Although Amsterdam is Holland’s largest city and its official capital, Den Haag on the North Sea is the seat of government and residence of Queen Beatrix. If you are interested in the history of crime and punishment and have a strong constitution, there is the Prison Gate Museum with a 700 year history of imprisonment and torture. Children must be 9 and over to join the guided tour of the Jailer’s Quarters, the Interrogation Room and the Judges’ Chambers. (At Buitenhof 33, closed Mondays.) #den #haag #netherlands #scheveningen #north #sea

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The city of The Hague is small enough to get around on foot, and most of the medieval, renaissance and baroque architecture is in the centre. In the elegant square, ‘Plein’, historic government buildings face bars and cafes with outdoor tables in summer. The nearby Lange Voorhout, an attractive tree-lined square of grand 18th century townhouses, hosts the Hague Sculpture exhibition in the summer months. #city #den #haag #netherlands #food #architecture

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The Dutch Senate and House of Representatives meet in The Binnenhof, a complex of buildings around a huge courtyard. Some of the open spaces including the main square are open to the public. #binnenhof #den #haag #netherlands #dutch #courtyard

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For a day of family fun, Drievliet Amusement Park in Den Haag has attractions and rides for all ages (open April to October). However many families head for the nearby resort of Scheveningen, the most popular in the Netherlands, with its 3 km long sandy beach and modern pier. In summer North Beach is very busy with water sports, fishing and sunbathing; South Beach on the other side of the harbour is a lot quieter. If the weather is not good enough for the beach, try the Sea Life aquarium, where the latest attraction is ‘Monsters From The Deep’ (daily 10.00 till 17.00). #drievliet #amusement

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Nightlife in Scheveningen offers clubs, restaurants and the Holland Casino, a live entertainment venue and restaurant, as well as a gaming hall. Since the seaside resort is really a suburb of The Hague, residents and visitors easily move between the two for nights out. Den Haag itself has a number of theatres, with a few nationally renowned companies based in the city.

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