Het Plein is The Hague’s main square, a large plaza filled with cafés and restaurants and surrounded by historic buildings. Turn the clock back several centuries and it was the vegetable garden of the Binnenhof, a Gothic castle complex that is now the home of the Dutch Parliament.
Set aside some time to tour the square’s old buildings. Before you do, stop by the statue of Prince William of Orange, a 16th-century national hero who was also known as William the Silent.
Head to the ProDemos Visitor Centre across from the Binnenhof to organise a tour of some of its parliamentary and historic buildings. You will be taken to the Dutch Senate and the House of Representatives. Inside the Hall of Knights, study the stained-glass windows depicting coats of arms, and look at the monarch’s throne.
At the northern end of Het Plein is the Mauritshuis, a 17th-century building that houses an art museum. See masterpieces of the Golden Age of Dutch art. They include View of Delft and Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer and The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, by Rembrandt. You will also see notable works by Rubens, Frans Hals and Jan Steen.
Step back in time in the Museum Bredius, an 18th-century mansion furnished with décor, silverware and Delft pottery. The grand building also houses the art collection of Abraham Bredius, the son of a wealthy gunpowder manufacturer and an expert on Rembrandt. Among the pieces you will spot on the walls are pictures by Albert Cuyp, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and Jan Steen.
Relaxation and good food await you back in Het Plein. Rest your feet and taste the local fare in one of the wine bars, Belgian beer cafés or restaurants that surround the square. During the warmer months, enjoy wining and dining on open-air terraces.
Situated in the centre of The Hague, Het Plein is easy to get to by public transport. Several trams stop nearby and the city's central railway station is just a 10-minute walk away.
