5 things to do in The Hague

The Hague, or Den Haag in Dutch, is the capital of the province of South Holland. It is home to some popular attractions and sights, such as the Dutch government and the embassies, but aside from these visit-worthy points of interest, there are also many fun things to do.

Must-do activities in The Hague

Whether you’re visiting the city for the first time or you want to fully explore The Hague and learn a bit about the seat of the government in just one outing, here are some of our favourite activities for a day trip to The Hague:

Visit the Binnenhof and feel like a diplomat

The Binnenhof is a courtyard surrounded by a collection of historical parliamentary buildings, where the most important events in Dutch politics have taken place, and continue to, to this day.

Situated next to the Hofvijver lake, the Binnenhof houses:

• The Dutch Senate
• The Dutch House of Representatives
• The Ridderzaal (Knights’ hall)
• The office of the prime minister of the Netherlands

Together, the Dutch Senate and the Dutch House of Representatives make up the Dutch Parliament, or States-General.

The Ridderzaal is a particularly popular part of the Binnenhof and was built in the 13th century as a palace for the Counts of Holland. Today, it is known as the place where the King gives the Speech from the Throne, and the annual governmental budget is presented on Prinsjesdag.

The Binnenhof is well worth a visit, and who knows, you might even spot a member of parliament.

Take a look at The Hague skyline (and maybe a photo)

Close to the Binnenhof area, you will come across the town square: the Plein. Here, it is impossible to miss the amazing contrast of old, quaint buildings against a backdrop of modern towers just in the distance. This is just the place to take impressive photos, or sit down to lunch.

Visit Scheveningen beach

Yes, The Hague is a city, but the beach is not that far away! Scheveningen is just a 15-minute tram or bus ride away. Perfect if you fancy swimming on a warm summer’s day, or just clearing your head with the ocean breeze and enjoying the waves.

There is plenty more to do at the beach as Scheveningen also hosts events, such as the International Fireworks Festival, amongst others. If you are done with your walk across the beach, you can, of course, visit the Pier and take a ride on the Ferris wheel.

Try some delicious herring

You can eat herring in pretty much every Dutch city or town, as it is a typical Dutch snack, but The Hague has some of the best herring shops. One shop even scored third place on a “herring test” that the Dutch newspaper AD used to carry out. So, if you like fish, you should definitely try some of the herring sold in The Hague or Scheveningen. With or without onions? That’s up to you.

Shop till you drop at the oldest shopping centre in the Netherlands

Who doesn’t like shopping? And why not do so in the oldest shopping centre in the Netherlands? De Passage, as it is called, is not like the shopping centres we know today, it was built in the 19th century by local dignitaries and is actually a covered shopping street. So, you can shop and not be hassled by the Dutch weather. It has a whole range of shops, including boutiques and food and drink establishments.

A fun day out in The Hague

There you have it: a variety of activities to enjoy in The Hague that will give you the best overall experience of the city. Have fun and feel free to explore further and stop in at any other exciting locations that spark your interest - you never know what you might find!