I love cycling in the city of The Hague. This cycling tour will take you to a lot of beautiful historical buildings, museums, the beach and nice restaurants and bars. I’ve also set out a walking tour for you in The Hague. You can find the itinerary here.
This route is about 20 kilometres long. It totally depends on yourself how long it will take you to do the whole tour; are you going to visit all the highlights, or are you going to speed up and only stop until you reach the cafes.
In order to use an OV-fiets, you must have a (free of charge) season ticket. Check this website for more information about renting an OV-fiets.
Tip: Click the layers on and off in this map with the (square) button on the left in the grey beam.
Tip: Be aware where you ride! The Hague is full of rail tracks for the trams crossing the streets. The gap for the track is usually the exact size of your wheels, which makes it easy for you to get stuck in the rail tracks, with nasty accidents as a result. The Hague created traffic signs like the one below to warn you for the rail tracks.
Tip: Open this blog on your smartphone, click on the Google Maps map at the top of this blog and via the button in the grey beam (a square with a small arrow on the left) you can switch the layers “Walking route in The Hague” and “Highlights” on. Now the Google Maps app opens and it’s very easy to follow the itinerary. GPS will show you where you are (that blue dot 😉 ).
Cycling tour “Highlights of The Hague”
This walking tour will take you to the following highlights in The Hague:
- A) If you’re not from The Hague, you’ll probably start from The Hague Central Station. Rent an OV-bike at the Central Station. Check this website for more information about renting an OV-fiets.
- Do not cycle towards the city centre, but to Haagse Bos.
- B) The Haagse Bos (“The Hague Forest”) is a lush green area in the city. Also the King appreciates this forest.
- C) A few years ago the Royal Family moved to Huis Ten Bosch. Before they could move in, the palace had been thoroughly renovated (it took years). Cycle past the palace and who knows: maybe you get to see someone of the Royal family.
- D) Officially Museum Voorlinden is not located in The Hague, but in Wassenaar, but I like this museum so much that I did put it on the The Hague highlights. The exhibitions in Museum Voorlinden are modern and contemporary. Some “pieces” of art in the museum are on permanent display, such as “the swimming pool”, “Couple under an Umbrella” and “Open Ended” a huge maze that can’t be removed because of the size, but also mini elevators (don’t miss them!). Furthermore there are constantly changing very cool contemporary artworks on display. It is quite impossible to describe the art, you really must undergo them. Most of the time the art also gets you to think about things. The building itself is also fully in service to the art. The architecture of the museum and the huge windows actively contribute to the experience of nature inside the building (especially if the sun is out).
- Tip: Take a stroll in the surrounding gardens of the museum (entrance is free) and have a lunch at the terrace of the country house next to the museum;
- E) Cycle along through all the green, via the dunes, to the iconic Pier and enjoy the fresh air. The views at the sea, the historical Kurhaus and the city behind the dunes from the Pier are stunning. You could go zip-lining or bungee jumping or take a ride in the ferris wheel. There are many food stalls in the Pier, giving it a festival vibe.
- F) Continue past all the beautiful villas towards the Gemeentemuseum; thé museum for modern art. This museum is also worth a visit just because of the architecture. The museum has permanent and temporary displays. You can find more information about the exhibitions at the website of the museum.
- Tip: If none of the displays appeals to you, you could also go to one of the museums next door: the Fotomuseum, Museon or the Omniversum. This spot has something to offer for everybody!
- G) From the Gemeentemuseum it’s a short ride through the mondaine neighbourhood where most of the embassies are located to the Vredespaleis. The Vredespaleis (Peace Palace) houses the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The Courts settle disputes submitted by States and give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and agencies.
- Tip: Make a reservation for a tour in this impressive building and the surrounding historical gardens in advance and/or visit the informative Visitor’s Centre.
- Stop at the vibrant Anna Palownaplein for a coffee, lunch or drinks, for example at Room. If the weather allows, the roundabout is full with tables and chairs.
- If you continue the route, you’ll see the Royal Stables (Koninklijke stallen). A royal carriage is still leaving the stables a couple times a month on Wednesdays with the newly appointed ambassadors who present their letters of credence to the King in Paleis Noordeinde (Palace Noordeinde). If you happen to be in The Hague on a Wednesday, please watch the ceremony at Paleis Noordeinde.
- Via the planned route you’ll also pass the Palace Garden (Paleistuin). You can see the back of Palace Noordeinde from the Palace Garden, but you could also take a little detour and cycle along the beautiful shopping street Noordeinde (be aware: you’re not allowed to cycle everywhere on this street). In that case you’ll also pass the front of Paleis Noordeinde;
- Don’t skip the Oude Molstraat at the end of the tour for a well deserved drink! My favorites for a drink are the traditional “brown cafés” Huppel the Pub, Café Momfer de Mol next door and Le Café, the French neighbour opposite. At “de Huppel” the beginning of the weekend starts on Friday around 18:30 uur with a gin (in Dutch: “jenever”) on the house. The owners will tell a short story about the drink and everybody in the pub will cheer (“proosten”) to the weekend together!
NB: If it’s not raining, the pub live will partly take place in the narrow street and it makes it really hard for cyclists to pass. Park your bike in the free of charge Biesieklette in the Nobelstraat and pick up your bicycle after your stop.
- H) If you want to make another stop for a bite or a drink, cycle along to the Grote Markt (Big Market); a well-known place for “Haagse” drinks (besides Het Plein of course). Have a beer on the terrace of De Zwarte Ruiter (if you’re lucky a live band is performing) or order a grilled chicken with a beer on the side at Hoender en Hop.
- I) If you cycle underneath the old gate at Het Buitenhof you’ll end up at Het Binnenhof (you’re allowed to cycle over Het Binnenhof). Het Binnenhof has been Holland’s political centre for centuries. The complex was built in the 13th century and has been used by the political leaders of Holland since.
- Cycle along over Het Binnenhof and after the gate at the other side you’ll pass the Mauritshuis (also definitely worth a visit!). Make an extra round at the Lange Vijverberg to take a look at “het Torentje” (the Tower), the office of the Prime-minister;
- The last point of interest is the proclaimed most beautiful street of The Netherlands: Lange Voorhout, with her beautiful lime trees and historical buildings. Frequently there are antique and book markets and other events like food festivals at Lange Voorhout.
- At the corner of Lange Voorhout is the famous Hotel des Indes. The hotel was built in 1858 as a city palace and has been a hotel since 1881.
Tip: You could have a delicious Michelin star dinner at restaurant Calla’s or treat yourself with a high tea.
- J) Continue towards the Malieveld and return your bicycle at Den Haag CS.
I would really like to know what you think of this itinerary. You can find the itinerary of the walking tour here. If you have completed the walking or cycling tour or if you have any questions, please let me know in a reaction (below) or via the contact page.
I’ll share a lot more of my favorite places in The Hague soon on TeppieTravels.com. I have só many not to miss hotspots for this city (restaurants, activities, beach clubs and more museums)!
Planning to visit Rotterdam? Read my blog about my favorite places for drinks in Rotterdam.
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