A Guide to the Best Things to do in Scheveningen
Last Updated on 16th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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What many visitors to the Hague (Den Haag) from outside of the Netherlands do not know is that one of its districts (Scheveningen) is the most famous (not to mention most popular) seaside resort in the Netherlands. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Scheveningen, the Netherlands.
Located around a fifteen to twenty-minute cycle ride from the city centre, the fishing district is characterised by its sandy dunes, cobbled lanes, and historic buildings and was once a town in its own right.
Best explored over the course of several hours, the area is admittedly best seen on a sunny and warm day when you can truly make the most of the beach and its nearby amenities. Please note that while many guides will call Scheveningen ‘The Hague Beach,’ the former fishing town has its own unique identity and so locals don’t really enjoy the district being referred to it as such.
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Scheveningen: The Hague District you’ve never heard of
On any visit to The Hague, a half day trip to the pretty seaside resort of Scheveningen is an absolute must. Once there, there’s a sandy beach to explore, a myriad of seaside cafés, and two centuries worth of history to discover.
Oh, and did I mention that the old town has a small village vibe complete with cobbled lanes and an old church? The town still functions as a fishing port and herring is the most famous catch of all. In fact, the town’s emblem includes several herring depictions!
A history of Scheveningen
In the early 19th-century, Scheveningen was once famed for its iconic bathhouse when Jacob Pronk constructed a wooden boathouse whereby people could bathe in one of four rooms. With the arrival of the train some hundred years ago or so, so came the masses and the area has been a popular resort district ever since.
Over the years, the place expanded as a go-to destination for tourists wishing to wander along sandy dunes, stay in luxurious hotels, and sample some sea-inspired cuisine. Today, Scheveningen remains one of the most popular resorts in the Netherlands and is the perfect place to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours.
Today, the seaside resort and fishing community is one of The Hague’s eight districts and is incredibly popular come the summer months. Highlights of Scheveningen include an extensive pier, numerous beach cafés (I recommend the fries at Fat Mermaid), a lighthouse, and of course its Europe-unique Ferris Wheel!
Should you wish to cycle to Sceheningen (and I highly recommend that you do so as to make the most of the views from your bike), then it’s worth bearing in mind that the sand dunes there mean a slightly hillier terrain than you might be used to!
Best things to do in Scheveningen
Relax on the beach
Of course, one of the best parts of this Hague district is its sandy beach. While the weather in the Netherlands is not the best in Europe by any stretch of the imagination, the golden stretch is popular among sunbathers during the warmer months of the year.
Throughout the year, the waves are popular among surfers. You can easily reach the beach for a stroll either by cycling from the centre of the city or alternatively by hopping on a tram from either of the main The Hague train stations.
Go surfing
Scheveningen is also a popular place to go surfing and so there are a number of surf schools in the area where you can learn the watersport for yourself. If you’re interested, then you can book a two hour class here or book a full-day class here.
Visit Scheveningen in Muzee Scheveningen History Museum
If you want to learn more about the history of Scheveningen, then you should head to the History Museum where you can learn all about the history of the area, from thousands of years ago when it was underwater to more recent times when it began life as a fishing village. There are even paintings by local artists. Purchase your museum ticket here in advance.
Visit the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre
If you’re travelling with younger family members and it’s a rainy day, then a great entertainment option could be to visit the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre in Scheveningen. There are a number of facilities, including Interactive games, models & activities featuring LEGO bricks, and a 4D cinema. Book your tickets here in advance.
Walk along the Scheveningen boardwalk
If you don’t feel like getting your feet sandy, then a great way to enjoy unparalelled ocean views it to walk along the Scheveningen boardwalk. The path is also lined with a wide array of cafés and bars, meaning that you can easily stop for a snack or quick drink if you feel like it along the route.
Kurhaus hotel
One of the most imposing structures in the district is undoubtedly the Kurhaus hotel, which is constructed in the Art Deco architectural style. This accommodation was constructed in the latter half of the 19th-century and was opened to the public in 1885.
Today, the 5 star hotel and spa is über luxurious, but a little trick is that you can actually walk through the opulent ballroom for free if you visit during the day! So iconic is this establishment, that it has since become an institution in its own right.
Though the full name of the hotel is Grand Hotel Amrath Kurhaus, many visitors to Scheveningen simply call it the Scheveningen hotel! In the past, the hotel has been used for many important events and conferences, including a Rolling Stones concert in the 1960s. Please note that the hotel rooms are only really worth booking if you pay for the full ocean view. See full hotel details here.
Scheveningen Pier
One of the most iconic sites to visit in Scheveningen is its Pier, which is actually set over two levels and juts out to sea. The pier is also a great place to visit on a rainy day thanks to the fact that a large part of it is covered and so provides great shelter from the rain.
Eat and drink in Scheveningen
As a resort town, it should come as no surprise that Scheveningen has a mouthwatering array of bars, restaurants, and cafés, all at different price points. While some eateries are strictly seasonal, others are open throughout the year. Some of the top beach bars in Scheveningen include The Fat Mermaid and Colorado Charlie.
The Ferris Wheel in Scheveningen
The first Ferris Wheel in Europe to be situated right above the crashing and salty waves of the sea below can be found in the form of the Ferris Wheel de Pier. Standing at 40 metres high, the wheel offers one of the best views of Scheveningen. 36 enclosed cabins offer breathtaking vistas of the sandy beach and city beyond, as well as air conditioning (though I didn’t test this, because, autumn!)
Each gondola sits up to six people and adult tickets start from €9. Should you visit Scheveningen in the shoulder seasons or in the winter when the sun sets earlier, you’ll be lucky enough to board the wheel for sunset when everything is bathed in a golden glow and candy colours dance across the sky.
Visiting in the off seasons also means that you’ll find fewer crowds vying for a spot on the wheel. What this means is that you’ll definitely get a booth all to yourself and have no waiting time to ride the wheel! With this being said, be sure to pick a clear and sunny day for riding the wheel. On a rainy or wet day, cloud coverage may mean that you miss out on the best of the views.
The entrance to the Ferris Wheel in Scheveningen can be found at the end of the pier (which itself is free to visit). In total, you get to ride the wheel for fifteen to twenty minutes. What this means, in reality, is a fair few turns! You can book your Scheveningen Ferris ticket here in advance.
So bring your camera, pack your wanderlust, and plan a visit to Europe’s first Ferris Wheel over the sea. And, if you want to get a completely different feel for the Hague and experience the Dutch countryside at its very best, then be sure to head in the opposite direction towards the Molendriegang!
Take a boat tour
If you would prefer to admire the landscape of Scheveningen from the water, then you can book a boat tour. For example, this speed boat tour lasts for 45 minutes and you’ll reach speeds of 100 km per hour!
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