A Walk Around The Hague

This stroll around the capital of South Holland will treat you to an abundance of history, culture, and cuisine   . . . 

In this article I will tell you all about what makes The Hague a great place to base yourself for adventures throughout the Netherlands. Let's get started!

A Search for History, Food, and Fun

​After flying in to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport I took the train down to Den Haag Central train station. A walk of about two or three blocks brought me to Hotel Tribe where I would be staying for six nights. Most of my visit was to include daytrips to other exciting cities of the region, but The Hague has plenty to offer too. 

The Peace Palace

One of the first places I made my way to was the Peace Palace. Inaugurated in 1913, this neo-classical structure houses the International Court of Justice. The visitor center out front treats you to a brief history and how the court functions totally free of charge, but a look inside that elegant palace itself requires a special tour. 

Heading a few blocks south of that Peace Palace we encounter a statue of Prince Willem I on horseback. Just across the street is the the Noordeinde Palace where his descendant King Willem Alexander conducts business. Over the ages this residence has provided stays for many notable people such as Voltaire. 

Continuing on we see the Prison Gate. This thirteenth century construct was at one time the castle entrance, and would eventually become a holding place for those awaiting trial. Across the street you will notice a large urban pond with the Binnenhof on the other side. This massive castle was at one time home to the Counts of Holland. 

Prison Gate, Binnenhof, Mauritshuis

Located just next to that castle we find the Mauritshuis. This museum houses a royal collection of notable artwork including Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl Earring. This one is a must for any lovers of fine art. 

All around there are statues of important locals who contributed greatly to the region. This includes Johan de Witt, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, and Johan Rudolph Thorbecke, Yes, I know that' seems like a lot of Johans. The first two, they were revolutionary statesmen ... who unfortunately ended up in that prison back there for oposing the monarchy. Thorbecke, he was actually the author of the Dutch constitution. 

de Witt, Oldenbarnvelt, Thorbecke

Not far from there is a monument to Prince Carl Bernhard who served as a commander in the Napoleonic wars. Right up from that we have another historic palace that also hosted famous people including Napoleon himself. It now serves as the M.C. Escher Museum. Most of you have probably heard of him. He's the mathematician that creates all those interlocking images that morph into other objects. 

Bernhard Monument and MC Escher Museum

There are quite a few other historic sights around too. Take a look at this massive medieval structure. This is the Saint James Church. With construction beginning in the fourteenth century, it is one of the oldest buildings in town. Right next to it, that is the renaissance-styled  Old City Hall.

St James Church and Old City Hall

The neighborhood south of that prison we saw earlier is Chinatown. This part of town is packed with culture, cuisine, and plenty of shopping too. It was established in the 1970s, but prior to that it was the former Jewish Quarter. 

Chinatown of The Hague

Search just outside of that area and you will find a house that was once the residence of a famous Jewish philosopher of the Dutch Golden Age. And there he is, Baruch Spinoza, seated out front still looking to be in very deep thought. 

Baruch Spinoza

Now if all of that walking has got you hungry, there is definitely a multitude of establishments all around to satisfy those desires. From steak to burgers, they have it. Lots of options for breakfast too. I especially enjoyed the savory pancakes. And one snack you absolutely must try when visiting the Netherlands is the Bitterballen! 

Foods of The Hague

This is just a small bit of what you may find upon your visit. While The Hague is a pretty cool city to see, the main reason I was here was to take advantage of that central train station to explore other interesting locations. Coming up we will travel to Leiden, Delft, Gouda, Utrecht, and Amersfoort. So, definitely check back soon. 

You can also follow along on this adventure here:

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