The Hague, Netherlands | A Full Practical Guide for First-Time Visitors 

Be honest for a second. How much do you *really* know about The Hague? 

Despite being the Netherlands’ third-biggest city, Den Haag rarely finds itself on the tourist radar—especially compared to Amsterdam. But while The Hague is well-known for being home to many international organizations, the city has plenty of hidden gems that will reward the curious traveler. 

I’ve been to The Hague twice so far: Once in the summer of 2017 and again in the autumn of 2023. Based on those two trips, you’ll find in-depth practical information to help you prepare for your trip—along with tips for where to stay, where to eat, and more. 

A Brief Introduction to The Hague

• Population 🤠: 560,000
• Official Language 🗣️ : Dutch 🇳🇱
• Currency: Euro (EUR) 💶
• Can I Visit With a Schengen Visa 🇪🇺?: Yes

How to Get to The Hague 🛬

Train 🚉

The Hague is well-connected to the rest of the Netherlands by rail, and the train from Amsterdam takes around 50-60 minutes. The city is also 30 minutes from Rotterdam. 

Because the Netherlands is well-placed for international rail adventures, you can easily reach The Hague from neighbouring countries with ease. For example, the journey from Antwerp takes roughly one-and-a-half hours (you can change for a train to Den Haag at Rotterdam Central Station). And if you arrive in Amsterdam from the likes of Paris and Brussels, you can change in the Dutch capital for a direct service to The Hague. 

Another option is to take the Eurostar from London to Rotterdam, before then changing for a train to The Hague. 

If you want to book your tickets, I normally use either Omio or The Trainline for long-distance journeys. For trains within the Netherlands, you can purchase via the NS app (iOS and Android).

Plane 🛫

Den Haag is served by Rotterdam The Hague Airport. The airport isn’t as busy as Amsterdam Schiphol, but it does still serve several European destinations. You can fly from Zürich, London, and Rome—plus numerous other cities. 

Journey times from Rotterdam Airport to The Hague vary significantly. If you drive, it’ll only take around 20 minutes. But by public transport, the journey takes around an hour. 

I’ve never used Rotterdam The Hague Airport, so I can’t comment too much on what it’s like. But for convenience’s sake, I’d still say that flying into Amsterdam—and taking the train from there—is a better option. 

Things to Do + See in The Hague 🥾

Scheveningen Beach ☀️

If you visit The Hague during the summer, Scheveningen Beach is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon. The beach is around 20 minutes from the city center, and you can easily reach it by tram. While you’re here, make sure you check out the pier and head here for a great view of the beach and sea. 

Address for the pier: Strandweg 150-154, 2586 JW Den Haag

Binnenhof and Hofvijver Lake

The Binnenhof is one of the most famous sights in The Hague, and just wandering around this area and the lake is a worthwhile experience. The Binnenhof is one of the best things to do in the Netherlands, too, so it’s worth coming here if you have the chance. 

On a sunny day, expect the benches along the lake—along with the shores—to be lined with locals. The Binnenhof is right in the city center, so you should have no problems finding it. 

Denneweg + Surrounding Areas

I’ll be totally honest with you: I knew next to nothing about The Hague’s older quarters before this visit, even though I had been to the city once before. So, the street of Denneweg and its surrounding areas were a lovely surprise. 

Denneweg is lined with shops and cafés, making it the perfect place to enjoy a laid-back Sunday. While you’re here, be sure to take in the atmosphere close to Smidswater and the other canals. Like Amsterdam, but without the crowds. 

Haagse Bos

Haagse Bos is a large forested area close to the main train station in The Hague, and it’s ideal if you want to escape the city for a bit. Here, you’ll find plenty of walking and running trails—along with deer and other animals. 

The area has various footpaths, and you can easily spend half a day here. 

Getting Around The Hague 🚃

Thanks to its walkability, you probably won’t need public transport that often in The Hague. But if you do, you’ve got a solid network of trams, buses, and trains that—in typical Dutch fashion—are pragmatic and efficient in equal measure. 

To order public transport tickets, you can use the 9292 app (iOS and Android).  

Like other Dutch cities, The Hague also has an excellent network of cycling lanes. You can rent city bikes if you want to get around like a local, and Donkey Republic also has several shared bike rentals in the city. 

Where to Stay in The Hague 🛌🏾

As you might expect from a city with so many international organizations and events, The Hague has an excellent range of hotels. My girlfriend and I stayed at NH Den Haag when we visited in October 2023, and I can recommend that you do the same. 

The all-you-can-eat breakfast at NH Den Haag was worth the price, and the rooms were also spacious. One quirk to note is that the bathroom doors close a bit differently from what you may be used to, so that can take some time to get used to. Nonetheless, it’s not a huge deal. The beds were comfortable, and we also had a great view of the surrounding areas from our room. 

The only downside to NH Den Haag is that it’s a bit outside of the city center (around 30 minutes). But you can easily walk, cycle, or get public transport into town, so that isn’t a huge deal. You can book your stay here.

If you want to check out other options for accommodation in Den Haag, you can browse the map below.

Where to Eat in The Hague 😋

Grand Café De Tijd

We actually discovered Grand Café De Tijd by accident—long story short, it was raining, and we wanted somewhere to eat indoors. But one thing to know about visiting the Netherlands in general is that it’s difficult to find places that serve full meals that you’d classify as “lunch” around mid-afternoon. We didn’t know this before traveling, but you’ll hopefully be better prepared when you go 🙂. Nonetheless, Grand Café De Tijd met our needs with some decent meals (though we got there just before the kitchen closed at 16:00). 

Beyond the sandwiches, salads, and whatnot, you can also try bitterballen—a savory snack often served in Dutch pubs. Hot and cold drinks are also on the menu. 

Address: Korte Poten 1, 2511 EB Den Haag

Website: https://www.grandcafedetijd.nl/en/ 

Bumbu Jawa

This restaurant is close to Chinatown in The Hague and one of many Asian restaurants in the area. The interior is cozy, and the food is down-to-earth, with several rice and noodle dishes on the menu. 

You can choose both spicy and non-spicy meals, and vegetarian options are also available. 

Address: Wagenstraat 63, 2512 AP Den Haag

Website (in Dutch): https://www.bumbujawa.nl/

Money 💶

The Hague, like the rest of the Netherlands, uses the Euro. And like much of the Netherlands, many shops, cafés, and restaurants prefer card payments over cash. 

We spent two days in The Hague and didn’t need to use cash once, so VISA or MasterCard should be fine for your stay. Consider using a mobile-only banking service like Revolut or Wise to waive fees you’d normally accumulate for international spending. 

Like the rest of the Netherlands, The Hague might be more expensive than what you’re used to. Hotels, in particular, can cost a lot. However, prices for restaurants and the like are reasonable.

When’s the Best Time to Visit The Hague? 🌦️

Like many cities with international government organizations, The Hague is better to visit on the weekend. Hotel rates normally cost much less than during the week, and the city is also less crowded. 

We visited The Hague in late October, and I’d recommend that you do the same. Besides the fact that autumn colors are always beautiful wherever you go, the temperature was reasonable (around 12ºC during the day and 7ºC at night). The first day was rainy, and the second day was sunny, so what you get will be the luck of the draw condition-wise. 

The Hague has a similar climate to the rest of the Netherlands, with mild and damp winters and warm-ish summers. I quite enjoyed my summer trip to Den Haag in 2017; it was around 20ºC with a gentle breeze, making it an ideal time to visit if you want to also go to Scheveningen Beach. 

The Hague is quite windy year-round, and rain is common throughout the year as well. While I’d recommend spring overall, you should also think about the activities you want to do and whether they’re conducive to a particular time of year. If you spend more time outdoors, for example, you may want to come in the summer when the daylight hours are longer and temperatures warmer.