A serene view of Castle Pond in The Hague, featuring a fountain and modern skyscrapers, with a person enjoying the scenery. A picturesque canal in The Hague lined with green trees and flower pots, featuring boats docked on wooden piers under a clear sky.
Netherlands

The Hague: Global Affairs and Gentle Waves

A peaceful stretch of canal in The Hague.
 The Hague, Netherlands, July 2022

I didn’t have much time, but after my visit to Scheveningen, I couldn’t resist making a quick detour into the charming center of The Hague.

A few years ago, the city began uncovering some of its old canals—once filled in or built over. It was a decision that suits The Hague well. Where there were once roads and parking lots, water now flows again, reflecting historic bridges and elegant facades.

Thanks to this return to the city's maritime roots, I got to experience The Hague from a different perspective—gliding through the canals on a relaxed boat tour. Passing by old merchant houses, ducking under low bridges, and taking in the city's unique blend of tradition and modernity.

And then, all too soon, it was time to move on.

Map of The Hague
A historic sailing ship docked along a canal in The Hague, surrounded by lush green trees and a clear blue sky.
Moored in a quiet canal, this historic Dutch sailing barge recalls a time when waterways were the lifelines of The Hague.
A picturesque canal in The Hague lined with green trees and flower pots, featuring boats docked on wooden piers under a clear sky.
Outdoor café seating along a tree-lined canal in The Hague, featuring colorful chairs and umbrellas on a sunny day.
A picturesque canal in The Hague, surrounded by charming buildings and bicycles parked along the bridge.
A view of modern buildings in The Hague through greenery, with a serene pond and lily pads in the foreground.
A canal in The Hague lined with lush greenery and brick buildings, featuring lily pads floating on the calm water.
A serene canal view in The Hague, lined with green trees and historic buildings under a clear sky.
A tranquil canal in The Hague lined with lush trees and historic buildings, reflecting clear blue skies and bicycles parked along the bank.
The Royal Stables in The Hague, showcasing ornate architecture and a tall spire, surrounded by lush greenery and yellow flowers.
The Royal Stables in The Hague house the Dutch royal family's horses and carriages. Built in the late 19th century, the complex is usually off-limits to the public, but its striking facade can be admired from outside.
A canal in The Hague, featuring a green bridge adorned with flowers and bicycles, surrounded by modern buildings and trees.
A picturesque canal scene in The Hague, featuring a bridge adorned with bicycles and vibrant flowers, surrounded by historic buildings.
A serene view of Castle Pond in The Hague, featuring a fountain and modern skyscrapers, with a person enjoying the scenery.
A quiet moment by the Hofvijver, where history and modernity meet in the heart of The Hague. The medieval Binnenhof reflects in the water, as a woman enjoys the sunshine.