Living in The Hague puts you at the heart of the Randstad, with some of the Netherlands’ most charming cities, stunning landscapes, and cultural treasures less than an hour away. Whether you’re an expat looking to explore your new home country or a local seeking weekend inspiration, these day trips from The Hague in 2026 will help you discover the best of the Netherlands.
1. Delft: 15 Minutes by Train
Delft is so close it almost feels like an extension of The Hague. This picturesque city is famous for its connection to Vermeer, the Dutch royal family (the Nieuwe Kerk houses the royal crypt), and, of course, Delft Blue pottery.
What to do: Climb the Nieuwe Kerk tower for panoramic views, visit the Royal Delft factory to see pottery being hand-painted, and explore the Prinsenhof Museum where William of Orange was assassinated. The Thursday and Saturday markets on the Markt square are delightful.
Getting there: Trains from Den Haag Centraal or Den Haag HS run every 10 minutes. Journey time: 12-15 minutes. A return ticket costs approximately €6.
2. Leiden: 12 Minutes by Train
Leiden is The Hague’s scholarly neighbour, home to the Netherlands’ oldest university (founded 1575). Its canals, historic courtyards (hofjes), and world-class museums make it a perfect day trip.
What to do: Visit the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden) with its incredible Egyptian collection, explore the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, and take a canal tour. Don’t miss the Burcht, a 12th-century fortress with views over the city.
Getting there: Direct trains from Den Haag Centraal take just 12 minutes. Alternatively, it’s a scenic 45-minute bike ride along the Vliet canal.
3. Rotterdam: 22 Minutes by Train
Rotterdam is The Hague’s bold, modern counterpart. If The Hague is elegant and historic, Rotterdam is daring and architectural. The city was largely rebuilt after WWII bombing, resulting in Europe’s most innovative skyline.
What to do: Marvel at the Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen), ascend the Euromast for 360-degree views, explore the Markthal with its stunning ceiling artwork and food stalls, and visit the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen — the world’s first publicly accessible art storage facility.
Getting there: Intercity trains from Den Haag Centraal reach Rotterdam Centraal in 22 minutes. The Sprinter also connects Den Haag HS to Rotterdam in about 30 minutes.
4. Gouda: 25 Minutes by Train
Gouda is famous for two things: cheese and stroopwafels. But this charming city offers far more than culinary delights. Its historic centre, with the longest church in the Netherlands (St. Janskerk, famous for its stained glass windows) and a beautiful 15th-century town hall, is one of the best-preserved in the country.
What to do: Visit on a Thursday morning (April-August) for the traditional cheese market where farmers and traders reenact the historic cheese trading ritual. The Gouda Cheese Museum and the stroopwafel bakeries are essential stops. For a sweet experience, visit Kamphuisen Bakery, which has been making stroopwafels since 1829.
5. Kinderdijk: 45 Minutes by Waterbus
The windmills of Kinderdijk are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most iconic Dutch landscapes you’ll ever see. Nineteen authentic 18th-century windmills stand along the canals, still functioning as water management systems.
What to do: Walk or cycle along the paths between the windmills, visit the museum mill to see how millers lived, and take a canal cruise. In 2026, a new visitor centre provides interactive exhibits about Dutch water management history.
Getting there: Take the Waterbus from Rotterdam Erasmusbrug (reachable from The Hague by train). The journey from The Hague takes about 90 minutes total but is an experience in itself. In summer, a direct Waterbus service runs from Scheveningen on select days.
6. Utrecht: 40 Minutes by Train
Utrecht is often described as a smaller, more relaxed Amsterdam — and many locals prefer it. Its unique two-level canals with wharf cellars (now converted into cafes and restaurants) create an atmosphere found nowhere else in the Netherlands.
What to do: Climb the Dom Tower (the tallest church tower in the Netherlands at 112 metres), explore the Museum Speelklok (self-playing musical instruments), and enjoy drinks at a canal-side café terrace. The flower market on Saturdays at Janskerkhof is lovely.
Practical Tips for Day Trips
- NS Group Tickets: If travelling with friends, NS offers group day tickets (Groepsticket) that become cheaper per person with larger groups.
- Museumkaart: If you plan multiple museum visits, the Museumkaart (€75/year) gives you free entry to over 500 museums across the Netherlands.
- Weekend Getaways: For longer trips, consider the NS Weekend Vrij subscription (€36/month) for unlimited weekend train travel.
For a closer-to-home adventure, check out our Scheveningen Beach guide. And if you prefer exploring on two wheels, our Dutch cycling guide will help you plan bike-friendly day trips.
