Palace Garden The Hague
Park full of secrets
I don't have a garden, but I always think of the Palace Garden as my backyard. I go there on a sunny day, my children learned to ride their bikes there, it’s my walking route to work. To be honest, it’s not my backyard, but the king’s. His working palace, the Noordeinde, can be seen from this park. His mother was so kind to open the garden up to the public years ago.
When I came to live in The Hague, the garden was rather derelict and in bad shape. Nowadays it is buzzing with life! It’s a popular picnic spot, a great place to go with children and every Sunday morning (when the weather is nice) there’s a huge yoga class in the park.
There are lots of little stories (and rumors) about the park. In 1785, the first commercial balloon flight in the Netherlands took off from here. It’s remembered by a monument in the garden. Among the citizens of The Hague there is a persistent rumor that a secret passageway runs under the garden to evacuate the royal family, if necessary.
And my absolute favorite: there is a tiny alley in the right back corner of the garden that leads to a plain, anonymous door. Ring the bell next to the door and the guards will let you through. You’ll end up under a beautiful archway that leads you right into the city center. My secret short cut on my way to work!
About this spot
Prinsessewal
- Sunrise to sunset daily
€
free
Find your way with 117 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in The Hague
Café Bartine
Welcoming café in The Hague
Their lunch menu includes nice basics with a special touch of something unexpected, for example, creamy eggs with caramelized radicchio.
by
Marit
Kruisdijk
Oma Toos
Typical Dutch cuisine
Oma Toos, overlooking the picturesque harbour, gives you a delicious taste of Dutch cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere without paying “tourist prices”.
by
Karoline
Welton
Pearl Earring
The Other Girl with a Pearl
I think it certainly makes for a cute and spontaneous photo opportunity.
by
Karoline
Welton
Clingendael Bos
Bunkers, and more!
"Clingendael Bos" in The Hague is one of several large forests in the city. This one has bunkers left over from WWII where I love playing with my kids!
by
Adam
Frick
Museum Rijswijk
Classy museum just outside town
"Museum Rijswijk" in The Hague is a fine example of what makes Dutch museum often so worthwhile: it's a commitment to the local...
by
Adam
Frick
Rootz
A mix of hip and historic
"Rootz" bills itself as a cafe and restaurant, but it's also a bar and grill and an intersection of many of the best things The Hague has to offer...
by
Adam
Frick
1646
Contemporary art space
"1646" in The Hague is a project space where you can view, and often participate in, art that runs towards the intellectual and the avant-garde...
by
Adam
Frick
Skatepark De Kuil
Family-friendly counterculture
"Skatepark De Kuil" in The Hague is not just a playground for all ages and yes, a cool skatepark - it's an essential component of a vibrant community!
by
Adam
Frick
Clingendael Pet Cemetery
Charming!
"Clingendael Pet Cemetery" in The Hague has about a dozen headstones that mark the lives and deaths of pooches from the turn of the 20th century...
by
Adam
Frick
Het Balihuisje
'Concept' cafe in trendy 'hood
"Het Balihuisje" is The Hague's attempt to keep up with the 21st-century version of urban chic. It aspires to be a hub of creativity as well as a cafe!
by
Adam
Frick
Heading to The Hague?
117 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 117 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Relaxing
Our team loves The Hague
Get to know our other Spotters from The Hague
As featured on:
