Visitez La Haye en 2 jours

Where to Stay in The Hague

Choosing where to sleep in The Hague matters more than you might expect for a short two-day visit: the city is compact but its character changes street by street, and picking the right base saves travel time so you can relax between visits to places like The Three Steps and Magazijn Hollandia. Stay centrally if you want to stroll canals and cafés in the morning and be back for an evening concert, or pick a quieter residential quarter if you value restful nights after a full day of exploring.

The Hague is organised around a clear centre with radiating neighbourhoods along canals, boulevards and the coast. Most sights cluster in and around the historic city centre and the adjacent districts, while the beach district and green avenues are a short tram or bike ride away. Understanding this layout helps you choose a neighbourhood that positions you for what matters: culture, canals, or coastline. Practical touchstones to look for on maps are city-centre canals (like the Prinsegracht area), cultural venues (such as Concordia CC), and lively local streets with good tram access.

For easy access to the attractions on your list, aim for a base in or near the central quarters such as the Centrum or the adjacent Zeeheldenkwartier and Archipelbuurt, where you’ll be within comfortable walking distance of canals, theatres and independent shops. If you prefer a taste of seaside life after sightseeing, staying toward Scheveningen or the Statenkwartier gives quick access to the coast while keeping you a short tram ride from hotspots like Ooievaars and cosy neighbourhood spots such as Hofdame Anna.

Transport around The Hague is straightforward: the tram network is dense and reliable, regional trains connect you to major stations (Den Haag HS and CS), and the city is famously bike-friendly — a short cycle often beats longer public-transport journeys. Buy or top up a public transport card and pick accommodation near a tram stop or station to reduce stress when you’re on a tight schedule.

Finally, be reassured that for a two-day stay you don’t need to be perfect — prioritise a neighbourhood that matches your rhythm (late dinners, museums first thing, or beach time) and choose lodging with easy access to trams or a bike rental. A comfortable, well‑located room turns a busy itinerary into an enjoyable, low‑stress break in The Hague.

Getting Around The Hague

The Hague is delightfully easy to explore by public transport — compact, well-signposted and run by a reliable local network that even first-time visitors find approachable. The city centre is threaded with frequent HTM trams and buses that knit together squares, museums and canals, while the faster RandstadRail and regional NS trains connect you to stations like Den Haag Centraal and Hollands Spoor. Timetables are frequent, vehicles are modern, and stops are close together, so you rarely need to plan more than ten minutes ahead. 🚇

Practical tip: get familiar with the OV-chipkaart system or simply use contactless payment. You can pick up an anonymous OV-chipkaart at stations or buy disposable e-tickets from machines, but increasingly you can just tap with a debit/credit card or mobile wallet when boarding trams and buses. Keep in mind you must check in and check out with an OV-chipkaart; if you use contactless bank payment, the system will handle fares automatically. For occasional travellers, disposable tickets or a day pass from HTM can be the easiest option. 🎫

For routing, I always combine Google Maps with the Dutch planner 9292 — both give live departures, platform numbers and walking times. Google is great for on-the-go directions and walking routes between charming streets like Prinsegracht and nearby stops, while 9292 or the NS app is excellent for edge cases (service changes, engineering works or late-night alternatives). Keep your phone charged and enable live departures so you know whether to sprint for the next tram or enjoy a relaxed coffee.

To save money, walk when you can — the centre is wonderfully walkable — or rent a bike for short bursts. Multi-day passes and day tickets are worthwhile if you plan multiple hops; otherwise pay-as-you-go with contactless often ends up cheaper for a couple of short trips. Also travel off-peak when possible: trains and trams are less crowded and you’ll enjoy more space to soak in the canals and architecture. 💡

Speaking from experience: once we needed to get from The Three Steps to Prinsegracht with a stop at Magazijn Hollandia and a quick detour to Concordia CC. We checked Google Maps, spotted a tram two minutes away, tapped in with a contactless card, and got off two stops later to stroll past Magazijn Hollandia. The tram ride plus a ten-minute walk dropped us right on Prinsegracht — easy, scenic and stress-free. That mix of short tram hops and pleasant walking is how I recommend you explore The Hague. 🗺️

What to Pack for The Hague

I love The Hague for its stately government buildings, quick tram hops between squares, and the way the North Sea wind reshapes a day out. On a 48-hour loop I once walked nearly 12 miles between the Binnenhof, Lange Voorhout and Scheveningen viewpoints, so I pack light but smart. Below are the essentials I take every time, with the practical reasons behind them and a little anecdote from my trips.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (REQUIRED — e.g., Ecco Soft 7 or Merrell Moab 2): The Hague’s mix of cobblestones, tram tracks and paved promenades punishes flimsy shoes. I wore new sneakers once and my feet hurt after 8 miles; since switching to cushioned, broken-in shoes (I use Ecco Soft 7), I’ve done 12–15 miles in a day without blisters. Bring shoes you can be on your feet in for 8–10+ hours.

2. Cross-body bag (zippered, anti-theft if possible): I keep passport, phone and tram card in a compact cross-body with a zip—hands-free for photos and safer in crowded spots like the Binnenhof. On a busy market day I felt a hand slip near a stall; the zipped bag kept everything secure and accessible without slowing my walk.

3. Weather-appropriate clothing: layers + a packable rain jacket: The Hague can flip from sunny to drizzly in under an hour and the sea wind is brisk. I always carry a thin merino layer and a packable waterproof—on one visit rain arrived around 4pm and my jacket kept me exploring the Lange Voorhout sculptures until dusk.

4. European power adapter (Type C/F, 230V): Keep a small adapter so phone, camera and any chargers work the moment you arrive. I once landed with a dead camera battery and no adapter—cost me an afternoon hunt for a shop. Plug-ready gear means photos and maps stay alive.

5. Power bank (10,000 mAh): Between mapping routes, taking architecture photos and checking tram times, my phone drains fast. A 10,000 mAh power bank gave me two full charges on a 10+ hour day when I was shooting facades along the Oude Centrum.

6. Reusable water bottle (collapsible): Walking around the city all day dehydrates you, especially with wind. I refill at cafés or public fountains—saved me money and kept me going during a 9-hour stroll through the city’s historic quarter.

7. Optional — Compact travel umbrella: If you hate surprises from the sky, a tiny umbrella can save a museum-less itinerary when showers pop up.

8. Optional — Small sketchbook or notebook: For architecture lovers: I jot notes or sketch façades on the spot. It’s my favorite way to remember details a photo sometimes misses.