Amsterdam to The Hague and Leiden: Private day trip

Home to the Dutch government, The Hague is an elegant, cosmopolitan city of grand architecture and Golden Age art.

What to see:

• Visit the Binnenhof, the Netherlands' seat of government
• Explore the Mauritshuis, housing Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring

What to do:

• Stroll the Lange Voorhout boulevard, lined with embassies, art galleries, and outdoor cafes
• Visit the Peace Palace, home of the International Court of Justice since 1913

What to know:

• The city is compact and walkable; the Binnenhof, Mauritshuis, and Lange Voorhout are all nearby

Take note:

• Book Mauritshuis tickets in advance at https://www.mauritshuis.nl
• The Binnenhof exterior is free to view; interior tours require advance booking

Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt, is a beautifully preserved canal city packed with world-class museums and Golden Age history.

What to see:

• Stroll the historic canal network, lined with 17th-century facades, bridges, and working windmills
• Visit the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden to see Egyptian mummies and classical antiquities

What to do:

• Follow the Rembrandt walking route through the city where the artist was born and trained
• Climb the De Burcht, an 11th-century hilltop fortress with views over the old town

What to eat:

• Try a warm stroopwafel from one of the market stalls near the Leiden market square
• Sample Dutch-style raw herring (haring) at a traditional herring cart in the city center

Take note:

• Most of Leiden's historic center is free to explore on foot; museum fees vary