The oldest (and most beautiful!) part of The Hague are the buildings on the Binnenhof, with the houses of parliament. Right next to it is a body of water, the Hofvijver (royal pond). It’s actually not a pond, but an old dune lake that existed even before the city was build. During the year, the pond is sometimes used for events. The big fireworks on New Year’s Eve take place here, and in spring there’s even a (very short distance) rowing match on the water!
For me, the most fascinating part of the pond is the island in the middle. It's a tiny overgrown piece of land that has been there for centuries. Rumor has it that years ago soft drugs enthusiasts catapulted seed bombs onto the island, so that weed plants would grow on it.
Although it’s not allowed to visit the island, it has been occupied a number of times. Right behind the island you can see a small tower that houses the offices of the Prime Minister. Needless to say that the best way to demonstrate is to occupy the island!
I myself have been so lucky to visit the island a couple of times. A few years ago the Hofvijver froze over and was turned into a skating rink. We all went to the island to put on our skates. Afterwards you could still see a pair of skates hanging in a tree on the island. Too late to retrieve them after the ice was gone!
Buitenhof
€
free
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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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For breakfast, Petit offers croissants or granola with fruit, for lunch there are two tosti options (the Dutch version of a grilled sandwich).
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Apart from its obvious significance, it's an interesting place to visit because each of the 197 countries contributed a special stone to the monument.
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121 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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