The Hague is far more than a city of bureaucrats. It packs world history, extraordinary art, and a North Sea beach into a single compact city. The Binnenhof — built in the 13th century — still serves as the meeting place of the Dutch Parliament, while the Mauritshuis holds Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring for you to see up close. The Peace Palace has stood as the symbol of international justice for over 100 years, and Madurodam shrinks the entire Netherlands down to the size of a park.
#1 Binnenhof
One of the oldest parliamentary complexes in the world, built in the 13th century by the Count of Holland and still operating today as the meeting place of the Dutch House of Representatives and Senate. The inner courtyard is enclosed by beautifully restored Gothic and Renaissance buildings. On Prinsjesdag — the annual opening of Parliament, held every September — the monarch arrives by golden carriage, and the public can watch the procession for free.
- Guided interior tours cost €19 and must be booked in advance through the ProDemos website — English-language tours run daily.
- The outer courtyard is free to enter at any time; the best photo angle is from the Hofvijver lakeside in the morning light.
- Tours are suspended during major parliamentary sessions — check the calendar before you plan your visit.
#2 Mauritshuis
A compact museum that packs an extraordinary density of Dutch Golden Age masterworks into a single building. This is the home of Johannes Vermeer's <em>Girl with a Pearl Earring</em> and Rembrandt van Rijn's <em>The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp</em>. The building itself was constructed in 1644 in the Dutch Classicism style, originally the private mansion of Prince Maurits of Nassau. The collection runs to just 800 works — but every single piece is of world-class quality.
- Buy tickets online in advance for €19.50; the counter queue can run 30–45 minutes during peak season.
- The <em>Girl with a Pearl Earring</em> regularly draws a line of viewers — go early in the morning or just after 1 pm to see it at close range without the crowd.
- The free Mauritshuis audio guide app covers multiple languages and works well while you move through the rooms.
#3 Peace Palace
The most powerful symbol of The Hague's identity as the legal capital of the world. Built in 1913 with a donation from American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, it now houses the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The Neo-Renaissance architecture is magnificent in detail — each room was furnished with gifts from more than 50 member nations.
- Entry is by pre-booked guided tour only, arranged through the Carnegie Foundation at €12.50; English-language slots are limited.
- On days when the court is in session, tours may be cancelled or rerouted — check the schedule before booking.
- The grounds are free to walk on working days, and you can photograph the exterior at any time.
#4 Madurodam
A theme park that recreates the entire Netherlands at 1:25 scale — giving you the whole country in just a few hours. Open since 1952 and updated with new models every year, the highlights include Amsterdam's canal ring, a working Schiphol Airport with planes actually taxiing, Delft windmills, and a stadium set up for the 2026 World Cup group stage. It reads as a children's attraction, but a large number of adults get absorbed in the hand-crafted detail of the models.
- Adult tickets cost €21.50; children under 3 enter free. Buying online is cheaper than at the gate.
- Allow 1.5–2 hours. Arriving at opening time means you can photograph the models without other visitors in the frame.
- From 17:00, lights illuminate the miniature city — the atmosphere after dark is quite different from daytime and worth timing for.
#5 Scheveningen Beach
The oldest beach resort in the Netherlands — a 2.5-kilometre stretch of sand on the North Sea coast, with a path along the dunes for walking, cycling, and watching the sunset. The Kurhaus district along the beach has seafood restaurants, seaside bars, and the Victorian-era Palace Pier. Winter swells bring surfers; summer brings crowds, though the atmosphere stays calmer than beaches in Italy or Spain.
- The North Sea wind is strong almost year-round — bring a windproof layer even when it looks sunny, as the real-feel temperature runs lower than you'd expect.
- Raw herring (<em>haring</em>) stalls on the beach charge less than in the city centre. Eat it the Dutch way: hold it by the tail, tilt your head back.
- Bikes hire from the tram station for €12–15 a day. The dune cycling path connects all the way to Kijkduin.
#6 Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
The museum holding the largest collection of Piet Mondrian's work in the world, alongside major pieces from the De Stijl movement by Mondrian, Van Doesburg, and their contemporaries. The building was designed by Dutch architect H.P. Berlage in the Amsterdam School style and is as striking as the art inside. The collection also spans fashion, musical instruments, and decorative arts across several centuries.
- Adult admission is €17.50; students and Museumkaart holders enter free.
- The Mondrian galleries alone warrant at least an hour — <em>Victory Boogie Woogie</em> is the centrepiece and should not be rushed.
- The museum café has a view of the quiet garden outside and is a calmer option than most city-centre coffee shops.
Where to stay in The Hague for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in The Hague — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Hotel Des Indes The Hague
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Staybridge Suites The Hague – Parliament
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The Collector Hotel
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Marriott Hotel The Hague
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Tours, tickets & activities in The Hague
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Before You Pack
The Hague rewards a visit in any season, but spring (April–May) is the most beautiful when the tulips are in bloom, and summer (June–August) brings the Scheveningen beach to life. Plan for at least 2 full days to cover all the highlights, and stay at least one night to see the city after dark — calmer and more striking than Amsterdam at the same hour.