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The Hague travel guide: HTM trams, royal quarters and Scheveningen coast

The Hague pairs the tree-lined avenues, royal palaces and international courts of the Dutch seat of government with the wide North Sea sands of Scheveningen just fifteen minutes away by tram. Its flat, leafy streets make cycling and walking between the Hofvijver lake, boutique quarters and woodland estates remarkably relaxed.

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  1. The Hague (Approximate city location)

Location coordinates: The Hague.

Arrival and getting around in The Hague

The Hague has two main railway stations: Den Haag Centraal handles trains from Utrecht and Amsterdam Central, while Den Haag HS (Hollands Spoor) sits on the fast line linking Schiphol Airport, Leiden, Delft, Rotterdam and Brussels.

  • Use OVpay contactless bank cards or mobile wallets to tap in and out directly on all HTM city trams and buses without buying paper tickets in advance.
  • HTM Tram 1 and Tram 9 connect the historic centre and stations past the Peace Palace (Tram 1) all the way to the Scheveningen coastal promenade and beach.
  • Central streets around the Hofvijver, Lange Voorhout and Noordeinde are completely flat and easy to cover on foot or by rented city bike.

Sources: The Hague geographic reference (GeoNames 2747373)

Where to stay in The Hague

Most travellers choose between the dignified historic quarters around the government centre and the breezy resort strip along the North Sea beach.

  • Museum Quarter, Denneweg and Frederikstraat (Buurtschap 2005): elegant townhouse streets steps from the Hofvijver, Mauritshuis and morning coffee spots like Barista Cafe Frederikstraat and Walter Benedict.
  • Zeeheldenkwartier and Regentessekwartier: lively residential squares around Prins Hendrikplein with easy tram access to both the Peace Palace and the beach.
  • Staying directly on the Scheveningen boulevard suits summer beach trips, but expect brisk sea winds outside peak summer and a fifteen-minute tram ride back to central museums and restaurants.

Sources: The Hague geographic reference (GeoNames 2747373)

Two-day route for The Hague

Combine a full day in the royal and diplomatic core with a second day split between woodland estates and the North Sea shoreline.

  • Day 1 (Hofvijver, Royal Quarter and Peace Palace): start with coffee on Frederikstraat or Denneweg (Barista Cafe Frederikstraat or Walter Benedict), walk along the Lange Voorhout to the Hofvijver pond to frame the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis, explore the Noordeinde palace boutiques, and walk or ride Tram 1 north to the Peace Palace.
  • Day 2 (Clingendael Estate and Scheveningen): spend the morning walking the forested paths and seasonal Japanese Garden of the Clingendael estate, then head west to Scheveningen in the afternoon for a long walk along the beach, pier and Kurhaus promenade at sunset.
  • Rainy-day indoor alternative: pair the Dutch masters inside the Mauritshuis with Escher in Het Paleis on Lange Voorhout or the Kunstmuseum Den Haag.

Sources: The Hague geographic reference (GeoNames 2747373)

Seasonal timing and practical rhythm

A North Sea coastal climate brings fresh onshore breezes that keep The Hague cooler than inland cities in July and August, alongside quick-moving Atlantic cloud bands.

  • May, June and September offer long daylight hours, mild cycling weather and the best chance to catch Clingendael's Japanese Garden during its limited spring or autumn opening weeks.
  • Pack a windproof outer layer even in summer when walking out to Scheveningen beach, and plan coastal sunset walks around clear evening forecasts.

Sources