Discover The Hague and Utrecht 🇳🇱
If you're planning a city trip to The Hague or Utrecht in the Netherlands, here are our recommendations for making the most of your weekend!
Visiting The Hague
The Hague, also known as 's-Gravenhage and Den Haag, is a Dutch municipality near Rotterdam and the North Sea. It is one of the five largest cities in the Netherlands. It is renowned for its beaches, its monuments, its lively centre and its role as the seat of the Dutch government and royal family. Although it is not the official capital of the Netherlands, it is the country's administrative centre and home to many government institutions.
Did you know?
👑 The Hague is the home and workplace of the Dutch royal family, with the majestic Noordeinde Palace as King Willem-Alexander's residence.
🚴♂️ Walking and cycling are popular ways to discover nature in The Hague, with numerous cycle routes and hiking trails.
🌊 It is located close to the North Sea.
What is The Hague known for? Capital city ?
The Hague is known as the administrative centre of the Netherlands: the city is home to the Dutch Parliament (Binnenhof), the International Peace Palace (with the International Court of Justice, the main judicial body of the United Nations) and Avenue Lange Voorhout, an avenue with many embassies.
Why go to The Hague?
If you fancy getting lost in a maze of imposing government buildings, then The Hague is the place for you. With all its embassies and international organisations, you'll feel like you're in the middle of a diplomatic thriller. Who knows, maybe you'll find yourself negotiating peace treaties between two bakeries?
But to sum The Hague up in terms of its government institutions would be to underestimate the Dutch city. It's a great destination for other reasons:
1. Its beach, just a few minutes from the city centre 🏝
2. Its impressive museums 🖼
3. Its many canals 🌊
4. Or all its shopping opportunities 🛍
The Hague would be highly recommended for people who have already visited other cities such as Utrecht or Volendam. But personally, we'd advise you to go, even if it's your first time in the Netherlands. It's a good way to familiarise yourself with the Dutch people and their culture, bearing in mind that you're in the administrative heart of the country.
The best time to visit The Hague would be from May to September, but in April and May the tulips are in bloom, so if you want the full (clichéd) Dutch experience, come to The Hague then!
Where to walk in The Hague
To visit The Hague, we advise you to hire (or bring) a bike. This will optimise your time on site and allow you to see much more. Where to bike or walk then?
in the gardens of Clingendael or the great forest of The Hague: green spaces where walking or cycling is ideal.
at the Dutch Dunes National Park: its name speaks for itself. It's a walk through the dunes, between a few ponds, in a genuine nature reserve. Here you'll find the landscapes so often painted by the great Dutch painters, lots of birds, viewpoints and more.
on the beach (Scheveningen): it's a bit like Santa Barbara here, with the fine sand, the pier and the Ferris wheel! It's quite a family place, with lots of families coming to enjoy the attractions on the pier and the sea for a swim (when the weather's right, of course). It's convenient because it's only 30 minutes from the city centre, perfect for a change of scenery after walking through the big buildings.
in a museum: and if there's only one to visit during your stay, we'd recommend the Mauritshuis, the must-see in The Hague. Here you'll find works by the great Flemish painters (Vermeer, Rembrandt, etc.).
in the shopping areas : Le Passage is ideal as it is a covered gallery, perfect for taking shelter in rainy weather. Its architecture is slightly reminiscent of the Galleries Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan or the Galeries Royales in Brussels because here too there's a glass roof!
in the city, on the canals: another original way to see the city is by boat, on the many canals of The Hague.
If cycling isn't an option for you, then Coddy's urban adventures are without doubt the best compromise. With its Escape Games and treasure hunts, Coddy offers you the chance to play in the city, on foot, to discover The Hague in a different way. Guided by your smartphone, you and your team wander the streets of the city in search of clues and answers to your riddles. The city becomes your playground, revealing itself to you in a whole new light. You'll (re)discover little hidden details, little-explored alleyways and must-see places in the city, all at the same time!
Things to see and do in The Hague, Holland
In one weekend, you can visit the Binnenhof, the Mauritshuis Museum, cycle to the Holland Dunes Nature Park, explore the city centre, sample some delicious pastries and marvel at the kitesurfers on the beach.
Where to go in The Hague?
🏞️ to the Dutch Dunes National Park,
🌆 to the Binnenhof and the Hofvijver pond
🖼 Mauritshuis Museum, Voorlinden Museum
🪴 take a walk in the gardens of Clingendael,
🏝 The Hague beach, Scheveningen, Kijkduin
🍸 Het Plein for a glass
🛍 Le Passage for shopping
Visiting Utrecht
Utrecht, a dream destination for lovers of...well, not much of anything really! If you're looking for a city devoid of charm, interesting attractions and a lively atmosphere, then Utrecht is the place for you.
Not true, of course, Utrecht is a charming city, often compared to a little Amsterdam. It has beautiful canals, the largest church in the Netherlands, one of the largest universities in the country, interesting museums, lush green parks, in short, it may be less frequented by tourists, but Utrecht won't leave you indifferent.
Did you know?
🚲 Utrecht is reputed to be the friendliest city for cyclists, with the world's largest bicycle garage near the station.
🌿 Utrecht is one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands, with eco-friendly initiatives such as front gardens and dedicated cycle routes.
🛶 You can explore Utrecht's canals by canoe.
What to do in Utrecht
To discover Utrecht's greatest points of interest, we recommend an urban adventure with Coddy. As in The Hague, Coddy offers you the chance to discover Utrecht city centre through play. Choose a game scenario and let the mobile app guide you and your team through the streets of the city. You'll pass by lots of the city's must-see places, and it's a great way to discover it in a fun way!
Here's a list of places to discover in Utrecht:
🏰 The Domtoren: The Dom church tower is the symbol of Utrecht and the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. It offers a magnificent view of the city.
🌿 The Domtoren Pandhof: The garden of the Domtoren monastery is one of the most beautiful interior gardens in the Netherlands, offering a mystical atmosphere.
🌳 Park Lepelenburg & Wilhelminapark: Two popular parks in Utrecht to relax, picnic and enjoy nature.
🏠 Oudegracht 133: Utrecht's smallest house, located on the Oudegracht canal, is an interesting historic building with a jewellery shop.
🛣️ Pausdam : A beautiful area near Pandhof Domkerk with nice streets to walk.
🌿 Utrecht Botanical Gardens: A well-maintained area belonging to Utrecht University, ideal for a leisurely stroll.
🏰 Kasteel de Haar & Landgoed Haarzuilens: The largest castle in the Netherlands, surrounded by a magnificent estate for an excursion outside the city.
🛶 A canal tour by boat (or canoe) for a picturesque experience.
🖼 Visit Utrecht's many museums: Centraal Musuem, Museum Catharijne Convent, Museum Speelklok, The Rietveld-Schröder House ...
🍰 Try the Domtorentjes pastries: a speciality of the Theo Blom bakery since 1922!
