The Hague is the Netherlands’ political center and a global hub for international diplomacy. We were no strangers to that bit of info. “Send ’em to The Hague” is a pretty common saying around here.
When we realized we’d be within day-trip distance on a recent trip to the region, we decided to see whether one day in The Hague was actually worth it.
What we found was some of the country’s most important art collections, an excellent ethnic food scene, green boulevards, and loads of unexpected charm. We also found a “mini Netherlands,” but we’ll get into that. Here’s how to spend one day in The Hague.
Quick Tips for Your Visit to The Hague
Your Flight: Start at Rotterdam The Hague Airport if you’re already in Europe, or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol if you’re coming from abroad. You can take a train from there to The Hague in about 30 minutes.
Use Skyscanner to track flights, either way. Love those deals? Subscribe to Going.
Your Accommodations: We were traveling from the Dutch countryside, but browse Booking.com or Hotels.com for more options. Vrbo is my Airbnb alternative.
Your Ride: I’d only suggest renting a car if you’re on a road trip in the region. You won’t need one for The Hague. If you’re planning a road trip, book a car in advance.
Top Spots: Visit the Mauritshuis for iconic art, stop by the Peace Palace, even if you don’t have a tour, and eat Indonesian food.
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Is one day enough for The Hague?
Yes, one day in The Hague is enough to see the city’s major highlights, especially if you focus on the city center.
You’ll have time for sights like the Mauritshuis, Peace Palace, and Panorama Mesdag, along with some excellent food stops and a walk through the city’s historic streets.
If you want bonus time for the beach at Scheveningen, more museums, or deeper dives into the city’s international food scene, you can easily fill two or three days.
How to Spend One Day in The Hague
You can spend one perfect day in The Hague like this:
- See Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis.
- Snap a pic at the Noordeinde Palace.
- Do some window shopping on Lange Voorhout or at De Passage.
- Eat lunch at Waroeng Padang Lapek.
- Visit the Peace Palace, even if just from the outside.
- Marvel at the Panorama Mesdag.
- Get a sweet treat at Dolly’s Rozenkoek.
- Enjoy dinner at Scheveningen beach, closer to the city center.
One Day in The Hague
We were traveling from the Dutch countryside for this road trip, so we grabbed some coffee and breakfast bars at our accommodations and hit the road. If you need to caffeinate upon arrival, find a cafè like Caffè Almondo with early hours.
Many don’t open until 10am or later, and you really should get an early start on a one-day itinerary in The Hague.
Note: If you’re looking for coffee, you want a café. “Coffeeshops” in the Netherlands usually refer to licensed cannabis spots, not places to grab a cappuccino.
Stop 1: Mauritshuis
Start your one day in The Hague at the Mauritshuis, right in the city center near the Binnenhof. Try to book tickets for the 10am slot. The museum does sell out, so you’ll need to book these at least a week in advance of your trip.
This museum is small but world-class. It doesn’t take long to walk through, but what it contains is quite impressive.
Inside, you’ll find some of the Netherlands’ most iconic paintings. That includes Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, along with works by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters.
Considering the chaos that exists over at the Mona Lisa daily, I was shocked there wasn’t a larger crowd around the pearl girl. It’s easily one of the most well-known works of art out there.
This is generally the kind of museum where people don’t linger for long in front of each piece. They stop, maybe take the photo, and move on. Feel free to linger if you’d like, but you’ll really only have two floors of art to browse through.
Stop 2: Noordeinde Palace
From the Mauritshuis, it’s a short walk toward Noordeinde Palace, the working palace of the Dutch king. You can’t go inside, but it’s still worth passing by.
Fun fact: The palace dates back to the 16th century and has been used by the Dutch royal family for centuries, though today it mainly serves as the King’s official workplace.
I liked the surroundings best. It sits in a polished, quiet part of the city, surrounded by galleries and embassies that give the area a formal feel without getting too fancy about it. This isn’t Buckingham Palace.
Stop 3: Lange Voorhout
Continue onto Lange Voorhout, one of the most beautiful streets in The Hague. It’s wide, tree-lined, and gives “Parisian boulevard.” A little bit.
READ MORE: Paris is always worth visiting. See more of my defense of one of our favorite cities in the world!
On the way, you’ll pass De Passage, a covered shopping arcade that’s worth a quick look even if you’re not planning to shop. Brian was getting hungry for lunch here, but you can certainly plan more time inside.
The arcade dates back to the late 19th century and is the oldest surviving shopping arcade in the Netherlands. It’s very ornate, with glass ceilings, tiled floors, and European grandeur that adds to its wow factor.
Today, it still functions as a shopping passage, but many people also come just to admire the space itself. That can include you, too.
Stop 4: Lunch
The Netherlands isn’t known for having the best food (that’s deserved), but it is known for having excellent Indonesian cuisine. That’s because of its colonial history. Indonesia was once the largest Dutch colony.
Our pick for lunch was Waroeng Padang Lapek, known for its nasi Padang. Nasi Padang is a West Sumatran style of eating where a wide selection of dishes is served at once. It’s usually centered around rice with curries, meats, and vegetables to mix and match.
They describe themselves as the only Sumatran restaurant in Europe, and are proud of not catering to European palates when it comes to spice level. (A quick Google search rebuts their claim as “the only,” but I will say it all felt very traditional.)
We were warned multiple times about the spice level. Brian ignored all of that when he ordered his beef dish. Did he sweat? Yes. Was he in heaven? Also yes.
I went for a grilled chicken dish that was deeply flavorful without being too wild on the spice levels. While living in France, we’ve found that cooks there tend to cater to French palates, which is definitely a bummer when it comes to Asian cuisine.
This was definitely not that.
While you’re here, I’d highly recommend trying out some of the local ethnic cuisine, especially because The Hague is one of the best places in the country for it.
Stop 5: Peace Palace
From lunch, it’s about a 20 to 25 minute walk to your next stop, or you can take the HTM tram 1 for a few stops if you want to save some energy. We walked, and it was nice. You’ll pass embassies and a leafy neighborhood, and it’s really not much longer than riding in.
Note: You’ll also pass by De Haagse Toren. You can go inside and take an elevator up for views over the city, but we just admired it from the outside and kept walking toward the Peace Palace.
The Peace Palace is arguably the most important building in The Hague. Completed in 1913, it was built to house institutions dedicated to resolving international disputes peacefully.
Today, it’s home to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The visitor center nearby is free and gives helpful context about its history and role in global governance.
If you want a tour, you’ll need to plan ahead and book one of the scheduled guided visits, as access is restricted and you can’t just walk up and enter. Tours only run at specific times and often sell out, especially in peak season.
If you’re not here for a tour, it’s still worth coming for the architecture alone. The Peace Palace is a neo-Renaissance building that feels almost Hogwarts-like.
We ended up people-watching here for a while, mostly observing visitors getting turned away by security. Again, you can’t just show up for tours on any day you please. It was pretty entertaining to watch in such a serious place.
Stop 6: Panorama Mesdag
From here, a 10-minute walk will get you to Panorama Mesdag, a quirkier art experience in the city. The highlight is a massive 19th-century painting that wraps around the entire main gallery space.
It was painted in 1881 by Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his team, and it depicts Scheveningen, the local beach, as it looked in the late 19th century. It’s impossible to capture in photos.
Fun fact: Wrocław in Poland has its own version. The Racławice Panorama is an equally massive 360-degree historical painting with a similar immersive effect.
There’s also a rotating special exhibition space. When we visited, it was Drift, an exhibit of modern art and the impacts of climate on our seas and sands. This was a quick stop for us, and it’s not cheap, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t impressive.
Stop 7: Dolly’s Rozenkoek
You deserve a sweet treat after all of that tourism. A short walk away, Dolly’s Rozenkoek is a tiny cookie shop where you’ll have a choice between two handmade flavors. It’s run by one woman who has a bit of a trad wife aesthetic, but her cookies are delicious.
We didn’t plan to stop in here, but it’s one of those shops that catches your eye as you’re exploring a city. I’m glad it wasn’t just Instagram-worthy, but actually tasty. That’s become a problem lately!
Stop 7 Alternative: Soul Be It Ice Cream
Because one dessert stop is never enough, we also went for ice cream at Soul Be It. You can do the same, or choose one or the other. There’s obviously no judgment here.
The flavors at this shop were more experimental than expected, including things like apple pie and pear with mint. It’s run by a Chinese owner who is intentionally introducing Chinese-inspired flavor profiles to a Dutch audience.
We got to eavesdrop on her plans for the coming months as she chatted with someone who may have been interviewing her, and it all sounded exciting. I imagine whenever you stop by, you’ll be treated to something unique.
Optional Stop 8: Madurodam
If you still have energy, head to Madurodam, one of the most unique attractions in the Netherlands.
It’s essentially a miniature version of the country, complete with tiny cities, tiny landmarks, and interactive elements. Everything is built to scale, so you’ll find detailed replicas of canals, windmills, ports, and modern infrastructure like airports and bridges.
It’s part museum and part theme park, I guess? This one is definitely more geared toward families, but we found it charming enough. You also realize just how much of the Netherlands you haven’t seen yet.
I will say that it’s not cheap, and parking adds to the cost. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, though, especially if you’re traveling with the family.
Alternatively, you can skip Madurodam entirely and head toward Scheveningen Beach, instead. It’s only a short tram or taxi ride from the city center and gives you a completely different side of The Hague.
Expect wide sandy beaches, a long pier, and seafood spots for a more relaxed end to the afternoon.
Stop 9: Dinner
We headed out before dinner, but you’ve got lots of good options depending on how you want to end the day. Bar Bistro De Twee Heeren, a popular gastropub, was on our list. Make a reservation for dinner.
Simonis aan de Haven is a popular seafood market with generous portions, but it’s not open super late. If you’re not super hungry and visiting in the summer, Bleyenberg is a rooftop spot with cocktails, small bites, and views over the city. It looks like a scene.
With More Time in The Hague
If you’re extending your time in The Hague, there’s quite a bit you can do here to fill up a full weekend or more:
- Walk through the Binnenhof complex, where the Dutch parliament is based and much of the country’s decision-making happens.
- Visit Escher in Het Paleis, a museum dedicated to M.C. Escher’s mind-bending prints inside a former royal palace.
- Explore the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, one of the best modern art museums in the country, known for its Mondrian collection.
- Wander the Denneweg district, filled with antique shops, boutiques, cafés, and some of the city’s most established restaurants.
- Spend time in the Scheveningen harbor area, which feels more local and less touristy than the beachfront promenade.
- Visit the Louwman Museum, home to one of the world’s oldest private car collections, impressive even if you’re not a car person.
- Explore the green space at Clingendael Park, especially in spring and autumn when the Japanese Garden is open to the public.
If you’d like someone else to take the reins, book a guided walking tour. Here are some highly-rated options:
The Hague is also a good base for day trips. Its central location and train connections make it easy to explore other parts of the Netherlands without changing hotels. Delft, Rotterdam, and Leiden are all under 30 minutes away.
Best Time to Visit The Hague
The Hague is a year-round destination, especially if you love a good art museum. But it really shines in late spring and early autumn when the weather is mild, and the city feels at its most walkable.
April to June is especially nice, with longer days, outdoor cafés starting to fill up, and parks and boulevards in full bloom. We visited at the start of May, and it was lovely.
September and October are another sweet spot. You still get comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and a slightly slower rhythm that works well for a city built around museums.
Summer is livelier, especially if you head out to Scheveningen beach, but it’s also the busiest and most expensive period. Winter is quieter, with fewer tourists and a strong focus on indoor attractions like museums and galleries.
How to Get to The Hague
The Hague is extremely well connected, making it an easy stop whether you’re coming from elsewhere in the Netherlands or flying in internationally.
Most international travelers arrive via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. From there, direct trains run frequently to Den Haag Centraal in about half an hour, depending on the service.
Rotterdam The Hague Airport is another option for shorter European flights. That one is only about 30 minutes away by public transport.
If you’re already in the Netherlands, The Hague is one of the easiest cities to reach. Direct trains run regularly from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Leiden, often taking under an hour.
Once you arrive, the city center is compact and walkable, with trams filling in the gaps for longer distances like Scheveningen Beach or Madurodam. We had a car while we were here, but it wasn’t necessary. In fact, it was somewhat of a hindrance.
Parking can be tough around the city center, and the available garages are expensive.
Where to Stay in The Hague
If you’re staying overnight but still on a short stay, the best area to base yourself is the city center around Den Haag Centraal, Binnenhof, and the Museum Quarter.
This puts you within walking distance of major sights like the Mauritshuis, Noordeinde Palace, and Lange Voorhout, with easy tram connections if you want to go to the beach.
If you prefer something a little quieter but still well-connected, the Denneweg district is a good alternative. It has more boutique hotels, independent cafés, and a slightly more residential feel while still being close to everything.
Scheveningen is another option if you want a beach base. It feels very different from the city center, more holiday-focused, with ocean views and a resort-like atmosphere. It really just depends on what you want with your visit.
We stayed in the Dutch countryside, which was lovely but not exactly practical for a tight one-day itinerary. Staying in the city itself makes everything far easier to navigate and lets you actually enjoy the early morning and evening hours in The Hague.
For more options, check out the map below:
Is The Hague safe at night?
The Hague is generally very safe at night, especially in the city center and the main residential areas where most visitors stay. The streets are well-lit, public transport is reliable, and it’s normal to see people out in the evenings around restaurants and bars.
As with any city, it’s still smart to use basic travel awareness, especially in quieter side streets late at night. But overall, it’s considered one of the safer large cities in Europe for visitors.
Is The Hague worth visiting?
The Hague is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you’re interested in art, history, and international politics. The city is home to some of the Netherlands’ best museums, including the Mauritshuis and Panorama Mesdag, but it also has an international feel.
Add in excellent Indonesian food, elegant green boulevards, and easy access to the beach, and The Hague is way more dynamic than many visitors expect.
Planning more Netherlands travel? Check these out:
More European cities worth your time:
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- Spend a Long Weekend in Kraków
- How to Plan Three Days in Florence
- A Guide to the Best of Reykjavik
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