Things to see in The Hague
Attractions
Panorama Mesdag
This extraordinary 360-degree painting-in-the-round (measuring 120m by 14m) was completed in 1881 and shows Scheveningen as it was then, with its trompe-l'oeil effect enhanced by a sloping foreground of real sand dunes complete with grasses and seaside flotsam.
Address: , Zeestraat 65, The Hague, 2518 AATelephone: +31 70 310 6665.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1700.
Website: http://www.panorama-mesdag.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Madurodam
Situated between two typically Dutch dikes, Madurodam is the Netherlands but in miniature form. Featuring a large array of 1:25 scale models buildings and transportation, the park reproduces some of Holland's most famous buildings, including Schiphol, the Port of Rotterdam and a working railway.
Address: , George Maduroplein 1, The Hague, 2584 RZTelephone: +31 70 416 2400.
Opening times:
Daily 1100-1700 (9 Jan-24 Feb); daily 1000-2000 (25 Feb-5 March); daily 1100-1700 (6 March-22 March); daily 0900-2000 (23 March-3 Sep); daily 0900-1900 (4 Sep-31 Oct); daily 1100-1700 (1 Nov-23 Dec); daily 1100-2000 (24 Dec-7 Jan).
Website: http://www.madurodam.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Binnenhof
Guided tours of the ornate Dutch Parliament include an introductory audio-visual presentation, followed by a look through the largely reconstructed 17th-century Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights), which is the oldest part of the complex, and the first or parliamentary Second Chamber. Tours start from the ProDemos visitor centre across the street (Hofweg 1), and can be booked in person or online.
Address: , Binnenhof 8A, The Hague, 2513 AATelephone: +31 70 757 0200.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 1000-1700 (Visitor Centre); Mon-Sat 1000-1600 (tours).
Website: http://www.prodemos.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Mauritshuis
The city's Royal Picture Gallery, housed in a 17th-century palace, features an outstanding collection of Dutch Old Masters starring the beautiful Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer and The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Tulp by Rembrandt. It also houses an extensive collection of 16th century Flemish masterpieces. The building itself is notable as an early example of Dutch classic baroque architecture.
Address: , Plein 29, The Hague, 2511 CSTelephone: +31 70 302 3456.
Opening times:
Mon 1300-1800, Tue-Sun 1000-1800 (Thu until 2000).
Website: http://www.mauritshuis.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Escher in Het Paleis (Escher in The Palace)
See the famously mind-boggling works of the great Dutch graphic artist, M C Escher (1898-1972), collected together into this former royal winter palace. Enhanced by virtual reality 3D headsets and other clever interactive devices, the gallery is worth visiting for the 15 playful glass chandeliers alone. These were made in the Czech Republic especially for the museum.
Address: , Lange Voorhout 74, The Hague, 2514 EHTelephone: +31 70 427 7730.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1100-1700.
Website: http://www.escherinhetpaleis.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Vredespaleis (Peace Palace)
The Hague's most beautiful building, the Peace Palace was built between 1907 and 1913. With its pretty gardens and grandly decorated chambers, it’s the symbol of the city's role in international law and order - though war crime tribunals are held elsewhere. Admission is through guided tours only which must be booked in advance. A small visitor at the entrance gate has a free exhibition on the workings of the palace and its contents.
Address: , Carnegieplein 2, The Hague, 2517 KJTelephone: +31 70 302 4242.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1100-1700 (Visitor Centre); tours available Mon-Fri (May-Sep only); Sat-Sun (on some weekends throughout the year.
Website: http://www.vredespaleis.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes (tours).
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (The Hague Municipal Museum)
This internationally renowned collection of modern art is famous for its Piet Mondrian works but there are also pieces by Picasso and others, plus a fine collection of decorative arts, including several complete room interiors. The building, completed in 1935 by the great Dutch architect H P Berlage, is a major attraction in itself.
Address: , Stadhouderslaan 41, The Hague, 2517 HVTelephone: +31 70 338 1111.
Opening times:
Tue-Sun 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.gemeentemuseum.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Haags Historisch Museum (Historical Museum of The Hague)
Occupying a fabulous, 17th-century baroque mansion that overlooks the Hofvijver pond, the Historical Museum is worth visiting for the setting alone. The collection inside takes visitors on a trip through The Hague’s illustrious past as a royal residence and seat of government. Pride of place goes to Jan van Goyen’s magnificent panoramic painting of the city, which was created during the Dutch Golden Age.
Address: , Korte Vijverberg 7, The Hague, 2513 ABTelephone: +31 70 364 6940.
Opening times:
Tues-Fri 1000-1700, Sat-Sun 1200-1700.
Website: http://www.haagshistorischmuseum.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Van Kleef Museum
Dutch gin, known as 'jenever', is a national institution in the Netherlands and nowhere celebrates its excellent quite like the Van Kleef Museum. Its attached distillery, which operated in the centre of The Hague from the 1840s to 1988, also produced several distinctive liqueurs. Now a museum dedicated to gin, it offers excellent tasting sessions.
Address: , Lange Beestenmarkt 109, The Hague, 2512 EDTelephone: +31 70 345 2273.
Opening times:
Tue-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1300-1800.
Website: http://www.museumvankleef.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Museum de Gevangenpoort (Prison Gate Museum)
Originally constructed as the gatehouse to a long-vanished castle, this building was used as a city prison from the early 15th century until the late 19th century. Now, in recognition of its grim history, it houses a macabre array of instruments of torture and punishment. Some rooms can only be seen as part of guided tours, which leave hourly.
Address: , Buitenhof 33, The Hague, 2513 AHTelephone: +31 70 346 0861.
Opening times:
Tues-Fri 1000-1700, Sat-Sun 1200-1700.
Website: http://www.gevangenpoort.nlAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Haags Uitburo
Address: , Spui 68, The Hague, 2511 BTTelephone: 0900 340 35 05.
Opening times:
Mon 1200-2000, Tue-Fri 1000-2000, Sat-Sun 1000-1700.
Website: http://denhaag.com/enThe Hague's tourist office, Haags Uitburo, can help with hotel reservations and concert and show bookings. It stocks a wealth of brochures and maps too. There's also an information point in Scheveningen (AKO Scheveningen, Gevers Deynootweg 990-58) with brochures and a touchscreen display that's open daily 0900-2200.
