The Hague is internationally known as the City of Peace and Justice because of its role as the official seat of the International Criminal Court. The Hague is the seat of the International Court of Justice, the U.N.-affiliated court centre, located at the Peace Palace, or Vredespaleis.

The Hague, home of the Peace Palace

The Peace Palace is one of the most iconic buildings of The Hague, even on par with Binnenhof. The Hague has its fair share of museums, notably Mauritshuis, located near Binnenhof, displaying several paintings by Dutch masters, such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Paulus Potter. The art collection within the museum is vast, containing several well-known works from such artists as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rubens.

The Museum of the Meidag displays an excellent collection of artworks collected by Hendrik and his wife over the years, mostly focused on the well-known Dutch painters of The Hague or Den Haag. The Mesdag Collection, housed within the Prison Gate museum, includes paintings by The Hague school and Barbizon school, as well as Colenbrander ceramics. The Museum of Gevangenpoort does more than just tell the story of Hague’s history, with its treasured artifacts such as the huge, five-metre-wide painted panorama of The Hague by Jan van Goyen, and (strangely) a preserved finger from one of De Wittes brothers -- you will learn more about that when you visit the museum.

Museums and contemporary art

If, however, you are visiting the Museum of Gevangenpoort to brush up on your history of The Hague, and not to gaze at the artefact collection, you will not be disappointed. Do not let the name fool you, there are some of the most important masterpieces from Holland in display in Hague’s museums, not to mention that they are all located at the heart of Hague, making them easy to reach on foot. Some notable museums to put on your bucket list while planning an itinerary for a Hague getaway include Mauritshuis, Escher at Het Paleis, Panorama Mesdag, Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, and Museum Gate prison.

In The Hague, check out Escher Museum or the Mauritshuis, do not miss the stunning Panorama Mesdag, take a stroll through the Peace Palace, and enjoy some food and drinks around the city. For a small city, The Hague has plenty of things to do. The centre of The Hague is small and easily navigated, so you can walk the canals and take in some highlights of the city in a brief time. If you thought visiting this stunning European city was expensive, well, to an extent, you are correct, but with some tips and a good sense of adventure, you will find plenty of free things to do in The Hague.

The city boasts many monuments

The Hague is such a lively city, with so many activities to take part in, you could easily take a weekend and explore all the highlights. Although the third largest city in the Netherlands, The Hague is not a huge city, and you can explore the centre easily by walking. Scheveningen is a popular spot both for tourists visiting The Hague as well as locals.

Museum Voorlinden is as unexpected and surprising as The Hague itself, a must-see for anyone spending the weekend in The Hague. Even with its tiny footprint, The Hague has an amazing number of museums, making it a great alternative to go if the weather does not allow you to go on your walk on the beach. In The Hague, you can view Vermeers famous works of art, walk the picturesque Dutch streets, tour the miniaturized version of The Netherlands, and even check out the beaches.

In a single day, you can see a few art museums, enjoy the beach if the weather is good, and take advantage of The Hague’s amazing international food scene. You will also find yourself within walking distance to some of The Hague’s best museums and attractions. Visit one of the many bars and restaurants at the beach (only in the summer), stroll down the avenue, and take in The Hague’s long, sandy shoreline.

Madurodam. Got to experience it.

Other attractions, like The Mauritshuis and Escher Museum, are a short walk from here, while the Scheveningen Beach Resort is only about 10-15 minutes by tram. From here, you can enjoy great panoramas over The Hague or Den Haag, and you can also look out to Hollands Hook, and see swag coming in off the North Sea. Here you can experience a wonderful day out together in the Madurodam family park, where you will discover the best and most beautiful places of the Netherlands.

In The Hague, most major attractions and architectural landmarks are located between the centre of the city and the North Sea, so it makes sense to base yourself there if this is your first visit. While there is plenty to do and see across the country in The Netherlands, it is recommend spending a good couple of days experiencing The Hague’s diverse city first hand.