The Hague Tourist Attractions, Landmarks, Monuments and Sightseeing

(The Hague / Den Haag, South Holland, Netherlands)

The city of Den Haag provides well for visitors and boasts a series of exceptional tourist attractions and prominent Dutch landmarks. Centrally located in The Hague is the square known as the Plein, around which are many elegant attractions, eye-catching government buildings and buzzing pavement cafes.

Visitors to The Hague will find plenty of tourist attractions to enjoy during a stroll around the central streets and lengthy avenues, such as gabled houses from the 17th century, and Baroque-style mansions. Landmarks and attractions worth looking out for around The Hague include the 15th-century Old Town Hall (Oude Stadhuis), the tree-lined Lange Voorhout Square, and the famous Binnenhof. And on a sunny day, the beaches at Scheveningen offer nothing short of sun, sea and sand.

Madurodam

Address: George Maduroplein 1, The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands, NL
Head to the very outskirts of Den Haag's Scheveningen and you will likely encounter the main attractions within the Madurodam. Many of the most famous landmarks in the Netherlands can be found replicated here in perfectly proportioned miniature, with tremendous attention to detail in all aspects. The replicas of Dutch buildings are beautifully displayed in landscaped settings, ranging from a recreation of the canals of Amsterdam, to a busy seaport, complete with beaches, tiny people and moving trains. Children always love a visit to the Madurodam, while the adults are often interested to find out more about the history, explained at the memorial by the entrance.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 20:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Binnenhof

Tel: +31 070 364 6144
The Hague's extremely famous Binnenhof is actually an Inner Court adjoining the city's magnificent parliamentary buildings. Once a castle, the central courtyard of the Binnenhof was once used for executions and is today surrounded by endless historical attractions, which include the 13th-century Knights' Hall (Ridderzaal) and its Gothic dining hall. The best way to learn more about the varied attractions within Den Haag's Binnenhof is by a guided tour. These last for around one hour and depart from outside of the visitors centre, where you can first see a scale model of the many buildings within this unusual and historical complex.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 15:45
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Noordeinde Palace (Paleis Noordeinde)

The Noordeinde Palace is actually owned by Holland's royal family and is one of their four palaces. Once nothing more than a medieval farmhouse, the Noordeinde Palace was first expanded in the early part of the 16th century, before becoming an official royal residence in 1817. This important Dutch landmark may not actually be open to members of the general public visiting The Hague, although you are permitted to stroll around the formal palace gardens, which are referred to as the 'Paleistuin'. Those simply wishing to take a look at the exterior of Den Hague's Noordeinde Palace will find a good view from Noordeinde Street.
Open hours: gardens open daily
Admission: free

Scheveningen

Address: Scheveningen, The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands, NL
Scheveningen is a modern and appealing beach resort within The Hague and is full of seaside attractions. Tourists flock to Scheveningen during the summer months, to watch the fishing boats arriving at the seaport, to enjoy a spot of sunbathing on the sandy beachfront, or to stroll along the pier and enjoy a meal at its restaurant, which is located at the very end of the pier. The summer sand sculpture festival and firework displays are always crowd-pleasers, as are both the Sea Museum and the Sculpture Museum. Den Haag's Scheveningen is also home to the famous Panorama Mesdag and is known for its New Year's Day frivolities, when locals dive in the water for a chilly winter swim.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free, charge for some events

Panorama Mesdag

Address: Scheveningen, The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands, NL
Tel: +31 070 364 4544
One of the most loved tourist attractions in The Hague, the Panorama Mesdag is situated within the seaside resort of Scheveningen, on the northern side of the Noordeinde. This acclaimed art exhibit was created as long ago as 1881 by artist Hendrik Willem Mesdag (1831 - 1915) and is actually an enormous 360 degree painting of the sand dunes of 19th-century Scheveningen itself. With great realism and qualities, a visit to the unusual cylindrical Panorama Mesdag is actually more like simply enjoying a view, rather than looking at a vast art work of epic proportions. The total circumference of the painting measures a staggering 120 metres / 394 feet.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Peace Palace (Vredespaleis)

Address: Carnegieplein 2, The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands, NL
Tel: +31 070 302 4137
Dating back to 1913 and amongst the most impressive landmarks in The Hague, the Peace Palace is known locally as the Vredespaleis and is today home to the UN International Court of Justice. The building contains many period features and attractions, and these can be viewed on regular guided tours, which usually take place every hour, unless the courts are actually in session. Those planning to visit Den Haag's Peace Palace should note that guided tours will need to be booked ahead.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children