Where to Stay in Den Haag: A Neighbourhood Guide for First-Timers
I’ve lived in three neighbourhoods in four years in Den Haag. I’ve also helped eight colleagues find places to stay when they arrived for ICC postings. Here is what I’ve learned.
Centrum / Binnenstad
Convenient. Central. Not where I would choose to stay. The area around the Binnenhof and Grote Markt is functional for tourists and has good transport connections, but it lacks the neighbourhood feel that makes Den Haag interesting. Hotels here are mid-range in quality and upper-range in price relative to what you get.
Who it suits: business travellers on short visits who need to be near government buildings, people who want everything walkable and don’t mind paying for convenience. Rough nightly rate: €90-150 for decent options.
Statenkwartier
The most pleasant neighbourhood in Den Haag to stay in, in my opinion. Leafy streets, excellent cafés, good restaurants, quiet evenings. The Frederikstraat and Denneweg are genuinely lovely for an evening walk. Easy tram connections to everywhere.
Who it suits: couples, people who want to feel like they’re in a real neighbourhood rather than a hotel district, anyone who wants good coffee in the morning. Rough nightly rate: €80-130 via Airbnb, limited hotel options.
Scheveningen
The beach neighbourhood. Loud in summer, beautiful in winter and shoulder seasons. If you’re coming for the coast and don’t mind the tourist infrastructure, staying in Scheveningen makes sense. If you’re coming to see the city, it’s too far out and too separate from city life.
Who it suits: families with children, beach-focused visitors, people visiting in spring or autumn when the crowds are gone. Rough nightly rate: €75-120, more options in summer.
Bezuidenhout
Where I live now. Underrated for visitors. It’s the international zone — ICC, Europol, and most of the embassies are here. Quiet, well-maintained, good transport connections. The Toernooiveld area has some good restaurants. Almost no tourists.
Who it suits: people relocating for international organisations, visitors who want quiet and easy transport. Rough nightly rate: €70-110 via Airbnb, very few hotels.
Laakhaven / Wijnhaven
Interesting if you’re here for the creative scene. Industrial aesthetic, few tourist amenities. Transport to the centre requires a tram or a 25-minute cycle. Not a natural base for a short visit unless you specifically want to be in that environment.
Who it suits: designers, artists, people visiting for work in the creative sector. Rough nightly rate: €60-90, almost entirely Airbnb.
Transvaal
The budget option. Multicultural, real, being watched by people who understand cities. Not polished. Good food. Safe enough with normal urban awareness. A short tram ride to the centre.
Who it suits: budget travellers, people curious about the city’s actual diversity, students. Rough nightly rate: €45-70.
When to Visit
Avoid the last two weeks of July and August if you dislike crowds at Scheveningen. Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) are the best combinations of weather and manageable tourist numbers. Winter is underrated — the city empties, prices drop, and the beach at Scheveningen in February is genuinely memorable.
