Dutch destinations: head on down to The Hague this holiday

The Hague is home to king Willem-Alexander and his family, tons of governmental buildings, and residents from nearly every corner of the globe. Rich with history, it’s the place to head if you’d like to learn more about Dutch politics, view some of the world’s most famous Golden Age masterpieces, or simply sip a Mai Tai in one of the country’s few tiki bars.

The Hague’s name is directly rooted in what the region was best known for back in the 13th century – an old Dutch term that meant “hunting ground.” In those days, it was a big draw for nobles who enjoyed tracking down game in its forests.

Count Willem II liked the area so much he decided to convert his father’s hunting lodge into a palace later dubbed the Binnenhof. Sound familiar? While he never lived to see the project completed, it laid the groundwork for both The Hague and what would eventually morph into the governmental complex that’s currently undergoing a seemingly never-ending refurbishment.

The city has since endured occupations by foreign powers and the horrors of World War II. While Amsterdam is the official Dutch capital, The Hague is the country’s true administrative centre. It’s home to parliament, the Dutch royals, the prime minister’s residence, the International Court of Justice, dozens of other national and global organisations, various embassies, and residents from well over a hundred countries.

The Hague is also a hub for shopping, history, and culture. Head there for one of the country’s most famous art museums, some of its best cafes, and one of its oldest distilleries.

Five things to do

Dive into democracy
If you’d like a glimpse at what the country’s movers and shakers are up to, there are several governmental locations you can visit. The Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal (the House of Representatives) is partially open to the public in its temporary home on Bezuidenhoutseweg.

The main foyer contains museum displays and the balcony overlooking the plenary hall where members of parliament discuss and debate policy is open to visitors, but mind your manners if they’re in session. Registration and tickets are required in advance via the website. You should also be prepared to undergo a security check once you get there.

While it will be at least five more years before you’ll be able to visit the Binnenhof, you can observe the progress of the ongoing renovation high atop the yellow Uitzichtpunt viewing platform out front. It’s not for those with a fear of heights and it tends to sway a bit, especially on windy days.

Huis ten Bosch, the home of king Willem-Alexander and his family, isn’t open to the public but you can get a look at it from the front gates. The Haagse Bos, the surrounding forest, is also well worth visiting. Noordeinde Palace, which houses the king’s offices, is only open for tours for a few weeks during the summer months, but many visitors like to take photos of the gorgeous exterior regardless.

Meet up with the girl with a pearl
You’ll find several Dutch masterpieces at the Mauritshuis – which is well worth a visit for its regular and special exhibitions. It is home to Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and a not insubstantial amount of Girl-inspired knick-nacks in the gift shop – from socks to rubber ducks. Housed inside the former home of a prince, the museum’s galleries can be a tight squeeze during tourist season but the underground entrance is a clever use of space.

Marvel at the miniatures
Have you got friends and family visiting who only have a few days to enjoy everything the Netherlands has to offer? Maybe you should steer them towards Madurodam, which contains miniaturised versions of many of the country’s highlights all within a few yards of one another.

While they can’t compete with their real world counterparts, kids of all ages tend to love watching the spinning windmills of Kinderdijk and tiny KLM planes rolling down the runways of the pint-sized Schiphol. Other displays feature the canals of Amsterdam, the Alkmaar cheese market, and Rotterdam’s Kubuswoningen.

Climb the walls at the Escher Museum
The works of artist M.C. Escher have adorned many a dorm room and inspired that still-impressive chase scene with David Bowie in Labyrinth. You can step further into his world at the Escher Museum, in at least one case literally. Along with many woodcuts, lithographs, and prints, the museum’s interactive features include the Escher Room. Kids who step into it along with their parents will appear much taller than them.

Visit the Clingendael park
If the weather is behaving, the Clingendael park is a nice place to spend an afternoon. A 17th-century estate with a wooded park, the centrepiece is a Japanese garden open for its 2026 spring season until 7 June. The garden is lovely, but it’s also delicate, which is why it’s only open for a few months every year. It will reopen in October for its autumn run.

Other spots on the estate worth visiting are a charming tea room in a former guest house and, if you’re feeling a bit gothy, the dog cemetery. Several of the graves are in English and will leave you speculating about the lives of these no doubt pampered pooches. Consider the epitaph of Togo who “heard nothing, saw nothing, knew everything.”

Where to eat (and drink)
Given the city’s diverse international community, there’s a wide variety of eateries in The Hague. Those hankering for authentic Italian should give Arte Bianca a try. Along with great pizzas, they also have freshly baked focaccia, a good range of antipasti, and a dessert menu that includes tiramisu and cannoli.

Ramen seem to be all the rage these days and Takumi’s The Hague location on the Herengracht is a busy hot spot. If you prefer Japanese cuisine with traditional decor, give SET a go.

Anyone from North America will tell you that finding decent Mexican food in the Netherlands can be tougher than tracking down a needle in a hundred haystacks. KUĀ will get the job done if you have a craving for enchiladas, pollo en mole, or fish tacos. La Rana gets top marks for Spanish fare and tapas. Feeling like French instead? Palmette has breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are required for 3Stones, but it’s a good pick if you like Kenyan cuisine.

On the sweeter side of things, Wiener Konditorei is a long-running cafe that specialises in cake. Founded by a Viennese pastry chef, it’s been going strong since 1934. If you’d rather wait out the rain in a more contemporary coffee cafe, the “cool kids” of The Hague flock to DuckRabbit. It often has lines out the door. JoeJoe is another option if you’d like to linger over a latte. It’s the cafe for Roastfactory, a local coffee roastery, and they also have fantastic cardamom buns. Lola Bikes and Coffee, as you’ve probably already figured out, focuses on both.

Brouwerij De Prael has a location in The Hague so head there for quality microbrews. Van Kleef Distillery is off the beaten track, but it’s been mixing up unique liqueurs for well over a century. It’s worth getting over there to visit its tasting room if you’ve never sipped a “Bridal Tears” or heard about the crazy traditions that once surrounded this bizarre beverage. Tiki bars are even more of a rarity in the Netherlands than Mexican restaurants, but The Hague has the VaVoom Tiki Room for those who love drinking Mai Tais while seated beneath colourful glass floats.

Where to stay
The five-star Hotel Des Indes is in the centre of the city and its elegant restaurant is a popular spot for high tea and politicians. Hotel De Plesman is housed inside the former headquarters of KLM and also offers a wellness boutique and a brasserie. Hotel Indigo is located by Noordeinde Palace in a former bank building.

The ALD Boutique Hotel is another four-star option, located in the old state printing house. Look for the mysterious paw prints scattered throughout the property. Legend has it those were left behind by the stone lion on the facade who sprung to life one night and went on a stroll through the hotel.

On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, you can spend a night at De Lola, the city’s first pod hotel. Just be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. They’re not for the shy or light sleepers.

How to get there
The Hague has great public transport so you won’t need a car while visiting. The city has two main railway stations which have direct services from all over the country.

Anything else?
If you’d like to visit Noordeinde Palace, tickets typically go fast. For 2026, tours will be conducted between 22 July and 9 August. If you’re interested, get yourself on the notification list for tickets as soon as possible. If you get in, you’ll also gain access to the nearby Royal Stables.