The city as open-air museum
In the oldest part of the city, you will come across some incredible monumental architecture of international allure. The Hague has 1163 monumental buildings, 818 of these can be found in the centre. You can stroll through the Binnenhof with its 13th century Ridderzaal, or wander on the Lange Voorhout and past Noordeinde Palace.
The Hague is the only major city of the Netherlands that is within cycling distance of the sea; enjoy the serenity of the tides coming in all-year round on the sprawling, 11-kilometre long coast line. Zuiderstrand is perhaps the least-known of its 4 beaches and is mainly only frequented by locals. Directly behind the dunes, this is an ideal spot to relax with a glass of wine at sunset.
According to the national government, the standard of living here is excellent. Not so strange when you consider all of the available greenery and its ideal connections to the arterial routes to Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht. The address is also just a stone’s throw from Central Station, with direct rail connections to Belgium, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
Hollands Spoor Station is also only a 20-minute walk away. From here, you can take the night train with direct connections to such European cities as Prague, Vienna, Venice, Innsbruck, Verona and Milan twice a week. If you prefer to fly: Rotterdam-The Hague Airport is only 20 kilometres away and to Schiphol International Airport is about a 35-minute drive. A whole world is literally just around the corner
In the 16th century, at the edge of the old centre, there was a street sign in the direction of Leiden that said: “de Heerenbaen tenijnden de Pooten”. “De Heeren” (gentlemen) refers to the affluence of the population who had majestic homes built here. The Herengracht is located in the chic part of town, number 19, for example, was once a palatial address. But, incredibly, this does not mean you are far removed from nature. In only a 5-minute bike ride, you can reach the 100-hectare Haagsche Bos, a green oasis of calm which features red deer and buzzards. You can enjoy open-air concerts here in the summer, under the watchful eye of the brooding city mascots, the storks.(
In the second largest museum city of the Netherlands, you can visit the Mauritshuis with the world-famous Dutch masters Vermeer and Rembrandt. You can also admire the playful, mathematical principles behind the graphic illusions of Escher at the former Royal Palace, or visit the Kunstmuseum Den Haag which boasts the world’s largest collection of the works of Mondriaan and see how the painter’s meteoric rise to international stardom developed.
The Amare cultural complex on Spuiplein offers something for everyone when it comes to podium arts. It is the home of the renowned Residentie Orchestra, Nederlands Dans Theater and the Royal Conservatory. Here, you can enjoy music, modern dance and cultural events all year round. International music and dance are the hallmarks of any major city, and The Hague has been a leading trendsetter in this respect for decades.
During WWII, the Secret Service met here in secret to exchange information. The owner was betrayed and sent to a prison camp but he survived and returned to open this Vienna-style bakery/cafe. For the finest Apfelstrudel, Käsekuchen or Sachtertorte in The Hague and surroundings, you only need to stroll down to the Korte Poten.
Pulchri Studio is also located in a glorious monumental building on the Lange Voorhout and offers a vast diversity of art on exhibit and for sale. Diverse movements are represented here by way of new exhibitions every month in a space of 750 m2.
The Passage in The Hague is considered to be in top 3 most beautiful covered shopping galleries in all of Europe. This is the oldest shopping gallery in the Netherlands and an absolute must for anyone shopping in The Hague. Apple, among other top brands, decided to utilise the spectacular appeal of this historic shopping area, and opened a branch here.
Stylish shopping can also be found in the nearby Hofkwartier. It features premium shops, boutiques, cafes and galleries and the Noordeinde itself, is the absolute jewel on the crown. The impressive, characteristic monumental store fronts are separated midway through by the King’s palatial working quarters. The P.C. Hoofdstraat in Amsterdam may be the most expensive shopping street in the Netherlands, but Noordeinde in The Hague is by far the chicest.
In the second largest museum city of the Netherlands, you can visit the Mauritshuis with the world-famous Dutch masters Vermeer and Rembrandt. You can also admire the playful, mathematical principles behind the graphic illusions of Escher at the former Royal Palace, or visit the Kunstmuseum Den Haag which boasts the world’s largest collection of the works of Mondriaan and see how the painter’s meteoric rise to international stardom developed.
The Amare cultural complex on Spuiplein offers something for everyone when it comes to podium arts. It is the home of the renowned Residentie Orchestra, Nederlands Dans Theater and the Royal Conservatory. Here, you can enjoy music, modern dance and cultural events all year round. International music and dance are the hallmarks of any major city, and The Hague has been a leading trendsetter in this respect for decades.
During WWII, the Secret Service met here in secret to exchange information. The owner was betrayed and sent to a prison camp but he survived and returned to open this Vienna-style bakery/cafe. For the finest Apfelstrudel, Käsekuchen or Sachtertorte in The Hague and surroundings, you only need to stroll down to the Korte Poten.
Pulchrio Studio is also located in a glorious monumental building on the Lange Voorhout and offers a vast diversity of art on exhibit and for sale. Diverse movements are represented here by way of new exhibitions every month in a space of 750 m2.
The Passage in The Hague is considered to be in top 3 most beautiful covered shopping galleries in all of Europe. This is the oldest shopping gallery in the Netherlands and an absolute must for anyone shopping in The Hague. Apple, among other top brands, decided to utilise the spectacular appeal of this historic shopping area, and opened a branch here.
Stylish shopping can also be found in the nearby Hofkwartier. It features premium shops, boutiques, cafes and galleries and the Noordeinde itself, is the absolute jewel on the crown. The impressive, characteristic monumental store fronts are separated midway through by the King’s palatial working quarters. The P.C. Hoofdstraat in Amsterdam may be the most expensive shopping street in the Netherlands, but Noordeinde in The Hague is by far the chicest.