The royal city of The Hague, just 45 minutes south of Amsterdam by car, combines green parks, royal palaces and cosy streets with boutiques and cafés. Men in three-piece suits, stylishly dressed women, skaters in sneakers and hipsters wearing skinny jeans all blend together in the streets, and this cosmopolitan city is also just a stone’s throw away from the lively beaches of Scheveningen.
Prepare a picnic basket, rent a bike in The Hague’s city centre and cycle to Scheveningen in only 15 minutes. Once there, swap your shoes and jeans for flip flops and a swimsuit. The fresh fish directly from the auction and wide beaches with dozens of beach clubs make Scheveningen one of the best and most beautiful beaches in the country. If you’re looking for more than just sunbathing and cocktails, the coast is also ideal for kitesurfing and beach volleyball.
The Hague features a variety of museums, the most famous of which is the Mauritshuis, situated in a 17th century palace. With a large collection from the Dutch Masters from the 1600s, the museum will take you straight back to the Golden Age.
Featuring shopping centres, fashion chains and cosy cafés, the historic, car-free centre of The Hague is perfect for a fun day of shopping. In 2013 it was even named the ‘best city centre in the Netherlands’. A few minutes’ walk from the main shopping area you’ll find a very different side to the city. Hidden in the historic Hofkwartier is the Prinsestraat with small design shops, art galleries and trendy fashion brands. Enjoy a Royal pit stop at bakers ’t Bakkertje, where many royals have purchased a snack over the years.
