If you think about canals, The Hague is probably not the first Dutch city that springs to mind. We do have some beautiful ones though! A few years ago the city decided to revive the canals that remain. Since then, dams have been replaced by bridges, touring companies have sprung up and more and more of my friends have bought their own small boats. Even I bought one, but it was so tiny it just kept sinking when we had a week of heavy rain. Fortunately for me, someone had the bright idea to start a canoe rental, just a short bike ride from my house. On a nice summer evening, I can think of few better things than taking out a canoe or kayak and paddling the canals.
There are several good routes you can take while boating in The Hague. You can even reach Scheveningen, close to the beach. For me, a tour around the city center is usually enough. It will take you about an hour and a half. On your way you’ll pass lots of nice cafés and other stops. My kids particularly like the ice cream shop on the Veenkade, where you can moor your boat and order a cone.
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Its a restaurant and wine bar in the modern French-Mediterranean style. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or even just drinks.
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De Vulkaan is the highest peak of the picturesque Westduin Park, located to the west of the city and one of my favorite lookout spots in The Hague.
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Try the “Loft breakfast” between 10:00 and 11:30 for a delicious, nourishing start to the day. If you’re swinging by later, make sure to try out the “Loftini” cocktail.
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Emma’s Hof has a free library, a playground for kids, lots of benches and sunchairs, an abundance of flowers and herbs, and more and more birds...
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Pompernikkel is where you walk past in the mornings, spontaneously grab a coffee, devour an artisanal pastry, and bump into your neighbours.
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Opvang can be translated as shelter, so we’re talking about a shelter for hedgehogs between the woodlands and dunes of the western boroughs of The Hague.
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The place is stylish yet comfy, and the staff make you feel welcome. Most importantly, their pastries look exquisite and they make their own boterkoek!
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Have you ever heard of specialty chocolate? Single origin, bean-to-bar, craft chocolate — that’s what they promise and that’s what they deliver!
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At Achtung! Lady. the atmosphere is calm, the staff are relaxed yet always happy to help and the items you can score there are always of great quality.
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Appels en Peren is a place where you can come for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, a typically Dutch “borrel” with friends, or an extensive dinner.
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Pomegranate is a stylish café owned by a mum and her daughters who moved to The Hague from sunny Australia. Soon it became somewhat of a secret Aussie enclave.
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Whether you’re just staying for a drink or going for a full dinner, you’ll be guaranteed a good time here. And their dishes are truly exquisite.
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117 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 117 Insider Tips from our local Spotters