The Hague
The Hague (Den Haag) is the Netherlands' seat of government and the International Court of Justice, but for a visitor it's really about two things: the Mauritshuis museum (home to Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, €21 for adults) and Scheveningen, a proper sandy North Sea beach and pier a short tram ride from the center. It's about 50 minutes from Amsterdam by direct train — a comfortable day trip, or an easy pairing with Delft and Rotterdam on the same rail line.
The Hague is the odd one out among the Netherlands' big cities — it's not the capital (that's constitutionally Amsterdam) but it's where the government, the King, and the International Court of Justice actually sit, which gives it a more buttoned-up, embassy-lined feel than canal-postcard Amsterdam. Then you get to Scheveningen and remember it also has a genuine beach.
The Mauritshuis — Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring
A small, exceptionally well-curated museum — you can comfortably see everything in 90 minutes to two hours — built around the Dutch Golden Age. Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring is the headline draw, alongside major works by Rembrandt and Jan Steen. Adult tickets run €21; visitors 0-18 go free. Starting January 1, 2026, the museum also offers a reduced €4 rate daily from 4-6pm if you're on a tighter budget or just want a quick look.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | €21 |
| Ages 0-18 | Free |
| Reduced rate, daily 4-6pm (from Jan 1, 2026) | €4 |
| Hours | Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (Thu to 8pm), Mon 1-6pm |
Book your Mauritshuis ticket online with a timed slot before you go — the Girl with a Pearl Earring draws real crowds, and the museum is small enough that walk-up demand can genuinely fill it on a weekend.
Scheveningen — yes, a real beach
A 10-15 minute tram ride from The Hague's center gets you to Scheveningen, a wide sandy North Sea beach with a proper pier — Ferris wheel, bungee jump, and a walk out over the water — beach clubs, and, on a clear summer evening, a genuinely nice sunset. It's not the Mediterranean (the North Sea is cold even in August), but it's a legitimately good half-day add-on if the weather cooperates, and a completely different Netherlands experience from canals and windmills.
The Binnenhof — currently under renovation
The Binnenhof, the historic seat of the Dutch parliament (and one of The Hague's signature photo spots, with the Hofvijver pond in front of it), is closed to the public for a major renovation that's been repeatedly delayed — as of 2026 it's not expected to reopen until around 2031. You can still see it from outside and from the free public viewing tower (open daily 9am-5pm), and the government has temporarily relocated its functions elsewhere in the city, but don't plan a trip around going inside.
The Peace Palace
Home to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) is a genuinely striking building set in its own park. You can't just walk into the working court, but the visitor center runs guided tours (advance booking required), and the exterior and gardens are free to wander.
What else to see
- Panorama Mesdag — a giant 360-degree 19th-century painted panorama of the Scheveningen coastline, an unusual and genuinely immersive piece of art history.
- Escher in Het Paleis — a museum dedicated to M.C. Escher's optical-illusion work, set inside a former royal palace.
- Plein and the Grote Markt — The Hague's main squares, good for an evening drink or dinner among government staffers rather than tour groups.
The Hague or Amsterdam for your hotel budget?
The Hague's hotel rates generally run a notch below Amsterdam's, and the city has a calmer, more local feel outside the museum quarter — but it's a genuine city, not a resort town, so most travelers still treat it as a day trip rather than a base. If your itinerary already includes Delft and Rotterdam, all three sit on the same train line within about 30 minutes of each other, making a single day or a relaxed overnight loop realistic.
Getting there
| From | Method | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Centraal | Direct train | ~50 min |
| Rotterdam | Direct train | ~25-30 min |
| Delft | Direct train | ~15 min |
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Showing up at the Binnenhof expecting to go inside — it's been closed for renovation for years and won't reopen until around 2031; the free viewing tower is the consolation option.
- Skipping Scheveningen because 'it's not a real beach destination' — it's a legitimately pleasant half-day, especially paired with a Mauritshuis morning.
- Not booking Mauritshuis tickets ahead in peak season — the Girl with a Pearl Earring pulls real crowds for a genuinely small museum.
Where to stay in The Hague — hotels
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