There are other cities with articles in their names in the Netherlands (like Leiden, Delft and Amsterdam) but none can compare with The Hague for international recognition.
At its center is the Binnenhof complex, where the States General of the Netherlands meet, as well as Noordeinde Palace – where King Willem-Alexander lives – from 16th-century. Additionally, both International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court headquarters of the UN can be found here.
The Hague’s history
In the 1600s, The Hague was a small provincial town without city walls. Although trade flourished during its economic boom years of trade during the Eighty Years’ War, The Hague didn’t become capital of the Netherlands until after Napoleonic Wars when canals were constructed to transport goods as well as protect and expand it further as trade increased and established it as an important centre of government.
As the city grew, its style changed accordingly. Older parts are characterized by wide streets with low-rise houses. A significant portion of southwestern city was planned by progressive architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage in 1910 as part of his innovative ‘Plan Berlage’ scheme.
Modern architecture was used for the first time ever in a Dutch city, producing an environment with many open areas and gorgeous parks and gardens.
The Hague stands out among Dutch cities for having more park lands than any other major metropolis, particularly within its central areas, where some large green spaces offer free use to all residents of The Hague.
On your way from the Palace Garden to the Peace Palace, take note of the canal that runs alongside your street. On either side are buildings reflecting The Hague’s twin roles as a city in government and finance: here sits the Ministry of Finance while across the road you’ll find the Supreme Court.
Continue to the Escher Museum, situated near Hofvijver fishpond – a lovely lake with trees and rhododendrons planted all around it and an artificial shore that serves as an idyllic promenade.
The Museum of Escher features an exhibition exploring his fascination with tessellations patterns – an artform popular in the 1600s that remains relevant today – as well as housing his complete oeuvre as both painter and sculptor.
The Escher Museum can be found at the corner of Lange Voorhout and Prinsesseinstraat in Rotterdam. On this same block can be found one of Amsterdam’s smallest houses: designed in the early 1800s to promote savings among working men known for drinking away their salaries, the Noodopvang Haaglanden foundation offers help elderly individuals in need and also emergency accommodation for this tiny building.
The inner city
The City Centre of The Hague is an active and vibrant area, boasting numerous museums such as Mauritshuis and Binnenhof, theatres, music venues and restaurants – not forgetting street art which adds vibrancy and culture. Street art plays an integral part of The Hague culture by decorating walls around town with beautiful (legal) creations.
The Hague’s outskirts are less densely developed than its city center, consisting of both suburban and rural areas. Scheveningen in particular stands out as a modern beach resort that draws over 10 million visitors a year; featuring extensive beach, esplanade, pier, lighthouse as well as Pathe cinema, musical theatre and casino services – along with mostly middle-class residents (although some East European migrants and students also reside there).
Other parts of the city centre have more residential qualities, featuring wide streets lined with villas and apartment blocks. Beginning in 1910, according to the principles set out by progressive Dutch architect H.P. Berlage’s plans, its central city has been developed with wide avenues and squares that connect each section.
Most of The Hague’s government buildings can be found on Scheveningen peninsula, with Binnenhof in its center and Hofvijver (Court Pond) to its south. Furthermore, The Hague’s royal family resides at Noordeinde Palace.
Major landmarks of The Hague include the Peace Palace and Peace Forum as well as The Hague International Model United Nations. Furthermore, The city houses numerous academic institutions specializing in international law, politics, public administration and public administration as well as being home to international organisations.
The city boasts an active cultural scene, featuring events like Den Haag Sculptuur open-air exhibition and Gay Pride parade. Residents take great pride in their roots yet look beyond borders; to this end, The Hague was designated International City of Peace and Justice by UNESCO in 1997. Additionally, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Schiphol airport are easily accessible via train – making The Hague an excellent place for work, study or visiting!
The beach resorts
The Hague boasts 11 kilometers of beach, making its sandy strip one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Perfect for families, kite surfers and dog walkers alike – The Hague beachfront provides plenty of room to unwind with books or cocktails under the sun! Here you’ll also find casual beach bars offering relaxed drinks service and ample space to stretch out.
The Hague’s beaches are easily accessible from its city centre, making exploration simple both on foot and via tram ride. Scheveningen and Kijkduin beach resorts offer unique experiences ranging from water sports to waterfront bike rides.
Scheveningen may offer many of The Hague’s popular attractions, while Kijkduin provides a more tranquil retreat that’s ideal for those seeking peace and serenity. Here you’ll find unique beach huts designed to work with the dunes powered by renewable energy – providing visitors with an unforgettable beach experience!
In the heart of The Hague lies this historic property just steps from Binnenhof and De Passage. Offering spacious rooms equipped with minibars and complimentary toiletries as well as an on-site restaurant and bar for added comfort, this hotel provides guests with plenty of opportunities for dining out nearby and shopping sprees nearby.
The Social Hub (formerly Student Hotel) offers budget-conscious visitors an excellent accommodation option in The Hague’s heart. Though simple in design, each of its rooms features comfortable amenities such as cozy beds with blackout curtains and blackout draperies; additionally there’s also a kitchenette and free WiFi service available here.
Other hotels in The Hague include the boutique Hotel Corona, which resides within three 17th-century buildings close to Binnenhof. This 5-star hotel boasts an ideal location and stunning views of this iconic building; plus each room comes equipped with spa-inspired bathrooms, minibars, and complementary toiletries for an enjoyable stay.
Visitors to The Hague can explore its vibrant culture with an assortment of museums, restaurants and bars. Some notable ones are Museum Bredius and Mauritshuis which showcase paintings by famed Dutch artists like Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt van Rijn. For nightlife enthusiasts there’s the Grote Markt with all its bars and clubs that await.
The economy
The Hague boasts a robust economy with many major companies and organizations located here, such as the Dutch government, international tribunals, foreign embassies and the Supreme Court (Hoge Raad). Furthermore, this city hosts numerous international organizations like Interpol, OPCW and Permanent Court of Arbitration as well as several multinational energy companies which are becoming an important hub for innovative clean technology innovation.
The city centre offers visitors many shopping and dining opportunities, from antique chemists selling homeopathic healing remedies to neoclassical-inspired buildings with decorative ornaments.
There are a number of places worth seeing in Amsterdam, such as the Binnenhof, Noordeinde Palace and Mauritshuis museum. Also of note is Peace Palace which hosts International Court of Justice and Permanent Court of Arbitration; definitely worth a visit!
In The Hague, there is also a wide selection of bars and clubs offering various genres of music, making for a lively nightlife scene that is perfect for meeting friends for drinks or taking in live performances.
An important portion of the city’s population works in finance. Home to several prominent institutions like ING bank and NS, this industry thrives here with great innovation flourishing within it.
The Hague is an exceptionally safe city with an outstanding public transit system, close to other Dutch cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam, making it an excellent option for experiencing life in the Netherlands while having easy access to larger ones like Amsterdam and Rotterdam. It makes a good home base for experiencing life here while having easy access to other big metropolises like these.
The Hague is an extremely multicultural city with a long and proud history of peace and law. Home to thousands of international students from around the globe, The Hague makes for an excellent environment in which to study law. Offering courses both in English and Dutch as well as an effective support network.