The Hague

The Hague is the political center of the Netherlands and the seat of its royal family. Broad avenues and grand 18th-century mansions define the center, while electric trams connect downtown to the North Sea beach in fifteen minutes. You come here for world-class art collections, distinct Indonesian culinary traditions, and direct coastal access.

The Hague has a distinct food culture rooted in colonial history and its North Sea location. Post-war migration from the former Dutch East Indies turned the city into the Indonesian culinary capital of Europe. You will find neighborhood take-away counters called tokos alongside formal dining rooms serving traditional multi-dish rijsttafel.Along the coast, fresh seafood dominates. Local fishmongers and street kiosks serve raw herring with diced onions, fried kibbeling, and smoked eel directly from North Sea catches.

• Herring Kiosks

  Buy raw herring at fish stalls like Simonis at the harbor. Eat it the local way: held by the tail with raw onions and pickles.

The Hague originated in 1230 when Count Floris IV of Holland built a hunting lodge near a small pond. That lodge grew into the Binnenhof complex, which became the political heart of the Dutch Republic. Despite hosting the national parliament and monarchy, The Hague never received official city rights in the Middle Ages, retaining a unique administrative status.In the twentieth century, the city established itself as a global center for international law and diplomacy. The opening of the Peace Palace in 1913 anchored international judicial bodies here, a role that expanded with the establishment of the UN International Court of Justice.

1. 1230

   Founding of the Binnenhof

   Count Floris IV buys land to construct a residence, starting the development of the Binnenhof.

2. 1588

   Seat of Government

   The Hague becomes the permanent administrative center for the States-General of the Dutch Republic.

3. 1899

   First Hague Peace Conference

   World powers convene to sign international treaties regarding warfare and arbitration.

4. 1913

   Peace Palace Opens

   Construction completes on the landmark palace built to house the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Choose your hotel location based on your daily priority. Stay in Centrum if you want short walks to art galleries, historic sites, and central train lines. Pick Scheveningen if you want morning beach runs and coastal air. Opt for Zeeheldenkwartier or Statenkwartier for quiet residential streets with independent dining choices.

• Beachgoers & familiesScheveningen — Direct seaside access with ocean promenade dining and resort hotels.
• Food & neighborhood loversZeeheldenkwartier — Tree-lined streets filled with independent coffee bars, boutiques, and local bistros.

The public transport operator HTM runs an efficient network of electric trams and buses across the city. Trams are the fastest way to travel between the central train station and the beach. You do not need a paper ticket; you can tap in and tap out on vehicles using a contactless bank card or phone.

• Tram Line 1 connects Station Hollands Spoor, Centrum, Peace Palace, and Scheveningen beach on a single route.

• Tap your physical contactless debit card or phone on payment readers when boarding and exiting every tram.

• Tram Line 9 provides a direct express route between Den Haag Centraal train station and Scheveningen Kurhaus.

• Regular trams stop running around 00:30. HTM night buses operate on select routes on weekend nights.

Prices in The Hague mirror standard Western European urban centers. Museum entries and public transport fares are fixed nationally or regionally. Dining costs vary significantly between casual Indonesian tokos and formal seafood dining establishments.

• Museum entry: €17.50–20.00

  Standard adult admission ticket for Mauritshuis or Kunstmuseum.

• Indonesian Take-Away Box: €10–14

  A full rice plate with two meat dishes and two vegetable sides at a neighborhood toko.

• HTM Day Ticket: €8.00

  Unlimited travel on all HTM trams and buses across the city for one calendar day.

• Herring Sandwich: €3.50–4.50

  Fresh broodje haring served with chopped onions at coastal fish stalls.

• Cashless City

  Many Dutch cafes and parking meters do not accept cash. Carry a Visa or Mastercard debit card.

• Monday Museum Closures

  Most major city museums, including the Mauritshuis, remain closed on Monday mornings or full days.

• Bike Lane Protocol

  Red asphalt tracks are dedicated bike lanes. Pedestrians must keep clear of cycling traffic.

• Museumkaart

  If staying in the Netherlands for multiple museum visits, purchase a Museumkaart for broad access.

• Beach Wind

  Coastal temperatures are colder and windier than inland downtown streets. Pack a windproof layer.