17 Awesome Things to do in The Hague: From a Local

Sreedevi Menon

1 day ago

3 min read

Updated: 5 hours ago

Planning your trip and trying to figure out the best things to do in Hague? Here’s a round up of everything I do in my favorite city!

From leaving behind Berlin, to making Hague my full-time home, I have made countless cherished memories in this city of peace. Hague has so many things to offer, from a palace where global leaders make international treaties, to streets that feel like they haven't changed in years, to the most popular beach in Netherlands, it's a lot for one city! That is why I am here, to help you figure out how to best explore Hague. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what this quiet Dutch city has to offer.

Quick Hague Travel Tips

Reaching here: A direct train from Amsterdam Central station takes about 50 min to reach Den Haag Central station. It costs €15.30 / 17 USD one way.
Getting Around: Walking is by far the easiest because most sights are in a tight circle. Or take public transport, you can tap with your card and enter, don't forget to tap out. I’d advise against renting a bike unless you really know what you’re doing, the Hague central area is rough.
Money Talks: In Netherlands there is no need for cash - card payment is accepted.
Packing & Style Tips: Even in summer, bring some sort of light jacket. It is mostly never too warm.

17 Things to Do in Hague

Watch the sunset at Scheveningen Beach

If you enjoy a good beach walk, this is the kind of place you'll love. Scheveningen Beach is 4.5 kms long, and has a lively atmosphere with many restaurants, shacks, and bars lined up. Usually I crave small cozy beaches. However I personally loved it when I first visited this beach on a sunny day. The beachfront is lined with so many open-air sea-facing restaurants that I could barely choose where to sit. Each place plays its own music, and the entire vibe was as if I was transported to somewhere in the Caribbeans, definitely not the Netherlands I thought I knew.

I later got to know Scheveningen beach is pretty popular within Netherlands, with many Dutch people flocking here during summers. What surprised me even more was there were so many activities you could choose to do here.

How to Reach: Take tram 9 from Den Haag Centraal to Kurhaus, a short walk from Scheveningen Beach. If you're driving, you can park at nearby garages such as Parking Kurhaus or Parking Strandweg

Walk along the beach - The best thing to do in Scheveningen Beach is to walk on the boulevard. There is a large stretch of open walk-way where you will find locals gathering to catch-up over an ice-cream or simply cycle. You can cross the boulevard and climb some stairs to make your way to the pier and the ferris wheel, which is the highlight of Scheveningen Beach.

Ride the Ferris wheel at The Pier - The Ferris wheel has 36 closed cabins with even one VIP cabin with a glass floor. Since the Dutch weather is absolutely rocky, with many windy days, it helps that the cabins are closed. You can enjoy the coastline and Hague city skyline view from inside. It is open every day from 11am till late evening. You can buy tickets at the counter, or online here.

Try the zipline or bungee jump - Beyond the Ferris wheel, you can try bungee jumping or ziplining over the sea from The Pier. If you prefer water sports, surfing and kitesurfing are also popular activities here.

Spend an evening at a beach restaurant - Another fantastic thing to do is walk along the beach and choose a shack to sit and have some drinks. The beach is lined with different restaurants all with their own vibes, and there are so many, you will be spoiled for choices in cuisines. We love choosing a new one each time. During night time, all the lights come on, and it is truly a beautiful sight.