplace
Even if you’ve never heard of the name “Mondrian,” I’m confident you’ve seen the Dutch artist’s creations. One of the most well-known figures in Dutch abstract art, Piet Mondrian is distinguished by his barren canvases, sharp black lines, and simple color blocks.
You may still walk in Mondrian’s footsteps in The Hague, not least at the Gemeentemuseum, which has an entire wing devoted to the famous artist. The collection has the greatest number of Mondrian paintings in existence. There are pubs, lodgings, and even a school in other parts of the city that are named for the well-known Dutch artist!
- Post for you 10 Notable Museums In The Hague You Should Visit
