Before you go

Your trip to Haia.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Haia – Holanda Meridional Destination Haia and Delft Capital

How to get there

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) Haarlemmermeer · 50 km
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) Roterdã · 22 km
Den Haag Centraal 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. From Schiphol, Amsterdã's airport, the train reaches Den Haag Centraal in about 30 minutes, with frequent departures. The smaller Rotterdam The Hague Airport is around 20 km away. There is a direct train from Amsterdã Centraal.

How many days

Two days. On the first day, the historic center: Mauritshuis, Hofvijver, Gevangenpoort and Escher in Het Paleis. On the second, Palácio da Paz, Panorama Mesdag, Kunstmuseum and Scheveningen. Add a day for Delft, 15 minutes by train.

When to go

From May to September, with long days and busy beaches; summer runs from June to August. In winter, from December to February, days are short and cold, but the museums remain open. Wind and rain can occur year-round. Dinner starts early, from 18h.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The center is walkable, and the tram takes you to the Palácio da Paz, Madurodam, the Kunstmuseum and Scheveningen. On public transport you can tap a contactless card on entry and exit (OVpay): check before you go. The bicycle (fiets) is widely used; respect the bike lanes.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Haia

Morning
Mauritshuis and Hofvijver
Start at the Mauritshuis right at opening, with a timed ticket, to see the Moça com Brinco de Pérola and the Vista de Delft. On exit, walk around the Hofvijver and view the Binnenhof from the outside along the Lange Vijverberg.
Afternoon
Gevangenpoort, Escher and Noordeinde
Have lunch at the Plein. Take the guided tour of the Gevangenpoort next to the lake, or head to the Escher in Het Paleis on the Lange Voorhout. Afterwards walk to the Paleis Noordeinde and relax in the Paleistuin, the garden behind the palace.
Late afternoon
Scheveningen beach
Take the tram to Scheveningen. Walk along the promenade, pass in front of the Kurhaus and go to the end of the pier De Pier. The coast faces west, and on clear days the sunset is often over the sea.
Evening
Dinner on the beach or at the harbor
Dine in Scheveningen, at a restaurant on the promenade or a seafood place near the harbor, and return by tram to the center. Remember that the Dutch eat dinner early, from 18h.

2 days in Haia

Day 1

Morning
Mauritshuis and the historic center
Start the day at the Mauritshuis with a timed entry. Then walk around the Hofvijver, view the Binnenhof from outside and pass through the Plein, the square with the statue of William of Orange.
Afternoon
Gevangenpoort and Escher in Het Paleis
Take the guided tour of the Gevangenpoort at the Buitenhof. If you like, also visit the Galerij Prins Willem V next door. Finish the afternoon at the Escher in Het Paleis on the Lange Voorhout.
Late afternoon
Noordeinde and Denneweg
Walk along Noordeinde street to the king's working palace and enter the Paleistuin while it's open. Then head to Denneweg street, with small shops and cafés.
Evening
Dinner in the center
Dine in the center, between the Plein, the Lange Voorhout and Denneweg. The area has many restaurants and is close to Den Haag Centraal.

Day 2

Morning
Panorama Mesdag and Palácio da Paz
Start at the Panorama Mesdag to see Scheveningen as it was in 1881. Walk to the Palácio da Paz and use the Portuguese audio guide at the visitor center, which usually opens only in the afternoon and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; if you have a guided tour ticket, fit it in here.
Afternoon
Kunstmuseum or Madurodam
Those who enjoy art will go to the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, with the Mondrian collection and the Victory Boogie Woogie (closed on Mondays). Travelers with children may swap it for Madurodam, the miniature Netherlands. Both are on the route to the beach.
Late afternoon
Scheveningen promenade and pier
Take the tram to Scheveningen, walk on the sand and along the promenade and go up to the De Pier viewpoint or the SkyView Ferris wheel to see the coast from above.
Evening
Seafood at Scheveningen harbor
Dine at a seafood restaurant near Scheveningen harbor or at a beach bar in summer. Return to the center by tram.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Haia the capital of the Netherlands?

No. The official capital is Amsterdã. Haia is the seat of government, of parliament and the king's working palace, and hosts most embassies.

How many days to stay in Haia?

Two days are enough for the historic center, the Palácio da Paz, one museum outside the center and Scheveningen. Add another day for Delft.

How to get from Schiphol airport to Haia?

By train, from the station located inside the terminal. The trip to Den Haag Centraal takes about 30 minutes.

Does Haia have a beach?

Yes. Scheveningen, the beach district, is about 20 minutes by tram from the center, with a wide beach, a promenade and a pier on the North Sea.

Is it worth staying in Haia instead of Amsterdã?

For those who want to see Haia, Delft and Roterdã at a relaxed pace, yes: the three are just minutes apart by train. Amsterdã is still 50 minutes to 1 hour away by train.

Back to Haia