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.(
