Free things to do · The Hague · Netherlands
9 free things to do in The Hague
The Hague without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in The Hague without paying an entry fee: Hofvijver and Binnenhof, Peace Palace, Scheveningen beach and pier and Noordeinde Palace and gardens are all free. The beach, the Hofvijver, Lange Voorhout, the Palace Garden and the dunes are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 0
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences

Landmark · Centrum and the Hofvijver
1.Hofvijver and Binnenhof
Photograph the Binnenhof from Lange Vijverberg on the north side of the pond at dusk, when the buildings reflect in the water.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Architecture

Architecture · Zeeheldenkwartier
2.Peace Palace
Check guided-tour availability in advance; otherwise the visitor centre and the view through the gates make a short stop.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
- Iconic

Beach · Scheveningen Bad
3.Scheveningen beach and pier
Ride the ferris wheel at sunset for views along the coast and back towards the city.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Views

Palace · Hofkwartier and Noordeinde
4.Noordeinde Palace and gardens
Walk through the Paleistuin garden behind the palace for a quiet break from shopping on Noordeinde.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Outdoors

Street · Hofkwartier and Noordeinde
5.Lange Voorhout
Walk it from the Kloosterkerk to the Hofvijver, then continue to the Mauritshuis.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Couples
- History
Market · Schilderswijk
6.Haagse Markt
Go in the morning and try fresh stroopwafels, Turkish bread or Surinamese snacks from the stalls.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Garden · Mariahoeve
7.Japanese Garden at Clingendael
Visit on a weekday morning during the spring opening, usually from late April to June.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Garden · Statenkwartier
8.Westbroekpark rose garden
Pair it with a walk through the Scheveningse Bosjes to Madurodam or the beach.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Couples
- Outdoors
Nature · Wassenaar
9.Meijendel dunes
Cycle here from Scheveningen along the dune paths and continue to the beach.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centrum and the Hofvijver | Hofvijver and Binnenhof | 30 minutes |
| Zeeheldenkwartier | Peace Palace | 1 hour |
| Scheveningen Bad | Scheveningen beach and pier | Half a day |
| Hofkwartier and Noordeinde | Noordeinde Palace and gardens and Lange Voorhout | 30 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Schilderswijk | Haagse Markt | 1.5 hours |
| Mariahoeve | Japanese Garden at Clingendael | 1 hour |
| Statenkwartier | Westbroekpark rose garden | 1 hour |
| Wassenaar | Meijendel dunes | 2–3 hours |
More ways to save
- The beach, the Hofvijver, Lange Voorhout, the Palace Garden and the dunes are free.
- Many museums are included in the Dutch Museumkaart, worth it if you visit several Dutch museums in a longer trip.
- Eat at the Haagse Markt, Surinamese takeaways or Indonesian tokos for good-value meals.
- Weekend hotel rates are often lower than weekdays, when government and business travel peaks.
- Rent a bike for a day to reach the beach, dunes and museums without paying for several tram rides.
Questions travellers ask
+Is The Hague expensive to visit?
The Hague is moderately priced for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in The Hague?
Hofvijver and Binnenhof: Photograph the Binnenhof from Lange Vijverberg on the north side of the pond at dusk, when the buildings reflect in the water.