18 unmissable things to do in Scheveningen: A local’s guide

In Scheveningen, stately houses meet the laid-back atmosphere that comes with having the beach as your backyard. In short, it’s a must-sea (pardon the pun) on your travel list!

While Scheveningen technically forms part of The Hague, this coastal district has a very unique vibe and identity of its own.

So what should you do once you’ve got the sand between your toes? And where should you go after you’ve gotten your dose of vitamin sea?

These are my top picks for the best things to do in Scheveningen.

1. Hang ten at a gnarly surf lesson

Scheveningen is known as THE spot to go surfing in the Netherlands, so what better way to start your day there than by challenging the waves?

If you’ve never jumped on board in your life, don’t worry! Scheveningen is host to a number of surf schools and you can easily book a lesson. There are also surf camps organised for kids during the summer months.

Do you already have experience with surfing? Then swagger on over for a chat about the waves and rent some gear!

You can also try out other water sports like windsurfing. If you’re going to be in the Netherlands, why not make the most out of the infamous wind?

You’ll find Aloha, The Shore, and Hart Beach just a stone’s throw away from each other near the harbour, while Surf’s Cool is located on the pier. 

2. Refuel at Tigershark Coffee

To preserve those oh-so-cool surfing vibes and your energy, head to Tigershark Coffee.

You can find this cute little café at Badhuisstraat, a mere five-minute bike ride from Hart Beach and the other surf schools. 

It isn’t located at the beachfront or one of the main shopping streets which means Tigershark Coffee is a gem you wouldn’t encounter without knowing about it (you’re welkom.)

Their coffee, colourful decor, and friendly service are definitely worth the detour!

3. Take a hike into nature at Westduinpark

Some of us will simply never be able to navigate our way around the edges of a surfboard — or mount one. But this doesn’t mean Scheveningen can’t offer you something.

You can opt for a hike in one of the two parks on either side of Scheveningen: Westduinpark and Oostduinpark.

Westduinpark is one of the largest nature reserves in The Hague. It’s located close to the harbour and has several access points to Zuiderstrand — a more quiet and less touristy part of the beach.

For the history lovers, you can play a game of eye-spy and spot old partially uncovered WW2 bunkers.

READ MORE | Hiking in The Hague: 11 nature spots for the outdoor adventurer 

If you’re in need of some fuzzy relief, the park is also home to some magnificent Scottish Highland cows. Also, make sure that you go to the lookout point! 

4. Get your walking shoes and go to Oostduinpark

Oostduinpark is another beautiful park, located in the north of Scheveningen.

It forms part of a large nature area that stretches all the way to Katwijk beach and features some beautiful rugged nature, dunes, and even a lake!

There are many looking points from where you can get a beautiful view of the nature around you. Oostduinpark is also home to many fuzzy friends like sheep, rabbits, and deer.

If you want to explore it completely, we’d recommend going by bike.

5. Enjoy a gezellig lunch at the furthest corner of Scheveningen

Close to Oostduinpark you’ll find Het Puntje. It’s a cosy café at the northernmost point of Scheveningen.

They pride themselves on their down-to-Earth atmosphere, as their website puts it: “with us, there’s no fuss, but feet in the sand and the waves as background music” — how lovely! Het Puntje serves healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and of course, borrels!)

READ MORE | These are the 7 best places to get vegan food in The Hague in 2021 

Their menu follows the seasons and so do their opening hours — breakfast is always served from 9 AM, but closing times depend on the weather and the guests! 😎

6. Go to De Pier and have a stroll along the boardwalk

Scheveningen is perhaps best known for its pier (with the crazy New Year’s Dive coming in as a close second) — and no wonder!

Inside, the landmark has restaurants, shops, and games, while on the outside it provides activities ready to meet the needs of any adrenaline junkie. 

Aside from its noticeable, ridiculously tall ferris wheel, De Pier also has a bungee jump tower, and a zipline so you can whoosh above the other ice-cream-eating visitors.

While the pier is a must-see, you shouldn’t underestimate the rest of the boardwalk! 

Remember to look around and admire the beautiful architecture of the Kurhaus, as well as the different statues placed along the beachfront. (Even if you’re busy fighting seagulls for the right to your fries).

If you’re facing the sea, make sure to turn to your left and see if you can spot the Rotterdam Port on a sunny day.

To end your adventurous day, stop by one of the beach bars where they have small fires keeping you warm on the night beach. 

7. Taste the North Sea and enjoy some kibbeling

Next up, time for some local flavour! It’s not a visit to the beach if you don’t assert your dominance over the sea by eating some fish.

Kibbeling is a Dutch delicacy (or, as close as it gets) consisting of battered, deep-fried fish. 

Before you get flashbacks to drunken nights at the snackbar and their everything-fried menu, rest assured that kibbeling contains actual quality ingredients.

When you order it in Scheveningen, the meat for your kibbeling is freshly caught cod from the North Sea — lekker!

8. Shop-amok at ‘De Fred’ in Statenkwartier

Dutch beaches have a lot to offer, but we are in the Netherlands, meaning it’ll get cold at some point.

So to round off your day after enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of the beach, jump into a fresh change of clothes and experience the other side of Scheveningen! 

Once you move a little further in from the beach, you’ll come across some beautiful houses (that no doubt cost a little more than average). But do you know what expensive houses mean? Quality shopping streets! 

Frederik Hendriklaan (or ‘De Fred’ as it’s known by locals) is one of those. It’s located in the Statenkwartier and stands out with its beautiful Art Nouveau style.

READ MORE | 7 of the best free things to do in The Hague

De Fred is home to a varied selection of shops (for all budgets!), including a handful of small businesses, speciality stores, and nice cafés.

What better way to end your day in Scheveningen than by having dinner in this charming neighbourhood, resting your feet, and soaking up the last of the summer sun?

9. Walk through charming Oud Scheveningen

If you’re feeling tired but want to stretch your legs while discovering the charm of Scheveningen, visit the historical housing part of the area. 

Oud Scheveningen is a short five-minute walk from the Pier. Go down to Keizerstraat at the Fisherman’s Wife of Scheveningen statue (Vissersvrouw van Scheveningen monument). 

The neighbourhood is filled with stunning old fishermen’s houses, narrow cobbled streets, and blooming flowers everywhere. The people of Oud Scheveningen take great care and pride in keeping up the beauty of the neighbourhood. 

They even have their own emblem, look around and count how many Scheveningen flags you can spot!

The neighbourhood is also home to a small shopping street that’s home to small stores, cosy cafes, and delicious restaurants. 

10. Discover the forest of Scheveningen

Scheveningen has plenty of green spaces, including thick forests that are perfect to get lost in nature — did you know it was once the King’s hunting grounds?

The Scheveningen Bosjes is an easily accessible forest in the middle of the city. But once you go in, you will easily forget that the city is so close by.

There are hundreds of intertwining walking trails, cycling paths, and benches to take a well-needed break from the city.

Not alone? There are playgrounds scattered throughout the forest for children to play and dedicated open spaces for dogs to run off-leash.

11. Pack your picnic basket and head to the park

Westbroekpark is a large open park perfect for a picnic. There are big open green spaces to lay out your picnic blanket and playgrounds for kids to swing around from.

For unforgettable memories, you can rent rowboats with friends and family and explore the park through the beautiful canal. 🚣‍♀️

READ MORE | A guide to 11 beautiful national parks in the Netherlands

You can also admire the beautiful flowers blooming throughout the park. From June to November, the park features a gorgeous Rosarium, a rose garden, with over 20,000 roses in bloom.

12. Go see the fascinating sea creatures at SEALIFE

Cool off and spend a few hours discovering the beautiful sea creatures inhabiting the our oceans at SEA LIFE, located right on Scheveningen’s stunning beach boulevard.

READ MORE | There’s plenty of fish in the sea! Learn all about them at SEA LIFE in Scheveningen

With over 45 aquariums, you will meet all kinds of animals: from fascinating sea turtles, jellyfish, and piranhas to adorable penguins and otters. Zo lief! 🦦

There’s even a sea tunnel where you’ll feel like you’re walking on the bottom of the ocean, right under sharks, turtles, and all kinds of fish!

13. Take a break and visit the Kunstmuseum Den Haag

Art lovers should visit the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, one of Europe’s largest art museums, where you’ll find a diverse collection of art with more than 160,000 pieces of work.

The museum also has rotating exhibitions from various artists such as Maurits Cornelis Escher, Pablo Picasso, and Claude Monet. 

Discover the famous artist Piet Mondrian and his art at the museum. The Kunstmuseum Den Haag is the international home to Piet Mondrian’s works of art with 300 of his pieces at the museum.

There are also often workshops organised for children to explore their creativity and learn about Dutch art through painting and pottery.

Children under 18 can discover the art museum for free.

14. Immerse yourself in the science of our world

Right next to the art museum is The Museon Omniversum. The family-friendly interactive science museum teaches all about the world and the environment.

You’ll easily get lost in time and spend hours at the place between the exhibitions, films, and laboratories. 

During the day, the museum is packed with interactive activities to learn and inspire about how to commit to a liveable Earth for all. In the evenings of Thursday to Sunday, the museum screens films on nature, culture, music, and science in a theatre.

There constantly are new exhibitions on fascinating topics such as dinosaurs, space travel, and climate change.

Children up to three years old get free entrance and children up to 11 years old can get a discounted fee of €14.00.

15. Explore the picturesque harbour

Stretching for almost five kilometres, you’ll never run out of things to do in Scheveningen. Here are the last few little things to see and enjoy while discovering the beach.

Make sure to take a stroll along the Scheveningen harbour (Haven). You can daydream about owning a boat while having a look at the small private boats docked at the marina. 

READ MORE | 29 awesome things to do in The Hague in 2022

On either side of the harbour, there are two small green and red lighthouses on each side. You can walk along the jetty and feel the seaside wind. You’ll usually also find a few people fishing. 🎣

16. Go stargazing above the sea

If you’re a fellow stargazing lover, The Hague offers a perfect spot for you. 

Although it’s just outside of Scheveningen, the Celestial Vault in Kijkduin is super close by, right next to Westduinpark. 

This unique spot is an artificially-made crater to block out all artificial light coming from the city. Artist James Turrell created the huge crater which boasts walls up to five metres high at the top of a dune. 

The floor is covered in grass, making it perfect to lie down and spot the constellations of the night sky. 🌟

Make sure to pack a thick blanket and some warm chocomel and you’ll be all ready to go.

17. Learn about the history and culture of Scheveningen

On the colder windy days, there are many museums scattered throughout Scheveningen.

For those curious about the history and culture of the neighbourhood, stop by the Muzee Scheveningen.

You can learn all about the history of Scheveningen and life at sea, including the old fishing culture and other Scheveningen staple professions. 

READ MORE | The museum town of the Netherlands: 14 great museums to visit in Leiden

Located in a traditional old school building, learn about the traditions and distinct culture that characterise this community with deep roots.

Children up to 12 years old can get in for free.

18. Spend the afternoon at the thrilling LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre

Bring the kids along to the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre, a few metres away from the pier, for a day full of dream-worthy LEGO® activities.

Hop on a train through a life-sized LEGO® city, dodge the lasers at NINJAGO® training, and watch an action-packed 4D film in the cinema. Not to mention the endless amounts of LEGO® builds just waiting for you.

READ MORE | We went to LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre and it was the most fun we ever had as adults (and the kids liked it too!) 

The LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre also features a gorgeous LEGO® replica of The Hague, with trams, bikes, and zip lines — how cool!

Here’s a little tip, you can get a special deal if you want to go to both the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre and SEA LIFE. Or, go on a weekday and spend longer there for the same price.

There are lots of things to do in Scheveningen, especially in the summer, but this is our take on how to spend a perfect day in the district. Hopefully, some of it will tickle your fancy too. 🥰

Have you already been to Scheveningen? What are your favourite things to do? Tell us in the comments below! 

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in July 2021, and was fully updated in August 2023 for your reading pleasure.