Before embarking on my river cruise I spent a few days in The Hague. What an interesting place with a rather relaxing vibe which was perfect.

The Hague is the largest city by the sea in the Netherlands and the greenest city in Europe. It has a population of about 546,000 (2020) and an area of around 98 km². This place has been the seat of the Dutch parliament since 1588. The Hague is known as the justice capital of the world and is home to more than 150 international organizations, giving the city a unique, cosmopolitan atmosphere. It has wide avenues, a pretty coastline, and some of the best architecture in the Netherlands. The first recorded historical reference to The Hague is circa 1230 when a lodge, for hunting, was built there by Count Floris the Fourth. This was rebuilt as a castle in 1248 by his son Willem the 2nd. The name, The Hague, is based on the word for hedge as an enclosure where the building was set. More buildings, such as the Knights Hall, were built close to the castle and it eventually came to be the home of the Counts of Holland.

Places of interest include;

Binnenhof - probably the most impressive building in all of The Hague, The Binnenhof is the center of the Netherlands' government and is housed in the former Castle of Holland's Counts. If you take a tour, you enter through the Stadhouderspoort gate, built in 1620. Visiting requires online registration with a valid ID and costs €6 per person. Admire the equestrian statue of King Willem II sitting on the west side. Walk through the First Chamber House of Parliament on the Stadhouderlijk Palais, built for Holland's and Zeeland's Stadtholders. Surrounding the Binnenhof are the meeting chambers of Parliament and the Prime Minister's offices. Take a tour of the Ridderzaal, home to the royal throne and a venue for state ceremonies.

Lange Voorhout A wonderful L-shaped tree-lined walkway in the Hague, dating back to the 15th century and is known as one of the most beautiful avenues in Europe.

Plein 1813 - The most elegant square in the city centre. Plein is home to the independence monument commemorating the victory over Napoleon. The monument was revealed on 17 November 1869 by Prins Frederik of the Netherlands. It symbolises the end of the French era in the Netherlands and the foundation in 1813 of the Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands, the predecessor of the current Kingdom of the Netherlands. Stop by the statue of Prince William of Orange, a 16th-century national hero known as William the Silent.

De Passage. Literally translated as The Arcade, De Passage is The Hague's version of the shopping arcades design that have mushroomed all over Europe in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution and subsequent Belle Epoque era.

Thorbeck Monument. A remarkable piece of art symbolising Dutch democracy. The statue conveys how Thorbecke's ideas in the 19th century have influenced modern-day Dutch society and governance.

Peace Palace (Vredespaleis).- Home of the International Court of Justice.
The building was designed by the French architect Louis M. Cordonnier and although the foundation stone was laid in 1907, construction was not completed until 1913. Depending on the season, tours to the Great and Small Hall of Justice, the corridors, and the Japanese Room are available. Most impressive is the tallest tower clock, donated in 2013 by Switzerland.

Paleis Noordeinde - Built in 1533, the royal palace has been used as the office of King Willem-Alexander since he became king in 2013. It is not open to the public but you can view the exterior.

After much sightseeing, I took a tram to Scheveningen to enjoy some time at the seaside. A stroll along the boardwalk was invigorating and I also got to enjoy the quirky sculptures as I wandered. A delightful way to end my few days in The Hague.