If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam and wondering if you can squeeze in another Dutch city, may I suggest a day trip to The Hague? The third-largest city in the Netherlands is less than an hour away from Amsterdam and offers a completely different feel to the capital. With grand government buildings, world-famous museums and an elegant Old Town, it’s a brilliant choice if you’re curious about Dutch politics, history and culture.
This guide has everything you need to spend one day in The Hague, including how to get there, the best things to do and exactly how to plan out your itinerary.
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Is one day in The Hague enough?
The Hague is compact enough that you can see the highlights of the city centre in just one day, making it the perfect add-on to a weekend in Amsterdam. Most of the major attractions are within walking distance of each other, and you can choose to have a packed itinerary or a relaxed day trip.
One day in The Hague gives you time to visit one or two museums, wander the historic centre, relax at Plein with a drink or a coffee, and see the famous Binnenhof up close.
If you’re a serious art lover or want to see the Dutch coast, you could extend your visit to The Hague to its own weekend trip, but for most travellers, one day is the perfect amount of time to spend here.
Is The Hague worth visiting for a day?
Yes – it’s totally worth taking a day trip to The Hague from Amsterdam, especially if you want to get away from the crowds and see some more of The Netherlands on your trip.
If you’re into politics, history or art, The Hague is the city for you. While Amsterdam is the country’s official capital, The Hague is its beating political heart, home to the Dutch Government and one of the world’s oldest parliament buildings still in use. Plus, you’ll find one of the most famous paintings in the world – Girl with a Pearl Earring – here.
How to get to The Hague from Amsterdam
The Hague is around 60km from Amsterdam, making it one of the easiest day trips you can take in the Netherlands. Plus, you’ll find an efficient public transport system, making it simple and quick to travel from Amsterdam to The Hague by train. There are regular direct transfers from Amsterdam Centraal that take around 50 minutes. You don’t need to book in advance, just head to the station and buy your tickets there.
Top tip: There are two train stations in The Hague – Den Haag Centraal and Den Haag HS. You can travel to either (they’re both about a 15-minute walk from the centre), but if you’ve got a specific train in mind for your return to Amsterdam, make sure you double-check the station.
How to spend one day in The Hague
Here are some of the best things to do on your day trip to The Hague from Amsterdam!
Mauritshuis
Housed in a historic palace on the Hofvijver, the Mauritshuis is one of the most impressive museums in the Netherlands, thanks to its collection of 17th-century Dutch art. You’ll find works of art from some of the most famous names from the Dutch and Flemish Golden Ages, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rubens.
The star of the museum is undoubtedly Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, but it is by no means the extent of the wonderful art on display here.
Allow 1.5-2 hours for your visit to Mauritshuis, and I recommend buying tickets online so your visit can fit seamlessly into your day trip.
Binnenhof
The Binnenhof is the political heart of the Netherlands and one of the oldest parliament buildings still in use in the world. So unsurprisingly, it’s also one of the most iconic landmarks in The Hague and a must-see on your visit. You can explore the building’s courtyard and stroll around the Hofvijver to admire its beautiful architecture across the water.
There’s a long-term renovation project of the Binnenhof taking place for the next several years, so access may be limited. If you’re interested in politics, you might prefer a tour of the House of Representatives to one of the museum visits. Otherwise, you can climb the free Binnenhof viewpoint tower or visit the Binnenhof information centre.
Escher in the Palace
Just a short walk away is Escher in the Palace, a museum dedicated to the mind-bending work of Dutch artist M.C. Escher in a beautifully preserved Dutch palace.
Escher was a graphic artist whose art and prints often included mathematical elements and optical illusions. The museum displays his most famous prints, along with interactive exhibits that help you understand the reality behind the magic.
I recommend visiting both Mauritshuis and Escher in the Palace if you can squeeze them into your The Hague day trip. Otherwise, Escher in the Palace is a great choice if you’ve already seen works from the Dutch Masters in Amsterdam’s museums – and it’s my personal favourite. Allow around 1-1.5 hours for your visit.
Old Town
The historic centre of The Hague is small yet charming, and is best explored with a relaxing stroll around its streets. Unlike the winding canals of Amsterdam, you’ll find more spacious streets, elegant townhouses and plenty of boutiques to browse.
Start around Noordeinde, one of the prettiest streets in The Hague, and wander your way down, passing Molenstraat and Prinsestraat for some great foodie stops. Make sure you check out The Old City Hall (Het Oude Stadhuis), De Passage, an elegant 19th-century shopping arcade, and the Grote Kerk, one of the oldest buildings in the city.
Plein & its surrounding streets
On a sunny day in the Hague, there are few places you’ll want to be more than Plein. Once part of the Binnenhof castle complex, the city square is now a bustling centre of bars and restaurants surrounded by current and former political buildings.
Take a breather during your busy day trip to enjoy a Dutch (or Belgian) beer and some bitterballen – the perfect way to recharge. Then explore the surrounding streets, which feel a little more modern than the Old Town, with contemporary architecture and a lively, local atmosphere.
The Hague day trip itinerary
Morning
Start your day trip to The Hague by taking the train from Amsterdam to The Hague Centraal or HS. The first priority of the day is to find some breakfast/brunch, and you’ll take a wander through the city as you go. Try Bartine for pastries or Haley’s Comet for American-style brunch.
Now it’s time to head over to Mauritshuis to see some Dutch art and Girl with a Pearl Earring. After a couple of hours at the museum, stroll around the Hofvijver to get an up-close view of the Binnenhof, then visit the Parliament building’s courthouse and climb the Binnenhof Viewing Tower.
Afternoon
From here, head to Noordeinde and stop outside Noordeinde Palace (the King’s working palace) before wandering down towards the Old Town. It’ll be lunchtime now, so stop at one of the many cafés or restaurants lining the streets (I like Day Dream Deli or Netherlands Bagels). Pass by the many highlights of the Old Town, including the Old City Hall, De Passage and Grote Kerk.
In the afternoon, enjoy your second museum of the day at Escher in the Palace. After your visit, stretch your legs with a walk around the streets surrounding Plein, before relaxing with a beer or a coffee and some Dutch bitterballen. The day is winding down, so head to the station to get the train back to Amsterdam in time for dinner.
More time in the Hague?
If you’re not rushing back to Amsterdam (or have decided to stay overnight), here are a few extra spots that I recommend adding to your itinerary.
Peace Palace
The Peace Palace is one of the most important and well-known buildings in The Hague, housing the UN International Court of Justice and further solidifying the city as a political powerhouse. The Neo-Renaissance, red-bricked building and its surrounding manicured gardens are a beautiful sight.
Since the Peace Palace is a working court, access to the building is limited. You can come freely to the gates on Carnegieplein to see the building from the outside (although it’s blocked slightly by the gates), and there is a small visitor centre. You can occasionally book a tour of the Palace, but tickets are only released two weeks in advance – worth checking once it’s closer to your trip dates!
Panorama Mesdag
Panorama Mesdag is one of the most unique museums in the Netherlands. Inside, you’ll find a giant, 360-degree cylindrical painting of Scheveningen (The Hague’s beach) created by Dutch artist Mesdag. The panorama is the largest circular painting in Europe, and the largest painting in all of the Netherlands.
The canvas is set up to create the illusion that you’re actually overlooking the beachfront, and it’s surprisingly immersive! In addition to the panorama, you’ll also find a collection of Mesdag’s other works and temporary exhibitions.
Scheveningen
If the Panorama Mesdag isn’t satisfying enough, why not head out to see the real thing! You can hop on a tram out to Scheveningen and explore The Hague’s beach district for an afternoon. Wander along the promenade, sunbathe on a sunny day, learn about the history of Scheveningen at MuZee, and visit a museum built into a sand dune (Beelden aan Zee).
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