How to be the Perfect Tourist in The Hague

TO BE THE PERFECT TOURIST IN THE HAGUE

Is it your first time in The Hague and you’re wondering what to do? Or on the contrary, have you already done everything? Don’t worry, we’ve got you! If you want to explore The Hague, you can head towards the heart of the city, the Centrum, or to the cool breeze of Scheveningen beach. So go rent a bike and become Dutch!

First of all, before exploring too deeply into the city, you can walk for five minutes to the Kunstmuseum. The entrance is free if you are under eighteen. You can see Mondrian’s colorful shapes. Further from the World Forum, there’s Madurodam, a perfect place for tourists, as it has all of The Hague in miniature. It’s a fun visit for everyone.

If you wish to visit The Hague’s iconic landmarks or simply walk around beautiful streets, head to The Hague’s Centrum. Follow tram 1 and you will see the Vredespaleis, which is a must while in The Hague. It is a symbol of peace and justice in the world and hosts the UN’s International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Since you are participating in THIMUN, you can’t leave without seeing it.

If you continue on tram 1, you will arrive in the centre of The Hague, where you’ll find shops, museums, restaurants, and beautiful streets to explore. Walking down Noordeinde Street will lead you to Noordeinde Palace, King Willem-Alexander’s working palace in The Hague, and notably where Prinsjesdag takes place. This is a large parade that celebrates the opening of parliament. Noordeinde and Oude Molstraat are the best streets to walk down to get the feel of the city and buy gifts. And you must not miss the cheese shop Cheese & More, with its windows filled to the brim with traditional Dutch cheese.

If you’re searching for something fun and a bit unusual, you can visit The Hague’s Museum of Torture, the Prison Gate Museum, which is home to the largest collection of punishment and torture instruments in the Netherlands. Or, for something with a bit more elegance, head across the lake to the Mauritshuis. There you’ll find one of the Netherlands’ most famous paintings, “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Vermeer, and much more. Entry is free if you’re under eighteen. In the same area, there’s also the Escher Museum, filled with brilliant designs and mind-bending illusions. Another museum that will blow you away is the Mesdag Panorama, home to the largest circular canvas in Europe, a painting of Scheveningen beach that feels like an 1800s version of a VR headset.

Speaking of Scheveningen beach, if the city doesn’t suit you, you can take a walk along The Hague’s shoreline. The ocean may not be the clearest, but a sunset walk through the dunes is hard to beat. At De Pier, you can ride the Ferris wheel to see The Hague from above, or try the zip line or bungee jump for those seeking some action. And for the brave, you can challenge the waves for a quick swim or even go surfing. Just beware of the cold!

One last warning before planning anything: always check the opening hours of the places you want to visit. Unfortunately, The Hague isn’t very friendly when it comes to late activities. Museums, shops, and even restaurants can close quite early. So plan ahead!