Choose from 15 Fun Things to Do in South Holland
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Van Gijn House
From the outside this house may not seem unique, but step inside and you be transported back in time. This museum was the home of the banker and collector Simon van Gijn, who lived in it from 1864 until he died in 1922. Upon his death Van Gijn left his home and most of his collections to the Old Dordrecht Society, with the stipulation that they be made publicly available and the house’s interior maintained as close to its original state as possible. The rooms are richly decorated, with lush wall tapestries and woodwork, hand-embossed leather wallpaper, the first indoor toilet, and beautiful furnishings on all three floors.
The museum recently underwent an extensive restoration to return the building to the state it was during Van Gijn’s life, making it easy to imagine what upper-class living around the year 1900 was like — the house looks as though the owner may come home at any moment! Alongside interiors dating back several centuries, the museum has a wonderful collection of arts and crafts, an extensive toy collection that fills the attic, and a large collection of history prints and drawings, known as the Van Gijn Atlas.
Practical Info
A free guidebook is available with plenty of information about the rooms, their artifacts, and the house’s significant paintings. Audio guides are also available for purchase and there is a reasonably priced cafeteria on the ground floor with nice views of the garden.
Address: Nieuwe Haven 29–30, 3311 AP, Dordrecht, Netherlands
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Mondays
Admission: € 10 adults; € 3,50 ages 13–18; younger than 13 visit for free
From $ 32
Museum De Lakenhal
Leiden's Museum De Lakenhal and the building it is housed in (the Laecken-Halle) are considered to be one of the best examples of Dutch Golden Age architecture in the Netherlands. For centuries, the building served as the inspection hall and the bustling center for Leiden's famous fabric trade, the products of which were exported to all corners of the world. The original façade of the 17th-century palace remains intact, although the interior has undergone quite a few changes over the centuries.
The site welcomed the Museum De Lakenhal in 1874, bringing in a diverse collection of works by Leiden-born master painters including Rembrandt van Rijn, Lucas van Leyden and Theo van Doesburg. With a focus on fine arts and Leiden history, the museum hosts visiting exhibitions in addition to its permanent collection. A mix of armaments, old tile, fabric, paintings and even an altarpiece from a 'hidden church' are tied together by the history of Leiden, allowing visitors to easily imagine what life in this historic city may have once been like.
Practical Info
The museum is a 10-minute walk from Leiden Central Station. Every Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., free guided tours are offered by the museum. All public areas are wheelchair accessible, and a small number of wheelchairs and walkers are available by reservation. Mobility scooters are not allowed. For those unable to move through the museum on their own, one companion is allowed to enter the museum free of charge. Youth under the age of 18 enter for free.
Address: Oude Singel 28 /32, 2312 RA, Leiden, Netherlands
Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: €7.50 (adults 18-65); €4,50 (65+)
From $ 32
Mauritshuis
One of the greatest art galleries in the Netherlands, the Hague’s Mauritshuis is home to one of the best collections of Dutch and Flemish paintings in the world. Often referred to as "the jewel box," the ornately elegant 17th-century city palace building was completed in 1644 to the designs of Jacob Van Campen. With Hofvijver Lake to one side and Parliament to another, the building is a textbook example of Dutch classical architecture, in the heart of the Hague.
With approximately 800 works, the Mauritshuis collection is small in number, but mighty in scale. Sometimes called the “Mona Lisa of the North,” Johannes Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of the museum’s most recognized paintings. A book and movie of the same name helped jump-start its popularity.
Among the masterpieces on display in the intimate space are The Goldfinch by Fabritius, The Bull by Potter and The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt.
The Mauritshuis recently underwent a two-year renovation that doubled its exhibition space, adding needed room for art, education and events. An underground foyer connects the Mauritshuis to the new Royal Dutch Shell Wing in a building across the street. Since everything was constructed underground, the building's stunning outside character was preserved.
Practical Info
The Mauritshuis is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets cost €14 for adults and are free for children under 18. The site is accessible on foot from the Hague Central Station, or by tram or bus. Parking is available in the nearby Pleingarage and at parking Malieveld.
Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS The Hague, The Netherlands, Netherlands
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; until 8 p.m. on Thursday
Admission: €14
From $ 173
St John Church (Sint Janskerk)
John the Baptist, patron saint of the town of Gouda, looks out from the Sint Janskerk (St John Church) and welcomes visitors that come from all over the world to see the church’s famous stained-glass windows. The large brick church, built in the Gothic style during the 15th and 16th centuries, is notable not only for its beautiful windows but also because it is the longest church in the Netherlands. The church has been placed on the UNESCO list of Dutch monuments specifically for its stunning stained-glass windows. The ‘Gouda Windows’ (Goudse Glazen) were made and installed between 1555-1571 by the brothers Dirk and Wouter Crabeth, and were spared during the Reformation and several following wars. The main theme depicted in the windows is the life of St John, although there are many biblical scenes pictured, as well as important events in Dutch history.
Another highlight of the church is a narrow passage leading from the back of the choir to a small chapel. The chapel’s stained-glass windows depicting the Passion of Christ (also from the workshop of Dirck Crabeth), were moved to St John Church in the 1930s from the Monastery of the Regulars.
Practical Info
The church is closed to visitors on Sundays and public holidays, and does charge a small admission on days it is open to the public. A free pamphlet gives basic explanations of the scenes depicted in the stained-glass windows.
Address: Achter de Kerk 16, 2801 JX, Gouda, The Netherlands, Netherlands
Hours: Monday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (10 a.m.–4 p.m from November–March); closed to tourists on Sundays and public holidays
Admission: €3.50 (€2 for children 5 to 12)
From $ 32
Square 1813 (Plein 1813)
It may sound funny, but Square 1813 (Plein 1813) is actually a circle or what some might call a roundabout. In the center is a large monument to independence – the largest 19th-century statue in the Netherlands. It was erected to commemorate the victory over Napoleon and the end of French occupation in The Netherlands, which took place, of course, in 1813.
Practical Info
Plein 1813 is located at the intersection of Alexander Street and Sophialaan in Willemspark.
Address: Alexander Street and Sophialaan, Willemspark, Netherlands
Hours: Daily
From $ 277
Prison Gate Museum
The Prison Gate Museum is the former prison of the Court of Holland. Beginning in 1428, and continuing throughout its 400 year history, it housed famous and not so famous criminals. It had a reputation as a place of misery, where prisoners were regularly punished in the torture chamber and locked up in dreary dark and frigid cells, awaiting questioning and trial.
Visitors to the medieval building can see the Museum’s collection of punishment and torture devices. Some rooms can be visited independently when visiting the Prison Gate Museum, but others, such as the cell complex, can only be seen when on a guided tour. During the tour, visitors learn about life in prison, escapes, more famous residents and the brutal punishments. Because of the gruesome nature of the history, the Prison Gate Museum is not recommended for children under the age of 9.
Practical Info
On weekdays, tours run every hour starting at 10:45 a.m., and on weekends they start at 12:45 p.m. An English-language tour takes place every Sunday afternoon, as well as daily in the summer. No reservations are needed, and the museum is closed on Mondays.
Address: Buitenhof 33 2513 AH Den Haag, The Hague, Netherlands
Hours: Weekdays: tours every hour starting at 10:45 a.m.
Weekends: tours every hour starting at 12:45 p.m.
Admission: Adults E 7,50; Children Under 13 E 5,50
From $ 55
Escher in Het Paleis
Behind the 17th-century façade of this palace – formerly the winter home of Queen Emma of the Netherlands – lies a startlingly eccentric collection of works of Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher. The palace is located on The Hague’s elegant boulevard of Lange Voorhout and as befits its royal residence, has a series of lavishly appointed rooms plus an ornate Art Nouveau staircase that was installed in 1901 along with glimmering stained-glass windows in the skylights of the main hall.
Maurits Cornelis Escher lived between 1898-1972 and became famous for his slightly demented lithographs, woodcuts and engravings as well as drawings and prints playing with perspective. He travelled right across Europe, living in Italy and Switzerland and drawing on influences as far apart as the Alhambra in Granada and the bucolic landscape of Tuscany.
The museum opened in 2002 and has the world’s largest collection of Escher’s highly eccentric work, which somehow fits perfectly into the opulence of Queen Emma’s palace. Highlights include the vast woodcut Metamorphosis III as well as the ‘In the Eye of Escher’ exhibition on the second story, where games are played with perspective. The permanent displays include his early Italian landscapes, family portraits and many of his ingenious ‘impossible’ optical illusion prints and woodcuts.
There are scavenger hunts and workshops for kids in the school holidays in a ‘lab’ completely decorated with Escher’s confusing perspective patterns, a museum store selling Escher-centric books and prints plus a café.
Practical Info
The museum is open Tue-Sun 11am-5pm; admission is €9. It is easily accessible from Den Haag station by tram or bus.
Address: Lange Voorhout 74, The Hague, The Netherlands 2514 EH, Netherlands
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-5pm
Admission: €9
From $ 11
Royal Delft
Royal Delf, a Dutch manufacturer of iconic blue and white porcelain goods was opened in 1653 and today, remains the only Delftware factory from the 17th century. Travelers looking to travel back in time and learn about this one-of-a-kind hand-painted stoneware can see it all on a truly memorable tour of Royal Delft.
Visitors will learn about the history of this unique art and see modern master painters at work. A tour includes a peek at the Vermeer and Dutch Royal family Chamber, as well as the opportunity to explore the factory's own museum, where hundreds of antique Delft pieces are prominently displayed.
Practical Info
Royal Delft admission is 12.5 Euros for adults and fee for children under 12. The factory is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between March 16 and October 31, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sundays between November 1 and December 31.
Address: Rotterdamseweg 196, AR Delft 2628, Netherlands
Hours: March 16-Oct 31: 9am-5pm, Nov 1-Dec 31: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm & Sun 12pm-5pm
Admission: Adults: 12.5 €, Child 12 & under free
From $ 55
Museum Prinsenhof
Housed in a historic 15th century former monastery, this museum holds an impressive collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings. The Prisenhof has a fascinating history; after its use as a convent it served as the residence for William of Orange, who was murdered (bullet holes still visible) in the house by a fanatic in 1584. Operating today strictly as an art museum, its collection consists mostly of 17th century paintings and Delftware ceramics. There’s also rich period furniture, tapestries, portraits, pottery, and fine gold and silver items that give a sense of Dutch aristocracy.
Themes from the time period, including the life of Prince William of Orange and the House of Orange-Dassau, the city of Delft, and the Dutch Uprising, are all well represented in the art. The interior also gives visitors the chance to experience Dutch life much as it was in the 16th century. Interactive multimedia and video presentations do a great job of bringing the history to life.
Practical Info
The museum is located in the center of Delft on Sint Agathaplein. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, admission costs €12 for adults and €3 for children. Guided tours are also given daily.
Address: Sint Agathaplein 1, 2611 HR, Delft, Netherlands
Hours: Tues-Sun from 11am-5pm
Admission: €12 for adults, €3 for children
From $ 14
The Hague City Hall
The Hague City Hall This more modern landmark is known by a number of names. The Town Hall of The Hague is a white building with a large glass atrium. Due to its white appearance, locals nicknamed it the Ice Palace. In comparison to the numerous historical buildings in The Hague, finished in the mid-90s, it’s a fairly new addition to the landscape. It was designed by American Richard Meier.
The large Atrium (4,500 square meters or more than 48,000 square feet) hosts events and exhibitions throughout the year. It’s also where you’ll find some basic services for local residents including municipal counters and public service desks. The Town Hall is also home to the public library and the municipal archives. All in all, approximately 8,000 people visit the Ice Palace every day.
Practical Info
The town hall has some note-worthy neighbors including the New Church, the Plein and the Spuistraat shopping area. City Hall is open for visitors every day but Sunday.
Address: Spui 70 2511 BT Den Haag, The Hague, Netherlands
Hours: City Hall is open for visitors every day but Sunday.
From $ 55
Museum Gouda
The Museum Gouda specializes in religious art from the 16th century, paintings from the 'Haagse School' of the 19th century and 20th-century Dutch pottery. Visitors will get to know the classical scholar Erasmus, who grew up in Gouda and played on the street where the museum is now located, and Dirck Crabeth, the master artist who created eight of the stained-glass windows in the nearby St John Church (leading to the church being placed on the UNESCO list of monuments).
The museum has a large collection of smoking pipes, tiles, antique apothecary jars and a solid selection of works from artists such as Toorop and Redon. If this sounds like an eclectic mix, it is! But hundreds of years ago, beer, cheese, pipes and pottery were cornerstones of Gouda's economy, and the museum does a wonderful job of showcasing how the town developed over the years.
Practical Info
The museum's variety of paintings, sculptures and ceramics is complemented by a reconstruction of a 16th-century pharmacy and a small children's museum. There's also a walled garden with a large terrace and a cafe, providing a nice oasis right in the middle of the city. Museum Gouda is located on Achter de Kerk (Behind the Church), a little street that connects it to the St John Church and its world-famous stained-glass windows.
Address: Achter de Kerk 14, 2801 JX, Gouda, The Netherlands, Netherlands
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Mondays
Admission: €9 adults, €3 children ages 5–17, children younger than 5 visit for free.
From $ 32
Noordeinde Palace
Although the Dutch royal family has a total of four palaces throughout the Netherlands, including one in Amsterdam, today the royals prefers to work from The Hague. In the historic center of the city, Noordeinde Palace has been office to King Willem-Alexander since 2013.
With its roots going back to 1533 when wealthy aristocrat Willem van de Goudt turned the farmhouse into a stately home, the Noordeinde wasn’t used as a palace until 1609, when it was presented to William of Orange’s widow in recognition of her husband’s service to the Dutch nation.
Seventeenth-century Dutch super-architect Jacob van Campen, who built the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) in Amsterdam, had a hand in developing the Noordeinde’s Renaissance style. He created the H-shaped building seen today, along with many of the building’s serene, classical attributes, such as the equestrian statue in the courtyard, a tribute to William of Orange. The grounds include the Royal Stables and Palace Garden and make a good stop on a stroll through the city center.
Practical Info
Noordeinde Palace is closed to the public, but the gardens are open daily from sunrise until sunset. Admission is free.
Address: Noordeinde 68, The Hague, South Holland 2514, Netherlands
Hours: Palace is closed to the public. Gardens are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
From $ 55
Louwman Museum
It’s all about cars at the Louwman Museum in The Hague. Made possible by two generations of the Louwman family, the collection of more than two hundred antique and classic vehicles has been called one of the finest collections in the world.
Covering the evolution of the automobile, car lovers and history buffs will both find something to love. From horse and wagon to luxury cars, the collection shows how cars have changed with time, including everything from antiques to hybrids to Formula 1 racing cars.
If you’re the star struck type,James Bond's Aston Martin from the film Goldfingerand Elvis Presley’s customized Cadillac Fleetwood will make your heart race.
Practical Info
Not all of the cars in the collection are always on display in the Louwman Museum, so if you are visiting to see a certain model, you should contact the Museum in advance. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Address: Leidsestraatweg 57 2594 BB Den Haag, The Hague, Netherlands
Hours: Closed on Monday
Admission: €13,50
From $ 17
Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights)
As one of the oldest and most-admired landmark buildings in The Hague, the Ridderzaal makes up part of the medieval Binnenhof (Inner Court) complex, which was built back in the 13th century for the counts of Holland as a hunting lodge. Ridderzaal dominates the great cobbled courtyard and cloistered archways of the Binnenhof, home to the offices and meeting rooms of the Dutch Parliament and now the political hub of the Netherlands.
The Ridderzaal was the last building to be added to the Binnenhof in 1280, and its exterior is adorned with ornate twin spires and Gothic detailing. Its interior reveals a great vaulted hall some 100 feet (30 meters) in length, with walls plastered in coats-of-arms. The hall has a leading role in contemporary politics, as it is the scene of the Dutch Opening of Parliament ceremony. Every September on Prince’s Day (Prinsjesdag), King Willem-Alexander delivers his annual Speech from the Throne to the Dutch people from the Ridderzaal.
Practical Info
The Ridderzaal and the whole Binnenhof are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for guided tours, all centered on the photogenic Hofvijver Lake. The area is accessible by Tram 10, 16 or 17 to Buitenhof, and costs for guided tours range from 5€ to 8€. The stately Binnenhof courtyard and Ridderzaal reception hall are open to wander for free.
Address: The Hague, Netherlands
Hours: The Ridderzaal and the whole Binnenhof are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for guided tours
Admission: Costs for guided tours range from 5€ to 8€
From $ 55
Delftse Pauw
The Delftware tin-glazed pottery technique has been used since the 17th century, and has not changed much since (which could partly explain its popularity nowadays) – each piece requires the craftsmanship of a master painter to produce the very specific look this pottery is known for. The specific blue hue used on the Delftware pottery is instantly recognizable and has become somewhat of a trademark in its own right in many countries around the world.
The showroom and mini-museum showcases a wide range of authentic Delftware, which are always entirely hand-painted, in an authentic Dutch building overlooking a canal.
Practical Info
Delftse Pauw is located at Delftweg 133 in The Hague, and can be reached in less than an hour by car from Amsterdam via route A4. Alternatively, there is frequent and efficient train service between Amsterdam and The Hague; from Den Haag Centraal, the museum is just a short tram ride away via line 1 or 19 (Brasserskade stop). Entrance to and guided tours of Delftse Pauw are free of charge. Tours start every 10 minutes and allow visitors to see the pottery up close as well as to learn about the history and production of authentic Delftware. Workshops are also available upon request. It also is possible to purchase pieces in the shop for factory prices and have them shipped all over the world. From November 1 to March 15, the Delftse Pauw is open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 11AM until 1PM, and every day from 9AM until 4:30PM between March 16 and October 31.
Address: Delftweg 133, Rijswijk 2289 BD, Netherlands
Hours: Nov 1-Mar 15: Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun & Public Holidays 11am-1pm; Mar 16-Oct 31: Daily 9am-4:30pm
From $ 23