My favorite Dutch cities: The Hague

After four years of living here I can say that this city still has my interest. The Hague is Holland's most international city. With tons of international organizations such as the International Criminal Court or the Peace palace of the UN it places its importance internationally. Not only international but also nationally it is of great importance. Not in the official capital Amsterdam but in the political capital The Hague you find the Dutch parliament. What I love is the centrality of the city. Within 20 minutes you're shopping in Rotterdam and within 50 you're partying in Amsterdam. The Hague is not known as being a huge student city but I'd like to tell you my favorite spots here so that when you visit it you'll be a local.

City center The Hague

What you should do is go for a walk in the city center so you get to know the city a little bit. Have a drink (cocktail! ) on Grote Markt. Grote Markt is a big square in the center of The Hague with about 6 bars that share one huge terrace. Here is where all the hip people gather during the week (if you're lucky you can spot our minister president having his 12 o'clock cheese sandwich). They hold a policy of self service so go run to bar and get the first round of beers for all your friends. You can get drinks from one bar and if you decide to drink it in one of the six others because you're friends insisted on changing bar, that is perfectly fine because that is permitted. So if you are the only one that wants a cocktail, you can hop into Vavoom to get yourself the best in town!

Grote Markt

There are many cultural things to do in The Hague but in this article I'd like to focus more on going out and being amongst locals. First things first: my favorite club Pip. The venue is rather small but hosts numerous great parties, usually electronic music like techno and deep house but every now and then you can go and listen to some UK garage or Hip-hop.

Pip Den Haag

One of the most important things is of course... the beach! Yes, there is a beach in The Hague. Unfortunately, you have to be patient with the weather but don't worry there will be some sunny days during the year. The beach is twenty minutes by tram and twenty five by bike. I'd recommend going there with your bicycle because the trip is pretty. You'll see a neighborhood with only embassies and then pass a little forest. The beach you're heading to is called Scheveningen (don't even try to pronounce it) When traveling by public transport use 9292 (available in English). Once arrived at the beach you can have a walk along the boulevard to catch a first glimpse of the sea.

Kurhaus on Scheveningen

What I recommend you to do is to continue walking up the beach northwards for 10-15 minutes until you arrive at a part called Zwarte Pad. This part is a bit further away from the more residential area but you will recognize it once you see nice looking beach clubs. These beach clubs are actually the subject I'd like to talk about. These are bars, restaurants and clubs at the same time. They are only opened during the summer season and with good weather: the place to be in The Hague. One of my favorites is Beachclub Indigo. Here you can do nothing but relax and have good drinks and food. It has a very alternative look: hammocks, beanbags, burgers and loads of other colored objects. During the night it turns into a club where you can listen to some tunes and dance the night away. The beach clubs also organize some other activities like dance marathons or run/sup/yoga days.

Beachclub Indigo

If you walk ten minutes up north you will come across an all-white exterior beach club called Naturel. Just like Indigo you can come and hang out here during the day but this one is more known for its nocturnal festivities. I have experienced some great parties here, it feels amazing to be able to dance on the beach all night long. The atmosphere is just amazing.

Naturel

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