Where to Stay in Den Haag: A Neighbourhood Guide for First-Timers
When I arrived in Den Haag I was placed in a furnished apartment in Bezuidenhout by my institution. It took me eight months to understand that I had accidentally landed in one of the best areas in the city. Not the most famous — expat guides consistently steer people towards the Archipelbuurt — but genuinely good in ways that matter for daily life. Here is what I have learned about where to actually stay in this city.
Statenkwartier
The most pleasant neighbourhood in Den Haag for a short stay if your budget allows. Leafy streets, excellent cafés and restaurants, a real neighbourhood feel. The shopping street (Frederikstraat, Theresiastraat) has independent shops, good bakeries, no chains. Walking distance from the centre. Accommodation here runs mid-range to expensive — budget for €80–150/night for a decent Airbnb.
Best for: couples, people who want to feel like they live somewhere rather than staying in a hotel zone.
Centrum / Binnenstad
Convenient. Walking distance to everything. The hotels here are mostly aimed at business travellers and are priced accordingly. The neighbourhood does not have much character at street level but it is hard to go wrong logistically. If you have one night and early transport, stay here.
Best for: one-night stopovers, business visitors, people who want maximum convenience.
Bezuidenhout
My neighbourhood. Underrated. It is the international quarter — close to the ICC, the international institutions, the embassies. The housing stock is good quality, the streets are quiet, the tram connections are excellent. Less character than Statenkwartier but more genuine. Mid-range Airbnb options around €70–1 10/night.
Best for: expats relocating for work, visitors who want quiet and good transport.
Scheveningen
Stay here if you want beach access and do not mind tourist infrastructure. The seafront hotels are expensive in summer and reasonable in winter. The neighbourhood away from the seafront — Scheveningen-Dorp — has a quieter, more local feel and is worth considering for a longer stay.
Best for: families, beach-focused visitors, anyone coming in November–March when prices drop significantly.
Laakhaven / Wijnhaven
Creative industrial area. Interesting if you are connected to the creative community or want something different. Limited hotel options — mainly Airbnb. Not the most convenient base for sightseeing.
Best for: creative visitors, longer stays, people who want cheap and interesting over convenient.
Transvaal
The cheapest neighbourhood for Airbnb in the city. Multicultural, genuine, completely unpolished. Walk to Haagse Markt. Safe enough — the reputation is worse than the reality — but not a neighbourhood that makes a good first impression on someone arriving at night.
Best for: budget-conscious visitors who want to eat at the Haagse Markt every day.
When to book and when prices drop
Summer (June–August) pushes prices up 30–40%, especially anything near Scheveningen. Koningsdag weekend (late April) is the most expensive single weekend of the year — book months ahead or accept whatever is left. November through February: lowest prices, fewest tourists, and in my opinion the most honest version of the city.
