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Undutchables in the city - The Hague
Welcome to The Hague - the city behind the dunes, the go-to hub for government affairs, and the 'unofficial' capital of the Netherlands. This lively city is full of hustle and bustle, all surrounded by beautiful monuments and years of history. It is a wonderful place to discover whether you are visiting for a weekend or planning on making The Hague your home. As our Undutchables office is located right in the middle of the city, on Noordeinde, our colleagues got together to share their best local tips and tricks. In this guide, we'll take you through some fantastic places and experiences to help you get acquainted with the city.
Tourism:
For a cultural day out The Hague has numerous possibilities:
Mauritshuis: We recommend visiting this lovely art museum, and taking a look at the famous Girl with the Pearl Earring painting. When you are finished you can also take a stroll through the historical Binnenhof
(the “inner courts” full of governmental buildings) as they are next door neighbors.
Haags Historisch Museum: While Mauritshuis and the Binnenhof get a lot of attention, their other neighbor should not be forgotten. This little gem of a museum that is just a few steps away from Mauritshuis offers interesting and educational expositions about Dutch history and art and is definitely worth checking out.
Kunstmuseum Den Haag: This Art Museum of The Hague offers a wide range of ever-changing expositions and interactive elements, such as audio tours and activities for kids, which makes it a great museum to visit on your own or with your friends and family.
Museum Beelden aan Zee: If you are heading down to the coast, this museum in Scheveningen is a nice stop to discover the ‘hidden treasures of the dunes’ before going down to the beach.
Peace Palace: This gorgeous building with its flourishing gardens is only open for a few weeks a year, but when it is open we would definitely recommend you take the time to visit.
Paleis Huis ten Bosch: This palace in the middle of the enchanting forest of The Hague is one of the residential palaces that act as home to the King and his family. While it is not possible to tour the inside of the building, you can see the grounds and palace from a distance as you take a relaxing walk in the Haagse Bos.
Still looking for cultural places to explore? Just wander around the Museum Quarter and see what lovely bits of history you run into!
For Fun:
The Hague has numerous festivals and events to offer throughout the year as well as beautiful nature and fun entertainment venues that are open year-round:
Festivals: In this fun-loving city the party never stops. Hosting everything from huge music festivals to political summits, cultural celebrations to fun in the sun, you will never be bored in The Hague.
De Parade: If you are looking for more theatre and food then this traveling theater is a great option. This festival is held in the summer every year, and in recent years they also added a winter edition so you can enjoy the atmosphere during the cold season as well. The dates fluctuate every year so please consult their website for the updated schedule.
Filmhuis Den Haag: if you are a movie enthusiast then this is definitely the place to try. There is always a selection of arthouse cinema and they also have English-friendly screenings. Plus, the location is also great – right next to the Nieuwe Kerk.
New Year’s Dive: Furthermore, when visiting The Hague around the winter holidays you could join in the famous New Year’s Dive into the ocean. All you need to do is wear your swimsuit, go to Scheveningen on New Year’s Day, and brace yourself for the cold when your body hits the icy water!
Scheveningen: Speaking of the diving into the ocean….this beachy area is a favorite spot for the locals. With endless activities, great restaurants, and lovely sandy dunes leading to the ocean, Scheveningen is a great place to hang out. You will often see people stopping by to enjoy a drink after work, enjoying the museums and festivals, or simply taking lovely walks along the beach and exploring the dunes. You will not want to miss out!
Japanese Garden in Clingendael Park: If you think the idea of strolling through the dunes sounds nice, just wait until you take a peaceful walk through this Japanese garden. Although the Japanese Garden is only open in the Spring or Fall for a few weeks, there are plenty of other nice walking paths surrounding it in Clingendael Park that you can also check out and enjoy.
Haagse Bos: Another lovely nature area to explore is The Hague forest. This area is open year round, so you can grab your bike or your dog and check it out in every season.
Le Marie Marché: This adorable little French market is fun to visit for the atmosphere and the great food and trinkets you can find. Located across the Court Pond from the Binnenhof, you can shop and enjoy some crepes while gazing at the gorgeous backdrop that is The Hague.
Antique and Book Market: Another great market to visit is this one that can be found on the Lange Voorhout. Perfect for scoring a unique piece for your house, or finding a first edition of your favorite book, you will enjoy meeting the community and finding great deals at this market.
Nice places to get a drink or dine out:
After a long day of exploring the historical sites and checking out all the available markets and entertainment, it is time to get some food. In the true Undutchables’ spirit, we love taking culinary adventures into other parts of the world. We have put together some of the best local spots to make sure you get fed well, so we hope you enjoy these these suggestions that are favorites from our team members in The Hague.
Casual coffee break:
- Lola: This small coffee place next to the office is also, interestingly enough, a bike shop. A great place to stop in and enjoy the atmosphere after you visit Undutchables.
- Perron X Coffee: Our teammates love getting a coffee here and sitting in the garden when the weather is nice. If you’re looking for a cool coffee spot with great food in the center of The Hague you should definitely try this place.
- Bartine: The best bakery in town for sourdough! This place is known for its sourdough loaves, fresh pizza slices, croissants, and cinnamon/cardamon rolls. You have to go in for a coffee and a snack if you are passing by! You can also sit on their small terrace and watch the bakers at work - an absolute must try if you love sourdough.
Dinner time:
- Tapasbar Triana: This is an amazing Tapas bar with great service and very appealing decoratios. They have gorgeous Spanish tiles that set the tone, and their meals are super delicious. You should definitely try Sangria to complete the vibe! Another plus of this lovely restaurant is that it is only a 1-minute walk from the famous shopping center, De Passage.
- Catch: If you are heading towards the beach town of Scheveningen, then grabbing some fish at Catch by Simonis might be a nice option. This seafood restaurant has an airy and light interior and is located right at the harbor.
- Daily Taste @ Kijkduin: If you are looking for something a bit more casual, check out this fun food hall. They have a large variety of food options. You can enjoy restaurant style dining, or even just grab some groceries, so there is something for everyone. Our team enjoys wagamama so don’t forget to stop by there when you are in the neighborhood.
Pro tip: Also, check out the Foodhallen in the city center for another dynamic international eating experience.
- Kua: This is the best Mexican food in The Hague, and possibly The Netherlands. They are always fully booked, so make sure to reserve a spot a few days in advance. It’s definitely worth the wait!
- LittleV: Moving to another part of the world, this great little Vietnamese restaurant is by far one of the favorite pit stops for our team. With tasty food and an authentic atmosphere, your hunger will completely disappear in this little slice of Asia.
- King Falafel: This unassuming place near the Grote Markt is another one you have to try. At first glance it might not catch your eye, but don’t judge this book by its cover. They only have two things on the menu - baked potato and a ‘broodje falafel’ - , and you’ll have a hard time choosing between the two. You might just have to try both! And the baked potato it is guaranteed to be the best potato you will ever eat. Plus, it’s all vegetarian!
- The Grote Markt: Speaking of the Grote Markt, you may want to spend more time around there because it is a great place to meet new people and enjoy multiple bars and restaurants with a large outdoor terrace.
Drinks and bites:
- Rootz: If a drink and bite is all you are after, this is a nice place to have a drink. Located on the Grote Marktstraat, Rootz offers 300 different beers.
- Kompaan: For more beer options try out this local brewery to get a taste of The Hague. You can also get a tour of the brewery to see what happens behind the scenes..
- De Gekke Geit: This is a secret gem that the locals are hesitant to share because they love it so much. So, now that you are in the know, you will have to check it out! At this ‘crazy’ bar they serve a lot of craft beers (have you noticed how much the Dutch love their beer yet? 😉), and have a very nice vibe that attracts a community of internationals. They even have days where they offer special deals on drinks, so make sure to follow them on social media to plan your visit.
- O'Casey's Irish Pub & Restaurant: One of the best Irish pubs ever! The atmosphere, staff, and location are all amazing. You should really try their burger! It is also a super fun place to watch football or rugby matches and you can also join fun activities like karaoke and quiz night.
- Iridion’s Pita Gyros: At the end of the night, if you are looking for a late-night snack then you must try this Greek restaurant on the Grote Markt. It is a full restaurant, but you also have a walk-in service where you can get your order to-go, and they have small delicacies you can get take-away style.
- Huppel the Pub: And finally, one final stop for the beer tour. This is a real local Den Haag bar where oldies and newbies gather for a good time.
And last but definitely not least, on the list of things to do in The Hague:
Don't forget to visit our Undutchables Den Haag Office! We would love to say hi, so make sure to visit our office conveniently located on Noordeinde in the city center. Our team is always ready to assist you with your job search and offer guidance on living and working in The Hague region.
These are just a few highlights to get you started on your adventures in The Hague. The city has so much more to offer, from its diverse dining scene to its monuments, history, and unique events. Whether you're here for work or leisure, The Hague has something for everyone. Enjoy your time in this wonderful city!
Are you interested in working and living in the innovative and bright city of Eindhoven? Check out our available vacancies or reach out to our Den Haag team to find out more.