Introduction
The Hague is a culturally significant and beautiful coastal city in the Netherlands. This guide will help you plan your trip when visiting the Hague on a budget, along with a few recommended places to see!
The Hague is a beautiful city in the South Holland Region of the Netherlands. It is situated on the North Sea, providing a plethora of activities that can satisfy a budget traveler. The Hague is also an important location, hosting both the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Additionally, the city also hosts the Dutch Parliament. With a rich history and cultural significance, the Hague is a fascinating city to visit in the Netherlands.
The Hague is a perfect city for a day trip in the winter, and a weekend trip in the summer. When the sun shines during the day in the summer, the beach is prime and packed with people. The Hague has some of the best beaches on the North Sea. In the winter it is quite cold and windy, but perfect for some serious surfing. No matter when you decide to come, I recommend splitting your time between relaxing near the beach and exploring the city center packed with shops, museums, and history.
How expensive is the Hague?
It is important to note that the Hague is notably more expensive than other Dutch cities in general. Because of its international presence and high income, restaurants and shops are more expensive. However, this guide will give you tips on where to go in the Hague when you are traveling on a budget!
Experience traveling to the Hague
I visited the Hague for a day trip from Nijmegen. Even though the two cities sit over 130 km from each other, it takes only a bit over an hour to travel by train. Due to the Hague’s central location in the Netherlands, it is easy to venture to its beach for a day or 2. If you do make a day trip, start your day on the beach near the Scheveningen Pier, then head towards the city for the evening. However, if you want a nice sunset, visit the beach in the evening as it is situated nicely for a breathtaking sunset view!
How to get around the Hague
Trams and buses provide easy access around the city from the beach to the center. Tram 9 will take you directly from the station to the Scheveningen Strand. To get a Dutch cultural experience, though, you should rent a bike from Den Haag Centrum. It will only take you about 25 minutes to cycle from the train station to the beach and only a few minutes to get to the other main attractions in the city center. If you want to save about 5-6 €, you can also walk to the beach in a little over an hour.
To use public transportation or rent a bike, you will need an OV-Chipkaart. They can be purchased in advance or at large international train stations (like Den Haag Centrum). They are basically reusable transportation cards that you pre-load money onto. Please remember that you will need a minimum of 20 € on the card to use it. An OV-Chipkaart is also required to rent a bike from the station, so do not miss out on this step! Trams and buses in The Hague cost anywhere from 2-4 € and bikes cost 3 € per day.
Budget-friendly activities in the Hague
Cruise the Scheveningen Noorderstrand
The Scheveningen Noorderstrand is the main beach in The Hague. The beach is free for public access. Along the coast, there are loads of places to eat and drink. If you are traveling on a budget, do not get a meal on the beach. Naturally, it is overpriced, and the best thing you can do is pack a meal to have a picnic. If you go north on the beach past the Scheveningen Pier, there are gorgeous sand dunes that you can walk past. This is the less touristy part of the beach, so it is quiet and nice. If you are here during the winter, check out the massive waves that attract professional surfboarders!
Explore the Scheveningen Pier – climb spiral stairs.
The Scheveningen Pier is probably my favorite spot in the Hague, located right on the Scheveningen Noorderstrand. It is two stories, with the top having plenty of places to eat and drink. This is the best place to hang out for a beautiful sunset while enjoying a beer. If you follow the pier to the end, there is a spiral staircase that takes you to the top of the best view in all of the Hague. It is a bungy jumping spot, but you can access it without jumping off!
Gaze at the beautiful De Ridderzaal
Once you get enough of the coastline, I recommend heading into the city to check out the historical Binnenhof which hosts beautiful buildings like the Dutch Senate building, De Ridderzaal, and Hofkapel. For a picturesque spot, you should head towards the Standbeeld Johan van Oldenbarnevelt memorial that sits across the water from the Binnenhof. Here, you can sit at the green park and gaze at the historic buildings that were some of the first in the Netherlands.
Learn some Dutch history at the Historical Museum of the Hague
If you want to dive deeper into the Dutch history roots, the Museum on the History of the Hague is an interactive and informative museum that sits perpendicular to the Binnenhof. The price of this museum is average compared to most Dutch museums costing 15 € for adults, 7.50 € for students, and 5 € for children. It will take you about 2 hours to get through all of the exhibits in the museum. You can find your tickets online before you arrive!
Visiting the Hague on a budget
Just like most Dutch cities, this location is not necessarily cheap, but you can manage without a lot of money. I spent a total of 23 € on transportation within the city, coffee, museum entrance, and a packed lunch. Because of the beach, it is not hard to get away without spending loads of money on entrance fees. You will notice that the Hague is generally more expensive than the average Dutch city, but it is easy to avoid paying much at all!
Conclusion
The Hague is a perfect city for a small day trip or weekend trip. Visiting locations like Scheveningen Noorderstrand and De Ridderzaal gives you a beautiful mixture of both a culture and a relaxing beachside experience. All these activities make the Hague an underrated Dutch city. I hope this guide was useful for you when planning a quick trip to this historical, coastal, Dutch city!
