Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, generally from around 9am to 5pm. Go early for the best produce, or mid-afternoon for bargains as stalls start to close.
Discover Authentic The Hague: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for The Hague, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as the Zeeheldenkwartier, the Japanese Garden at Clingendael and Museum Voorlinden.
Top 5 Things to Do in The Hague
Haagse Markt
Billed as one of Europe's largest outdoor markets, this sprawling market brings together Dutch stroopwafels, Middle Eastern delicacies, African dishes and mountains of fresh fish and produce. It runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, roughly 9am to 5pm, with the best selection early and the best bargains as stalls start packing up around 3:30-4pm.
Mauritshuis
A compact museum holding an outsized collection of Dutch masters, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, set in a 17th-century townhouse by the Hofvijver lake. It's small enough to see properly in an hour or two without museum fatigue setting in.
Binnenhof
The political heart of the Netherlands for centuries, this complex of parliament buildings sits around a historic courtyard open to the public. It's an easy, atmospheric walk from the city centre and worth the short detour even if politics isn't your thing.
The Passage
An 1800s glass-roofed shopping arcade, one of the oldest of its kind in Europe, with ornate architecture that makes browsing the specialty shops feel like a step back in time. It sits right in the middle of The Hague's shopping district.
Scheveningen
The Hague's seaside district, with a long sandy beach, a pier and plenty of restaurants and bars looking out over the North Sea. It's about a 20-minute tram ride from the city centre, an easy half-day trip if the weather cooperates.
Explore The Hague's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in The Hague
We've mapped local spots in The Hague, from art nouveau streets to a hidden Japanese garden.
Neighbourhoods & flavours
Zeeheldenkwartier
At the edge of the centre, the 'Naval Heroes' Quarter': tree-lined streets, art nouveau houses, galleries and cafés. Head to Piet Heinstraat for coffee and lunch.
Zeeheldenkwartier · Neighbourhood · Perfect for strolling and brunch
Van Kleef distillery
Founded in 1842, the last jenever and liqueur distillery in The Hague: copper stills, wooden barrels and free guided tours with tastings. Proost!
Historic centre · Distillery · Made for Dutch spirits
Pluk!
Café, shop and garden in one: an organic lunch, berries to pick, farm animals to meet and homemade jams to take home.
The Hague · Café and shop · Great for brunch
Bartine
A bakery-café with a Berlin vibe near the art school. Order the cardamom bread.
Bakery-café · Perfect for breakfast
Café Constant
A classic café by Scheveningen beach, known for freshly baked bread and generous toppings. Sea air included.
Scheveningen · Café · Ideal for lunch by the sea
Basaal
A modern Dutch restaurant and wine bar with an ever-changing, market-led menu.
Restaurant · Great for dinner
Gardens, art & family
Japanese Garden, Clingendael
A delicate 2.5-hectare garden on the Clingendael estate, open only a few weeks a year – in spring for azaleas and cherry blossom, in autumn for its maples. Check the dates and catch it if you can.
Clingendael estate · Garden · Perfect for spring and autumn
Museum Voorlinden
In Wassenaar, modern and contemporary art among woods, dunes and gardens – including Leandro Erlich's Swimming Pool and Ron Mueck's hyper-real figures. Look twice.
Wassenaar · Art museum · Made for art and nature
Avonturia
More than 10,000 m² of pet supplies, nature and hands-on activities, with a petting zoo kids adore.
The Hague · Pet park · Great for families
FAQ
About a 20-minute tram ride, making it an easy half-day addition to a city-centre visit rather than a full separate trip.
Yes, it's compact by design, so you can see its key works, including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, without needing a full day.
Only a few weeks a year, in spring and autumn; check the dates before visiting.
At Van Kleef, the city's last jenever distillery, founded in 1842, with free tours and tastings.
At Museum Voorlinden in Wassenaar, known for Leandro Erlich's Swimming Pool.
Where to Sleep in The Hague
See Mercure hotels in the Netherlands, with options within reach of these picks.