In The Hague, political history, art, architecture and routes towards the beach offer different points of interest. If you’re looking for a hotel in the city centre, it helps to decide first which of these aspects you want to shape your days.
Palaces, art and architecture
The King uses Paleis Noordeinde as a working palace; the palace’s history has been inseparable from the House of Orange since 1591. Escher in Het Paleis offers a different focus: this small 18th-century palace is now dedicated to the work of M. C. Escher. The museum displays more than 120 prints from the work of Maurits C. Escher (1898–1972), as well as a selection of changing graphic works and tessellations. As of August 2026, visitors are offered three free audio tours through the Bloomberg Connects app.
Noordeinde in The Hague’s old city centre is known for exclusive fashion boutiques, galleries, and antique and art shops. Museum Bredius is housed in the former home of art collector Abraham Bredius. Churches also reveal the city’s artistic and architectural history: the Nieuwe Kerk has particular cultural and historical value; behind it, a monument on the former churchyard commemorates Baruch Spinoza. Near Paleis Noordeinde is the Paleiskerk, a distinctive historic building in the city centre. It was built in the neo-Romanesque style in 1885–1886, based on plans by architect K. Stoffels.
Historic sites and political history
The Binnenstad is the oldest part of The Hague and includes the Binnenhof and Ridderzaal. The Mauritshuis is in the historic city centre, right next to the Binnenhof. The Gevangenpoort has been a museum since 1882. Together, these places offer different starting points if you’re interested in the city’s history and architecture.
The ProDemos visitor centre is directly opposite the Binnenhof. A guided tour of the Eerste Kamer explains the building’s functions, history and interior. As of August 2026, the tour starts in the square in front of the entrance at Kazernestraat 52 in The Hague; check the starting point before booking.
Routes, views and seasons
For a route towards the coast, two options differ in both transport and course. The “Van strand tot strand” walking route covers about 19 kilometres from The Hague’s Binnenstad to the beach and passes the Panorama Mesdag Museum. The “Duinenroute Zuid” cycling route also passes the Panorama Mesdag Museum, but runs from Scheveningen via Kijkduin back to the city centre. One route ends at the beach, while the other returns to the city centre—a clear difference to consider when choosing your day’s destination.
Climbing The Hague Tower is another way to see The Hague from above: 288 steps lead to a balcony with 360-degree views over the city and the seaside resorts of Scheveningen and Kijkduin.
As a point of reference on arrival, the Grote Kerk is within walking distance of Den Haag Centraal station. The skating tradition at the Hofvijver dates back almost four centuries; in sufficiently cold winters, and provided the weather and ice conditions allow, it can still be used as a natural ice rink.
Discover more destinations: Scheveningen, Kijkduin, Geuzenkwartier, Vissershaven, Haagse Hout.
Return to the main travel overview: The Hague.
