🇳🇱The Hague

Discover The Hague with your family: Madurodam, the Mauritshuis, Scheveningen beach, and one of the most walkable city centres in the Netherlands.

Your family guide

The Hague with kids: beaches, art and royal history

“Royal palaces, sandy beaches and miniature windmills. The Hague delivers more variety than most Dutch cities.”

— San & Jo

The Hague feels different from the moment you arrive. It is polished and cosmopolitan, shaped by decades of diplomats, expats, and international institutions, yet it never feels stuffy or overwhelming. For families, that combination is a genuine sweet spot: wide boulevards, excellent museums, easy tram connections, and a beach just a short ride away.

What makes The Hague work so well for a family trip is the sheer variety packed into a manageable city. Your kids can shrink down to the size of a tourist at Madurodam's miniature Netherlands in the morning, spot a Vermeer masterpiece at the Mauritshuis before lunch, and be building sandcastles at Scheveningen beach by the afternoon. That kind of range, without the crowds of Amsterdam, is hard to beat.

The city is also a genuinely easy place to get around with children. Trams run frequently, the centre is flat and largely walkable, and there are parks, squares, and snack bars around every corner. Whether you are planning a day trip or a longer stay, The Hague rewards families who take the time to explore it properly.

South HollandProvince, the Netherlands

May to SeptemberBest time to visit

Tram and walkingBest way to get around

Best things to do

Best things to do in The Hague

Madurodam

A miniature park where the entire Netherlands fits into one city block. Kids absolutely love spotting tiny windmills, canals, and airports built to a 1:25 scale. It is one of those rare attractions that genuinely delights children and adults alike.

Go early to beat school groups

2-3 hours

Mauritshuis

A beautifully intimate museum housed in a 17th-century mansion, home to Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and works by Rembrandt and Rubens. The collection is compact enough that kids stay engaged, and the building itself is stunning.

Pick up a family trail at the entrance desk

1-2 hours

Scheveningen Beach

The Hague's seaside neighbourhood has a wide sandy beach, a long pier, a Ferris wheel, and plenty of cafés. Reachable by tram in about 20 minutes from the city centre, it is the perfect way to end a busy day of sightseeing.

The tram drops you right at the seafront

Half day

Escher in Het Paleis

A museum dedicated to the endlessly fascinating optical illusions and impossible staircases of M.C. Escher, housed inside a former royal palace. Older children in particular find Escher's mind-bending prints genuinely captivating.

The interactive displays make abstract art click for kids

1-2 hours

Binnenhof and the Peace Palace

The Gothic Binnenhof parliamentary complex sits at the heart of the city, surrounded by ponds and centuries of Dutch political history. A short walk away, the Peace Palace is the seat of the International Court of Justice and one of the most striking buildings in the country.

The Binnenhof courtyard is free to walk through

1-2 hours

Haagse Bos

One of the oldest forests in the Netherlands, right inside the city. Wide paths make it easy to explore with a pushchair, and the woodland views of the royal palace give it a peaceful, special atmosphere. A brilliant spot for a picnic.

Combine it with a visit to the nearby Lange Voorhout boulevard

1-2 hours

Haagse Markt

One of the largest outdoor markets in the Netherlands, buzzing with fresh produce, street food, and goods from all over the world. It is a brilliant window into the city's multicultural character, and the street food options keep even picky eaters happy.

Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday are the biggest market days

1-2 hours

Our verdict

How The Hague scores for families

Kids

Madurodam, Scheveningen beach, and easy tram access make this a very family-friendly city. Not every museum is child-focused, but there is enough variety to keep all ages happy.

Culture

The Mauritshuis, Escher museum, Kunstmuseum, and the Binnenhof give The Hague a cultural depth that rivals much larger cities. This is where Dutch history and international affairs come together.

Food

From kibbeling at the harbour to Surinamese roti and classic Dutch snacks, the food scene is genuinely diverse and easy to navigate with children in tow.

Nature

Haagse Bos and Scheveningen beach offer solid green and blue space, though The Hague is primarily an urban destination. Day trips into the surrounding countryside expand the options considerably.

Budget

Museum entry costs add up, but free attractions like the Binnenhof, Lange Voorhout, and Haagse Bos help balance things out. Eating well is possible at all price points.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in The Hague?

1 day

Quick visit

Pick one museum, walk the Binnenhof, and end the day at Scheveningen beach. A solid day out.

sweet spot

2 days

Sweet spot

Time enough for Madurodam, the Mauritshuis, a wander through Haagse Bos, and a proper afternoon at the beach. This is how most families get the best out of The Hague.

3 days

Deep dive

Add Escher in Het Paleis, the Haagse Markt, and a day trip to Delft or Leiden. You will leave feeling like you really know the city.

Fun facts

Things to know about The Hague

The world's courtroom

The Hague is home to the International Court of Justice, which means it is the city where countries go to settle their biggest disagreements. Not many cities can say they are the legal capital of the entire world.

A painting worth billions

The Mauritshuis is home to Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, one of the most famous paintings on the planet. Nobody knows who the girl in the painting actually is, and art historians have been debating it for centuries.

Older than you think

The Binnenhof has been at the centre of Dutch political life since the 13th century, making it one of the oldest continuously used parliamentary buildings in the world. The Ridderzaal inside it was originally built as a banqueting hall for a medieval count.

Taste The Hague

What to eat with your family in The Hague

Kibbeling

Must try

Simonis aan de Haven, Scheveningen

Crispy battered chunks of fresh cod served with a creamy garlic or tartar sauce. This is the coastal snack The Hague does best, and kids who are even slightly open to fish will love it. Head to the harbour at Scheveningen for the freshest version.

Broodje Kroket

Local favourite

Dunglemann's, The Hague centre

A golden-fried croquette filled with creamy beef ragout, stuffed into a soft white roll. It is one of the most beloved Dutch snacks and a brilliant quick lunch option when you are on the move with kids. Best eaten piping hot.

Poffertjes

Kids love it

Haagse Markt street stalls

Fluffy mini pancakes dusted with a generous amount of powdered sugar. You will find them at street stalls and markets across the city, and they are essentially impossible to say no to, especially for children.

Surinamese Roti

Safe choice

Various spots near Haagse Markt

Soft flatbread served with curried vegetables, potato, and your choice of meat or fish. The Hague has a large Surinamese community and some of the best roti outside of Suriname itself. A filling, flavourful, and family-friendly meal.

Bitterballen

Daily treat

't Plein square cafés

Small deep-fried meatballs served with a pot of mustard for dipping. They are a staple of Dutch café culture and a fun, shareable snack for the whole family to try together over a cold drink on a sunny square.

More places in South Holland: Randstad & River Delta

5 places

Delft

Discover Delft with your family: walk historic canals, visit the world's last Delftware factory, climb a 97-metre church tower, and eat your way through a lively Dutch market.