48 hours in The Hague

Day 1

MORNING

• Breakfast and coffee
• Go for a walk
• Lunch

Get your day off to a relaxed start with coffee and breakfast in the historic city centre. Eat your breakfast surrounded by books in Bookstor, a magnificent old bookstore, or head to trendy Teds in the Frederikstraat, an extension of the famous Denneweg. Weather permitting, both Teds and Bookstor offer al fresco eating on the terrace.

After breakfast stretch your legs with a short walk. Stroll along the Lange Voorhout and take a peek at the exhibit Voorhout Monumentaal. Continue towards the Hofvijver pond and walk through the political heart of The Netherlands, the Binnenhof, the seat of the Dutch government. For a bird's eye view of The Hague, climb to the top of the Grote Kerk church! Reserve your ticket to climb all 288 steps here.

Lunch
Sit down for lunch at trendy Pistache Café in Prinsestraat or pick up a picnic basket and relax in the nearby Palace garden. Open to the public, this beautiful urban park is still largely unknown. A peaceful oasis in the heart of the city centre. Prefer a real garden? You will find lots of these in The Hague. You just have to know where to find them. One of those hidden spots is beautiful city garden of Schlemmer a secret of most Hague locals. For more hidden terrace gardens, read the article 7x terrace gardens.

AFTERNOON

• Shopping
• Museum visit

In addition to many well-known shopping districts, The Hague also boasts a number of fun neighbourhoods, each with their character and flavour. For elegant upscale shops head to the Hofkwartier or discover the unique concept stores in the trendy Zeeheldenkwartier. The Hofkwartier district lies in the historic city centre and is easily explored on foot. The Zeeheldenkwartier is nearby. Walk, bike or take a tram and peruse the lively streets. This neighbourhood is a favourite among locals.

Tired of shopping? Visit the Kunstmuseum, only a 20-minute walk from the Zeeheldenkwartier or a quick ride on tram 16.

The best part about the Kunstmuseum (Art museum) is that it frequently hosts new exhibits so there is always something new to see. Make sure you look beyond the beautiful art on the wall as the building itself is also worth the visit! Especially the staircases are very Instagram-worthy! Looking for more art experiences? Visit Museum Voorlinden. In 2019 this unique museum was named the most Instagrammable museum in The Netherlands. Spend the afternoon soaking up art, nature and architecture.

EVENING

• Eating out
• Terrace
• Cocktails
• Return to your hotel and dream about another day in The Hague

Time to get ready for dinner. For a fun trendy bistro, book a table at Walter Benedict, located on the upscale Denneweg. Craving Vietnamese food? Dinner at Little V will transport you straight to South-East Asia. A multitude of tiny lights, hanging plants and rustic furnishings create the perfect exotic ambiance. Sample a variety of street food, such as dumplings, pho, spring rolls and more. Even more fun: all the dishes are meant to be shared! Perfect for sampling a variety of dishes.

Finish the evening in style with a cocktail on the rooftop of Bleyenberg. The magnificent view of downtown The Hague is the perfect way to unwind after a day exploring the city. Het Dak van Bleyenberg houses a cocktail bar and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Is the rooftop full? Another good destination for a night cap is Milú, next to de Grote Kerk. Both restaurants are also open for lunch and dinner.

These hotspots are very popular so don't forget to reserve before you go!

Day 2

MORNING

• Coffee and breakfast on a square
• Beach walk
• Lunch at a surf spot

Start your second day in the Royal City with breakfast on one of The Hague's many beautiful squares. Jamey Bennett at the Plaats is a great breakfast spot with lots of seating. Looking to mingle with the locals? Then head to Anna Paulownaplein. This is one of the most beautiful squares in The Hague, framed by beautiful monumental buildings.

Prefer a quiet start to your day? Take a walk on the beach and reward yourself afterwards with a delicious lunch.The Shore and Hart Beach are cool surf hotspots in Scheveningen. In addition to riding the waves, you will also find many healthy lunch options here.

AFTERNOON

• Bike ride
• Canoeing or supping
• Take to the water with a boat tour

There is no better way to explore the area than by bike! Here you will find the best bike routes in The Hague, including a fun From city to beach route. Leave the city behind and find some solitude in nature with a bike ride through the dunes, such as the North or South Dune bike route. Along the way you will encounter many fun beach restaurants where you can stop for a drink or a bite.

Another great active way to explore the city is from the water! How about some supping or canoeing? All of this right in the city! For more about stand up paddling in The Hague, read this blog by 'Travel Around with Me'. Rent a canoe at Kanoverhuur Den Haag. For a more romantic outing, rent a rowboat in Westbroekpark. Prefer something more less athletic? Go on a boat tour through the city centre.

EVENING

• One more amazing dinner
• Watch the sun set at Zuiderstrand or Kijkduin
• Ask yourself do we book another night? Our stay was much too short!

Conclude your weekend with a delicious dinner. On the beach, in the city or by the harbour? There are still so many spots to discover in The Hague. If you opt for the city, take a look at the Plein, feast on Italian food at Vincenzo's Osteria in the Zeeheldenkwartier or dine on sustainable Scandinavian cuisine at Bøg in Prinsestraat. Do you like fresh fish and seafood? Book a table at Catch by Simonis or Encore, famous for its top quality food in the inner harbour of Scheveningen. Nearby you will also find Suzie Q. Suzie Q herself describes as ‘a botanical jungle'.

A leisurely dinner as you watch the sun slowly sink into the ocean? Dine at one of the many beach restaurants at Zuiderstand or Kijkduin. Our tips for fun beach restaurants include Strandpaviljoen de Kwartel (Zuiderstrand) and Beachclub Birds (Kijkduin).

Still looking for nice accommodation? View our hotel packages here.

Also read our article 24 hours in The Hague