What you need to know about The Hague, Before heading to emec 2019
You have certainly heard of The Hague – it is always in the news due to the work of numerous international organizations and companies which headquarter in this city. You probably also know that it is located in The Netherlands, a friendly and vibrant country in the north of Europe. It is also the host of The European Meetings & Events Conference 2019 (EMEC19).
Maybe you even know that The Hague is home to the Dutch Royal family and the seat of the Dutch government, boasting a dynamic mix of beautiful historic and modern architecture. But did you also know, that The Hague is only a 30-minute train-ride away from one of Europe’s top airports – Amsterdam Schiphol? The city is so easy to reach from anywhere in the world and has an incredibly efficient and sustainable event infrastructure. The Hague is also known for its leading position in event security, relying on its extensive experience of hosting events with participation of world leaders.
You are likely to be even more surprised that the city has a light and playful side to it – with its beautiful sandy beaches, promenades, bars, restaurants and a vibrant cultural scene, something that all the visitors to our city love to discover. We invite you to get to know the Hague as we know it – the perfect business event destination.
Art in The Hague
There are many museums you can visit in The Hague. Some recommendations are the Municipal Museum, the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis and Escher in The Palace.
The Municipal Museum is highly recommended if you’re interested in Mondrian. The collection includes his early realistic pieces, but also paintings like the Victory Boogie Woogie.
The Mauritshuis is located in a 17th-century palace. The museum has the highest number of masterpieces per square meter in the Netherlands. Here you can find a world-famous collection of paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. Paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and many others can be found in the Mauritshuis.
Museum Escher in The Palace is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the world-famous artist M.C. Escher, whose art is well known around the world. The collection can be found in the former Winter Palace of Queen Emma of The Netherlands. This is the only public building in The Hague where the royal ambience of a palace has been maintained.
Culture
The city of Peace and Justice isn’t complete without the Peace Palace. When the Peace Palace was built for the first time, it strived to embody the dream for world peace that had been cherished for centuries. Now you can visit the famous palace on your own, or you can book a guided tour.
The Royal Theatre in The Hague is one of the Netherland’s leading theatres. The theatre was originally built in a palace. Due to the French occupation in the 18th century, it was never finished. In the 19th Century, the building was remodeled into a theatre. Today, the National Theatre Company can be found in the Royal Theatre. With many timeless pieces from Chekhov, Shakespeare, Ibsen and others, the theatre is still appealing to many different types of audiences.
Shopping
The Hague also has some interesting shopping districts. Centered around Noordeinde Palace, you can find an unique shopping district: The Noordeinde. Here you find many historic monuments, art galleries, high end fashion stores and unique and original stores. The many world class restaurants and prize winning coffee bars make your trip to The Noordeinde complete.
The Denneweg is all about lifestyle and design on an international level. The stores are open from early morning until late in the evening, which gives you enough time to enjoy the neighborhood. Many lifestyle shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes can be found at the Denneweg.
During the 19th century, covered shopping streets were very popular in major European and American cities. The Passage is the only remaining example in the Netherlands. The new extension of the monumental construction towards Grote Marktstraat has given rise to a hypermodern indoor shopping arcade: Nieuwe Haagse Passage. This creates an attractive connection between Grote Marktstraat and Spuistraat with countless unique stores.
Beaches
Scheveningen is Holland’s most famous seaside resort. Take a stroll along the boulevard, discover the fascinating marine world at SEA LIFE or enjoy a sunset dining. Pamper yourself with a stay at the Kurhaus, an elegant five-star hotel and historical health resort by the North Sea.
On the edge of a wide stretch of dunes, you will find The Hague’s second most popular beach resort Kijkduin. Hike or bike the dunes, swim the North Sea, or climb up to the impressive landscape art piece “Celestial Vault”. Take in the view and enjoy a coffee, beer or glass of wine at one of the terraces along the boulevard
