The Netherlands offers so much more than its capital, Amsterdam. While this resplendent city is packed to the brim with architectural, gastronomic, and cultural charms, it can become overwhelming.
Locals concede that while they expect to have visitors, mass tourism has become untenable. Some of the symptoms include abusive behavior, extortionate rents, and overcrowding. Furthermore, groups are starting to bite back, according to a report by The Independent.
In 2024, the City of Amsterdam tourism authority even created an interactive online quiz to advise would-be visitors from misbehavior. Nevertheless, protests still emerged in Leidseplein Square later that year, inspired by similar events in Venice, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain.
A Worthy Competitor to Amsterdam
Therefore, for anyone thinking of a relaxing stay in the Netherlands this summer, it may be best spent in another of the country’s picturesque cities. The good news is that Amsterdam’s neighbor, The Hague, makes for a similar — if not slightly more scaled back — experience.
Many associate The Hague (Den Daag, in Dutch) with the International Criminal Court (ICC), but The Hague is the seat of Dutch Royalty and the capital of South Holland. The Hague isn’t as large as the capital, but it’s the third-largest city in the Netherlands after Rotterdam. Amsterdam remains the most famous city, and for good reason, but the true Dutch experience is arguably stronger outside its borders.
The Same But Different
The similarities between The Hague and Amsterdam can be said of most Dutch urban centers. A Versus study pits both cities in a head-to-head comparison. While Amsterdam has more obvious winning criteria, The Hague wins in the environment category, with walkability, safety, and public transport.
What’s more, its lower population density than Amsterdam gives The Hague a more relaxed — and very Dutch — atmosphere. Add to this easier-to-navigate streets than Amsterdam, and The Hague soon becomes a wonderful alternative. This might be important to consider if a group is traveling with different family members of different ages.
For youngsters, The Hague’s Familiepark Drievliet is where younger groups can enjoy a generous variety of rides. One might describe this spot as the Dutch answer to America’s Six Flags, albeit on the edge of the European continent. Here, kids, large and small, can burn energy on rides such as the “Water Tower Super Slide,” the “Dynamite Express,” or the “Copper Mine.”
Limitless Outdoor Fun for Kids
There are endless adventures for youngsters in The Hague, including a Children’s Walking Tour of the city. This mini-odyssey will give parents a chance to smuggle some grown-up sightseeing into a kids’ day out. Stops include the Dutch Parliament buildings (Het Binnenhof) and The Mauritshuis museum, famous for Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” painting.
Moreover, one can certainly breathe fresh air as they immerse themselves in Dutch culture when visiting The Hague. For instance, the DenHaag webpage labels The Hague Forest (Den Haagse Bos) as “a green oasis in a big city.” Such a verdant space is not uncommon in the Netherlands, but this portion of primeval forest remains one of the last remaining ancient woodlands in the country.
An Ancient Wonder
Getting there is simple with public transport or by car, but pedestrians can find the forest easily from The Hague Central Station. You never know, you and your family might catch a glimpse of King Willem-Alexander, the Dutch monarch whose palace and grounds sit within the old trees and meadows.
The Hague may not be considered a large city, but what the city lacks in size, it makes up for with surrounding attractions. It straddles seven miles of sandy beaches, flanked by Oostduinpark and Westduinpark, which form excellent walking, running, and cycling routes for all ages. The DenHaag online beach map shows why The Hague may trump its capital neighbor during the hot, continental summer.
Dune-Filled Adventures
Travel platform Twin Perspectives reports this region as a “dune-filled haven for families, kite surfers, dog walkers and sun worshippers alike.” Its guide to The Hague’s best beaches waxes lyrical about the popular Scheveningen Beach, scattered with beach bars, clubs, and surf schools. Still, The Netherlands is on the frigid North Sea, so swimmers would be advised to take caution and not expect Southern European temperatures.
During the summer, it might be better to avoid Scheveningen Beach, choosing one of many other options. The more chilled Habana Beach is on the sunniest point of the coastline, while the aptly named Monster Beach is another huge alternative. Another point of interest is the man-made Sand Motor (Zandmotor) Beach, where authorities replenish the eroding coastline with massive sand deposits. Each five years, such a measure is necessary when one-third of your country is under sea level.
Easy Day Trips to Amsterdam
Naturally, when you make it to The Hague, you might get a hankering for visiting Amsterdam, which we all know is a great city with no shortage of activities for curious visitors. Art lovers can revel in the STRAAT Museum, where street art is firmly embedded in the zeitgeist, and those who haven’t seen it must get to the Rijksmuseum.
This marvel alone is worth the Amsterdam day trip. The museum’s Gothic and Renaissance-style building is packed with world-famous exhibits like Rembrandt’s “Night Watch” and Vincent Van Gogh’s “Self-portrait,” among others. Of course, no trip to Amsterdam is complete without a short canal tour — one area where The Hague cannot compete. The city has 62 miles of intricate canals to walk, though a boat makes more sense for the daytripper.
The Netherlands may not be most non-Europeans’ first idea for a European vacation, but anyone who goes will not be disappointed. Viewing the country from a different angle is never a bad idea, and The Hague will definitely offer that chance.