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Lake · Haia, Holanda Meridional
Hofvijver
Rectangular lake in the centre of The Hague, with the Binnenhof, the historic seat of parliament, reflected in the water. The Binnenhof is undergoing a long renovation; the outside view from the shore and the Plein remains open.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Hofvijver
The Hofvijver is the lake in front of the Binnenhof, the complex of buildings where Dutch politics has operated for centuries. It was a natural dune lake that Count Albrecht van Beieren ordered to be made rectangular in the 14th century. In the middle is a small island with a mast and, beside it, a fountain.
From the north shore, on Lange Vijverberg street, you get La Haye’s most famous view: the Binnenhof buildings on the water’s edge, with the small octagonal Torentje—the prime minister’s traditional office—and behind it the Ridderzaal’s Gothic hall.
The Binnenhof is undergoing a multi‑year renovation, and the courtyard and buildings are closed to the public. Therefore the visit is from the outside: the Hofvijver shore, the Buitenhof and the Plein, the adjacent square with the statue of Guilherme de Orange and cafés with pavement seating.
Around the lake are the Mauritshuis, the Galerij Prins Willem V and the Gevangenpoort, the former prison. It’s the natural starting point for any walking tour of The Hague centre.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 20–40 minutes to walk around the lake and pass the Plein.
Best time
Early in the morning when it’s quiet, or late in the afternoon when the light hits the façades. On a windless day the water reflects the buildings.
How to get there
About a 10‑minute walk from Den Haag Centraal, in the historic centre. It is next to the Mauritshuis.
Tip
The classic photo is taken from Lange Vijverberg, on the opposite shore from the Binnenhof. Plein means ‘square’; that’s where the nearest cafés are.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hofvijver
Can you enter the Binnenhof?
Not during the multi-year renovation the complex is undergoing: the courtyard and buildings are closed to the public. The view from outside, from the bank of the Hofvijver and from the Plein, remains open.
What is the Binnenhof?
It is the complex of buildings that houses the historic seat of the Dutch parliament and the prime minister's office, in the small tower called the Torentje. The Ridderzaal's Gothic hall stands in the middle of the courtyard.
Where to take the classic photo of Haia?
On Lange Vijverberg street, on the north bank of the lake, with the Binnenhof across the water.