I wasn't born in The Hague. When I was sixteen, I stayed in the city for three days and immediately decided that I would come to live here as an adult. For me the city had everything: big city vibes, a village feel, the beaches and the sea, and lots of parks and green areas surrounding it.
One of the best green areas of The Hague is the ‘Haagse bos’, or in English: ‘The Hague Forest’. It’s just what the name says: a large natural area not far from the city center with footpaths, cycle lanes, lakes and grassy fields and a fantastic natural playground. I always feel privileged to cycle through the woods and still be so close to the city center. The forest has a very enthusiastic forester: Jenny, my namesake! She shares her little stories about the forest on twitter (@boswachterjenny).
In the middle of the woods is a palace, Huis ten Bosch, that was built in 1645. The former queen Beatrix, mother to the present day King of The Netherlands, used to live here. The pond behind the building is where her son, King Willem-Alexander proposed to his wife Maxima while ice-skating in winter.
Nowadays, the king, his wife and three daughters live in the palace. That means you can't visit it. Still want to see the inside? On Google Street View you can visit the big ballroom, the Oranjezaal. It is particularly beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling paintings.
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The menu is handwritten and includes photos of the menu items for those who are not that familiar with Korean food. I love their kimbap and bibimbap!
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Hug the Tea is a cute café specialising in matcha, but with a wide variety of different teas and tasty baked goods. And they also have a lunch menu.
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Café Constant serves lunch and dinner, but you can also go there for coffee or drinks. There is also a nice terrace on both sides of the front door.
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J&L Bubble Tea is a very cute spot with an extensive menu, everything from the classics, like dirty boba or milk tea to fruit teas, and seasonal specials.
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I find the swimming pool De Blinkerd one of the most relaxing places in The Hague and the building is interesting as well as it is a dome.
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They have almost 200 kinds of different beers, and they organize events, like pub quizzes, so it is a good spot to hang around with friends.
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It is quite small but feels like a little sanctuary in the middle of the city center. The garden is filled with different beautiful hidden sculptures.
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House of Tribes is a lovely cafe with a modern interior and a community table for bigger meetings. It is a great spot if you want to have some work done.
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When you order the dishes you like to share, they put the dishes in the order that will give you the best experience. The food is amazing and so inspiring!
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Full Moon Express is great for a good and fast lunch or dinner. They have different types of noodle soups, wok, barbecue, bento boxes, or Japanese curry.
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I discovered this bakery by surprise when I was taking a shortcut through the city centre. It is located in the middle of the city centre and yet it's quite secluded.
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All around Koningsplein are houses built in the neo-renaissance style typical for the area, beautifully maintained with their front doors in bright colors.
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121 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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