Weekend in The Hague & Scheveningen

Did you know that The Hague, with its 530,000 inhabitants, is often referred to as the secret capital of the Netherlands? It is home to the government and royal palaces. Additionally, the Scheveningen district offers a fantastic beach right by the sea. The third-largest city in the Netherlands is definitely worth a visit and provides many attractions for a weekend filled with a mix of sightseeing and beach activities.

Here you will find the best attractions in The Hague, along with accommodation in Scheveningen by the sea and a trip to Keukenhof, the largest flower park in the world. How about a city trip to this exciting city?

City of peace, governance, and the queen.

The Hague truly has some attractions worth exploring. We've summarized the most important ones here. What we love about The Hague is the excellent integration of old houses with modern architecture.

Around the medieval building complex of the Parliament beats the heart of the city and Dutch democracy.

The Binnenhof originally housed only the hunting lodge before additional buildings were constructed around it.

Between the Binnenhof and Hofvijver is Mauritshuis, one of the most significant art galleries featuring works by Flemish painters from the 15th to 18th centuries. It is also one of the most visited attractions in The Hague.

You can admire the royal art collection at Mauritshuis. Dutch artists like Hans Holbein, Paulus Potter, and Jan Vermeer can be seen here. The painting Girl with a Pearl Earring by Jan Vermeer and The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp by Rembrandt van Rijn are particularly famous.

You get the best view of The Hague from the Grote Kerk's Tower. However, you can only go up as part of a guided tour. The Tower is not only the landmark of The Hague but also served for a long time as a lighthouse.

The tour lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours, but it was engaging and really great. The view from the top (if the weather is good, you can see all the way to the sea at Scheveningen) is fantastic.

The 132-meter-high Haags Toren is nicknamed Het Strijkijzer, which is Dutch for 'the iron'. Allegedly inspired by the Flatiron Building in New York, the Sky Bar, restaurant, or just the observation deck on the 42nd floor is always recommended for a great view of The Hague. Unfortunately, we didn't have time for that, and the tower seemed a little too far from the center. I'd argue that you have the best view of The Hague from the Grote Kerk Tower.

The Passage - the oldest covered shopping street in the Netherlands - and the Plaats - a former execution site - invite you to stroll and shop.

Whether for the antiques market, tea at Hotel Des Indes, or strolling between mighty linden trees - 'the most beautiful square in the Netherlands' is definitely worth a visit.

The Peace Palace is where international law is written. It is also home to the International Court of Justice of the UN.

New buildings made to look old? That exists in The Hague. You simply have to come here, as futuristic buildings take on the appearance of Art Nouveau buildings thanks to their modern facades in an old style. Really cool.

In this museum, you find yourself 'inside' the largest painting in the Netherlands from 1881. It features, among others, the old village of Scheveningen and the beach.

This remarkable Art Deco building houses the largest Mondrian exhibition in the world, along with many other modern artworks, including those by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Monet.

Not far from our accommodation in Scheveningen is the long sandy beach with the sea and the pier featuring a giant Ferris wheel. The landmark of Scheveningen is 60 meters high and guarantees a great view.

At the pier, you will find souvenir shops everywhere (yes, it is a bit touristy), cafés, bars, and food trucks. There's something for everyone to enjoy a break at the beach, no matter the season.

The wooden bathing and spa house, which served from 1885 to 1969, is now a five-star hotel frequented by state guests. The Grand Hotel right on the promenade is hard to miss. Van Gogh, the Austrian Empress Elisabeth (Sissi), and President Roosevelt have stayed in this lavish building. A night here isn't cheap, but it will surely be unique (at booking.com starting from €136 for a double room).

When you're on the beach promenade in Scheveningen, you simply have to go right. Then you'll soon see the wonderful sand dunes of National Park Hollandse Duinen.

Around the harbor of Scheveningen, the new herring is celebrated on Vlaggetjesdag. Besides accommodations, you will also find numerous restaurants and shops here. However, we preferred to stay on the beach promenade.

'The smallest city in the Netherlands' showcases everything that makes Holland charming in a 1:25 scale model. We unfortunately didn't make it here, but a Dutch friend from The Hague told me that he regularly visited Madurodam in his childhood. His eyes lit up as he talked about it, so I must visit here during my next trip.

Between the harbor of Scheveningen and the beach of Kijkduin lies the beautiful Zuiderstrand. The Zuiderstrand at Kijkduin is truly one of the most beautiful parts of The Hague. Among locals, it is known as 'the quiet beach.' And rightly so, because here you'll mainly encounter The Hague residents enjoying the peace and nature.

Are you only briefly visiting The Hague? Then I recommend booking a city tour and/or a ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus. This way, you'll definitely have the chance to get a compact overview of the city. I also enjoy bike tours.

The Hague and Scheveningen are just a short tram ride away from each other. Since we preferred a place to stay by the sea, we booked a lovely accommodation with a sea view on Airbnb.

With tram number 10, you can reach the center of The Hague in just a few minutes. Alternatively, you can rent bikes everywhere along the beach promenade in Scheveningen and ride off. To The Hague, head toward Voorburg, and back to Scheveningen, head toward Statenwartier.

You have the choice: accommodation on the beach in Scheveningen or perhaps in the center of The Hague? We chose an Airbnb apartment by the beach.

Alternatively, we recommend the Collector Hotel in The Hague. It's ideally located next to the food halls and several restaurants for sightseeing.

The Hague is a true bike city, and you can easily reach all attractions by bike (or e-bike). At the city's bike rental service (over 1000 bikes), you can either rent a bike online in advance or on-site. You'll also receive free route maps with beautiful bike paths.

Not only Amsterdam has canals; you can also enjoy sightseeing from a boat in The Hague. The canal runs around the city center. It's ideal for exploring the old center from the 17th century.

Want to always receive the best travel and insider tips? Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, or subscribe to my newsletter to receive regular updates and exclusive tips.

♥ Do you enjoy using my tips? Say thank you with a coffee ☕️

My articles result from extensive research, personal experiences, and honest recommendations - all without AI. I write them to help you plan your travels stress-free and with real, self-tested tips.

If you like my work and want to say thank you, I appreciate a small tip in my virtual travel fund. Every contribution helps me continue to create high-quality content for you independently and passionately. Thank you!

Trust is essential: In some of my articles, you will find referral links (affiliate links). If you book or purchase something through one of these links, it doesn't cost you anything extra - but I receive a small commission. This way, you can support me effortlessly and help keep this blog alive. Thank you for being a part of my community and sharing my passion for authentic travel!