Our four days in Belgium passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time to move to our next destination: the Netherlands. Originally, we planned to explore multiple cities, starting with The Hague, and then visiting Delft before heading to Amsterdam. However, on our last night in Brussels, Yuven fell ill, prompting us to revise our itinerary. We rescheduled our FlixBus ride to The Hague, skipping Delft, and decided to spend more time in this administrative capital.
The Hague: A City Steeped in History and Diplomacy
The Hague or Den Haag in Dutch, is the administrative capital and seat of the Dutch government, although Amsterdam is the official capital. Its rich history dates back to the 13th century when it began as a hunting lodge for Count Floris IV. By the early 1300s, the establishment of the Binnenhof—a complex of government buildings—transformed the area into a politically significant village.
In the 17th century, The Hague gained prominence as the residence of the Dutch royal family and a hub of European power. By the 19th century, it had cemented its reputation as a global center for peace and justice, housing institutions like the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Today, it is a vibrant blend of history, governance, and international diplomacy.
Getting to The Hague from Brussels
FlixBus: A comfortable and affordable option, our journey took around 3.5 hours and cost just €25 for 2 adults and 1 child. Buses depart frequently from Brussels Noord station, and booking in advance on their website ensures a good deal.
The best part was the punctuality. Our bus departed on time and arrived in Den Hague precisely at the scheduled time – not a minute early, not a minute late.
Train (Eurostar): While faster, this option is significantly more expensive and requires a transfer to Rotterdam before taking an NS train to The Hague.
Exploring The Hague
Arrival and Settling In
After reaching The Hague, initially, we struggled to figure out the best way to get to our hotel. Though booking a cab seemed easiest, we opted for the tram to save a few euros. However, dragging our luggage through unfamiliar streets proved to be a regrettable adventure.
To make local travel easier, we purchased a digital HTM day ticket through the HTM app for €8 per adult, valid for unlimited rides across The Hague for the day. After a quick check-in at our hotel, we settled into our 10th-floor room, which offered stunning views of the city.
A Search for Comfort Food
Our first mission was to find a comforting meal for Yuven, who was craving simple, rice-based food. After reading positive reviews on Google, we decided to head to Atithi, an Indian restaurant. Leaving our hotel, we strolled through the lively and charming passage, De Passage, on our way to the restaurant. Initially, we were unsure about the restaurant’s location, ambiance, and food, but our doubts vanished the moment we stepped inside.
The first impression was simply wow! The ambiance beautifully blended modern aesthetics with traditional Indian elements. Since the restaurant wasn’t crowded, we chose a cozy spot away from others, enjoying the ample space. Shortly after settling in, the welcoming staff greeted us warmly. We learned that one of the employees – Sukesh, an Indian student, was completing his internship there. We also met a friendly lady Ereena, who shared stories about her family in Ukraine. This led to a delightful and engaging conversation about travel, life, and places to explore in The Hague and Amsterdam. Coincidentally, the Indian student also loved traveling and frequently shared his adventures on Instagram, so we exchanged details to stay connected.
Check-out Sukesh’s Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/sukesh_gowda_01
For our meal, we ordered classic Indian dishes: plain rice, dal fry, tandoori roti, and vegetable kadai curry. Each dish was freshly prepared and bursting with flavor, making it even more enjoyable since it was our first taste of Indian food in almost a week. Yuven, who hadn’t eaten solid food for a day, devoured his dal rice with delight. To our pleasant surprise, the staff also served us complimentary mango lassi, which was absolutely delicious—a perfect finishing touch to an already satisfying meal.
The entire experience, from the excellent food to the warm hospitality, left a lasting impression on us. We paid 50 euros for the meal, feeling it was worth every penny.
Scheveningen Beach
Next, we hopped on a tram to visit Scheveningen Beach, a bustling coastal destination. Its scenic pier lined with kiosks, shops, a food hall, and vibrant cafes is perfect for relaxation and seaside dining.
Though most kiosks were closed on Monday and the beach was relatively quiet, we enjoyed a breathtaking 15-minute ride on SkyView de Pier (€28). The panoramic views of the city, the endless sea, sailing boats, and the sunset were truly magical. However, the chilly wind made it hard to linger, so we reluctantly left the beach and headed to our next stop.
The Historic Binnenhof
The Binnenhof, a medieval complex housing the Dutch Parliament, is a sight to behold. Surrounded by serene ponds and historic architecture, it includes the Hall of Knights (Ridderzaal) and the Prime Minister’s office. We spent about 20 minutes exploring the area, but couldn’t enter the buildings since it was late evening. The tranquil gardens nearby would have been perfect for a longer visit.
We were tired by now, so we decided to head back to the hotel and call it a day. The next day, we planned to explore the main highlight of the Den Haag visit.
This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Hague.
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