The Hague is bustling with things to see and do from historical landmarks to museums and exhibitions.
The tallest building in the city, the Hoftoren measuring 142 metres is located in the centre of the city and houses the Ministry of Education, culture and Science. The government also occupies some of the other most prominent buildings in the city such as the Stadhuis (town hall) also known as the Ice Palace due to its striking appearance. Away from the modern architecture evident in The Hague there are the more historic buildings such as the Binnenhof. This collection of buildings in the centre of the city has been the centre of Dutch politics since the 15th century. Parts of the site of the Binnenhof date back to 1229 and any visit to The Hague would not be complete without paying it a visit.

Binnenhof

Just off the Binnenhof are a couple of the largest squares in The Hague, the Plein (meaning literally the Square) and Lange Voorhout. The Plein is lined with impressive government buildings and some wonderful cafes ad bars that spill out onto the square. Lange Voorhout is a huge tree lined square with some of the finest examples of 18thcentury townhouses that the city has to offer including the baroque home of the Dutch supreme court, ‘Huis Huguetan’.
A fantastic way to get a feel for the urban landscape of The Hague is to visit the Cylindrical painting ‘Panorama Mesdag’. This 14 metre high, 120 metre circumference painting from 1881 by Hendrik Willem Mesdag is the oldeast painting of its kind in the world. The painting is located at 65, Zeestraat and is open to the public Monday to Friday 10am to 5 pm and at weekends from 12 to 5pm.

Stadhuis

The Queens palace, Paleis Huis ten Bosch is located just outside the city in the Haagse Bosch forest. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful façade from the street although the palace is not open to the public.
Even if you don’t visit The Hague in summer a trip to The Scheveningen sea side resort should definitely be on your agenda. A once favourite spot for the Dutch royal family a little of its 19th century Grandeur does still remain if only in some of the finer details along the Grand Pier.