Explore Den Haag: A 24-Hour Itinerary

Den Haag (The Hague) is synonymous with high-profile legal entities (notably the UN’s International Court of Justice), embassies, and mansions. Moreover, this palace-filled city is also packed with incredible art, stylish shopping, superb dining, and a wealth of nightlife and entertainment venues. Therefore, it’s easy to take a train trip from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to hit the highlights on this 24-hour itinerary.

Morning

Arrive in style: The Den Haag Centraal Station (CS), opened in 2016 with an impressive glass roof the size of two football fields, serves as the city’s main transport hub. From this point, it’s just a short walk to the city center.

Parliamentary explorations & royal encounters: Known officially as ‘s-Gravenhage (the Count’s Hedge), Den Haag is the Dutch seat of government, while Amsterdam is the capital. The Binnenhof is the world’s oldest House of Parliament still in use. Set on the vast, reflective Hofvijver lake, this palatial complex dates back to the 13th century. Its central courtyard, once used for executions, is surrounded by parliamentary buildings. The Upper Chamber of the Dutch Parliament gathers in the ornate 17th-century North Wing, whereas the Lower Chamber previously met in the ballroom of the 19th-century wing and now meets in a modern building located on the south side.

Additionally, Den Haag serves as the seat of the Dutch Royal Family, with the Binnenhof’s Ridderzaal (Knights’ Hall) housing the throne where King Willem-Alexander opens Parliament and is also used for royal receptions. Although the buildings are magnificent to walk around, interested visitors can make advance bookings for a tour with ProDemos to see inside.

Although the royal residence, Paleis Noordeinde, isn’t open to the public, it’s just a 600m walk northwest of the Binnenhof to view its Renaissance exterior.

Medieval punishment: Directly opposite the Hofvijver lies the Museum de Gevangenpoort (Museum of Prison Gate), part of the 13th-century city fortifications. Tours provide vivid insights into the medieval justice system, showcasing the tools of torture used back then.

Afternoon

‘High Lunch’: Visit the charming café Bloem, adorned with flowers that reflect its name, offering great coffee and ‘high lunch’ (served from noon to 2:30 pm). Here, you can savor quiches, gourmet sandwiches, and a deliciously savory version of afternoon high tea (from 2:30 pm), including homemade cakes such as apple, chocolate, and walnut.

Art at the Mauritshuis: Den Haag’s number-one cultural attraction is the Mauritshuis, home to the royal collection. Masterpieces showcased in this 1640-built palace include Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp. Further up, the Galerij Prins Willem V, just a five-minute walk southwest, features works by Rubens and Steen.

More art at the Escher in Het Paleis Museum: Situated in another palace (the Lange Voorhout Palace, the winter residence of Queen Emma), the Escher in Het Paleis Museum showcases the mind-bending works of Dutch graphic artist MC Escher. Visitors can explore a virtual reality reconstruction of his fantastical buildings, complete with their infinite staircases and water features, alongside Escher’s photos and correspondence.

Shopping spree: South of the Binnenhof, off Hofweg and Spuistraat, lies the UNESCO World Heritage-listed 19th-century covered arcade De Passage, the Netherlands’ oldest shopping arcade. Here, you’ll find luxury shops, including Lucardi Juwelier (jewelry), the 1930-founded Van Os (bags and shoes), and Hop & Stork (premium coffee roasters that also handcraft chocolates on site). Major department stores and high-street chains line Grote Marktstraat, while unique boutiques can be found on and around Denneweg.

Evening

Borrel: Denneweg is a trendy drinking and dining hub where visitors can experience the Dutch tradition of borrel (‘drinks’). Try the industrial-style atmosphere of Bouzy, which serves by-the-glass wines and champagnes, accompanied by borrelhapjes (bar snacks) like bitterballen (meat croquettes).

Dinner time: Dining options on Denneweg include stunning tapas-style dishes at Oker, as well as house-specialty marinated spare ribs at the long-standing local favorite, Taveerne de Resident.

Hidden down a nearby lantern-lit alley, Restaurant Allard is a gem that presents outstanding contemporary cuisine, such as seared scallops with wasabi mousse or charred ribeye with truffled mash and burnt-butter tarragon sauce, all at exceptionally reasonable prices surrounded by exposed brick decor.

Great entertainment: This sophisticated city offers plenty of diverse entertainment options—from metal, blues, roots, reggae, and soul performances at Paard van Troje to performances by the renowned Nederlands Dans Theater and concerts by the Residentie Orkest, Den Haag’s classical symphony orchestra, currently performing at Zuiderstrandtheater.

Last drinks: If the night is still young, head over to the Grote Markt, where lively bars like cocktail specialist Vavoom and iconic De Zwarte Ruiter (The Black Rider), known for hosting live music gigs, provide the perfect setting to wrap up your day.

Where to stay

For a taste of old-world grandeur, consider Den Haag’s most historic hotel, the 1858-built Des Indes. Its list of past guests includes Tsar Nicholas II, who presided over the world’s first peace conference here in 1899, Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, and ballerina Anna Pavlova, who passed away here in 1931.

The antique-filled Het Paleis Hotel, located near the royal residence, also provides traditional luxury. Great mid-range accommodations comprise Corona, spread across three recently renovated 17th-century townhouses right by the Binnenhof. For budget travelers, the HI-affiliated backpacker hostel Stayokay Den Haag is a great option.

Getting there

Train: Trains from Amsterdam Centraal Station run every 30 minutes to Den Haag CS, with a journey time of about 50 minutes. Up to four trains per hour make the 25-minute trip from Rotterdam Centraal to Den Haag CS. Additional services operate from Rotterdam Centraal to Den Haag Hollands Spoor Train Station (HS), which is a 1.5km walk south of Centraal Station. The Metro line E also connects Rotterdam Centraal with Den Haag Centraal every 15 minutes, taking 30 to 40 minutes.

Air: The nearest airport is Rotterdam The Hague Airport, approximately 19km southeast of central Den Haag, serving over 40 European destinations. A taxi costs about €50. The Netherlands’ massive international airport, Schiphol, is roughly equidistant by high-speed train to both Rotterdam and Amsterdam (approximately 20 to 30 minutes each), with onward connections easily available to Den Haag.