About
Den Haag, the seat of the Dutch government, sits on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands. It is a city where royal elegance and seaside charm sit side by side, and it makes a rewarding stop for visitors interested in politics, art and the coast.
Government and international justice
The city is home to the Dutch government and to the Binnenhof, the historic complex of parliamentary buildings at its heart. It is also the seat of the Peace Palace and the International Court of Justice, which gives Den Haag a distinctly international character. Visitors interested in how a nation and the wider world are governed will find plenty to look at here.
Art and museums
The Mauritshuis is the highlight for many visitors, as it houses Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring. The city's wider museum scene is lively, and a visit can easily fill a day or more between galleries and the streets that link them.
The coast
Just outside the city centre, Scheveningen offers a beach, a pier and a seaside atmosphere that contrasts with the formal character of the government quarter. It is an easy way to end a day, with the sea air and a walk along the promenade.
- Best for: culture lovers, history and politics enthusiasts, and anyone wanting a mix of city and coast
- Worth seeing: the Mauritshuis, the Binnenhof, the Peace Palace, and Scheveningen beach and pier
