While Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, The Hague (Den Haag) is the actual central city, home to the government, royal palaces, and international judicial organizations. This international, tranquil city offers a compact array of attractions, from world-class museums and historical sites deeply rooted in medieval times, to a seaside resort.
This guide presents 5 carefully selected must-visit tourist attractions in The Hague that even short-term visitors can explore efficiently and enjoy profoundly. Beyond just facility introductions, we’ll also share tips for navigating locally and delve into deeper insights, so be sure to use this as a reference for your trip.
Mauritshuis Museum
📍 Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag, Netherlands
A highlight of The Hague’s tourism and a pilgrimage site for art fans worldwide is the Mauritshuis Museum. Housed in the beautiful 17th-century residence of Count Johan Maurits, the museum’s interior is adorned with opulent, classical decor befitting a noble’s mansion.
The main attractions are, without a doubt, Johannes Vermeer’s masterpieces ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ and ‘View of Delft’. Unlike colossal institutions such as the Louvre or the British Museum, its compact size allows visitors to admire these masterpieces up close at their own pace, which is its greatest charm. Beyond Vermeer, numerous paintings from the Dutch Golden Age and the Flemish region, including Rembrandt’s ‘The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp’, are on display, and the beautiful flower still lifes are also not to be missed.
Weekends tend to be crowded with tourists from all over the world, so for those who wish to immerse themselves fully in Vermeer’s world, a weekday visit is best. Furthermore, the flow from the recently renovated underground entrance is very smooth, and the museum shop offers a wide array of stylish goods inspired by the representative works, making souvenir shopping enjoyable. Online advance ticket booking is generally recommended.
Peace Palace
📍 Address: Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag, Netherlands
The Peace Palace (Vredespaleis) is the symbol of The Hague, often called the ‘City of Peace and Justice’. This magnificent building, completed in 1913, was constructed with a generous donation of 1.5 million dollars from American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. It continues to house the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), playing a central role in global peace.
Designed by French architect Louis M. Cordonnier, the palace features an asymmetrical design with a tall bell tower soaring on the front left. Its exterior beauty alone is worth seeing, and the ‘Eternal Peace Flame’, installed in 2002, burns continuously in front of the main gate. The visitor center on the grounds offers exhibitions about the history of the Peace Palace.
To explore the interior, participation in a guided tour of approximately 60 minutes is required. Slots often fill up quickly, so early online booking is essential once your schedule is set. Inside, stained glass windows and opulent furnishings gathered with support from various countries are densely arranged, allowing visitors to feel the solemn atmosphere unique to the international city of The Hague. Even just photographing the exterior is enjoyable enough, making it a must-include spot on any walking route.
Escher in Het Paleis
📍 Address: Lange Voorhout 74, 2514 EH Den Haag, Netherlands
This unique museum is dedicated to the works of M.C. Escher, the master of ‘impossible’ or ‘optical illusion’ art, often called the ‘magician of vision’. The most striking feature of this building is that it occupies a historic edifice (paleis = palace) that once served as the Dutch royal family’s winter palace.
The interior is remarkably well-preserved, retaining traces of its royal past with luxurious room designs and artistic chandeliers that vary from room to room, making the building itself feel like a work of art. Through his famous design prints where birds and fish seamlessly transform, and his landscape paintings influenced by places like the Amalfi Coast, visitors can deeply understand Escher’s life and thought processes.
While the first and second floors comprise the classical museum area, the third floor offers interactive exhibits where visitors can take photos that make them appear to be inside an optical illusion, captivating both adults and children. It’s a special attraction unique to The Hague, where royal history merges with fascinating illusionary art.
Prison Gate Museum
📍 Address: Buitenhof 33, 2513 AH Den Haag, Netherlands
For those who wish to delve into a slightly darker and deeper history amidst beautiful museum visits, the Prison Gate Museum (Gevangenpoort) is highly recommended. Originally built as a gate in the 13th century, it was used as a prison for serious offenders from the 15th to the 19th century.
Inside, authentic medieval European shackles, stocks, a guillotine, and torture instruments are starkly displayed, allowing visitors to tangibly feel the brutality of justice and punishment of that era. What’s particularly interesting is the glimpse into the social hierarchy and capitalism of the time: while harsh, crowded cells were for the poor, wealthy or noble prisoners could afford comfortable ‘luxury solitary cells’ with fireplaces.
Although the facility is small, the free audio guide is clear and allows visitors to explore at their own pace. The staff are also friendly and provide interactive explanations. The visit typically takes 1 to 1.5 hours. It’s also recommended to combine a visit with the adjacent Prince William V Gallery.
De Pier Skyview Ferris Wheel
📍 Address: Strandweg 156, 2586 JW Den Haag, Netherlands
A tram ride of about 15-20 minutes from the center of The Hague will take you to Scheveningen, one of the Netherlands’ premier beach resorts. Soaring above the pier along its coastline is the modern and massive ‘De Pier Skyview Ferris Wheel’.
From the gondolas, ascending to a height of approximately 50 meters, a breathtaking panoramic view of the vast North Sea, beautiful beaches, and the skyline of The Hague unfolds. The gondolas are completely enclosed and stable, allowing even those uncomfortable with heights to enjoy the ride with relative ease. Furthermore, the unique charm of this Ferris wheel is the option to bring coffee and cake into your gondola for an elegant café experience in the sky.
The ride lasts just under 10 minutes, with prices around 11 Euros (subject to seasonal variation). While there might be some creaking sounds due to the sea breeze, it’s part of the authentic experience of a seaside attraction. In summer, you can fully enjoy the resort atmosphere combined with beachfront open-air cafes, and in winter, although it can be harsh, you can enjoy quiet sea views, avoiding crowds. This makes it an excellent photo spot worth visiting regardless of the season.
Tips for Maximizing Your The Hague Visit
The Hague stands out among Dutch cities as a highly walkable destination, compactly blending political, cultural, and resort elements. To ensure a smooth visit, it’s wise to keep a few key points in mind.
First and foremost, prioritize ‘advance ticket booking’. Especially for the Mauritshuis Museum and the Peace Palace interior tour, showing up on the day without a reservation is likely to result in no entry or getting caught in long queues. As soon as your travel dates are set, purchase time-slot tickets online from the official websites to make the most of your limited stay.
Secondly, make full use of the ‘tram’ for getting around. Major museum areas in the city and the Scheveningen beach are easily accessible by tram. Traveling while enjoying the cityscape is an experience in itself and a great relief when you’re tired. An ambitious plan to soak in art during the day and watch the sunset from the seaside Ferris wheel in the evening is entirely feasible in The Hague.
