Beyond the Pier: The Scheveningen Locals Actually Visit
Scheveningen attracts over 10 million visitors a year, and most of them never leave the strip between the pier and the Kurhaus. That is a mistake. The real Scheveningen stretches far beyond the famous boulevard and offers experiences that most tourists — and many expats — never discover.
Here are 12 local secrets for experiencing Scheveningen like someone who actually lives in The Hague.
1. Northern Beach (Noorderstrand) for Peace and Quiet
While crowds pack the main beach near the pier, Noorderstrand — the stretch north of the harbour channel — remains surprisingly empty even in July. Walk or cycle 15 minutes past the northern harbour wall and you will find wide, clean sand with enough space to feel like you have a private beach. The beach club there, De Kwartel, is a local institution serving excellent seafood with zero tourist markup.
2. The Zuiderstrand at Sunset
The southern beach, Zuiderstrand, faces west-southwest, giving it the best sunset angles in The Hague. On a clear summer evening, the sky turns shades of orange and pink that rival any Mediterranean postcard. Beach club The Shore does sunset cocktails with a view. It is also the only Scheveningen beach where you can legally let your dog run off-leash year-round.
3. Westduinpark: The Green Buffer
Between the Zuiderstrand and the city sits Westduinpark, a protected dune landscape with hiking trails, wild Highland cattle grazing freely, and hidden bunkers from World War II. It is one of the best places in The Hague for a weekend walk that feels completely removed from urban life. Bring binoculars — the birdwatching is excellent.
4. De Pier — But Not for the Food Court
The pier’s ground level is a neon-lit tourist trap. Go straight to the upper deck instead. The bungee jump platform offers the best panoramic view of the North Sea, and the open-air bar at the far end serves decent drinks with an unbeatable backdrop. Visit on a weekday morning and you might have the entire upper deck to yourself.
5. Eat Kibbeling at Simonis
There are two kinds of visitors to Scheveningen: those who eat at the promenade restaurants and those who go to Simonis. This family-run fish shop on Visafslagweg has been serving the freshest fried fish in The Hague since 1880. Order kibbeling (battered cod chunks with garlic sauce) and eat it standing at the high tables outside like a local. Skip the tourist-facing restaurants on the boulevard entirely.
6. The Sculpture by the Sea Route
Every summer, American artist collective Sculpture by the Sea installs large-scale artworks along the Scheveningen boulevard and beach. The 2026 edition runs from June through September and is completely free. The installations change yearly, but past highlights have included a 12-metre metal whale skeleton and a fog bridge that creates rainbows in the sea mist.
7. Scheveningen Harbour at Dawn
If you wake up early enough — think 5:30 AM — you can watch fishing boats unload the morning catch at the First Harbour (Eerste Haven). The fish auction is not open to the public, but the surrounding cafes open at 7 AM and serve coffee to fishermen and early risers alike. It is one of the most authentic experiences The Hague has to offer.
8. Kite Surfing at the Zuidelijk Havenhoofd
Scheveningen is one of Europe’s top kite surfing destinations, and the southern harbour wall is where the local kite surfing community congregates. Even if you do not surf, watching kite surfers launch into 20-knot winds against a grey North Sea sky is genuinely thrilling. Several schools offer beginner lessons starting at €75 for a two-hour session.
9. The Atlantic Wall Museum
Hidden beneath the dunes near the northern beach is a preserved segment of the Nazi Atlantic Wall — a network of bunkers built during the German occupation. The museum is small, volunteer-run, and only opens on Sundays, but it is a sobering and fascinating piece of local history that most visitors never see.
10. New Year’s Dive (Nieuwjaarsduik)
Every January 1st, approximately 10,000 people — many in orange Unox beanies — sprint into the freezing North Sea at exactly noon. It is a truly Dutch tradition, sponsored by Unox, and the Scheveningen event is the largest of its kind. Register in advance (€4) and you get a commemorative hat and a cup of erwtensoep (pea soup) afterwards.
11. Het Puntje: The Tip of the South
At the very southern end of Zuiderstrand, where the dunes meet the harbour channel, sits a tiny patch of sand locals call Het Puntje. It is sheltered from the prevailing wind, faces the best sunset angle, and is unknown to 99% of visitors. Bring a blanket and a book. You are welcome.
12. Cycle to Scheveningen via the Dunes
Driving to Scheveningen and paying for parking is the tourist move. The local move is cycling through the Meijendel dunes from the city — it is a beautiful 20-minute ride on dedicated bike paths through protected nature. Read our complete Dutch cycling guide for route details and bike rental tips.
Scheveningen rewards curiosity. Walk further, arrive earlier, and skip anything with a laminated menu in six languages. The real beach is waiting.
