Itineraries for Your Trip to The Hague
3 Days in The Hague for First Timers
Spending part of my childhood in Belgium, we often jumped the border to visit the Netherlands. But it wasn’t until I returned as an adult that I first set foot in The Hague (Den Haag), with little idea what to expect from this city living in the tall shadow of Amsterdam.
What I found was a quieter destination, free from Amsterdam’s crowds, but just as interesting, beautiful, and full of culture. Unfortunately, even with some planning, I missed a few of the best things to do in this interesting Dutch city. Which is why I suggest using our 3-day itinerary of The Hague for first-timers to ensure your three days in The Hague avoid my mistakes.
Rain is always a chance when visiting The Hague, so pack an umbrella or rain jacket.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Mauritshuis museum for a look at Dutch art history.
Begin your first time in The Hague by getting your bearings on a shared or private walking tour of the city's historical center. You'll get to know the city’s layout, be introduced to its highlights, and see sights such as the beautiful Inner Court, its neighboring Hofvijver pond, and the immense Peace Palace.
Spend the afternoon slowing down some of The Hague’s world-class museums. The wealth of art by Dutch masters, including the iconic “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” makes the Mauritshuis museum a must-visit. However, others, such as Escher in Het Paleis and the Panorama Mesdag, are also worth visiting.
To find more must-see attractions in The Hague, venture out of the city center to see the seaside district of Scheveningen. Between exploring its beachfront and pier, see the sculptures at Sculptures by the Sea and the scale replica of famous Dutch landmarks at Madurodam
The Hague can also be a great place to receive an introduction to Dutch cuisine. Roam around restaurants, bakeries, and pubs independently or on a food tour to learn the difference between stroopwafels and pannenkoeken and sample other Dutch specialties—or even finish off with some local champagne.
The benefit of having three days in The Hague for first-timers is that it’s enough time to fit in a day trip to nearby and picturesque Delft. A quick train ride drops you in the city's historical center, where you can set off on a walking tour of local landmarks, from the Town Hall to the Oostpoort gate.
Delft is most famous for its signature Delft Blue china, also known as Delftware. Head directly to the source to learn about this local art form with a tour of the Royal Delft Museum, set inside a former Delft pottery factory.
