Despite having been to Amsterdam more times than I can count, and even popping into nearby Rotterdam once, I’ve never thought to visit the Netherlands 3rd biggest city – The Hague.
I always pictured it as a city full of diplomats, suits, and stern buildings where people argue about treaties, where serious, rather than fun things happen.
But as is often the case, my preconceptions were completely wrong.
The Hague (or Den Haag, as locals call it) is a coastal cultural gem that totally flies well under the tourism – a place where you can dip your toes in the North Sea and stand face-to-face with Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring on the same day.
Trendy, clean, surprisingly affordable, and filled with independent shops, brilliant food, and world-class art, it’s basically everything you want from a European city break… minus the tourist overload!
And best of all, it’s ridiculously easy to get there from London by train too.
So here’s my top 2 day Hague itinerary, which tells you the best things to do, see and explore during a weekend in this city, plus how to get there and around, as well as where to stay and what to eat.
It really is your complete Hague city guide
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48hrs in The Hague: Overview
Day 1
Morning
Eurostar → Rotterdam → The Hague
Fast, eco-friendly, stress-free
Lunch
Gallery 61 in The Passage
Art + architecture + great food
Afternoon
Historic walk + Bookstor coffee
Culture meets cosy charm
Late Afternoon
Scheveningen Beach + Ferris Wheel
Fun and fresh sea air
Evening
Dinner at Eve + Moxy Hotel
Great food + stylish stay
Day 2
Morning
Panorama Mesdag + Escher Museum
Big art energy + optical illusions
Lunch
Gember Café
Easy and light mid-museum meal
Afternoon
Mauritshuis + Galerij Prins Willem V
Vermeer, Rembrandt + oldest museum
Evening
Café Zeta + Oude Molstraat
Lights, drinks and Dutch ambience
London to The Hague by Train
Forget luggage and liquid limits, from London The Hague is one of Europe’s easiest cities to reach.
Leave London after breakfast and be eating stroopwafels by lunch!
And all as part of a stress-free, easy and more sustainable journey without the airport queues.
Simply hop on the Eurostar at St Pancras International, zip under the Channel, pass through Brussels, and you’ll reach Rotterdam Centraal in just over three hours.
From there, it’s a breezy connection (even the same platform during my travels) to board a 23 minute Dutch train direct to The Hague Central Station.
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Buy your Eurostar tickets to Rotterdam directly via the Eurostar website or app to earn Club points
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Grab your onward Dutch train tickets to the Hague via NS.nl, which has a handy English version
The quick journey time of under 4 hours makes seeing the Hague in 2 days a genuine possibility!
Getting to The Hague by Plane
If you’re not based in London, then it’s helpful to know you can also fly to the Hague – check Skyscanner for the best deals.
The nearest airport to The Hague is Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), just 2km away.
It’s a small airport, but is served by several European carriers including British Airways, Transavia and TUI Fly, with direct flights from London City, Manchester, Edinburgh and more.
You can then reach The Hague city centre in around 30 minutes from the airport by taking bus 33 to Rotterdam Centraal, then hopping on an NS train to Den Haag Centraal.
Alternatively, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), one of Europe’s biggest hubs, sits only 45km away from The Hague.
From Schiphol, frequent direct trains reach Den Haag Central Station in about 30 minutes, making it a great option for long-haul or international arrivals.
Perfect 2 Day Hague Itinerary
Day 1 – Old Town, Coffee & Coast
Lunch in The Passage at Gallery 61
If like me, you do catch the early Eurostar from London, you’ll arrive into the Hague perfectly timed for lunch!
I suggest you kick things off to a delicious start at centrally-located Restaurant Gallery 61.
Nestled inside De Passage – a beautiful 19th-century glass-roofed arcade of cafés and boutiques – the art-lined walls and polished tiles of this top lunch spot are your first clue that this city takes aesthetics seriously.
The menu here is locally sourced, and my delicious soup plus vegetarian slider special was the perfect way to refuel after the journey.
Wander the Hague’s Historic Centre
After lunch, it’s time for a gentle stroll through The Hague’s 700-year-old centre to orientate yourself in the quaint, winding city streets.
Small palace squares, chic boutiques, and cobbled alleys await, so have your camera at the ready.
My favourite streets included vibrant Prinsestraat, cute Oude Molestraat and trendy Noordeinde, where you can’t miss stopping for quick caffeination at bo-ho Bookstor Café – head to the hidden back garden to enjoy your coffee in the sun.
Head to The Hague Beach
Next, hop on a tram or bus (check out my Hague public transport guide below for more info) and head just 15 minutes west to sandy Scheveningen Beach – The Hague’s slightly retro seaside escape.
Stretching for 11km along the North Sea, it’s feels part Brighton, part boardwalk carnival as you stroll the pier, ride the SkyView Ferris Wheel and, for the brave ones, take a quick dip in the bracing water.
If you visit The Hague in the summer and want to catch some rays, then I suggest heading either north or south of the Scheveningen strip, where quieter, undulating dunes provide the perfect city escape.
Keeping it beachside, grab dinner at Restaurant Eve, which does a mean vegan Thai curry, before heading back to town for the night.
Stay at Moxy Hotel The Hague
The Moxy Hotel is funky, affordable, and centrally located – ideal for a Hague weekend stay.
I wheeled my case there in just over 5 minutes from the Hague’s Central station, and my 8th floor room had amazing sunrise views over the whole city.
Bonus points for the free welcome drink, pairs perfectly with the satisfied smile of someone whose planned a perfect city escape!
Day 2 – The Hague’s Big 5: Dutch Artistic Greats
Day two is where your Hague itinerary truly shines, think art, architecture and museums galore, thanks to the city’s Big 5.
Less savannah and more cultural landscape, it’s possible to see works by all 5 of the Dutch artistic grandmasters here, and if you don’t know what the works of Vermeer, Escher, Mesdag, Rembrandt and Mondrian bring to the table yet, then you’re in for a treat!
Museum 1: Panorama Mesdag
Start your morning at Panorama Mesdag, home to the largest painting in the Netherlands.
This all-encompassing 360° seascape, complete with seagull and lapping wave audio, instantly draws you in.
Wander up the dark lighthouse-like staircase to emerge surrounded by this huge cinematic piece that realistically captures Scheveningen’s dunes and fishing boats in astonishing detail – having glimpsed this coastline on day 1 you’ll also feel a smug sense of recognition.
Painted in 1881, in the days before movie theatres, it’s easy to see why the Victorians went crazy for these immersive installations, and why they’re still pretty spectacular today.
Tickets for Panorama Mesdeg can be booked online or at the museum door and cost 16€ (2025 price).
I highly recommend opting for a guided tour – where the behind the scenes access gives the perfect glimpse underneath this illustrious illusion.
Museum 2: Escher in Het Paleis
Sticking with the illusion theme, head on to Escher in Het Paleis for the mind-twisting visual prints and paintings of this unique artist.
Now housed in a former Royal Palace belonging to the Dutch monarchy, Escher’s quirky art feels right at home among the gaudy chandeliers and parquet floors – a beautiful meeting of modern and archaic, methodical and absurd.
The 13.50€ tickets (2025 price) can be easily bought online or at the museum entrance, but advance booking is smart- especially on weekends or during holidays
Museum 3: Kunstmuseum Den Haag
For more modern feels, tram you way to the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, which houses the world’s largest collection of Piet Mondrian’s work.
Inspired heavily by the jazz movement, this artist’s amazing use of bold grids and lines is paralleled in the stunning Modernist museum building – a masterpiece in itself.
With a revolving temporary curation of fashion, design, and modern art exhibits, it’s well worth the 20€ entry (2025 price).
Lunch at Restaurant Gember
Make your Kunstmuseum ticket stretch even further with free, same-day entry to neighbouring Fotomuseum Den Haag.
The in-house Restaurant Gember here is the perfect place to grab a light, fresh lunch before another quick cultural pit stop.
My Greek salad and fresh ginger and orange tea hit the spot perfectly.
Museum 4: Mauritshuis
Heavy weights Rembrandt and Vermeer have several works in the Mauritshuis museum and no Hague weekend break is complete without stopping here.
Home to the iconic Girl with Pearl Earring and The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, the museum building, another former palace (how many did they have?) certainly mirrors the artistic grandeur within it.
Allow an hour or 2 to soak it all in, and spend ample time checking The Girl’s eyes follow you across the room she’s housed in.
Cheapest entry costs 20€ (2025 price), but this doesn’t include access to the downstairs temporary exhibition space. Online booking is recommended.
Hague Museum Budget Tips
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- Mauritshuis + Galerij Prins Willem V
Your Mauritshuis ticket also grants free access to the Galerij Prins Willem V – the oldest museum in the Netherlands. Just a 2 minute walk away, it’s a hidden Baroque gem, filled floor-to-ceiling with Dutch Masters. - Mauritshuis + Escher in The Palace
You can get a combo ticket via Tiqets that gives you entry to both Mauritshuis and Escher in Het Paleis for less. - Escher in The Palace + Panorama Mesdag
There’s also a Tiqets bundle that includes discounted access to the Escher Palace and the 360° panorama at Panorama Mesdag.
- Mauritshuis + Galerij Prins Willem V
Dinner at Café Zeta & Drinks Along Oude Molstraat
Round off your fantastic 48 hours in the Hague with a relaxed dinner at Café Zeta on Grote Markt, where the vibe at night is lively, the veggie options are excellent, and there’s usually live music.
Then wander Oude Molstraat – a cobbled street full of fairy lights and filmic atmosphere – for a farewell drink before bed.
Other Top Places to Eat, Drink & Coffee in The Hague
One of the best things about a Hague weekend break is how good the food scene is.
The city leans heavily into local and seasonal produce; here are a few favourites:
Breakfast & Coffee
- BOON Coffee Roasters – Seriously good flat whites in a cool industrial space
- Single Estate Coffee Roasters – Light-filled café with pour-over coffee perfection
- Bookstor Noordeinde – Because coffee and novels are the best pairing
- Harper – Chic brasserie with fireside seating for the colder months
Lunch & Dinner
- Restaurant Gallery 61 – Art-laced elegance in The Passage
- Jamey Bennett – Bouji spot offering menu of light bites and sophisticated drinks
- The Pistache Café – Perfect brunch and salad spot by the Peace Palace
- MingleMush Food Hall – Street-food heaven if you can’t agree on one cuisine
- Restaurant Eve – Beachside charm and fresh flavours
- Café Zeta – Casual, plant-based evening hub with vintage decor
Drinks
- Bleyenberg – Trendy rooftop bar/restaurant for cocktails with a skyline view
- The Pavilion Scheveningen – Beach bar with chilled sundowners
- The Court – Stylish cocktail bar near the Binnenhof
- Oude Molstraat pubs – Cosy, atmospheric, and full of locals
Getting Around The Hague
The Hague is one of the most walkable cities in the Netherlands, and you can easily stroll from the city centre to most attractions in 15-20 minutes, including most of the museums listed above.
For longer hops, there’s a brilliant public transport network of trams and buses.
- Single Tickets: Tap contactless debit or credit cards directly on trams and buses for simplifies journeys
- Day Passes: 1 day travel cards costs around 8€ and give unlimited rides on all bus and tram lines (perfect for a coastal trip to Scheveningen)
- OV-chipkaart: If you’re in the Netherlands regularly, consider a reusable OV-chip card, which can be bought from all train stations
Being Dutch, cycling in The Hague is a dream too.
Most hotels, including the Moxy, rent bikes, and The Hague’s calm roads and designated bike lanes make it an easy city to pedal around.
Why The Hague Makes a Wonderful City Break
Sophisticated without the snobbery, a Hague city break offers the ideal balance between art and sea air, palaces and pancakes.
And for those who love sustainable travel, doing The Hague in 2 days by train from London is an eco-friendly win that still feels fantastic.
With a size that makes it manageable, a character that makes it memorable and a lack of crowds that make it meaningful, this delightful Dutch spot allows you to tick off world-class museums in the morning, hit the beach in the afternoon, and enjoy rooftop cocktails at sunset – all without breaking a sweat or the bank.
PIN IT TO PINTEREST!
So there you have it, a Hague itinerary that proves this city isn’t just about international courts and conference rooms.
If Amsterdam is the extrovert of the Netherlands, The Hague is its effortlessly cool cousin – the one who listens to jazz, shops in independent vintage stores, and enjoys a slice of the Dutch Masters with a side of sea breeze.
Who knew diplomacy could be this fun? 😉
My trip was sponsored by The Hague & Partners but, as always, all views are my own.
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
