The Hague Hop-On Hop-Off Heritage Tram Tour

Riding The Hague's heritage tram

Trams have shaped The Hague since horse-drawn cars first linked the town with the coast in the 1860s, and the city still runs one of the busiest tram networks in the country. This heritage tram The Hague service uses a lovingly restored vintage car of more than sixty years, with wooden details, rounded windows and the gentle rumble of a classic streetcar, so the ride itself is part of the experience.

Your ticket is valid for one day of unlimited hop-on hop-off rides. Plug in the earphones and choose one of 10 languages for the audio commentary, which explains the sights as they appear outside the window. The first departure is in the morning from the first stop in the city centre, but you can board at any stop along the route and stay on for a full loop if you prefer to see everything first.

Historic city centre, the Binnenhof and the Hofvijver

The tram passes through the heart of political Netherlands. The Binnenhof grew from a thirteenth-century hunting lodge of the Counts of Holland into the meeting place of the Dutch parliament, with the Gothic Hall of Knights at its centre. In front of it lies the Hofvijver, a rectangular pond whose reflections of the towers are among the most photographed views of the city.

Hop off here to see the Mauritshuis museum on the edge of the pond, the Buitenhof square and the stately Lange Voorhout avenue with its old palaces and lime trees. The Binnenhof complex has been under a long renovation in recent years, so check current access before planning a visit inside, but the waterside views remain open to everyone. This stop is the best base for exploring the old centre at your own pace.

The Peace Palace and the embassy district

Beyond the centre, the tram rolls through wide avenues lined with grand villas, many of them embassies and ambassadors' residences, which gives The Hague its international feel. The highlight of this stretch is the Peace Palace, a neo-Renaissance building of red brick and stone that opened in 1913 and today houses the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Is the Peace Palace worth visiting? Even from outside the gates it is impressive, with its clock tower, formal gardens and gifts from nations around the world built into the interiors. A visitor centre beside the gates explains the work of the courts, and guided visits inside are limited, so most travellers enjoy the facade and the gardens. Allow thirty to forty-five minutes here before catching the next heritage tram.

Scheveningen seaside resort

The route ends at Scheveningen, the old fishing village that became one of the first seaside resorts of the Netherlands in the early nineteenth century. Today its long sandy beach, the busy boulevard and the pier reaching into the North Sea make it the favourite escape of the city, only a few kilometres from the government buildings.

If you are wondering how to get to Scheveningen from the city centre, the heritage tram is one of the most enjoyable ways: hop off by the boulevard, walk along the sand, ride the giant wheel on the pier or watch the fishing boats in the harbour. Is Scheveningen worth visiting? On a sunny day it is the highlight of the city, and in winter the wild sea views are just as memorable.

Planning your day with the tram ticket

The Hague hop on hop off ticket works best if you start early. Ride the whole loop first to get your bearings, then use the second round to stop at the places that caught your eye, such as the old centre in the morning and Scheveningen beach in the afternoon. Remember that entrance fees for museums and attractions along the route are not included.

The best time to visit The Hague by heritage tram is from spring to early autumn, when the trams run on a full timetable and the beach is lively, but the warm interior of the vintage car makes it a good choice on cooler days too. Keep your ticket on your phone throughout the day, as the conductor may ask to see it each time you board.