But baked by a Dutch master of art.
WhileAmsterdamgets an almost - overabundance of attending , another city sits nearby , quiet majestic in its splendor . Located just shy of one hour in the south via one of the Netherlands ’ extremely commodious trains is The Hague — a city that ’s small in size of it , but is so charming it ’s as if each house could have been construct from gingerbread .
If you were considering aEuropean Christmas getawayto celebrate peace treaty on Earth and good will towards all , this just might be it . For newcomer , The Hague is a supremely peace - oriented place . It is , after all , the home of the Peace Palace , where , for over 100 years , diplomat from around the mankind have come up to settle international differences .
Accordingly , the Ithiel Town itself has a vibration that is decidedly proportionate . This air is perhaps accentuated by the fact that there aremore wheel than cars , making it a delightfully pedestrian , unhurried spot .
Rob Kints/Moment/Getty Images
The urban center also offers an regalia of activity both holiday - related and of the year - round variety that will keep you busybodied no matter the temperature outside . So to that end , here are a few things you should do when visiting The Hague .
Shop the Christmas market
initiate December 8 and run daily through the 24 , theRoyal Christmas Fairis an expansive vacation market replete with twinkling lights , festal décor , and some 100 stalling offer a vast pick of foodie good and pollyannaish giftiness . Stands sell hot coffee and mulled wine ( call off glühwein ) abound , and the air is filled with the merry audio of carolers .
The market is site along a assemblage of pocket-size streets and plazas calledLange Voorhout , which is located straight in the pith of the urban center . It ’s well reached from pretty much anywhere in town , which establish it a picnic to shift back to your hotel once you ’ve had your filling of Glühwein .
Toast the Holidays at the World’s Most Magical Christmas Markets
So merry, so bright.
Get lit at Madurodam
locate approximately 15 minutes north of the urban center center via tram isMadurodam — a theme parkland filled with scurf miniatures portraying various famous Dutch landmarks and cities . From December 6 to January 8 , the park is decorated with M of vacation lights . You ’ll see ice skaters whizzing over the frosty canals and a rotating series of endowment and food carts pop up all over the stead .
Then on December 24 , theWinter Weekscelebration starts , during which the park gets even more ornamental and festal . Families can participate in a winter gem hunt , and from the 24–26 , Santa makes regular appearances .
slate cost between 17–22.50 euros , and the proceeds all go to support a variety of charities , which makes the whole matter even more in line with the time of year of giving .
Rob Kints/Moment/Getty Images
Lose reality at the house of Escher
One of the most renowned epithet to emerge from the Netherlands was M.C. Escher , the artist good recognise for producing his impossible stairway , mirror imaging , and other surreal origination . At the museumEscher in Het Paleis , you’re able to explore an talkative collection of some of his with child kit and caboodle . It ’s a delightfully strange spot to pass a couple of hours , and as it ’s locate in the Lange Voorhout Palace adjacent to the Christmas market , it ’s handily situate along any good holiday path .
Insider crown : If you feel your stomach grumbling for food amidst all the art and holiday cheer , pop out intoGastronomia Lussojust down the block from the museum . This snug Italian café provide excellent coffee , as well as sandwiches sate with mouth - wateringly delicious sliced meats .
Browse the food scene
There is no shortage of tasty food choice break up all over the city , specially during the winter marketplace , when seasonal food go-cart are everywhere . Bøgoffers a robust fusion of Dutch and Nordic flavors via entrance that combine elements like beef tartare , bone meat , and berries or wild boar , Brassica oleracea acephala , and turnips . Suzy Qoffers a unequaled combining of East Asian and Dutch food for thought in a toppingly wooden setting full of plants and artwork . And if you ’re just looking for coffee , Boonhas a cup of Joe that is , honestly , transcendent in its perfection .
Admire the masters of art
The Hague ’s main museum is theMauritshuis . house in a lovely , previous building that stands next to the current house of parliament , its most famed resident physician is the Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer , one of the peachy masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age .
In accession to the aforementioned Escher museum , The Hague is also habitation toPanorama Mesdag , which is the name of both the museum and the epic circular house painting domiciliate there , created by Hendrik Willem Mesdag , one of the top artists to emerge from The Hague School of painting .
While you ’re in the Netherlands , you should also be sure to visit the four fundamental nontextual matter museum of Amsterdam : theRijksmuseum , theVan Gogh Museum , theStedelijk , and theMoco . They ’re a nimble junket by power train north of The Hague , and while you could see them all in a very farsighted unmarried day , we suggest breaking them into two or three days . Be certain to book tickets for each forrader of time . The Van Gogh Museum in fussy can trade days in advance .
Royal Christmas Fair
Smoke Up These 10 Coffeeshops Before the Tourist Cannabis Ban Hits Amsterdam
Starting next year, you might not be able to anymore.
Stroll along a romantic winter beach
The beach might seem like a unknown place to go during the winter , but the beach on the edge of The Hague — a mere 20 proceedings from the city center by tram — is a agreeably dour place during the holiday season . Watch as the waves crash and violent storm gather off the sea-coast from a delightfully decorated boardwalk lined with store and eating house .
Walk into the covered market place housed inDe Pier , at the end of which stand up a picturesque Ferris wheel . This is the perfect shoes to nibble up a few stocking - taxidermist relic .
Madurodam
Escher in Het Paleis
Restaurant Suzie Q
Mauritshuis
Stijn Bos/EyeEm/Getty Images
