The Hague

Buitenhof 33· Cheap

Built in 1370 as an entrance gate to the Binnenhof complex, the Gevangenpoort (Prison Gate) was converted into a prison in 1420. In 1853 the prison shutdown and it was turned into a museum.

Lange Vijverberg 14· Cheap

The private collection of Abraham Bredius, a 19th-century art historian contains Dutch Baroque art, as well as drawings, porcelain and crafted silver.

Buitenhof 33· Cheap

This gallery essentially is a part of Mauritshuis. A collection of 18th-century paintings from the Mauritshuis is on display there.

southwest from Centraal Station along Herengracht and Korte Poten

This square — Plein simply translates as 'square' in English — is one of the most elegant in the centre. Located right next to the Binnenhof, it is lined with historic government buildings on three of its four sides.

tram 9 or bus 22 (toward Scheveningen Noorderstrand)· Moderate

This miniature city contains a selection of Dutch architecture, ranging from Amsterdam's canals and church spires from Utrecht and Den Bosch, to modern architecture from Rotterdam and the enormous Delta works that protect the country from…

· Free

A part of a former estate, the park is best known for its Japanese garden, one of the oldest (1910) in Europe. While the garden is open only a short period of time, the surrounding area is open all year long.

An English-style park from the 1920s. Renowned for its Rosarium or rose garden, with 20,000 different varieties of roses blooming from June until November. The park includes a restaurant with lovely views.

behind the Museon· Moderate

Cinema with a round screen, offering a 360-degree viewing experience. Runs IMAX/Discovery-style documentaries; some are aimed at children.

next to the Gemeentemuseum· Cheap

An interactive science museum, very popular with school groups and younger crowds.

This park is the oldest forested area in the country. It stretches from the suburb of Wassenaar to the northeast and goes right to the doorstep of Centraal Station, where there is a small fenced off area with deer.

Grote Markt 19

Greek restaurant in the city centre. It is made up of two restaurants; the first one is fast food take out, where you can get the ubiquitous giros and tzatziki, with a generous portion of French fries.

Hofweg 1a

Dudok lies right opposite the Binnenhof and is quite popular with politicians and the public out shopping.

Brouwersgracht 29· Moderate

Small restaurant, since 1958. Nasi Rames is an excellent menu for take out.

Anna Paulownastraat 17

This Indonesian place has restaurant area and take-away service.

Raamstraat 13

A small restaurant serving all vegetarian and mostly vegan food.

across the parliament

A nice place for a standard Dutch lunch or a coffee.

tram 16 (Bierkade stop)· Pricey

A newly opened hostel which began operating in June 2017 from Bierkade, a riverfront area in The Hague. Has a variety of mixed dorm facilities, 6-, 8- and 12-bed, as well as a cafe and locker area for your valuables.

tram 17 (Rijswijkseplein stop)

This standard but relatively soulless and uninspiring backpacking hostel has double rooms with individual toilet and shower facilities, and 8-bed dorms. It is huge, quite corporate so don't expect too much of a personal touch here.

Spui 180

The main upside for staying at the Mercure is actually not having to see the outside of the building, which is an ugly block clad in blueish plastic.

A fairly standard ibis hotel with a central location, with some rooms overlooking the busy Jan Hendrikstraat with trams, while others the peaceful courtyard garden (Nutstuin).

easyHotels are a sister hotel chain to the no-frills airline easyJet, and run along similar principles - only the accommodation in the (very simple) rooms are included in the base price, and everything else is charged extra.

The HIExpress is right off the Plein and has breakfast and WiFi included in the room prices. Be aware that some rooms face the rather small inner atrium rather than the outside.