Are you traveling to The Hague, Netherlands, looking for the best museums? The best museums in the Hague are clustered around the downtown city center of The Hague. Museums tend to be concentrated along or near Statenkwartier, close to the city center.
This article will explore some of the best museums in The Hague, Netherlands. From Dutch national museums to history museums, or privately-owned art galleries, there are plenty of options for travelers seeking a cultural day trip.
Best Museums in the Hague, Netherlands
1. Louwman Museum
Address: Leidsestraatweg 57, 2594 BB Den Haag, Netherlands
Historic cars, carriages, and associated artworks are displayed at the Louwman Museum. It’s a fascinating museum formerly called the National Automobile Museum and the Louwman Collection.
The museum is located at the Leidsestraatweg in Hague. It is home to one of the world’s most significant private automobile collections. The exhibit’s centerpiece is a full-scale replica of a historic bus, meticulously brought back to its original condition.
Its vast number of antique automobiles lets you view the car’s history uniquely. It’s possible to get a feeling of traveling back in time when going through various antique modes of transportation, such as horse wagons, antique and classic automobiles, and vintage race cars.
Notable vehicles in the museum include Elvis Presley’s 1955 Cadillac and the gorgeous Aston Martin DB5 from the movie Goldfinger. Check out these best places to stay in the Hauge.
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2. Mauritshuis
Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag, Netherlands
Mauritshuis is one of the Netherlands’ most fascinating art museums, with a collection of notable Dutch Paintings and other works of art by Dutch and Flemish masters. Every art lover will delight in exploring this museum.
In the 17th Century, it was used as a residence and hotel for high-ranking visitors to the city. Today, the Royal Museum of fine arts is still located in the city’s center and is regarded as the finest museum in the city for 17th and 18th Century art treasures.
The museum has a unique collection of iconic pieces, including the famous Girl With The Pearl Earring by Vermeer. The museum’s collection includes masterpieces by Jan Steen, Rembrandt, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, and 800 other works by leading artists. It’s also a great museum to start a day trip near the Escher in het Paleis and Louwman Museum.
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3. Nationaal Monument Oranjehotel
Address: Van Alkemadelaan 1258, 2597 BP Den Haag, Netherlands
The Nationaal Monument Oranjehotel is a treasure trove of ancient structures and monuments in The Hague, the Netherlands. It’s a fascinating historical museum with several intriguing tales and much history.
The South Bank of the Kromme River, which separates the Netherlands from Belgium, is home to several remains from World War II. It was previously a jail known as Scheveningen, where Germany detained around 25,000 people. The old site was also utilized for past interrogations and prosecutions of criminal suspects.
Today, it is a magnificent museum that accurately recreates the look of the jail in the past while also telling tales from the previous through its exhibitions. The Oranjehotel is a National Monument that houses an outstanding permanent exhibit that recounts inmates’ experiences and demonstrates how fragile freedom is.
Walking through the museum will offer insight into anxiety, liberty, and hope, which will be an enlightening experience. The museum is near the Oranjehotel, which can be reached on foot and by several forms of public transportation.
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4. Binnenhof
Address: 2513 AA The Hague, Netherlands
The magnificent Binnenhof complex in the Royal City of The Hague is a beautiful old building and one of the most famous landmarks in the country. Built in 1446, it’s also known as Het Binnenhof. Visiting the site is an adventure because it is a tour of beautiful architecture and a lesson in Dutch history and politics.
For ages, the Binnenhof structure has served as the country’s political nerve center, and it still does today. It is a well-known meeting spot for members of the Dutch parliament, government, and leaders, and home of the Office of the Prime Minister.
The site of many events in the nation’s history and European political history, and it’s worth a visit. Visitors may tour the facility and experience its beauty by selecting from several itineraries, including a walk through the ancient structure and seeing the House of Representatives, which has an awe-inspiring design.
When planning to explore the attraction, some tours journey inside its complexes. Among the charming rooms to see is the Hall of the Knights.
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5. Escher in Het Paleis
Address: Lange Voorhout 74, 2514 EH Den Haag, Netherlands
The Escher Museum in Het Paleis is one of the best museums in The Hague, Netherlands. It is a fascinating museum with a permanent collection of Maurits Cornelis (M.C.) Escher’s work.
Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher was the undisputed master of producing extraordinary circumstances and optical illusions in his paintings and prints and one of the most influential artists in history.
The stately Lange Voorhout Palace, once home to the Dutch Royal Family, is now home to Escher in Het Paleis (Escher in the Palace), located in The Hague’s historic town center, and houses this exceptional collection of Escher’s work.
Discovering more about the artist dubbed the master of optical illusion, goggling at the exhibits, and creating your optical illusions as a memento are just a few things to do at the Escher Museum.
Checking out Escher at Het Paleis is a must, not just for the museum and art collection it houses, but because it is located in a great spot near other attractions in the Netherlands, such as Noordeinde Palace and Museon.
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6. Panorama Mesdag
Address: Zeestraat 65, 2518 AA Den Haag, Netherlands
There are many museums to visit in The Hague, but the Panorama Mesdag is one of the finest locations to admire art. The museum’s name is from the renowned Dutch painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag (1750-1803), whose best-known work is displayed there.
The Panorama Mesdag (from where this exhibit gets its name) is the largest circular painting in Europe; a fascinating panoramic beach painting with a unique representation of an early Scheveningen Beach painted in the 19th Century.
The painting is about 120 meters long and 14 meters tall. When you see the work, you may think you’re sitting on a watchtower overlooking the medieval Scheveningen coastline.
There are several things to do before or after seeing the museum, including visiting shops and restaurants and other museums such as the Mauritshuis and Haags Historisch Museum, which are worth a visit.
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7. Kunstmuseum Den Haag
Address: Stadhouderslaan 41, 2517 HV Den Haag, Netherlands
The Kunstmuseum Den Haag is a contemporary and modern art museum in The Hague, the Netherlands. The museum is an acknowledged authority on many topics, including contemporary art and fashion.
It’s a fantastic museum since it houses Piet Mondrian’s art, making Kunstmuseum Den Haag one of the world’s most significant collections of his works. The Victory Boogie Woogie is one of Mondrian’s most well-known paintings and one of the museum’s most prized exhibits.
This cultural institution has a vast selection of modern art, which is not to be missed. Discovering great Picasso, Kandinsky, and Monet masterpieces is possible here, under one roof…and what a roof.
Aside from the museum’s incredible collection, one of the most surprising things to see while visiting is the magnificent architecture of the Kunstmuseum Den Haag itself.
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8. Peace Palace
Address: Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ Den Haag, Netherlands
Peace Palace is one of the best museums in the Hague, Netherlands. It is an international law administrative building that houses some of the notable establishments in the city. The Peace Palace, also known as the Het Vredespaleis’, was founded on opposing wars and striving for world peace principles in the early 20th Century.
The International Court of Justice, founded in the 1930s, is one of the most prominent sections of the complex. The beauty of the Palace and Permanent Court of Arbitration may also be appreciated. The tour will also take you to the Hague Academy of International Law, recognized for its vast library and excellent research facilities.
The manicured grounds of the palace are also a wonderful place to spend some time. The magnificent gardens were created through contributions from numerous countries.
The palace garden is an excellent site for photographs and just hanging out. The entire interior of the Peace Palace, which Le Corbusier designed, has been inspired by nature.
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9. De Mesdag Collectie
Address: Laan van Meerdervoort 7F, 2517 AB Den Haag, Netherlands
There are many museums to visit in The Hague, but the Museum Panorama Mesdag is one of the finest locations to admire art. The museum’s name is taken from the renowned Dutch painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag (1750-1803 1831-1915), whose best-known work is on display there.
The Panorama of Scheveningen (from where this exhibit museum gets its name) is the largest circular painting in Europe; a fascinating panoramic beach painting with a unique representation of an early Scheveningen Beach painted in the 19th Century. (1881)
The painting is about 120 meters long and 14 meters tall. When you see the work, you may think you’re sitting on a watchtower overlooking the medieval 19th-century Scheveningen coastline.
There are several things to do before or after seeing the museum, including visiting shops and restaurants and other museums such as the Mauritshuis and Haags Historisch Museum, both of which are worth a visit.
Apart from the panorama, the museum offers two temporary exhibitions (which change every 5-6 months) and a permanent collection of paintings by Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his wife and fellow artist Sientje Mesdag-van Houten.
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10. Museum Bredius
Address: Lange Vijverberg 14, 2513 AC Den Haag, Netherlands
The Abraham Bredius Museum is one of the finest art museums in The Hague and a must-see for art enthusiasts. It’s an excellent museum focusing on art historian Abraham Bredius’ work.
The museum has a unique permanent exhibition of Bredius’ art on the grounds of a stunning 18th Century mansion. The museum’s collections include sketches, interesting paintings, and porcelain collections to be viewed and admired.
Jan Steen’s The Satyr and the Peasant, Jan Miense Molenae’s The Painter at Work, and many other works are on display in addition to the results of Bredius.
The museum also has a lovely gift shop where visitors may purchase a memento of their visit. The museum also includes a period room, which may be utilized for meetings, lectures, cocktail parties, and dinners. If that weren’t enough, the Museum Bredius houses the world’s most extensive silverworks collection and several centuries of artwork.
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11. Rijksmuseum de Gevangenpoort
Address: Buitenhof 33, 2513 AH Den Haag, Netherlands
In The Hague, the Rijksmuseum de Gevangenpoort, also known as Gevangenpoort, and the Prison Gate Museum are two of the fascinating attractions to see in the city. The Rijksmuseum de Gevangenpoort houses the National Collection of Punishment and Torture Equipment.
The museum was formerly a medieval gate built in the 15th Century, and it later served as the Netherlands’ most important prison. The Buitenhof has preserved the old jail and entrance, which will appeal to history buffs.
This cultural institution contains well-preserved historical artifacts. Suspects and convicts were imprisoned here, and the guillotine and other torture devices on display here saw use during the French Revolution.
A luxury prison cell has been preserved and may be viewed today. The lavish cell, also called the “magnificent cell, ” accommodated prominent Dutchmen such as Cornelis de Witt.
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12. Stichting Atlantikwall Museum Scheveningen
Address: Badhuisweg, 2582 JD Den Haag, Netherlands
Outside the vast collection of art museums, there’s also a fantastic war museum to explore in the Hague; The Stichting Atlantikwall Museum Scheveningen. It’s a real lesser-known treasure among hidden gems because most of it is hidden underground!
It’s an old German bunker, part of the Widerstandsnest 318’s Widerstandsnest 318 complex, just one small section of Hitler’s vast Atlantic Wall to keep British and American invaders from liberating Europe.
This historical location will be of interest to history or war buffs. The bunker gives a real sense of life for German soldiers during WWII. The vast underground tunnel complex beneath the Agricultural Hall Museum was used as a bomb shelter during World War II.
The underground chamber housing the museum’s highlights, rooms, and historical relics is well preserved. The sensation of what it was like before giving an authentic historical experience may be felt by passing through Its narrow concrete corridors.
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13. Fotomuseum Den Haag
Address: Stadhouderslaan 43, 2517 HV Den Haag, Netherlands
The Hague, the Netherlands, has a museum that exhibits pictures taken by professional photographers and photographs from other museums that feature art and historical artifacts. The Fotomuseum Den Haag is a museum in the Netherlands dedicated to photographs of all types, modern and antique.
It is one of the newest museums in the country dedicated to photography and was established in 2005, located near the beautiful Scheveningen Beach and other attractions to see in Statenkwartier.
The Fotomuseum features exhibitions by internationally lauded photographers from the past and present, such as Man Ray, Sally Mann, Emmy Andriesse, Anton Corbijn, and Erwin Olaf.
The museum holds at least four exhibitions each year that are both contemporary and educational. The work of the Hague’s well-known and up-and-coming photographers is also on display.
The Fotomuseum is located just next to the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. As a result, visiting two prominent attractions in town is pretty straightforward and encouraged.
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14. Haags Openbaar Vervoer Museum
Address: Parallelweg 224, 2525 NL Den Haag, Netherlands
When visiting Hague, Netherlands, the Hague Public Transport Museum, or the Haags Openbaar Vervoer Museum, is a must-see heritage museum. The museum was historically a tram depot in the town, converted into a museum in 1989. The old depot even houses the oldest Dutch tram in existence.
A tour around the museum takes you back in time. One of the most pleasurable aspects of a visit to the museum is taking photographs of the old vehicles and learning about their history.
The trams and buses in the museums have been well-maintained, and their majesty and historical significance entice everyone who sees them.
The Haags Openbaar Vervoer Museum is the ideal starting point for a tour of local museums since it is conveniently located near many beautiful museums in town. Some attractions include the Museum Van Kleef, the Prison Gate House, and the fascinating Prince William V Gallery.
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15. Museon
Address: Stadhouderslaan 37, 2517 HV Den Haag, Netherlands
The lovely town of The Hague, Netherlands, has a museum dedicated to science and culture. This museum is the Museon, a kid-friendly museum with incredible exhibits and amazing wonders children of all ages will enjoy. Putting the Museon on your travel itinerary when taking a vacation with the family is a must.
The museum has several interesting exhibits and educational tours. It’s one of the finest museums in The Hague, with many exciting activities for children and teenagers.
The museum’s most popular exhibit is about Earth, humanity’s first people, nations, dinosaurs, and more. It’s worth seeing how life on Earth began and searching for the world through the museum’s exhibit.
The One Planet museum is a permanent exhibit with facts and Participatory Games for kids. The Museon is near Scheveningen Beach, LEGOLAND Scheveningen, and other family-friendly things to do.
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16. Museum Beelden aan Zee
Address: Harteveltstraat 1, 2586 EL Den Haag, Netherlands
The Museum Beelden aan Zee is dedicated to displaying sculptures in the picturesque suburb of Scheveningen. The museum is the hidden gem in Scheveningen dunes, frequently called “Sculptures by the Sea.”
The Melkmarkt is a private museum that houses modern international and national sculptures. The museum’s collection of artworks includes works from sculptors of the late 20th Century.
The museum is in a spacious building with numerous sculptures from the current exhibition and other sculptures in its beautiful garden.
Sculptures made of a variety of materials are included in the museum’s collection. It’s another great place to start or end a day trip. Since the museum is in Scheveningen, it is conveniently close to several of the district’s most popular attractions, including The Pier and the Holland Casino.
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17. Muzee Scheveningen
Address: Neptunusstraat 90-92, 2586 GT Den Haag, Netherlands
The museum, Muzei Scheveningen, in this fascinating district of the Hague located by the sea, features exhibits on the history of the local fishing villages and displays on marine animals.
The Muzee Scheveningen is one of the top attractions in The Hague and one of the finest museums and locations for children to enjoy. The history of fishing and life in the town, sea life, and marine biology are highlighted in its exhibit.
The museum also runs regular exhibitions on city nature and culture. The aquarium, an extensive collection of seashells, and coral reefs may all be seen in the museum, as well as various educational programs for children and adults. At the museum, youngsters can engage in multiple fun activities, including a scavenger hunt and special events that the museum hosts.
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Final Thoughts
The best museums in the Hague, Netherlands, offer various attractions and exhibits. Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or want to see some cool stuff with your family, there’s something for everyone.
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FAQ
Which museums or attractions are best for kids at the Hague?
Some of the best museums in the Hague (or attractions) that best suit children and their interests (though this might change depending on age and tastes) include windmills, historical buildings, and animals like penguins or monkeys. The best museum to find all of this under one roof is Madurodam.
What are the best museums in the Hague for history lovers?
The Historical Voorlinden Museum (which also houses the most extensive private art collection in the Netherlands), The Royal Military Museum Oranjehotel, and the National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum).
Visitors might also want to explore a few out-of-the-way treasures, such as Witte Huis, a 17th Century house that is now a museum.
How many museums are there in the Hague?
More than fifty museums make The Hague one of Europe’s best-served towns for history buffs, science geeks, and art lovers.
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