Boattours The Hague
Typical The Hague canal cruise
You don't see them right away but The Hague does have canals. No less than 250 kilometres! So what could be better than relaxing on a summer day and discovering the city from the water during a boat trip? The Hague has several providers of special canal cruises. These canal cruises sail around the centre of The Hague but also towards Scheveningen.
During the canal cruises, you will get to know the city's versatility: that of sand and peat, but also royal The Hague, the international city of Peace and Justice, the government centre, embassies and ministries. The canal cruises are guided by enthusiastic guides who passionately recount the history of the royal city during the cruise, as well as stories about The Hague now. Often interspersed with the lovely Hague humour!
De Ooievaart - Bierkade 18b
See The Hague from a completely different side: from the water! The Ooievaart is a unique cruise on the canals of The Hague dating from the 14th century. While sailing you can enjoy stories about The Hague: Hofstad, Government Center, Royal City and City of Peace & Justice. The Hague, a real canal city? That is hard to imagine now, in the 21st century. Yet the canals in The Hague are more than 400 years old. Today it is still largely intact. It is an undiscovered gem of The Hague that you should definitely see!
A guide is always present on board De Ooievaart. These are volunteers who share their stories with passion. They will certainly surprise you with their enthusiastic stories about The Hague's sights.
The trips last 90 minutes
Dutch-language sailings: Daily between 11.30 am and 16.30 pm
English-language sailings: Daily at 2pm
German-language cruises: Daily at 1 pm and 3.30 pm
Ticketst is recommended to book the boat trip in advance, especially at weekends and when the weather is nice. Tickets can be purchased via the website of De Ooievaart, by telephone on + 31 70-4451869, or with the employees at The Hague Info Store.
The Willemsvaart - PaxHaven (near Centraal Station)
De Willemsvaart shows you the diversity of The Hague from the water! The Willemsvaart, named after King Willem I who had a waterway dug from the Prinsessegracht to the coast, has offered various boat tours in the city centre of The Hague and towards Scheveningen beach since 2009. An experienced guide will tell you historical facts and interesting anecdotes about the city during the cruise. Besides the standard tours, De Willemsvaart regularly organises themed tours, often in collaboration with museums, hotels and festivals in The Hague. In short: De Willemsvaart offers an alternative and relaxed mode of transport, where you get to know The Hague from another side!
The Willemsvaart offers various cruises throughout the year. For more info and reservations, visit the website.
