Discover The Hague International City Of Peace And Justice

The Hague, the third-largest city of the Netherlands with the beautiful North Sea coastline, is called ‘the Royal City by the Sea.’ It is well-known as the site of the International Court of Justice, and for its enviable collection of art, especially Vermeer‘s Girl with a Pearl Earring. We interview Lennart Cramer from Den Haag Marketing to discover the must-visit areas in The Hague.

Describe your town in three words.

Royal, beach life, peace and justice.

Do you have any exciting upcoming events?

Where are the must-visit places in your town?

Most of them are located in and around the city center, such as the Mauritshuis (Girl with a Pearl Earring), the Inner Court and the Hall of Knights (the political heart of the Netherlands), the Court Pond, the Noordeinde Palace (the working palace of the king) and many shopping districts (such as the Royal Quarter and Haagsche Bluf). Another must-visit is beach resort Scheveningen with the world-famous pier. Scheveningen boasts 11 kilometers of beach just 15 minutes away from the city center by bike or tram. Located between the inner city and Scheveningen is the Peace Palace, an icon for The Hague as the International City of Peace and Justice.

Tell us about the typical local cuisine in The Hague?

Before it gained independence in 1945, Indonesia was a colony of the Netherlands. The Dutch who worked in Indonesia regularly returned home and stayed mainly in The Hague, where the Ministry of Colonies was based. Between 1850 and 1900 the Archipel neighborhood was built, and it was here that former colonists settled. It was during this period that the city earned its nickname ‘Widow of Indonesia.’ The Indonesian culture can still be sampled in the city with a wide range of restaurants serving elaborate ‘rice tables’ in typical colonial atmosphere.

Where’s the go-to place to find this authentic local cuisine?

The Raffles, Didong Indonesian Restaurant, and Restaurant Blauw are recommended.

What’s the best-kept secret of The Hague?

One of the best kept secrets of The Hague are the Palace Gardens, located in the city center. The gardens are open to the public year-round and truly are a great place to have a picnic, enjoy a coffee or to relax. The gardens are overlooking the working palace of king Willem-Alexander.

What brings tourists to The Hague?

With 11 kilometers of beach in its back garden, The Hague offers visitors a unique combination of both city life and beach life. In addition, as home to the royal family, the whole city radiates a chic and alluring air. This mix of city life, beach life and royal ambiance makes the city one-of-a-kind.

Where should culture lovers go in The Hague?

The Hague is home to a wealth of museums and attractions. Boasting some modern art, intimate theater plays, classical masterpieces, world-famous museums and festivals, all of these contribute to the city’s reputation for being a magnificent cultural potpourri all year round. Varying from painters from the Golden Age at the Mauritshuis, such as Potter, Rembrandt and Vermeer, to the largest collection of Mondrian paintings at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. Moreover, the Panorama Mesdag boasts the largest panorama in the country made by H.W. Mesdag, and Escher in Het Paleis boasts an extensive collection of works by M.C. Escher.

The Hague is one of the winners of The Culture Trip’s Netherlands Local Favorite 2015 Award. The Local Favorite badge is awarded to our favorite local towns, restaurants, artists, galleries, and everything in between. We are passionate about showcasing popular local talents on a global scale, so we have cultivated a carefully selected, but growing community.

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