If you got just one day at The Hague, a good start would be at the Binnenhof. From here, you can go to the Shopping Streets and then off to have lunch around the Palace Gardens. You can swing by Plein and Grote Markt before having dinner at Bleyenberg.
If you only have one day at The Hague, don’t worry.
This is enough time to get a quick look at the city. The city is accessible from Amsterdam and Rotterdam with just a ride at the NS Dutch train. And so, whenever you are in any of these cities, you can easily access The Hague anytime you want.
The Hague is popular as the city that houses the International Court of Justice. If you are in the Netherlands, a visit to The Hague is a must.
And so, without further ado, here’s my suggested itinerary if you only have a day at The Hague.
Upon Arrival
As soon as you arrive at Den Haag Centraal, take the tram and head on to Plaats. Start your itinerary with a cup of coffee. And if I may, I suggest you drop by Hometown Coffee for your caffeine shot.
After coffee, you may head on to Binnenhof.
Binnenhof
When at The Hague, a visit to the Binnenhof is a must.
Also known as the “Inner Court,” Binnenhof is where you will see the oldest Houses of Parliament. And yes, these are still in use. In case you don’t know, the Dutch Prime Minister still goes to his office around these parts of the city.
I suggest you enter through the old gate. From this part of the Inner Court, you can admire the inner courtyard. Never miss out on the Knight’s Hall.
When you are at The Hague, Binnenhof is something you should not miss.
Shopping Streets
If you’re done exploring Binnenhof, we suggest you head on to the streets of the center of The Hague.
Imagine cobblestoned streets, picturesque local shops, and beautiful boutiques. There are galleries and food stalls and everything that makes shopping at The Hague fun.
Sint Jacobs Grote Kerk
And while you are exploring these gorgeous streets, you would perhaps chance upon the Grote Kerk. Translated to English, it means Big Church.
And yes, it is a big church. When walking down these streets, you wouldn’t miss seeing it.
Anyway, you can climb to the top of the Church tower. From there, you can enjoy the views of The Hague. And it’s something you should do.
From the church, walk a little bit to some quaint café for lunch. And if I may suggest, why not try the Pistache Café?
Lunch
The Pistache Café serves amazing lunch paired with your favorite cup of coffee. It has healthy alternatives, from salads to sandwiches, bowls, even to picnic baskets. And yes, you can take them with you while you head over to the Palace Gardens.
Palace Gardens
The Palace Gardens sit right next to the Pistache Café.
Here, you will find all the stunning sights of The Hague. It is a perfect way to escape the hustle of the city.
Also, while at the park, be sure to visit the Royal Palace and the Royal Stables.
Palace Noordeinde
At the center of The Hague is Noordeinde.
Around the palace are gorgeous shopping streets. This is also where you will find the King of the Netherlands to be working.
It is not open to the public. But you can see it and admire the whole place from the outside.
Lange Voorhout
Lange Voorhout is perhaps the most beautiful street in The Hague.
Tree-lined, walking down the street can give you the vibe of the old Hague. Walk toward the end of the street, and you will find Hotel des Indes. You will also find the Escher Museum.
Mauitshuis
The street of Lange Voorhout curves. If you follow its L-shaped part, it leads you over to Mauitshuis.
It has beautiful interiors. It has all the classic paintings.
If you are familiar with the Girl with the Pearl Earring painting, you will find it here.
Plein
Too tired to walk, it’s time to enjoy a pint or two of Dutch beer. And you will find it here.
Sitting next door to Mauitshuis, Plein is the closest you can get to nightlife at the Hague.
You will not miss seeing this place. Its business district has skyscrapers. It has an old town square. And while beer is something you can have here, you can also opt for coffee and tea should you choose.
Grote Markt
Another area of the Hague where you can have your beer is the Grote Markt.
All day long, you will find people here. So, whether you come in during the day or night, you will never run out of any form of entertainment here.
Dinner
Should you want to have dinner in the area, I got a suggestion for you.
Try Bleyenberg. The place is great! The interior is stylish and cozy. The food is yum. And right after dinner, you can head onto the rooftop, where you will get to see Grote Markt from above.
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Is The Hague safe?
The Hague is one of the safest places in the whole continent of Europe. Yes, there are petty crimes like pickpocketing, but there is nothing more than that.
I should assure you this.
The Netherlands is one of the safest countries you could ever visit in Europe. When you are in the country, the only crimes you will be worrying about will be minor. Pickpocketing and other minor crimes are quite common in the Netherlands.
This is also the same at the Hague.
If you plan to go here – whether on your own, with your partner, or your family – you will always feel safe.
Here are a few things to know about the Hague and its safety.
The Hague and Safety
It is natural to assume that the bigger the city is, the higher the crime rate. But with the Hague, it is a different story altogether.
The Hague may be a bigger city compared to some, but it is safer.
General Safety
Generally, most are just petty crimes. It happens now and then. But this shouldn’t be something you should worry about, especially if you follow the usual precautions.
The only worries at the Hague are petty crimes. Chances of pickpocketing and other petty crimes are just about 20% which is low.
This could happen in public transportation or touristy sites.
Chances of assault are also very low. The possibility of this happening is around one in a million. This could perhaps be because fire weapons are illegal in the country.
Scams
Sometimes, tourists would also worry about scams.
Scams are common in bigger cities like Amsterdam. But scams are rare at the Hague. If there is something to watch out for, it should be the amount of money you pay for your taxi ride.
This should be a minor scam if you even consider it as such. But when it comes to the usual scams like fake tours or illegal replicas of something, these things don’t happen at The Hague.
Transportation
Public transportation in the country is reliable and safe.
The one great advantage of this is because it is the government that runs public transport. The incidents related to public transport are rare. Delays are mostly unheard of.
Taking public transport is super safe.
Natural Disasters
You might have already known that the Netherlands, including the Hague, are low-lying areas.
But this is nothing to lose some sleep about. The Dutch managed to keep the water out with admirable genius. Engineering seems to be something the Dutch mastered well enough to keep water out.
And so, despite the country being low-lying, this should not worry you.
As for the risks of earthquakes and other natural disasters, there are none.
Women Travelers
One of the main considerations with women traveling alone is safety.
When at The Hague, there is nothing you should worry about. The Hague is safe for women travelers, even for those that are traveling solo.
Of course, you must play it by ear. Despite the Hague being safe, you need always to stay cautious. If anything, do not walk by the Scheweningen alone, especially at night. Be careful as well when going to festivals alone.
Aside from these considerations, there should be nothing you have to worry about when at the Hague.
How expensive is The Hague?
When visiting The Hague, you should prepare around US$262 per person per day. The amount should already cover your accommodation, food, transportation, and a few activities. If you are planning on spending on alcohol, prepare a bit more.
How much money should you bring to The Hague?
When visiting, the average daily cost sits around US$262 for most visitors.
On average, meals cost around US$51 for the whole day. Transportation is at around US$18 for the whole day. Add to that your accommodation of about US$193 per night, and you get a total of about US$262 per day.
Remember that these are average costs. Some hotels are more expensive than others. There are also restaurants and other food options that could be cheaper. Plus, if you plan on a night out in the town, expect your costs to soar a bit higher.
If you are traveling with a group or with a family, the costs can also be a bit lower. This is because of the concept of sharing.
When you travel with a group, you share taxi rides. You can also sometimes share hotel rooms and even food.
So, how much money should I prepare?
Is The Hague expensive? Here’s a quick look at the costs when visiting The Hague.
Accommodation Costs
On average, accommodation at The Hague can cost around US$193. But these types of accommodations are usually the rooms in a nice hotel.
There are, of course, cheaper options if you choose to.
Look up accommodation options at the city center, and you will find decent hotel rooms below US$100 per night. There are even hostels where you can stay and share the room with.
The Pink Flamingo Hostel is one such example of more affordable accommodation.
Costs of Food
When it comes to the cost of food, the Hague’s prices can differ. But on average, it can cost around US$51 per day. The amount should already cover all three meals.
But when in the city, you must know that breakfast is always more affordable than lunch or dinner. You must also know that sit-down restaurants are more expensive compared to food that you buy at fast-food chains.
If you are lucky enough, there are food stalls that you can come across. These food stalls sell food at much lower prices. When you find one, take advantage of it and get your food there.
Buying from them can save you lots.
Transportation Costs
Transportation costs depend on where you are going. How far is it from where you are now?
The farther the destination is, the more expensive it would be for you.
But on average, prepare around US$18 per person per day for transportation costs when at The Hague.
Activities
Activities at The Hague again would vary depending on where you go.
Typically, a person can spend around US$31 per day when in the city. This should already include your admission fees to museums and all the other attractions.
Sometimes, it can also cover your day tours as well as your other sightseeing costs.
When you want to save up, there are free walking tours in the city that you can take. Take advantage of these free walking tours.
The Cost of Alcohol
Now, this is optional.
If you plan to spend a night out in the town, expect to spend around US$28 for your alcoholic drinks.
Of course, the more you enjoy, the more alcoholic drinks you consume. And the more drinks you consume, the more expensive your costs will be.
How many days do you spend in The Hague?
Two days would be enough to explore The Hague. A couple of days should allow you to explore the city at a much slower pace.
When in The Hague, you can always visit the city center. This part of the city is ideal for walks.
You can visit the Plein, Binnenhof, and Buitenhof. You would also have enough time to swing by Lange Voorhout and the Grote Markt. Aside from these, there are a lot of other places to visit.
Two days would also be enough for you to visit a few museums.
The Hague has tourist sites that are far lesser in number compared to other cities. But giving yourself two days to explore the city allows you to discover The Hague at a much slower pace.
Two days would be enough for you to immerse yourself in the city and everything that it can offer.
It is perfect as you don’t need to rush. It is perfect because it can give you enough time to stop, look, and bask in all the beauty this glorious city can offer.