What else is there to do in The Hague?

The ABN AMRO CPC Run The Hague, the city's biggest sporting event that is being held for the 37th time on 13 March is not the only attraction the city has to offer.  The Hague also has other attractions.

Shopping

The centre of The Hague has an unparalleled number of shops, boutiques and large department stores. Here you'll find clothes, shoes, accessories and jewellery: from classical to fashionable. Whether you are looking for branded or second-hand clothes, designer clothes from well-known designers or party or wedding apparel, the windows displaying the latest fashions entice you to enter the shops. This applies equally to the large department stores and chain stores in vicinity of the Grote Marktstraat, the Spui and De Passage and to the trendy boutiques in the smaller shopping streets.

There's everything here, located next to trendy hairdressers, silver and goldsmiths and delicatessen shops are gift shops, cookery shops, interior design shops and fashion and shoe shops.  Interior design specialists will be happy to advise you on everything to do with furniture, accessories for the home and lighting. In the centre of The Hague you can buy the nicest gifts, trendy accessories and the most beautiful jewellery.

In the vicinity of the Noordeinde you'll find art shops and galleries with extensive collections of fine art and sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as modern art and art deco from around the globe. If antique furniture, clocks and paintings are your thing then the Denneweg is where you need to be. In the summer months there is an art and antiques market every Thursday and Sunday on the Lange Voorhout.

Eating Out  

The restaurants in The Hague, be they trendy or original, offer a wide variety of cuisines from around the world. If you like Italian, French, Spanish, Mexican or Asian cuisines, you'll have a wide choice. The Hague is also known for its innovative restaurants where guests are surprised with Scandinavian and Californian dishes.

Everything is possible in The Hague: from quick snacks or tapas on the terraces to elaborate dining with expert guidance on wine choices. Fish, meat and vegetarian dishes are prepared in the most diverse manner along the historical canals, on the squares and in the small streets in the centre. There are all kinds of menus and interiors: from classical to trendy, from eating in large public places to intimate dining. Walk to the Avenue Culinair in the vicinity of the Dunne Bierkade or the Prinsestraat for the more trendy restaurants. For those who want a change, Chinatown is recommended for its dim sum, sushi and noodle restaurants. Restaurants and other eateries are situated close to each other in The Hague.  They are also near the theatres and cinemas. This makes it easy to combine a dinner with a performance.

Going out

In The Hague you can go out seven days a week; to the bar with friends, to a concert, to attend a theatre or dance performance, to place a bet in a casino or spend the whole night on the dance floor. Wherever you are, there is always a square surrounded by cafés and restaurants and there are various clubs where dance parties are organised with nationally and internationally renowned DJs. The Paard van Troje (Trojan horse) is the place for live music lovers. There are also many music cafés where bands play in smaller settings. Whenever the sun shines terraces spring up on the squares all over the city, which means you can order a cool drink and eat al fresco. The heat lamps that many cafés have make it normal in The Hague to sit out even in the winter.

Cinemas and theatres are situated in the centre of the city. The Spuiplein, with the Theatre on the Spui, the Dr. Anton Philip Hall, the Lucent Dance Theatre and the Haags Filmhuis, is the cultural heart of the city centre. The bigger stage productions are held in the Koninklijke Schouwburg. Theatre Diligentia offers its stage to cabaret, stand-up comedy, musical theatre, family shows and youth productions. If you prefer a smaller more intimate theatre, visit the cabaret living room of The Hague, the Theatre Pepijn or the Korzo Theatre. The Filmhuis and the cinema at the Buitenhof are the places for good films. The film offering in The Hague has greatly improved since the arrival of a new mega cinema on the corner of the Grote Marktstraat. The centrally situated theatres and cinemas make it easy to eat something before you go to a performance or to enjoy a drink in a café after a performance.

Culture

With its 30 museums, many theatres and events the centre of The Hague is a dynamic cultural centre in unique architectonical surroundings. You can visit indoor and outdoor events in the various theatres, public places, parks and squares. The events offer an extensive range of programmes from pop, rock and jazz to dance, theatre, literature and visual arts.

The Hague Dance City

Whenever someone says The Hague they immediately think of the royal city by the sea, of the political heart of The Netherlands and the many international organizations. Perhaps they also think of the marvellous museums of The Hague, such as the Municipality Museum and the Mauritshuis. The Hague Dance City also belongs to this list.

 

The Hague is not only home to the Nederlands Dans Theater (Netherlands Dance Theatre), which for decades has been one of the best dance companies in the world, and since 1989 to The Netherlands biggest dance production house Korzo, but the city is also the home of the Holland Dance Festival and the CaDance Festival. The Hague has four dance podiums at its disposal, each with its own signature. In addition, dance can regularly be seen at more and more unexpected places, such as in the Atrium of the Town Hall, on the street during the Dance Parade, on the beach, in (ballet) schools and many other places. Dance energy flows in The Hague. The royal city can rightfully claim to be an international dance city.

Attractions and museums

The Hague has a big variety of attractions and museums. There is of course the smallest city in the country, the miniature city of Madurodam or indeed the Mauritshuis, a wonderful museum with among other things paintings by Vermeer and Rembrandt. The Mauritshuis is located in one of the most beautiful classical buildings in The Netherlands and situated near the Binnenhof. For contemporary art go to the Municipality Museum, which is situated in a beautiful Berlage building.  In the Palace, on the wonderful Lange Voorhout, you'll learn all about Escher and optical illusions. The Imax Dome Theatre Omniversum, on the President Kennedylaan, will put you in the centre of the action. The biggest painting in The Netherlands can be admired in the Panorama Mesdag and another museum worth visiting is the Museum Beelden aan Zee. For the little ones there is plenty to discover in the under water world of Sea Life in Scheveningen.  You can also have a great day in the amusement park Duinrell.

Events, exhibitions and festivals

The Hague stately and rigid? Forget it! The city swings and is full of life during the many events and festivals. The classics that attract many thousands of enthusiasts every year are: Parkpop, the scuplture exhibition Den Haag Sculptuur, the KoninginneNach and The Hague Art and Antique days. The first two events, together with Festival Classique and a myriad of other festivities, form The Hague Festivals, an annual ten day event. Holland Dance Festival and CaDance alternate every year and TodaysArt Festival, Crossing Border Festival and Haags Uit Festival are annual events in the city.

The North Sea Regatta and the Siemens Open (international tennis tournament) are among the many annual international sporting events that also take place in the city. And of course, not to be forgotten is the Hommerson Beach Sport Stadium, that is open from June to the end of September, on the Scheveningen beach and where a number of sports such as beach volleyball, beach soccer and beach hockey can be seen.

During the International Fireworks Festival the very best fireworks makers from various countries display their brilliant art to thousands of spectators on the beach and the boulevard in Scheveningen for four consecutive evenings.

For more information see http://www.denhaag.nl/en.htm