Binnenhof Castle, The Hague

NOTE: Binnenhof is currently (2024) closed for walking, while renovations take place. Maurithuis Museum is still open. 

Binnenhof is a 13th century gothic castle in The Hague, built around a spacious courtyard, originally a residence of the counts of Holland. Today, it houses the chambers of parliament. On warm days people gather around the golden statue in middle of the courtyard, enjoying the views.
The most prominent building, in the center, is Ridderzaal, Knight's Hall, originally built as a ballroom. It has a beautiful rose window and lovely towers reaching to the sky.
As you walk through the eastern gates to the inner courtyard of Binnenhof, the overall feeling is one of awe. The heights of the buildings are very impressive. It feels as though you are in a Harry Potter set!
You can't go inside any of the buildings. Continue through the courtyard and out the west side, to stand at the railing over the lake, and see the outer walls of Binnenhof across the lake. It's a lovely view! Then have a drink at Plaats, a triangular square where many people gather on warm days to sit out in the sun. Or stroll along the pedestrian-only shopping streets such as Noordeinde. The Lange Voorhout (a tree-lined street with foreign consulates) is a nice place to eat lunch in thick shade in summer, and a visit to the Escher Museum there will be a highlight of your stay in Holland! Another great place to go for a coffee is Het Plein, a huge sunny square to the east of Binnenhof.
Korte Poten is a street just off Het Plain, an area of tacky tourist shops and cafes that I would give a miss. You definitely want to skip Bakker Bart throughout Holland- it is a bakery of fast food quality, with old stale pastries.
Maurithuis Art Museum, a museum of mostly 16th century Dutch art including Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer, in an elegant well-cared-for mansion, sits on the northeast edge of Binnenhof, and is nice for a visit.
An eleven minute drive from The Hague is Scheveningen Beach, Pier, and Boardwalk, a popular beach with large pier, wide boardwalk, aquarium, grand 1880s hotel, cafes, and summertime cafes that pop up right by the sand.

Directions

Binnenhof is located just west of Mauritshuis. You can use the address of Mauritshuis to find it: Plein 29, 2511 CS Den Haag, Netherlands.

Click on map for interactive view