The Hague 2026: City of Law and Art — Complete Travel Guide

Top sights

• Mauritshuis: world’s best Dutch Golden Age collection in palace setting. Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring + 4 other Vermeers, Rembrandt’s Anatomy Lesson, Fabritius Goldfinch. €19.
• Peace Palace: seat of International Court of Justice + Permanent Court of Arbitration. 1913. €15 + visitor center FREE.
• Binnenhof: 13th-century complex. Houses Dutch parliament. Tour €13.
• Madurodam: 1:25 scale model of Netherlands attractions. €23 (kids €18). Family favorite.
• Escher in het Paleis: M.C. Escher works in former royal palace. €11.
• Gemeentemuseum: Mondrian collection (largest world). €18.
• Panorama Mesdag: 1881 panoramic painting of Scheveningen. €13.
• Louwman Museum: world’s oldest car collection. €16.

Scheveningen (beach district)

• Beach: 4 km of Dutch coast. Wide sandy beaches. North Sea (cold).
• Pier: 1900s pier with bungee, ferris wheel, restaurants.
• Kurhaus: 1889 grand hotel. Concerts, restaurant, beach access.
• Sea Life Aquarium: €18.
• Activities: beach volleyball, kite surfing, fish stands (kibbeling fried fish).
• Reach: Tram 1 from city center 15 min, €4.

International Court of Justice

• What it is: principal judicial organ of UN. 15 judges. Settles state disputes.
• Famous cases: Bosnia v. Serbia (genocide), Nicaragua v. US (mining harbors), Australia v. Japan (whaling).
• Visiting: Peace Palace exterior + visitor center FREE. Reservations for tours and trial observation €15.
• Other Hague tribunals: International Criminal Court (ICC), International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Iran-US Claims Tribunal.
• Why The Hague? 1899 First Hague Convention. Tradition of international peace law.

Day trips

• Delft: 1 train station from The Hague. Royal Delft pottery, Vermeer’s hometown, charming canals.
• Leiden: 30 min train. Rembrandt’s birthplace, oldest Dutch university.
• Amsterdam: 45 min train. Easy day trip or stay overnight.
• Rotterdam: 30 min train. Modern architecture, port.
• Keukenhof gardens: March-May only. Tulip extravaganza. 30 min from The Hague.

Practical info

• Getting there: Schiphol-The Hague train 30 min, €11. Eurostar from London via Brussels 4h.
• Walking city: compact center. Tram 1 to Scheveningen 15 min.
• Best time: April-September. Beach July-August. April Keukenhof tulips.
• Where to stay: Centrum (central), Voorburg (close), Scheveningen (beach), Statenkwartier (royal area).
• Combine with Amsterdam: Mauritshuis essential for Dutch Golden Age. Combine with Rijksmuseum + Van Gogh Museum.
• Budget: €70-130/day. Less expensive than Amsterdam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Hague worth visiting?

Yes — for Mauritshuis museum (Girl with a Pearl Earring) and international law tribunals. 1-2 days enough. Easily combined with Amsterdam day trip.

Where is Girl with a Pearl Earring?

Mauritshuis museum in The Hague (€19). Painted by Johannes Vermeer in 1665. Centerpiece of Dutch Golden Age collection.

Is The Hague the capital of Netherlands?

Politically yes (parliament, royal residence, government), but Amsterdam is constitutional capital. Unique split. Both important.

Can I visit the International Court of Justice?

Peace Palace exterior + visitor center FREE. Tours and trial observation €15 with reservation. Limited tours, book ahead. Be respectful — these are real legal proceedings.

Where is the best beach near The Hague?

Scheveningen — 4 km of Dutch coast, 15 min by tram. Wide sandy beach, pier, restaurants. North Sea cold even summer (15-20°C).

How do I get from The Hague to Amsterdam?

45 min direct train, €13. Several daily. Day trip easy, overnight stay also good. Combine The Hague Mauritshuis + Amsterdam Rijksmuseum + Van Gogh Museum for full Dutch art experience.

See also

• Best places Netherlands