Chilling out in The Hague
Enjoy long bike rides on empty roads, meet locals on the 'hey hello square', visit some experimental art galleries, go to Paard van Troje for live pop, indie, hip hop and then next day, chill out at the beach for a cocktail, or something like that
Hello, I'm your guide in The Hague. I'm an anthropologist and have traveled and worked in several countries as a producer, photographer and also as a multilingual. I am now working for Mediamatic Travel in Amsterdam and as my hometown The Hague did not appear on this site, I've decided to do some promotion for this often neglected city!
The Hague is only 45 minutes from Amsterdam by train and I regularly go there for some old school parties in the centre, for some gatherings at the beach or for one of the art festivals that takes place each year (Todays Art).
It is a very laid-back city, which actually is not a city but a village, as it has never acquired proper city rights. With the international courts, the Tribunals and the Peace palace, The Hague is internationally known as the city of peace and justice (although the local population is not always familiar with this ambitious political branding) and a lot of politicians and diplomats reside here. But under the surface there is a small underground world to be discovered and experimented.
If you want to chill out and see a different type of Dutch city after your experiences in Amsterdam, I would suggest you take a few days to visit The Hague. The best time of the year to visit is summer: The Hague transforms into a beach resort and although most of the beaches get overcrowded by tourists (mainly from Germany), for locals it is not hard to find a quiet, peaceful beach behind the dunes.
So feel free to contact me and I can take you for a nice bike ride through the dunes to the beach. You will see several bunkers along the coastline, solemnly reminding you of World War II, when the Geman Third Reich built an extensive wall of coastal fortifications in Western Europe, to protect it from an anticipated allied invasion. They are still intact and you can enter them to have a short moment of contemplation before you drink a cocktail in the Zahara Bar (or for the adrenalin seekers under us, go wave or windsurfing in the freezing cold sea).
Don't forget to go to an event or workshop in PIP (an old fire brigade converted into a creative center) or to go to a performance of BUNKER records, an underground electro record label (also labeled as bass-electro funk, industrial planet rock, new wave techno pop, electronic chic freak) and see Interference, Legowelt or Orgue Electronique perform for a small crowd of people in one of the local squats. Also, the Filmhuis (an indie cinema) is great for watching movies or having a drink and food.
In small and hidden cafes like De Pater, De Vinger or Naast de Paap you can enjoy live music. The biggest popstage is 'Paard Van Troje', a modern club built by architect Rem Koolhaas. Here you can enjoy indie, electronic music, hip hop or pop or have a drink in the dark, underground cafe right beside it.
The Escher museum is often forgotten but brilliant!
