Best Photoshoot Locations in The Hague

A note on the Binnenhof

The Binnenhof — the Gothic parliament complex with the Ridderzaal at its heart — is the city's most famous sight, but it is in the middle of a major renovation. The parliament moved out in 2021, the complex is largely covered in scaffolding and site fencing, and the government has said the work will take until at least 2030, with more recent estimates later still. Work on the foundations has also affected the edge of the Hofvijver, the pond in front of it.

For photos, that means:

• Don't plan a shoot in the Binnenhof courtyard; access is restricted and the view is dominated by construction.
• The Hofvijver is still worth considering from the far side (the Lange Vijverberg), where you can frame the water, trees and the Mauritshuis. How much construction shows depends on the angle and the current phase of work, so your photographer will check it shortly before the shoot.
• If you specifically want the classic "parliament reflected in the pond" frame, be prepared for it not to look like the postcards until the renovation is finished.

Lange Voorhout

Lange Voorhout is an L-shaped avenue of old lime trees lined with stately houses, embassies, the Hotel Des Indes and Lange Voorhout Palace (home to the Escher museum). It is wide, calm and green, with gravel paths under the trees, which makes it one of the most elegant places in the country for portraits, couples and engagements.

In spring and summer the canopy gives soft, even shade; in autumn the lime trees turn yellow and the avenue glows. It hosts markets and events on some days (an antiques and book market runs here in the warmer months), so check the calendar when you book.

Paleis Noordeinde and its gardens

Paleis Noordeinde is the King's working palace. You can photograph the facade from the street and the square in front, but not enter. Behind it lies the Paleistuin, the palace garden, which is a public park with lawns, old trees and a pond — quieter than you would expect this close to the centre. The Noordeinde street itself has boutiques and galleries in historic buildings.

The Peace Palace (Vredespaleis)

The Peace Palace, home to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, is a red-brick and sandstone building with a clock tower, set back behind a gate and gardens. You can photograph it from the street and the gate on Carnegieplein. There is a visitor centre, and guided tours of the grounds and building run on some days, but the grounds are not a place for a free-form photoshoot.

It is a strong backdrop for proposals in The Hague and for business portraits with an international feel. Mornings are the quietest.

The Haagse Bos and the city parks

The Haagse Bos is an old forest that runs from the edge of the centre towards Wassenaar, with ponds, tall beeches and oaks, and Huis ten Bosch palace (a royal residence, not open to the public) on its edge. It is the natural choice for soft, green backgrounds and families with young children.

Other green options:

• Westbroekpark, near Scheveningen, with its rose garden (the roses are at their peak from late June into summer).
• Landgoed Clingendael, a large estate with woods and meadows, and a small Japanese Garden that opens only a few weeks a year — in 2026, from 23 April to 7 June and again from 10 to 25 October, with free time-slot reservations. It is fragile and crowded when open, so it is not a place for a long session.
• Zuiderpark, the city's largest park in the south, for open lawns and space.

Scheveningen beach and the boulevard

Scheveningen is the seaside district of The Hague. The wide sand beach faces west, so on clear evenings the sun sets over the sea — something no Amsterdam location can offer. That makes it the most popular choice for couples, proposals and families who want relaxed, sunlit photos.

• The beach is widest and emptiest north of the pier and south of the harbour. In summer it fills with beach clubs, so golden hour (after the day crowd leaves) is the best time.
• The Kurhaus, the grand 1880s hotel on the boulevard, gives a classic seaside backdrop.
• The Pier and the Ferris wheel (the SkyView) add a landmark. The Pier has been in poor condition and has redevelopment plans; parts of it may be closed or under construction during your visit, so check its status before building a shoot around it.
• The harbour to the south, with fishing boats and a working port, is less polished and has great texture.

Our Scheveningen beach photography page covers the seaside in more detail.

The dunes: Westduinpark and Meijendel

The dunes behind the beach are part of the charm of the coast. Westduinpark, between Scheveningen and Kijkduin, has sandy paths, marram grass and views to the sea. North of the city, Meijendel is a larger dune area with woods and open sand. Both are nature reserves: stay on the marked paths, and in some zones dogs, drones and leaving the path are restricted. Your photographer will know which paths are suitable.

A comparison of The Hague locations

Timing and light

The Hague benefits from being on the coast: the light is often clear and bright, and sunsets at the beach are spectacular on clear evenings. Sunset ranges from about 16:30 in December to around 22:00 in late June.

A common plan is to start in the centre in the afternoon, then take tram 1 or tram 9 to Scheveningen for golden hour on the beach. That tram ride takes about 15–20 minutes. Wind and sand are the main challenges on the beach, especially for long hair and dresses; the dunes and the lee of the Kurhaus offer some shelter.

Getting there

From Amsterdam Centraal, the train to Den Haag Centraal takes about 50 minutes; from Schiphol, about 30 minutes. Den Haag HS station is closer to some southern neighbourhoods. Most of the centre is walkable from Centraal, and trams 1 and 9 run to Scheveningen.

Parking in the centre and at the beach is expensive and busy in summer; public transport is usually easier.

Rain and bad weather

Coastal weather changes quickly. For a rain plan, the covered Passage — the oldest shopping arcade in the Netherlands, opened in 1885 — has a glass roof and ornate iron, and is lovely for a few frames. The colonnades around the centre and the lobbies of some hotels also help. Scheveningen in the rain can be atmospheric but windy; agree with your photographer in advance what happens if the forecast turns — the rescheduling terms are in the quote.

Planning your shoot in The Hague

Decide first between city elegance and the sea, or combine them. Families in The Hague often prefer the Haagse Bos or the dunes, where children can move freely; proposals tend to happen on the beach at sunset or under the trees of Lange Voorhout. Starting prices are the same as elsewhere: a proposal photoshoot from €350, a beach photoshoot from €180 and family photography from €250, with the final quote depending on duration, date and what you need. For more background, see our guide to The Hague and the Scheveningen page.