Scheveningen is the Netherlands’ most famous seaside resort, a lively beach neighborhood on the North Sea coast that has been drawing sun-seekers, surfers, and seafood lovers since the 19th century. Technically a district of The Hague, it feels like a world apart from the stately government quarter — wide sandy beaches, a breezy pier, a 50-meter Ferris wheel, and a promenade packed with beach clubs replace the embassies and parliament buildings just 15 minutes away by tram.
The neighborhood’s origins as a fishing village still shine through at the harbor, where herring stalls and fish restaurants serve the freshest catch in South Holland. The Kurhaus, a grand 19th-century hotel that helped establish Scheveningen as a fashionable resort, remains the architectural centerpiece. Museum Beelden aan Zee, nestled into the sand dunes, houses a thought-provoking sculpture collection, while SEA LIFE on the boulevard delights families with over 45 aquariums.
Scheveningen is best for beach lovers, surfers, families, and travelers who want to pair a city break in The Hague with a day (or more) by the sea. Surf schools line the beach, and from June to November the Westbroekpark Rosarium blooms with over 20,000 roses. The Scheveningen Pier extends into the North Sea with a bungee-jumping platform, zip line, and panoramic observation deck.
Tram line 9 from Den Haag Centraal reaches Scheveningen in under 15 minutes, and cycling from the city center takes roughly the same time along dedicated bike paths. The Hague’s Mauritshuis museum, Peace Palace, and Binnenhof are all an easy round trip.
