A day trip to The Hague from Amsterdam takes you to the Netherlands’ political capital and most underrated city — 50 minutes by direct train. You’ll see Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis, walk through the 13th-century Binnenhof parliament, visit Madurodam’s miniature Netherlands, and finish the day with sunset on Scheveningen Beach. This guide covers everything: how to get there, what to see, where to eat, and the perfect one-day itinerary.
The Hague at a Glance
- Where: South Holland, 50 km southwest of Amsterdam.
- Population: 560,000 (the Netherlands’ 3rd biggest).
- Famous for: Seat of Dutch government & Royal Family; International Court of Justice; Mauritshuis; Scheveningen beach.
- Status: Political capital, but not the country’s capital (that’s Amsterdam).
- From Amsterdam: 50-55 min direct train.
- Time needed: full day (~10 hours).
- Best time: spring through autumn; beach visits best May-September.
Getting to The Hague
- NS InterCity Direct: Amsterdam Centraal → Den Haag Centraal in 50 min.
- Frequency: every 15 minutes during the day.
- Cost: €19-22 one way; €38-44 return.
- Off-peak day return: €30-35.
- Stations: Den Haag Centraal (closest to museums); Den Haag HS (a few minutes’ walk further).
- By car: 1 hr; parking €4-5/hour in centre.
Mauritshuis: The Highlight
- Where: Plein 29.
- What: 17th-century mansion housing world-class Golden Age Dutch art collection.
- Highlights: Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring + View of Delft; Rembrandt; Frans Hals; Jan Steen; Carel Fabritius’ The Goldfinch.
- Entry: €17.50; under 18 free; Museumkaart accepted.
- Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (Mon from 13:00).
- Allow: 2 hours.
- Tip: Book online to avoid queues. Audio guide included.
Binnenhof & Hofvijver
- What: 13th-century complex; seat of the Dutch parliament since 1446.
- Open: courtyard free 24/7; interior access is closed for renovation 2020-2028.
- Hofvijver: ornamental lake reflecting the Binnenhof; perfect photo spot.
- Ridderzaal (Knight’s Hall): where the king delivers the annual Speech from the Throne.
- Allow: 30-45 minutes.
Scheveningen Beach
- What: The Netherlands’ biggest beach resort; 4.5 km of golden sand.
- Getting there: Tram 1 or 9 from Den Haag Centraal, 20 minutes. €2.50 single, or €7.50 day pass.
- Best summer beach: huge expanses, beach clubs, restaurants.
- Pier (Scheveningen Pier): 380m long; Ferris wheel, bungee jump, zip line.
- Beach clubs: WoodStone Pure Beach, Aloha, Catwalk — drinks and food on the sand.
- Sea Life Scheveningen: aquarium.
- Boulevard: 2 km waterfront promenade with restaurants and shops.
- Pronunciation: "Skay-veh-ning-en" — famously hard for non-Dutch speakers.
Madurodam
- Where: George Maduroplein 1.
- What: 1:25 scale miniature Netherlands — Amsterdam canals, Schiphol Airport, Delft, windmills, Maeslantkering — all in one park.
- Entry: €24.50 online; €27.50 at the door.
- Allow: 2-3 hours.
- Best for: families with kids 5-12.
- History: opened 1952; memorial to George Maduro, a war hero who died in Dachau.
Other Things to See
- Escher in Het Paleis: M.C. Escher’s optical illusions in a former royal palace. €12.
- Panorama Mesdag: 19th-century 360° panoramic painting of Scheveningen. €15.
- Peace Palace: home of the International Court of Justice; exterior visit free.
- Kunstmuseum Den Haag (Gemeentemuseum): Mondrian, modern Dutch art. €17.50.
- Louwman Museum: vintage cars; €17.50.
- Chinatown: small but charming.
- Het Plein: square with cafés near Binnenhof.
- Noordeinde Palace: working royal palace; exterior visit free.
Perfect One-Day Itinerary
Culture-Focused Day
- 08:30: Train from Amsterdam Centraal.
- 09:30: Arrive Den Haag Centraal; walk to Hofvijver and Binnenhof.
- 10:00: Mauritshuis (book ahead). Allow 2 hours.
- 12:30: Lunch on Plein or Het Plein.
- 14:00: Escher in Het Paleis or Kunstmuseum.
- 16:00: Tram to Scheveningen.
- 16:30: Walk the beach and pier; sunset.
- 18:30: Dinner at WoodStone Beach Club.
- 20:00: Tram back; train to Amsterdam.
Family Day
- 09:30: Arrive; tram to Madurodam.
- 10:00-13:00: Madurodam.
- 13:00: Lunch on Madurodam grounds.
- 14:30: Tram to Scheveningen.
- 15:00: Beach + pier (kids love the Ferris wheel).
- 17:00: Sea Life Scheveningen if time.
- 18:30: Family dinner at Catwalk or Pier 28.
- 20:00: Train back to Amsterdam.
Where to Eat
- Het Plein cafés: choose your sunny side of the square.
- The Penthouse: 42nd-floor city view + dining.
- Bistro Berlage: classic Dutch.
- HoogvlieT: trendy modern brasserie.
- Restaurant Maxime: upscale Dutch fine dining.
- WoodStone Pure Beach (Scheveningen): organic beach club.
- Pier 28 (Scheveningen): seafood with sea view.
- De Posthoorn: historic Dutch comfort food.
Should You Stay Overnight?
Worth it if you want to explore the Peace Palace, multiple museums, and beach properly. Otherwise, one day is enough for the major highlights. Top hotels: Hotel des Indes (luxury); Hotel Carlton Ambassador; Mercure Den Haag Centraal; Scheveningen’s Kurhaus for grand-hotel-on-the-beach.
Combine The Hague With
- Delft (15 min train): Vermeer’s town. See our Delft guide.
- Rotterdam (30 min): modern architecture. See our Rotterdam guide.
- Leiden (15 min): historic university town.
- Gouda (40 min): cheese market.
Practical Tips
- OVpay works on The Hague trams: same tap-on system.
- Book Mauritshuis online: avoid 30-60 min queues in peak season.
- The Hague Welcome Card: €17 day pass + discounts. Worth it for active days.
- Scheveningen tram: 1 or 9 from Den Haag Centraal.
- Best weather for beach: May-September.
- Cycling distance: 25 km from The Hague centre to beach — possible but not for casual cyclists.
- Walking: city centre is compact (1.5 km wide); beach further out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does The Hague take from Amsterdam?
50-55 minutes by direct InterCity. Trains every 15 minutes.
Is The Hague worth visiting?
Yes — for the Mauritshuis (Vermeer), the Binnenhof, and Scheveningen beach. One of the easiest cultural day trips from Amsterdam.
Is one day enough?
Yes for major sights. Two days adds the Peace Palace, Kunstmuseum, and a longer beach day.
Can I see Girl with a Pearl Earring?
Yes — it’s at the Mauritshuis. Book ahead to skip queues.
Is The Hague kid-friendly?
Yes — Madurodam, Sea Life, Scheveningen beach, pier rides all kid-perfect.
Can I visit the Peace Palace?
Exterior only by default; interior tours occasionally available; book months ahead at vredespaleis.nl.
Final Thoughts
The Hague punches above its weight as an Amsterdam day trip: 50 minutes by train delivers the Mauritshuis, the Binnenhof, Madurodam, and a real North Sea beach. Pick a culture-focused or family day, book the Mauritshuis online ahead, and end at sunset on Scheveningen. It’s one of the best one-day escapes the Netherlands offers.
Related Amsterdam guides
- Day Trips from Amsterdam — 11 destinations reachable by train or bus.
- Delft day trip — blue ceramics and Vermeer, an hour away.
- Rotterdam day trip — modern architecture and a very different Dutch city.
- Haarlem day trip — art, markets and history 15 minutes by train.
- Amsterdam museums guide — the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and 25 more, with ticket tips.
- Amsterdam with kids — 25+ family activities, tips and hotels.
