I’ve just returned from the most wonderful weekend in The Hague celebrating the opening of the Royal Christmas Fair which is one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in The Netherlands. The visit really got me into the festive spirit and I hope you will enjoy following in my footsteps around this enchanting Dutch city.
Getting there:
KLM operate daily Cityhopper flights to Amsterdam Schiphol from numerous U.K. regional airports and my flight from Leeds/Bradford took just 50 minutes to reach the Dutch capital. From the airport I then boarded a train to The Hague (return tickets approx. €18) and with a journey time of around 25 minutes I was soon stepping out into the beautiful city centre.
See and Do:
The Royal Christmas Fair
The Christmas market takes place each year and runs from 7-23 December in 2023. The festivities are centred along the beautiful tree lined Lange Voorhout which is said to be one of the most romantic avenues in The Netherlands.
We’d arranged our visit to coincide with the opening ceremony and were enchanted with Christmas choirs, brass bands and of course seeing Father Christmas arrive on his horse drawn sleigh.
We soaked up the atmosphere sipping mulled wine, eating tasty sausages, pancakes and irresistible Belgian waffles under the twinkling lights of the dozens of enchanting wooden huts offering local crafts, festive gifts and tasty food.
The Peace Palace
On some weekends throughout the year and for a couple of weeks in summer, the famous Peace Palace in The Hague opens its doors to the public. Standard admission €16.50. We were fortunate to be able to join one of these tours and it was an unforgettable experience
In May 1903, the American steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated a large sum of money for the founding of a ‘Peace Palace’ in The Hague. After a six year construction period the building was officially opened in 1913. The Hague then became the international city of Peace and Justice due to its international court proceedings. It is home to the International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration all of which embody world peace.
Our 45 minute guided tour of the palace informed us about the building and the institutions housed in it. The iconic building is characterised by its decorative works of art, sculptures and ceiling paintings with the theme of peace being reflected in every detail.
The tour led us through the Great and Small Hall of Justice, along the sumptuous corridors and into the Japanese Room where we admired the exquisite tapestries. I highly recommend including this tour in your itinerary if opening times coincide with your visit to The Hague. Peace Palace Guided Tours
Information Centre Binnenhof Renovation
The historical Binnenhof complex in the centre of the old town is currently closed whilst undergoing major renovation works. The Binnenhof is over 800 years old and is one of The Hague’s most famous landmarks. It was constructed as a castle by the Counts of Holland who held their residence there since the 13th century.
The vast complex comprises some 4,000 rooms, chambers, halls and corridors. It has been necessary to close the buildings for several years in order to preserve the cultural heritage. An information Centre has been opened where visitors can learn all about the progress of the renovation work and take a look at archaeological finds that have been unearthed during the works. Information Centre Binnenhof Renovation.
Escher in the Palace
View over 120 prints of Maurits Escher (1898-1972) on display in the regal setting of the former winter palace of Queen Emma, the Queen Mother. Escher was The Netherlands most famous printmaker and graphic artist creating woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints, many of which were inspired by mathematics. Standard admission €12.50. Escher in the Palace.
Scheveningen
Take a short tram ride to The Hague’s seaside resort of Scheveningen. During the summer you can spend the day on the beach whilst in winter you can enjoy a bracing stroll along the promenade, warm up with a delicious mug of hot chocolate and enjoy some fun activities.
The Kurhaus – constructed in 1885 as a concert hall and hotel, the Kurhaus retains its opulent interior with exquisitely painted ceilings and luxurious furnishings. Guests in the hotel’s heyday included the well to do, royalty and heads of state who all came to enjoy its restorative benefits.
Until the mid-1960’s the Kurhaus continued as a major concert hall attracting top artists including The Rolling Stones and Ike and Tina Turner. Nowadays it’s a luxurious five star hotel but even if you are not staying there, do pop in for a look around its grand foyer.
Skyview Pier – Stroll along the 300m long pier which is unusual in its construction as it comprises two levels and an island section with a 60m tall viewing tower. At the far end of the pier stands a giant Ferris wheel and we couldn’t resist jumping on board to enjoy a 20 minute ride over the water. Being December, it was quite misty but we were still able to take in the coastal views and pick out the city landmarks in the distance whilst being serenaded with classic festive hits.
Be Event Skating and Ice Games – Enjoy a fun experience at the ice rink in front of the Kurhaus with a game of Curling and Human Ten Pin Bowling. I hadn’t tried either before but was up for the challenge.
After placing slip proof grips under our shoes we were led onto the ice and given a short lesson in Curling before having a practice ourselves. We were then ready to take on the competition and divided into two small teams. The aim is to get the curling stones as close to the centre (house) as possible. I’d seen it on television many times so it was fun to have a go ourselves.
Next, we tried Human Ice Bowling, whatever that is, you may well ask! The object of the game is to knock over as many pins as you can but instead of using a bowling ball you sit or lie on a sledge. You are then given a good push from members of your team to hurtle you towards the pins to knock as many over as possible. This was great fun and I liked it so much I opted for more turns! Be Event Ice Games
Delft
The beautiful old town of Delft is easily reached by taking historic Tram line 1 from The Hague (day tickets €8 which can be bought from a machine on board the tram). The town is noted for being the home of Vermeer and of Delft Blue ceramics. A short walk from the tram stop takes you through an ornate archway to the large market square which is dominated at one end by the Nieuwe Kerk, dating from 1381 and the impressive city hall on the other.
After a look around the market, head over to the Vermeer Centre, which is a rebuilt version of the old local Guild of Saint Luke (during the Golden Age this was the Guild that artists were required to join if they wanted to sell their work). The Centre doesn’t actually own any works by Vermeer but has copies of all his known paintings with information about them, as well as information about his life.
It was a dull, rainy day when we visited but we still enjoyed strolling through the streets admiring the typical tall, narrow canal side houses, wandering through the Saturday food market and stopping off at one of the stalls for a portion of fried herrings.
Stay:
We stayed at the stylish Moxy The Hague, conveniently located between the historic old town and the station. The entrance foyer felt very cosy and I not only received a warm welcome but also a ‘Foxy Moxy’ complimentary cocktail as I checked in.
Rooms are furnished in Scandi style and have everything at hand for a comfortable stay alongside a good breakfast buffet selection. Moxy The Hague.
Wine and Dine:
Cottontree City by Dimitri
This contemporary styled bistro is located on Lange Voorhout just around the corner from the Christmas market. Its interior is very cosy and the food divine. Our group selected the three course surprise menu accompanied by wine pairings which was delicious. Cottontree by Dimitri
Van Kleef Distillery
Located in the heart of The Hague’s historic centre lies the hidden treasure of Van Kleef. Founded in 1842, it’s the sole surviving liquor and jenever distillery that continues to operate to this day offering an enticing selection of local liquors and liqueurs, each one based on a traditional recipe.
We enjoyed a tour of the museum viewing the distilling equipment including authentic ‘drankorgels’ (racks where the liqueurs and spirits were kept) and copper stills. Afterwards we gathered around a table to enjoy an evening of tastings and nibbles in the atmospheric distillery. Van Kleef Distillery
Food Hall Scheveningen – from Belgian waffles through to Asian street food there’s something for everyone in this seaside venue. Spoilt for choice, I opted for an expertly cooked Aberdeen Angus steak and fries whilst my colleagues opted for burgers, Sushi and Lebanese dishes which were all well received. Food Hall Scheveningen.
I hope that my guide has tempted you to plan a short break to The Hague as whatever the time of year, I’m certain you will love this most royal of Dutch cities just as much as I do.
I was invited on a press trip arranged by The Hague and Partners and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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