The Hague in one day

During your city walk, you naturally need nice spots for snacks and drinks, a dose of The Hague happiness, sights, and the trendiest shops in town. And we’ve got just those The Hague treasures for you!

On the route, you’ll discover dozens of The Hague’s highlights. From Lange Voorhout to Noordeinde, through the Palace Garden and our favorite Oude Molstraat, back along the Hofvijver, and across Het Plein. It’s a complete tour of The Hague in one day. Even if you only have one day, there’s a lot to see, and you can thoroughly immerse yourself in this beautiful city behind the dunes.

We start and end the route at The Hague Central Station. After arriving at this station, where 250,000 people pass through daily, walk down the Prinsessegracht to the corner with Korte Voorhout. Turn left there and immediately marvel at a Hague highlight: The Royal Theatre. This beautiful building has been used as a theater since 1804. Today, it is the home of The National Theatre, but many different performances are staged here. Something for everyone!

 Strolling on the Voorhout

Across the street, you’ll see the famous Lange Voorhout. A beautiful street in The Hague, or rather an L-shaped avenue, that is breathtaking in every season. Here, you’ll find the splendor and glory of The Hague. With the most beautiful houses, tall trees, and the renowned Hotel Des Indes: a chic hotel where famous world citizens like Audrey Hepburn, Prince, and The Rolling Stones have stayed. Imagine yourself as a world star and parade under the trees past Pulchri Studio and Theater Diligentia towards Kneuterdijk.

All the way to the end!

By crossing Kneuterdijk and entering Heulstraat, you’ll find yourself on Noordeinde. This is one of the most famous shopping areas in the Netherlands and, of course, the street of Paleis Noordeinde, the working palace of King Willem-Alexander. What’s extra fun is that you’ll find a great number of The Hague treasures on this street:

Couqou

A place you’d rather keep to yourself but also want to shout about from the rooftops once you discover it. Because when you step into Couqou through a charming little alley, we’re almost certain you’ll experience an instant urge to shop, just like we do. The most beautiful handmade furniture, cool clothing items, and lovely accessories greet you. It’s a store where it’s hard to leave empty-handed, inviting you to take your time and enjoy browsing.

Lola Bikes & Coffee

A bit further on, you’ll find a haven if, like us, you love (vintage) racing bikes. Lola Bikes & Coffee is a place where everything comes together in a delightful, buzzing atmosphere. At the front, you can order a coffee and a treat at the counter, while at the back, you’ll find the bike workshop and a spacious area to relax with your coffee. In good weather, the garden is even open!

Sam Sam

Ready for a piece of cake? Or perhaps a whole lunch? Then quickly step into Sam Sam! This is a fantastic breakfast and lunch spot on Noordeinde, with a menu that will make your mouth water because almost everything here is delicious. To help with the accompanying decision-making stress, owner Jaimy came up with a concept that is as innovative as it is simple: you can order half sandwiches here, so you don’t have to choose between your two favorite sandwiches!

Along the Waterfront

To continue the route, turn left at the end of Noordeinde onto the Hogewal along the water. You might already smell it: here you’ll find the Royal Stables. Not only the carriages of the Royal House but also the horses that pull the carriages are housed in these 19th-century stables. During the summer opening, you get a few days to view the building from the inside.

Turn left around the corner and continue along the next waterfront: the Prinsessewal. At the end of this quay, you’ll find another lovely The Hague treasure on your right:

Tommy’s en Zuurveen

The boat moored here in the water of Veenkade is the perfect spot for a break. At Tommy’s en Zuurveen, you know you’re in good hands. It’s a restaurant where everything is just right without being too formal. Fantastic and original dishes, a beautiful little building in a fantastic location, and a super friendly and knowledgeable host. That’s what you get when childhood friends Tom and Teun run a restaurant. One is a sommelier and host, the other a chef. It turns out they make a top duo.

The Royal Route

In royal The Hague, with a palace and stables, there should naturally be a royal garden as well. The Palace Garden is open to the public and is well-used. For example, on Sunday mornings, you can join a yoga class in the park. It’s a delightful sight! People from all corners of the city trickle in with mats under their arms.

Walk through the garden and look for the alley in the back right corner of the park. Here, you’ll find The Hague’s most charming secret passage: the door opens after you press the bell, leading you out under the Koningspoort.

Our Favorite Street: De Oude Mol

The Koningspoort is your gateway to one of our favorite streets at Haagse Schatten. Long, long ago, this was a dune path, but now you’ll find many cozy restaurants and cafes there. De Oude Molstraat is one of the oldest streets in The Hague’s Hofkwartier, with an incredibly charming atmosphere that lasts late into the evening. The selection of The Hague treasures here is also impressive:

Pastis

It’s lovely to sit on the terrace of Pastis. You’ll feel like you’re in France as you sip the perfect rosé in the sunlight under the iconic red awnings. Their cuisine is sublime, and the vegetarian dishes are delicious. It’s wise to make a reservation, as it’s always pleasantly busy.

Monastic Store

Did you know there’s a real monastery in De Oude Molstraat? Hidden among the cafes and houses. You can take a peek into the beautiful chapel, but they also sell authentic local ánd international products in the Monastic Store. The interior is Instagram-worthy and the atmosphere just serene.

Proefboutique

Time for bites and drinks? Then you must visit the Proefboutique. According to founder Amber, “borrelen is the new dining.” And we completely agree, especially with a bites and drinks menu like this. Once you’ve had food here, you won’t want to go back to that “ordinary” three-course menu!

Le Café

In the candle-lit bar of Le Café, the staff pampers you with wine and wonderful stories. The menu is small and fits on a chalkboard, but that doesn’t lessen the decision-making stress. Fortunately, all the dishes are super tasty, so you can’t make a wrong choice. And as you sip your last glass of good red wine with a satisfied feeling, you realize that life in The Hague is pretty good.

Hug the Tea

Another small side street: around the corner on Papestraat, you’ll find the Hague treasure Hug the Tea. Here, everything revolves around Matcha, the green powder from Japan used not only for tea but also to make the most delicious cakes, pancakes, and other treats. Settle down here or take some home with you.

The Heart of The Hague

If you walk straight through Papestraat, you’ll arrive at the charming Plaats. A bit further, you’ll reach the Buitenhof, the oldest part of The Hague, buzzing with (political) activity since the Middle Ages. Stroll along the Hofvijver and the Lange Vijverberg, where in the summer weekends, you can enjoy the French Market Le Marie Marché.

At the end of the pond, turn the corner to the right. Here, you’ll pass two of The Hague’s cultural highlights: the Hague Historical Museum and the world-famous Mauritshuis. In the Mauritshuis, you’ll find masterpieces like Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson, and Fabritius’s The Goldfinch. As a tourist (even in your own city), it’s definitely worth a visit!

En plein public

A bit further along is Het Plein. In the Middle Ages, it was the large vegetable garden of all the counts at the Binnenhof, but now it’s a bustling hub of social activity. The numerous cafes and terraces are particularly packed on Thursdays when all the politicians and administrators gather after five o’clock to enjoy a drink.

Wend your way back towards the central station via Korte Poten and the (filled-in) Herengracht. With this, the tour through The Hague’s city center is complete. In less than five kilometers, you’ve acquainted yourself with The Hague and its treasures in just one day. We hope you’ve become just as enamored with it as we are and that it’s worth repeating!

Of course, there’s still much more to discover. Follow Haagse Schatten on social media, and we’ll keep you updated!

Planning a day trip to The Hague soon? Don’t forget to bring along your Haagse Schatten gift card on your exploration. Purchase it from our online store and receive not only the gift card but also a genuine The Hague treasure map to help you discover the city. We ensure that you’ll step off the beaten path, but you’ll never get lost.

Why not also give such a day out as a gift to someone who needs to get to know this city? The beauty is, every euro you spend on the gift card is guaranteed to be spent at a local business in The Hague. This way, we can all continue to enjoy the Hague’s hotspots from all those enthusiastic, driven local entrepreneurs. There are now over sixty The Hague treasures where you can redeem your gift card. Something for everyone!