Part of the Dutch Randstad, The Hague, the administrative capital of Nederland, lies close to the coastline, a half hour by train south of Amsterdam and even fewer minutes to the north-west of Rotterdam. Here one avoids the tourists which flood Amsterdam, the capital of Nederland. Den Haag is less hectic, more Dutch.
*
Getting around Den Haag
Whilst the Downtown area, lying intermediately to the west of Den Haag Centraal station, is walkable, for those who prefer public transport to get about, the tram system is decidedly user friendly, simply – tap on / tap off.
Surprisingly, given the proximity of the water table to the land surface across Nederland, at Spui and Grote Markt, some trams run underground. The cavernous stations themselves are worth seeing.
Escher in the Palace is a must-see exhibit. The works of this artist, famed for his tesselations and gravity defying graphics, are housed in the former Royal Palace.
Cultuur podium Boerderij, possibly Nederland’s most famous Rock venue, in nearby Zoetermeer, is a mere half hour tram (3 / 4) journey.
Breweries, bars, restaurant and cafes visited:
Haagsche Brouder Brouwerij – Noordeinde 14A, 2514 GH Den Haag
Animal Army Brewery – Riviervismarkt 1, 2511 AW Den Haag
Brouwerij De Prael Den Haag – Esperantoplein 20, 2518 LE Den Haag
Hoppzack – Papestraat 26A, 2513 AW Den Haag
The Aesthetic Lounge Den Haag – Dagelijkse Groenmarkt 30, 2513AL Den Haag
Tribe Hotel Den Haag Centraal – Spui 180, 2511 EN Den Haag
Delhi Darbar – Paul Krugerlein 278, 2571 HS Den Haag
Altin petek – Paul Krugerlein 269, 2571 HS Den Haag