Things to Do in Den Haag: Culture, Coast and Cycling .

🏛️ Explore the Historic Centre of Den Haag

The centre of Den Haag feels more spacious and formal than many other Dutch cities. Instead of a dense network of canals, you find broad streets, historic squares, government buildings and elegant avenues.

Around the Hofvijver, Buitenhof, Lange Voorhout and Noordeinde, many of the city's best-known sights are within walking distance of each other.

Walking also makes it easy to combine sightseeing with cafés, shopping and museums without constantly having to park your bike.  

🏰 See the Binnenhof and Hofvijver

The Binnenhof is the historic political heart of the Netherlands and one of the most recognisable places in Den Haag. The complex dates back to the Middle Ages and has been associated with Dutch government for centuries.

The Binnenhof is currently undergoing a major renovation and is not accessible to the public. The surrounding area is still worth visiting, particularly the Hofvijver and Buitenhof, where you can see the historic complex from outside.

Its central location makes it easy to combine with the Mauritshuis, Lange Voorhout, Noordeinde and the main shopping streets.  

🖼️ Visit the Mauritshuis

The Mauritshuis is one of the most important art museums in the Netherlands and is located directly beside the Binnenhof.

The museum is relatively compact but contains major works from the Dutch Golden Age, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and paintings by Rembrandt.

Its central location makes it easy to include in a walking route through the historic centre.  

🌳 Walk Along Lange Voorhout and Noordeinde

Lange Voorhout is one of the most elegant streets in Den Haag. The tree-lined avenue is surrounded by historic buildings, embassies, cultural institutions and museums.

Nearby Noordeinde is known for independent shops, galleries, cafés and the Noordeinde Palace.

Together, these streets provide a quieter contrast to the busier commercial areas around Grote Marktstraat and are best explored on foot.  

🎨 Explore Den Haag's Museums by Bike

Not all of Den Haag's major museums are concentrated in the centre, which makes a bike useful for combining several cultural stops.

The Kunstmuseum Den Haag is one of the city's major cultural attractions. It has an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, fashion and applied arts and is especially known for its collection of works by Piet Mondrian.

The museum building itself, designed by Dutch architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage, is also part of the experience.

Cycling from the centre towards the Kunstmuseum naturally takes you in the direction of Scheveningen, making it an easy stop on a wider route towards the coast.  

🌀 Visit Escher in Het Paleis

Escher in Het Paleis is located in a former royal palace on Lange Voorhout and is dedicated to the work of Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher.

The museum is known for optical illusions, impossible perspectives and mathematical patterns.

Its location makes it particularly easy to combine with the historic centre, Noordeinde and the area around the Binnenhof.  

⚖️ Visit the Peace Palace

The Peace Palace is one of Den Haag's most internationally recognised landmarks. It is home to institutions including the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The palace itself has restricted access, but visitors can learn more about its history and the role of Den Haag in international law through the visitor facilities and available tours.

It also sits conveniently on a cycling route from the centre towards the Kunstmuseum and Scheveningen.  

🛍️ Shopping in Den Haag

Den Haag has a varied shopping centre with both large international brands and smaller independent stores.

Grote Marktstraat and Spuistraat form the main commercial area and contain major brands and department stores.

For something more distinctive, visit De Passage, a historic covered shopping arcade dating from the 19th century. Even if you are not shopping, the architecture makes it worth walking through.

Denneweg and Frederikstraat have a different character, with more boutiques, galleries, interior design shops and specialty stores.

Because these areas are fairly close together, it is usually easiest to park your bike and explore them on foot.  

☕ Cafés, Restaurants and Local Food

Den Haag's international character is reflected in its food scene. The city has everything from casual bakeries and brunch cafés to breweries, international restaurants and fine dining.

The centre has plenty of options around Grote Markt, Denneweg and Noordeinde, while other cafés and restaurants are spread across neighbourhoods closer to the harbour and Scheveningen.

Bartine is popular for coffee, bread and pastries, while Walter Benedict is a useful stop for brunch or lunch.

If you are looking for craft beer, Kompaan is one of the better-known breweries associated with Den Haag.  

🚲 Explore More of Den Haag by Bike

The historic centre is easy to walk, but Den Haag becomes much easier to explore by bike once you want to see more of the city.

If you want to explore by bike, you can rent a bike from Black Bikes in The Hague and use it to connect the historic centre with museums, parks, neighbourhoods and the coast.

Den Haag is more spread out than Utrecht or central Amsterdam. A bike makes it easy to connect the Peace Palace, Kunstmuseum, Haagse Bos and Scheveningen while stopping in neighbourhoods and parks along the way.

One of the most useful visitor routes is from the historic centre towards the Peace Palace and Kunstmuseum before continuing to Scheveningen.  

🌳 Cycle Through Haagse Bos

Haagse Bos is a large wooded area close to the centre and offers a completely different atmosphere from the shopping streets and government district.

The park has walking and cycling routes, open spaces and tree-lined paths, making it an easy green stop during a day in Den Haag.

Huis ten Bosch Palace, one of the Dutch royal residences, is located within the wider forest area.

Cycling is one of the easiest ways to explore the park and continue towards other parts of the city.  

🌊 Cycle from the City Centre to Scheveningen

One of the biggest advantages of visiting Den Haag is that you can combine a city trip with the beach.

Scheveningen is located several kilometres from the centre, and cycling is one of the most enjoyable ways to get there. Depending on your route, you can pass residential neighbourhoods, parks, the Peace Palace and museums before reaching the coast.

Once in Scheveningen, park your bike and explore the beachfront, promenade and pier on foot.

The wide sandy beach is lined with beach clubs, cafés and restaurants. It becomes much busier in summer and on warm weekends.  

🎡 Visit Scheveningen Pier

Scheveningen Pier extends into the North Sea and is one of the most recognisable landmarks on the coast.

The pier contains restaurants, bars and viewing areas and is home to a Ferris wheel overlooking the coastline.

There are also more active attractions such as ziplining and bungee jumping.

Even without visiting the attractions, walking along the pier gives you a good view back towards Scheveningen beach and the coastline.  

🌾 Cycle Along the Dunes and Coast

If you have more time, continue beyond the main Scheveningen beachfront and explore the cycling routes through and alongside the dunes.

These routes feel completely different from cycling through the city and can be combined with the historic centre and Scheveningen in one longer ride.

It is one of the best examples of what makes cycling in Den Haag worthwhile: in a single day you can move between government buildings, museums, forests, residential areas and the North Sea coast.  

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to Do in Den Haag with Children

Den Haag has several family-friendly attractions that are easy to combine with outdoor activities.

Madurodam presents famous Dutch cities, buildings and infrastructure in miniature and includes interactive displays. It is located between the centre and Scheveningen, making it easy to include on the way to the coast.

Scheveningen beach is another simple family option, with plenty of space, casual restaurants and activities around the promenade.

Haagse Bos also works well for families who want a quieter break from museums and city streets.  

🗺️ A One-Day Den Haag Route on Foot and by Bike

If you only have one day in Den Haag, combining walking and cycling lets you see the centre, museums and coast without making the day feel rushed.

A simple route could be:

• Start near Den Haag Centraal
• Walk towards the historic centre and Hofvijver
• See the Binnenhof from the surrounding area
• Visit the Mauritshuis
• Walk along Lange Voorhout and Noordeinde
• Pick up your bike and cycle towards the Peace Palace
• Continue to the Kunstmuseum
• Cycle towards Scheveningen
• Explore the beach and pier on foot
• If you have enough time, continue along the coastal cycling routes before returning towards the city

This route combines the compact historic centre with the parts of Den Haag where a bike adds the most value.  

🚆 How to Get to Den Haag

Den Haag is easy to reach from other Dutch cities.

• By train: Direct trains connect Den Haag with Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and other major cities
• By car: Den Haag is well connected by motorway, although parking in and around the centre can be expensive
• By public transport: Trams and buses connect the city centre with neighbourhoods, museums and Scheveningen

If you arrive at Den Haag Centraal, you are already within walking distance of the historic centre.  

💡 Practical Tips for Visiting Den Haag

The historic centre around the Binnenhof, Mauritshuis and Lange Voorhout is best explored on foot. For the Peace Palace, Kunstmuseum, Haagse Bos and Scheveningen, cycling is usually more convenient.

When cycling, use the designated cycle lanes, keep to the right and avoid stopping unexpectedly in the path of other cyclists.

If you are visiting during summer, expect Scheveningen to be significantly busier on warm days and weekends. Starting earlier makes it easier to explore both the city and the coast.

By combining walking in the centre with cycling towards the museums, parks and beach, you can experience the parts of Den Haag that make the city distinctive: Dutch political history, major art collections, green spaces and the North Sea coast.