Den Haag, the Netherlands
Don’t go to Amsterdam, Den Haag is a better alternative.
How does Den Haag rank? 4.2 out of 5
This is a tough one, the ranking does not do justice to this incredible city and country. It has all the charm one would expect of a europeen country but gets weighed down by the cost of accommodation and eating out.
| Housing | Daily Living Costs | Getting There | Language | Transit | Walkability | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.1 |
| few options for < $2200 | daily costs often > $33 | lots of direct flights and trains | most people speak english | world class transit systems | dense cities, many car free areas | some petty crime but little risk of violence |
What’s great about Den Haag?
Fall in love with dutch food. Not well known for its culinary neighbors it really has some tasty treats.
Architecture and old world charm are everywhere having survived intact from the wars you will see old churches and row housing that is distinctly dutch with some surprises in the south of the country where there are some ornate catholic churches that rival those anywhere else in the world.
Dutch hospitality, yes the people that are famously cheap are really in fact generous and very welcoming.
History is everywhere and the Netherlands continues to be on the forefront of art and technology.
About the city
Den Haag is not well known except for a few satellite cities and the world court and peace palace. However it is easy to recommend to anyone considering a vacation to the Netherlands or Europe. Especially in the off season the streets are empty of tourists and also little wet and cold. With ample train service to other parts of the country it is a great hub to explore the rest of the Netherlands, even Amsterdam itself big brother to the north. Seriously, even the dutch people don’t want to go to Amsterdam because it truly is stuffed full with tourists and all the ills that come with that traffic. Pick pockets and other petty crime are no where near as much as problem and you wont see drunk men on stage parties there for a night with the famous prostitutes of the Red Light District.
Nearby are popular destinations of Delft and Gouda, but by train it is easy to get to gems such as Utrecht, Dordrecht, Den Bosch and Amersfoort. To name a few favorites.
From the blog
Blog entries for Den Haag or the Netherlands
From the blog
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