The Hague & Delft

The Mauritshuis is one of the most intimate and exquisite art museums in the world. In an elegant 17th-century city palace, some of the most famous paintings in art history hang on just two floors — including Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring", Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp," and Fabritius' "The Goldfinch."

Unlike the large museums in Amsterdam, the Mauritshuis is small and manageable — in 2 hours, you can view each painting at your leisure. The collection comprises around 260 works from the Golden Age, each a masterpiece. The rooms themselves — with original ceiling paintings and wood paneling — are as worth seeing as the art.

The Highlights

• Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring — The "Mona Lisa of the North." The small painting (only 44.5 × 39 cm) has an incredible presence. The turban, the pearl earring, the half-open mouth — a moment captured for eternity.
• Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp — An early masterpiece: The lesson of the Amsterdam surgeon, surrounded by fascinated colleagues. The lighting is typical Rembrandt.
• Carel Fabritius' The Goldfinch — A tiny painting (33 × 22 cm) that inspired Donna Tartt's bestselling novel. Fabritius was Rembrandt's most talented pupil and died in the Delft gunpowder explosion in 1654 — he was only 32.
• Vermeer's View of Delft — The most famous cityscape in Dutch art. Marcel Proust called the yellow wall piece in the lower right corner "the most beautiful piece of painting in the world."

The Binnenhof is the political heart of the Netherlands — and one of the oldest still-used parliamentary complexes in the world. Governance has taken place here since the 13th century. The Gothic Hall of Knights (Ridderzaal) from 1280 is where the king delivers the throne speech every year on the third Tuesday in September (Prinsjesdag) — arriving in a golden carriage and announcing the budget for the coming year.

The Binnenhof complex is picturesquely situated by the Hofvijver (Court Pond), and the reflection of the Gothic towers in the water is one of the most iconic images of the Netherlands. Around the Binnenhof are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Peace Palace district, and elegant streets with embassies and ministries.

Peace Palace (Vredespaleis)

The Peace Palace houses the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The neo-Gothic building (1913, funded by American steel magnate Andrew Carnegie) is a symbol of international law. Tours are limited — the visitor center offers an informative exhibition on international law and peace policy.

Scheveningen (pronunciation: "Schee-weh-ning-en" — the correct pronunciation was even used as a spy test for German soldiers during World War II!) is The Hague's North Sea resort and the most visited beach in the Netherlands. The wide sandy beach stretches for several kilometers, behind which lies a spa boulevard with the historic Kurhaus (Grand Hotel Amrâth, 1885) and the modern pier.

What Scheveningen Offers

• Beach & Surf — The wide sandy beach is a paradise for families, kite surfers, and beach bar fans in summer. The beach pavilions (beach bars/restaurants) are open from April to October — fresh fish, cocktails, feet in the sand.
• SEA LIFE Scheveningen — Large aquarium with underwater tunnel, sharks, and turtles. Popular with families (adults approx. €20, cheaper online).
• Beelden aan Zee — Museum for sculptures, partly underground in the dunes. Surprisingly good and atmospheric (€10).
• Fishing Harbor — At the Second Harbor, there is freshly caught fish directly from the cutter. The fishmongers sell kibbeling, herring, and smoked fish — much more authentic (and cheaper) than on the boulevard.

Madurodam is the Netherlands in miniature format — a theme park where the country's most important buildings, landscapes, and engineering works are recreated at a scale of 1:25. The Rijksmuseum building, windmills, Schiphol, Delta Works, canals — all detailed and interactive.

Especially for families with children, Madurodam is a hit: The little ones can operate locks, launch planes, and steer a ship through the harbor. But adults also marvel at the attention to detail. The park is named after George Maduro, a Jewish-Dutch war hero who died in the Dachau concentration camp.

Delft is one of the most picturesque cities in the Netherlands — often described as "Amsterdam without the crowds." The medieval old town with its canals, Gothic churches, and large market square is a gem. Here, the painter Johannes Vermeer was born and spent his entire life, here William of Orange (father of the Dutch nation) was assassinated, and here the world-famous Delft Blue ceramics have been made since the 17th century.

Highlights in Delft

• Grote Markt — One of the most beautiful market squares in the Netherlands: The Nieuwe Kerk (with the tomb of William of Orange and panoramic tower, 376 steps, fantastic view) and the Renaissance town hall frame a lively square. Weekly market on Thursdays.
• Royal Delft (Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles) — The last original Delft Blue manufactory, founded in 1653. In the workshop, you can watch the painters at work and buy the famous blue-and-white ceramics (not cheap, but authentic). Museum tour: €16.
• Vermeer Centrum — Located on Voldersgracht, where Vermeer lived. The museum displays reproductions of all 37 known Vermeer works and explains his unique painting technique (Camera Obscura, light guidance). Admission: €12.
• Oude Kerk — The leaning Old Church (the tower leans almost 2 meters!) houses Vermeer's grave — though without a tombstone, just a simple floor slab. A quiet, moving place.
• Explore the Canals — Delft's canals are quieter and more photogenic than those of Amsterdam. Particularly beautiful: Oude Delft, Koornmarkt, and Voldersgracht. By boat (from €12) or on foot.

Delft is only 15 minutes by train from The Hague (and 30 min. from Rotterdam) — perfect for a day trip or even as a quieter overnight alternative.