Often referred to as the “judicial capital of the world,” The Hague wears its diplomatic crown with grace, and you’re almost certain to find someone who speaks your language. This quaint, cobblestoned European city houses over 150 international organizations, including embassies, multinational corporations, European Union Institutions, and international schools. With grand boulevards and royal palaces, this is a city brimming with unexpected visual pleasures. While Amsterdam basks in global fame, it is The Hague—seat of the Dutch government, home to King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, and the keeper of a breezy North Sea coastline—that offers a more polished, picturesque, and quietly thrilling Dutch experience. Here are seven great things to do, see, and taste in The Hague.

 

 

1. Head to Scheveningen Beach

Scheveningen (sh-keh-veh-nin-ghen) is the reason The Hague is sometimes called “the Santa Monica of Europe.” This coastal neighborhood is the place to be during the summer months, offering beachgoers a blend of seasonal seaside restaurants and lively cafés that are thoughtfully rebuilt each summer after their winter slumber.

Following a devastating fire, Scheveningen’s historic pier has risen anew in bright and colorful form, shedding its kitschy past in favor of gezellig (cozy) boutiques, artisanal eateries, and sun-dappled decks perfect for sea-gazing. For the more adventurous spirit, there’s even the chance to bungee jump from De Pier itself.

 

 

Standing majestically in the backdrop is the Kurhaus Hotel, a regal structure dating back to 1885. Scheveningen also hosts an annual European fireworks festival, and when the mercury isn’t quite as high, you’ll find thousands diving into the ice-cold North Sea for the annual New Year’s Day dive.

 

 

 

2. Enjoy all the culture in The Hague

While Amsterdam boasts the globally-famed Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt, and Anne Frank Museum among others (with hour-long queues to boot), The Hague is home to the M.C. Escher museum, Escher in the Palace, which fans of the artist’s mathematically-inspired optical illusions will find particularly enjoyable. It’s a permanent exhibition set in the former winter palace of Queen Mother Emma of the Netherlands. There’s also the Mauritshuis to sink your teeth into and meet the original “Girl with the Pearl Earring” by Vermeer, as well as other fine works from the Dutch Golden Age.

 

3. Snag a The Hague exclusive

There are a handful of pursuits that are only available in this city. For instance, you can see an original letter written by Oscar Wilde at Huis van het Boek, which is the oldest book museum in the world, dating back to 1852. You can also visit Binnenhof, which is the seat of the Dutch parliament in the centre of the city, flanked by the Hofvijver (or Court Pond) and a picturesque leafy park. Binnenhof happens to be the oldest parliament building that’s still in use. Mauritstoren in the Binnenhof was also the site of the world’s first telescope demonstration (the first patent application for the humble telescope was back in 1608 by a Dutch eyeglass maker called Hans Lippershey). In another The Hague exclusive, you can stay at the hotel where Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (for whom the dessert is named) took her last breath. This was at Hotel Des Indes, one of the best luxury hotels in The Hague.

 

 

4. Tickle your taste buds

Chief among the must-try tastes in the Netherlands is raw herring (haring), typically served with tangy pickles and sharp raw onions. Tradition dictates that the fish be lifted by the tail and eased into the mouth in one smooth, celebratory gesture, and it’s lekker (delicious) indeed. You’ll spot iconic stalletjes (street-side stalls) all across Holland, easily identifiable by their patriotic splashes of red, white, and blue. For a more genteel experience, the herring can also be sliced into pieces or tucked into bread, but do resist the temptation to ask for mayonnaise. You’ll be promptly reminded that this is not a hamburger. And guard your bounty carefully because the local meeuwen (seagulls) are notorious for their daring and dexterity.

 

 

Beyond the seaside treats, Dutch supermarkets like Albert Heijn and Hoogvliet hold another beloved indulgence: vla. This is a velvety custard dessert that’s available in cartons, with flavors ranging from classic vanilla to caramel, chocolate, and banana. Part eaten, part drunk, depending on whom you ask, vla is a nostalgic staple of Dutch homes. Sausage lovers will find comfort in rookworst, a plump, smoked delicacy often paired with mustard or served atop stamppot, a hearty mash of potatoes and vegetables that’s considered the Netherlands’ national dish.

 

At beloved confectioners like Jamin, you’ll find everyone, young and old, filling paper bags with drop (licorice) and a rainbow of sugary temptations. In The Hague, local specialties include Haagsche Hopjes, a caramel-coffee candy akin to Werther’s Original, and the curiously named Haagse Kakker, a dense, sweet pastry with a translation that may amuse the linguistically curious.

 

Of course, any visitor to The Hague ought to get a portion of frites (patat)—thick-cut, golden fries crowned with a dizzying array of toppings. Classicists might opt for patat met (with mayonnaise), while those looking to push the boat out can try patatje oorlog (“war fries”) slathered in a decadent combination of satay sauce, mayonnaise, and onions. Sate sauce, a spicy mixture of peanuts, kecap manis, ginger, chili and turmeric, is widespread in the Netherlands due to the sizeable Indonesian population in the country.  And naturally, Dutch cheese—edam, gouda, and more—requires no introduction.

 

 

5. Head to Grote Markt

A good chunk of The Hague’s partygoers flock to Grote Markt, a grand square with a gaggle of bars and restaurants and a large seating area in the middle for all the various establishments’ clientele to mingle together. Boterwaag and Zwarte Ruiter are two of the more popular bars but my personal favorite is Vavoom, a low-lit Tiki bar with evocative Hawaiian decor and funky glassware. Across the street is the crowd-funded Bleyenberg, a lovely rooftop offering fine cocktails, karaoke, and a coveted view of the Grote Markt revelers below.

 

 

 

6. Enjoy the palaces

The Hague is a city of palaces. The Koninklijke Schouwburg or Royal Theatre was originally built as a palace for Prince Karel van Cristiaan van Nassau-Weilburg. The Dutch royal family has three official residences, two of which are in The Hague: Paleis Huis ten Bosch in the Haagse Bos forest, and Noordeinde.

 

The Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), the home of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, deceptively is not actually a palace. The exceptional grand building is the global home of world peace, presented by Andrew Carnegie to the Permanent Court of Arbitration during World War I. The Peace Palace is open Tuesday to Sunday for those wishing to walk these majestic walls.

 

 

7. Take a day trip

Nearby Leiden is home to Leiden University, which lends it an effervescent energy. Leiden is also blessed with a myriad of inviting canals that are best enjoyed by boat. There are plenty of boat tour operators in the area, but you can also rent a private one from companies like Olympia Charters. Don’t worry, if you’ve never operated a boat before, you’ll receive detailed instructions before you sail into the sunset.

 

 

 

Getting around The Hague

The Hague is 30 minutes from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Once in The Hague, it helps to buy an OV Chipkaart, a touch-in and touch-out system. You can top up your balance at any station, and you may use it on all forms of transport. The Hague has a robust and reliable public transportation network of buses, trains, and trams that add charm as they crisscross the city.

 

 

 

Hotels in The Hague

 

Hotels by the beach in Scheveningen: Hotel ‘t Sonnehuys, Ibis Styles Den Haag Scheveningen, Bilderberg Europa Hotel Scheveningen, Carlton Beach, Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus The Hague Scheveningen.

 

Hotels in the center of The Hague: Hotel des Indes, Babylon Hotel Den Haag, voco The Hague by IHG, Hotel Indigo The Hague – Palace Noordeinde by IHG, Marriott Hotel The Hague, Ibis Styles Den Haag City Centre.