Visiting Gevangenpoort

About Gevangenpoort

The Prison Gate, a medieval gatehouse by the Hofvijver, served as a prison for centuries; Cornelis de Witt was held here before he and his brother Johan were killed by a mob in 1672. Guided tours visit the cells and torture room.

Tip: Combine it with the Prince William V Gallery next door, a small 18th-century picture gallery on the same ticket.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1 hour.
• Cost: Mid-priced.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Centrum and the Hofvijver, government buildings, the Mauritshuis and terraces on the Plein and Grote Markt.

Best time to visit Gevangenpoort

Gevangenpoort is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:

• November: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
• December: 7°C (45°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• January: 6°C (43°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds.

When to visit The Hague has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day The Hague itinerary visits Gevangenpoort on day 1, together with Mauritshuis and Hofvijver and Binnenhof.

• No. 11 of the 17 sights in our The Hague things-to-do list.
• Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
• One of the picks in historic sites in The Hague.

Near Gevangenpoort

Also in Centrum and the Hofvijver, so you can walk between them:

• Hofvijver and Binnenhof — 30 minutes, free
• Mauritshuis — 2 hours, mid-priced

If you like Gevangenpoort

• Panorama Mesdag — Zeeheldenkwartier, 1 hour
• Louwman Museum — Mariahoeve, 2 hours

Staying near Gevangenpoort

Stay in Centrum and the Hofvijver ($$$) to walk here: government buildings, the Mauritshuis and terraces on the Plein and Grote Markt. All areas to stay in The Hague.

Questions travellers ask