The Hague

Description

The Hague; the government city in the province of south Holland in the Netherlands, is located near the North Sea coastline. With it many monuments, museums, art galleries and other interesting tourist attractions, this picturesque city known in Dutch as Den Haag is a great holiday destination.  A city with the most historic sites per square meter, The Hague definitely oozes with history and culture. The city is home to many members of the Dutch Royal Family, which is why it is often called the Royal City by the Sea. The popular beach district in the nearby community of Scheveningen attracts tourists from around the globe as well. Muslim tourists will find Muslim-friendly facilities in The Hague without a problem as there are numerous Halal restaurants and a couple of mosques in The Hague.

As The Hague is home to numerous monuments, tourists should start off by visiting some of them. The historical Binnenhof is a definite must-see when in The Hague, as it is the place where most of the important events of the nation’s history took place and is also where its future is created.

The Peace Palace houses the International Court of Justice and is the most photographed building in The Hague and another must visit. The organization it houses gives the city the worldwide recognition of being the International City of Peace and Justice.

The Hague also houses several interesting museums. Visitors will be spoilt for choice; as each of these museums offer its visitors a variety of historical exhibits and art. A definite must-see is the Panorama Mesdag which is the oldest panorama still in its original site.

As mentioned previously, The Hague is home to most of the Royal Family, therefore the city has a couple of palaces that are used by them, namely the Noordeinde Palace and the Huis Ten Bosch, tourists must make it a point to pay a visit to at least one of them.

Madurodam is a miniature city that is well worth a visit when with kids. This park is a miniature city with models of famous buildings, monuments, airports, railway and more. Another popular place for families visiting The Hague is the Duinrell Amusement Park. It is a fun place to enjoy a day out with family or friends with scores of fun rides and amazing shows; making it a great place for the young and the old.   

Nearby Airports

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is the closest major airport to The Hague. Located approximately 23 kilometres from the center of the city, this airport is situated in the city of Rotterdam. Visitors can also use the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which is the Netherlands main international airport, located about 45 kilometres from the city center. The train is the fastest mode of transport from the airport to the city center.  

Halal Restaurants

Muslim tourists will be able to find a number of Halal restaurants in The Hague, which serve a diverse array of Halal cuisine. Himalayan, Saffron, Indiaas Restaurant Maharani, Amier, Le Bistrot De La Palace, Taste of Persia, Indian Curry House, Marrakech and Ruen Thai are just a few of the many restaurants which serve Halal food in The Hague. These restaurants serve cuisines ranging from Indian, Thai, Moroccan and Lebanese to French, Persian and more. Muslim visitors will however need to verify the restaurants Halal status before dining there. They should also be aware that most of these restaurants serve alcohol.

Mosques

There is said to be three mosques in The Hague, namely Mobarak Mosque; the first purpose built mosque in the Netherlands, Mescidi Aksa Mosque and As-Soennah Mosque. With these three mosques serving its residents and visitors, Muslim tourists will find it easy to locate prayer facilities in The Hague when necessary.

Things to Do and See in The Hague

• Mauritshuis
•  Panorama Mesdag
•  Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
•   Binnenhof
•  Madurodam
•  Louwman Museum
•  Peace palace
•  Duinrell
•  Museon
•  Noordeinde Palace
•  Huis Ten Bosch
•  Old City Hall
•   Museum Bredius