The Hague

The Hague is in the news often. It's the home of high-profile international bodies like the UN's International Court of Justice. As such, various bad characters from around the globe are brought here for trial on a regular basis. But beyond the headlines is a tidy city that exudes every bit of wealth of the modern Dutch state. Fittingly, it is the seat of government for the nation - literally the place where the royal family is based. (Amsterdam however, is the nation's capital.) Littered with embassies of almost every nation on the globe, this combination of well-heeled diplomats, high-end bureaucrats and business tycoons gives The Hague ...

The Hague is in the news often. It's the home of high-profile international bodies like the UN's International Court of Justice. As such, various bad characters from around the globe are brought here for trial on a regular basis. But beyond the headlines is a tidy city that exudes every bit of wealth of the modern Dutch state. Fittingly, it is the seat of government for the nation - literally the place where the royal family is based. (Amsterdam however, is the nation's capital.) Littered with embassies of almost every nation on the globe, this combination of well-heeled diplomats, high-end bureaucrats and business tycoons gives The Hague (Den Haag in Dutch) an upscale gloss to its regal avenues and historic quarters. Excellent - and eclectic - shopping can be found in several beguiling pedestrian quarters, like Prinsestraat. Top notch bistros and cafes abound. Culture gets the royal treatment; the Mauritshuis is one of Europe's best small museums and shouldn't be missed. Just four kilometers west, Scheveningen is a typical schmaltzy beach town, with beautiful walks along the dunes to the north and south.

About the Expert

Ryan Ver Berkmoes has written many books for Lonely Planet, including Bali & Lombok and the Southeastern Alaska and Western Canada sections for LP's Canada guide.