What to See in The Hague

Why go

The Mauritshuis, Binnenhof and Hofvijver form a compact combination of painting, government history and waterside views. De Passage fits into the same central outing for a change of architecture. The Peace Palace adds the city's international justice story, while Scheveningen changes the setting to beach and sea. These are useful choices rather than one fixed route: start with the central cluster for limited time, then add either the Peace Palace or the coast according to your interests and the weather.

Useful to know

• Keep the Mauritshuis, Binnenhof, Hofvijver and De Passage together for a central visit.
• Check current Binnenhof access before relying on an interior stop.
• Allow a separate trip for Scheveningen instead of folding it into a brief centre walk.

The route, stop by stop

1. 01

   Optional · – min

   Binnenhof

   The medieval seat of Dutch government is under renovation. See its Gothic Ridderzaal and the wider complex from the Hofvijver bank, then seek out the renovation centre for context.

   Explore

2. Walk · 3 min · Estimated

   02

   Optional · – min

   Mauritshuis

   The Mauritshuis is a compact museum of Dutch painting in a seventeenth-century mansion beside the Hofvijver. Its scale lets you spend real time with individual works.

   Explore

3. Walk · 4 min · Estimated

   03

   Optional · – min

   Hofvijver

   The Hofvijver gives a broad waterside view of the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis from Lange Vijverberg. It is a short outdoor stop that frames the government quarter.

   Explore

4. Walk · 4 min · Estimated

   04

   Optional · – min

   The Passage

   Walk through The Hague’s historic covered shopping arcade for nineteenth-century architecture, small shops and shelter in the middle of the city.

   Explore
5. 05

   Optional · – min

   Around Plein, the Binnenhof and De Passage

   The compact historic centre links the political square at Plein, the Binnenhof beside Hofvijver, and the covered shopping gallery of De Passage.

   Explore
6. 06

   Optional · – min

   Plein

   Plein is a central square beside the Binnenhof, with the Mauritshuis at one edge and a statue of William of Orange at its centre. It suits a brief pause.

   Explore

7. Walk · 7 min · Estimated

   07

   Optional · – min

   Buitenhof

   Buitenhof is the open square between the Prison Gate, Hofvijver and the western edge of the Binnenhof. Cross it for an outdoor view of the old court precinct.

   Explore

8. Walk · 6 min · Estimated

   08

   Optional · – min

   Museum Bredius

   Museum Bredius presents paintings and etchings in a restored eighteenth-century house overlooking the Hofvijver. Come for the collection in its domestic setting.

   Explore

9. Walk · 5 min · Estimated

   09

   Optional · – min

   Rijksmuseum de Gevangenpoort

   This medieval gate at Buitenhof became a prison, and its cells reveal a harsher side of the court quarter. Expect an interior visit with narrow stairs.

   Explore

10. Walk · 6 min · Estimated

    10

    Optional · – min

    Lange Voorhout

    Lange Voorhout is a broad, tree-lined avenue of stately houses in the old centre. Walk it for the change of scale from the tight court quarter.

    Explore

11. Walk · 5 min · Estimated

    11

    Optional · – min

    Escher in The Palace

    Escher’s prints occupy a former royal palace on Lange Voorhout. Come for his shifts in pattern and perspective, and allow time to notice the rooms around the work.

    Explore

12. Walk · 12 min · Estimated

    12

    Optional · – min

    Noordeinde Palace

    Noordeinde Palace is the Dutch king’s working palace on a central shopping street. See its façade from public space and check official announcements for occasional openings.

    Explore