- On July 1, 2026
- In Places to visit
Everyone does Amsterdam, then wonders where to go for art, grandeur and a bit of sea air. The answer is The Hague — the Dutch seat of government, home to Vermeer’s most famous painting and a proper beach, and barely 50 minutes away by train. Yet most visitors skip it. Here are the best things to do in The Hague, and exactly how to make it an easy day trip from Amsterdam.
- The Hague = art, royalty and the beach — a calmer contrast to Amsterdam.
- Don’t miss the Mauritshuis (Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring), the Binnenhof and Scheveningen beach.
- Great for families thanks to Madurodam, a miniature Netherlands.
- ~50 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.
- Easily done as a day trip; book the Mauritshuis ahead in peak season.
How to get from Amsterdam to The Hague
It could not be easier. Direct intercity trains run from Amsterdam Centraal to Den Haag Centraal several times an hour, taking around 50 minutes. No need to book a specific train — just tap in with a contactless card or an OV-chipkaart. The Hague is one of the most rewarding day trips from Amsterdam, and the least hassle of the lot.
The best things to do in The Hague
| Attraction | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritshuis | Golden Age art; Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring | Art lovers |
| Binnenhof & Hofvijver | Historic parliament complex on a lake | History, photos |
| Scheveningen | Beach, pier & seaside resort | Families, sea air |
| Madurodam | Miniature Netherlands | Kids, families |
| Escher in Het Paleis | 120 works by M.C. Escher | Optical-illusion fans |
| Panorama Mesdag | A 360° panoramic painting from 1881 | Something unusual |
| Peace Palace | Seat of the International Court of Justice | History, architecture |
| Kunstmuseum Den Haag | The world’s largest Mondrian collection | Modern art |
Mauritshuis — Vermeer’s masterpiece
The Hague’s star attraction is an intimate 17th-century mansion packed with Dutch Golden Age paintings — above all Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, plus Rembrandts and Fabritius’s The Goldfinch. If you love the Vermeers at the Rijksmuseum, this is the essential companion. It is compact and popular, so book a timed Mauritshuis ticket ahead in high season.
The Binnenhof & old town
Right next to the Mauritshuis sits the Binnenhof, the Gothic parliament complex beside the Hofvijver lake — one of the oldest working government buildings in the world. It is under major renovation into the late 2020s, so admire the exterior and the mirror-still lake, then wander the surrounding old town, the Passage shopping arcade and the Noordeinde Palace gardens.
Scheveningen — the beach
A short tram ride from the centre brings you to Scheveningen, the Netherlands’ best-known seaside resort: a long sandy beach, a pier with a Ferris wheel and a bungee jump, the grand old Kurhaus hotel, and rows of seafood terraces. Tram 1 gets you there and passes the Peace Palace and Madurodam on the way.
Madurodam — for families
If you’re travelling with children, Madurodam is a winner: the whole of the Netherlands shrunk to 1:25 scale, with tiny canal houses, windmills, Schiphol and tulip fields. It is best from spring to autumn when the miniature canals are full. You can book Madurodam fast-track tickets to skip the queue.
A perfect one day in The Hague
- Morning: early train from Amsterdam; start at the Mauritshuis, then the Binnenhof and old town.
- Lunch: around the Plein or the Passage arcade.
- Afternoon: Tram 1 to Scheveningen for the beach and pier — or Madurodam if you have kids.
- Evening: seafood by the sea, then the train back.
Is The Hague worth a day trip?
Absolutely. In a single, low-stress day you get a world-class art museum, centuries of Dutch royal and political history, and a proper stretch of North Sea coast — a very different flavour from Amsterdam’s canals. It rarely feels crowded, and everything joins up by tram. Slot it into your wider list of things to do in Amsterdam and the surrounding region.
Frequently asked questions
A direct intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Den Haag Centraal takes about 50 minutes and runs several times an hour.
Yes. In one day you can see Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, the historic Binnenhof and the Scheveningen seafront – a relaxed contrast to Amsterdam.
It is the seat of the Dutch government and royal family, the Peace Palace (home of the International Court of Justice), and the Mauritshuis art museum.
The Mauritshuis, the Binnenhof, Scheveningen beach, Madurodam, the Escher museum, Panorama Mesdag and the Peace Palace.
In the Mauritshuis in The Hague, alongside other Dutch Golden Age masterpieces.
Very. Madurodam, a miniature Netherlands, and Scheveningen beach with its pier and rides are both family favourites.
A full day covers the highlights. The city centre and Scheveningen beach are just a short tram ride apart.
The Hague's seaside resort, with a long sandy beach, a pier with a Ferris wheel, and seafood restaurants.
It is a compact, popular museum, so booking a timed ticket online is wise, especially in peak season.
The Hague is about art, royalty and the beach; Rotterdam is about bold modern architecture. Both are easy day trips by train.