Practical information
The Hague highlights
Throughout the ages, ‘Het Binnenhof’ in The Hague has always been the centre of politics in the Netherlands, the place where affairs of state were discussed. Not only are the buildings themselves well worth seeing, but it was here that the most important events in Dutch history took place. Parliament still meets here, and thus the Binnenhof remains the centre of Dutch political life today.
Parliamentary Exhibition
An exhibition has been opened in the reception area underneath the Ridderzaal (the ‘Knights’ Hall’), where the guided tours start, dedicated to Dutch parliamentary history. There is a scale model of the Binnenhof, a time line providing a chronological overview of political history of the Low Lands over the past twelve centuries, and a number of gravestones that were found when the former royal chapel at the Binnenhof was pulled down.
The Ridderzaal
The centre of the Binnenhof was – and undoubtedly still is – the Knights’ Hall or ‘Ridderzaal’, built by Count Floris V in the 13th century. After an introductory video about Dutch parliament and the parliamentary buildings, the guided tours will take visitors to the Ridderzaal and to the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, which are called the ‘Eerste Kamer’ and ‘Tweede Kamer’ respectively. Sometimes one or more of the buildings may be closed to the public on account of special meetings.
Madurodam
The world-famous miniature city Madurodam presents everything Holland is famous for replicated to the smallest detail on a scale of 1:25. It’s an excellent way to familiarise yourself with all surprising features Holland has to offer: the Alkmaar cheese market, the Peace Palace of The Hague, the Royal Palace on Dam Square and canal houses of Amsterdam and parts of the world famous Delta works.
Panorama Mesdag
This is an enormous cylindrical painting by H.W. Mesdag. At 1680 m2, it's the largest painting in Holland and one of the largest and most striking in the world. Stand in the middle and view life as it was in 1881 when Scheveningen was a peaceful fishing village.
Sculptures by the sea
The Sculptures by the Sea museum in Scheveningen has a great collection of sculptures, set in a dramatic location overlooking the North Sea. In front of the museum on the boulevard of Scheveningen you can admire the exhibition Fairytale sculptures by the Sea for free. It boasts a balcony, steps, small islands, benches and pedestals for 23 enchanting sculptures by New York sculptor Tom Otterness from New York.
Spa & Beauty
Kuur Thermen Vitalizee Spa in Scheveningen is an ideal way to unwind. You will feel like a new person after a visit to the various saunas and steam rooms or a relaxing dip in the swimming pool.
Dance & Music
At the centre of the city the Dr. Anton Philipszaal, home to the Residentie Orkest and the Lucent Dans Theater, home to the Nederlands Dans Theater, are next to each other. They provide the city with a cultural ambiance of classical music and dance. Here, you can regularly see performances of classical and modern music. The quality of the dancers and choreographers of the National Dance Theatre 1, is world-renowned.
The Peace Palace
The Peace Palace is a gift from the American Andrew Carnegie to the city of The Hague. This palace was given the name of Peace Palace, to express the great importance attached to this endeavour to solve disputes and so to maintain world peace. For the design of the building, an international competition was held. The French architect Cordonnier was the winner. The Dutch architect Van der Steur amended his design.
All nations contributed towards the construction of the Peace Palace by making available characteristics products of their soil, art of industry, in this way symbolising the collaboration of the nations in the foundation of this "Temple of Peace". For example, Switzerland contributed the clock in the bell tower. The Peace Palace houses the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Academy of International Law and a splendid library. Guided tours are only possible by advance booking.
Escher in the Palace
The Lange Voorhout Palace is a small but very grand palace dating from the 18th century. It is located in the most beautiful part of The Hague. Queen Emma lived there until 1891, and after that Queen Wilhelmina, Queen Juliana and Queen Beatrix held their official receptions at the palace. It is now a permanent museum and tourist attraction dedicated to the work of world-famous Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972). Prints, sketches and archive material are displayed in varying exhibitions spread over four floors of the building.
Mauritshuis
The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis is housed in one of Holland's most outstanding classicist buildings. Its location next to the Binnenhof on the Hofvijver pond, its intimate character and the exceptional quality of its collection make the Mauritshuis a favourite destination for its many visitors.
The Mauritshuis is mostly celebrated for its world famous collection of Dutch masterpieces from the 17th century. Paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Potter, Ruisdael and numerous other masters from the Golden Age form the core of the collection, which also features paintings from the Flemish 16th and 17th century, and works by Rubens, Van Dijck and Jordeans.
The Hague Municipal Museum
(Gemeentemuseum Den Haag)
Housed in a striking yellow-brick building by Berlage, built in 1935, you could easily spend a whole day at the The Hague Municipal Museum. Works include the famous ‘Boogie Woogie’ by Mondriaan and paintings by Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet to name just a few!
The Prison Gate
The Prison Gate is the former prison of the Court of Holland. Preceding a guided tour through the 15th century building a short film is shown about the trial of Cornelis de Witt, the most famous prisoner of the Prison Gate. The film illustrates the function of the various rooms in the building, like the cells, examination room and torture cellar. A few moments later the visitor enters these rooms himself. The building and its unique collection of punishment and torture devices introduce the visitor to the history of criminal law in Holland. http://www.gevangenpoort.nl.
