Holland’s third biggest city, The Hague (known to the Dutch as “Den Haag”) is currently Holland's third-biggest city and is a fascinating mix of old and new. Originally the Dutch capital some 200 years ago, today The Hague boasts a wealth of art galleries, stately mansions, grand embassy buildings and tree-lined boulevards. The city also plays host to several large-scale international events, including a world-renowned jazz festival.
The closest international airport to The Hague is Rotterdam Airport, which is around 20km away, and connects to a fairly limited amount of cities across Europe. Transport links from here to The Hague are also limited, and because of this, many visitors choose to fly into Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and then travel the 65km journey to The Hague by train.
The Hague experiences a typically northern European climate, with mild to warm summers, cold winters, and the potential for rain at any time.
July and August are the hottest months, but even during the sunniest days during this period, temperature rarely climb above 25C and tend to average around 20C.
Winter temperatures average 6C and many people choose to visit at this time, avoiding the summer crowds and taking advantage of cheaper winter hotel rates.
Centrally located in The Hague is the Plein square, which is flanked by government buildings and buzzing pavement cafes. Other notable landmarks include the 15th-century Old Town Hall, the tree-lined Lange Voorhout Square, and the famous Binnenhof governmental buildings.
The Hague is also home to several museums, and those with an interest in the city's past will enjoy spending time at the Historical Museum of The Hague, known locally as the Haags Historisch Museum.
For families, the interactive science museum – called “Museon” – will be fun for children and adults alike, while for art lovers, the Rembrandt masterpieces at the Mauritshuis art gallery are not to be missed.
If you’re all 'museumed' out, and you’re lucky with the weather, you may want to head for the sunny beaches in the seaside district of Scheveningen, located to the north west of the city.
For budget dining, the beachfront resort of Scheveningen contains a wealth of cheap eateries and fast-food restaurants, offering pleasant views across the promenade.
For connoisseurs of Chinese cuisine, you won’t want to miss out on the oriental dining experience of the Chinatown area of the city, where several affordable Chinese-style restaurants are clustered, particularly around the Wagenstraat and the Gedempte Gracht.
Alternatively, other neighbouring attractions within reach of The Hague include the university town of Leiden, the tasty cheese at Gouda, and the bustling shops in Rotterdam.
Furthermore, Delft is amongst Holland's most attractive towns, and is famous for is distinctive blue and white pottery, making a visit here ideal for picking up souvenirs.
Taking place in the city’s Zuiderpark, the Parkpop music festival is the biggest free outdoor concert in the whole of Europe, drawing crowds of more than 350,000 each year