Binnenhof Mauritshuis The Hague
Home to Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and Europe's oldest parliamentary complex, offering art and history.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more art immersion.
Binnenhof Mauritshuis The Hague
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more art immersion.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Home to Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and Europe's oldest parliamentary complex, offering art and history.
"A jewel box of Dutch art and the historic heart of Dutch governance."
🎯 Book Mauritshuis Tickets Online
Secure your spot at the Mauritshuis in advance to avoid disappointment and long waits. :ticket:
🚶♀️ Explore Binnenhof Vicinity
Even with renovations, the surrounding areas of the Binnenhof offer historical charm.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Mauritshuis
Gaze upon Vermeer's enigmatic masterpiece, a true icon of Dutch Golden Age art.
The Binnenhof Complex
Central The Hague
Explore Europe's oldest parliamentary complex, a stunning medieval site steeped in history.
Rembrandt and Dutch Masters
Mauritshuis
Discover a rich collection of Dutch and Flemish masterpieces by Rembrandt, Hals, and more.
Planning Your Visit
Book Mauritshuis Tickets in Advance
Binnenhof Renovations & Tours
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Mauritshuis Tickets Online
Secure your spot at the Mauritshuis in advance to avoid disappointment and long waits. :ticket:
🚶♀️ Explore Binnenhof Vicinity
Even with renovations, the surrounding areas of the Binnenhof offer historical charm.
🖼️ Allow Ample Time for Mauritshuis
The Mauritshuis is small but packed; dedicate at least 2-3 hours to fully appreciate the art.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
You'll be doing a lot of walking around the historic center and museums. :athletic_shoe:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Mauritshuis Tickets Online
Secure your spot at the Mauritshuis in advance to avoid disappointment and long waits. :ticket:
🚶♀️ Explore Binnenhof Vicinity
Even with renovations, the surrounding areas of the Binnenhof offer historical charm.
🖼️ Allow Ample Time for Mauritshuis
The Mauritshuis is small but packed; dedicate at least 2-3 hours to fully appreciate the art.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Recommended
You'll be doing a lot of walking around the historic center and museums. :athletic_shoe:
💡 Check Binnenhof Tour Availability
Look into Prodemos for guided tours of the Binnenhof, despite ongoing renovations.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the Mauritshuis for its stunning collection of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, particularly 'Girl with a Pearl Earring,' and its intimate, manageable size. The Binnenhof is recognized for its historical significance as Europe's oldest parliamentary complex. Some find the Binnenhof's current renovation status limiting, and a few mention that the Mauritshuis can feel crowded at peak times.
"Coming from the UK/London of free museum and gallery entry, the €20 standard ticket price tag makes this a little tough to recommend, especially if, like me, you're not the biggest portrait fan and prefer landscape art. But the app has decent audio guides for the major art works and there is a nice selection in the very pretty building so for most people it's probably a worthwhile visit – even I could get a good 2 hours from it.
And all the other museums are also pay to enter so this seems like a good one to pick if you're spending anyway."
Luca Huelle
"On a per square foot basis, this relatively small museum in the Hague might be the very best art museum in the world. The number of amazing masterpieces from the Dutch is nothing short of stunning. The ability to get close to them is even more wonderful, although people have to abuse this privilege by trying to vandalize the paintings with desserts and other terrible things. From start to finish, we were absolutely stunned by the quality and intimacy of this place. That someone who doesn’t even love art all that much, I fell in love with it."
David Stejkowski
"A bit crowded, but fantastic collection of Dutch painters. The atmosphere and space is just amazing. The gallery is not that huge, I think you can go through in an hour. I highly recommend to download the app before you go."
Petr Zlatý
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Mauritshuis and Binnenhof are centrally located in The Hague. You can easily reach them by public transport, with tram stops like 'Binnenhof' or 'Centraal Station' nearby. Walking from The Hague Central Station is also feasible, taking about 15-20 minutes.
Parking in the city center can be challenging and expensive. It's generally recommended to use public transport or park at a P+R (Park and Ride) facility outside the city center and take a tram in.
Yes, the Mauritshuis and the Binnenhof are located right next to each other, making it very easy to visit both on foot.
Yes, bike rentals are available in The Hague, allowing you to explore the city like a local, including the areas around the Binnenhof.
The most convenient way to travel from Amsterdam to The Hague is by train. The journey takes approximately 50-60 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal to The Hague Centraal.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices for the Mauritshuis vary, but typically range around €17.50 for adults. It's always best to check their official website for the most current pricing and any potential discounts.
It is highly recommended to book your Mauritshuis tickets online in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to guarantee entry and avoid long queues.
The Mauritshuis is generally open from 10 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours on Thursdays. The Binnenhof's accessibility can vary due to its function as a working parliament and ongoing renovations; check Prodemos for tour times.
While there might not be direct combined tickets, purchasing tickets for the Mauritshuis separately is straightforward. Consider visiting nearby attractions like the Escher Museum or Prison Gate Museum.
The Binnenhof is undergoing renovations, which may affect public access. Prodemos offers guided tours that provide insight into the complex's history and function.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
The absolute must-sees are Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring,' Rembrandt's 'The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp,' and Fabritius's 'The Goldfinch.'
Most visitors find that 2-3 hours is sufficient to explore the Mauritshuis thoroughly and appreciate its collection.
The Binnenhof complex includes historic buildings like the Hall of Knights (Ridderzaal) and offers a glimpse into Dutch political history. Guided tours can provide deeper insights.
Yes, very close by are the Escher in the Palace Museum, the Prison Gate Museum (Gevangenpoort), and the Panorama Mesdag, offering diverse cultural experiences. +1
The Mauritshuis is generally accessible, with elevators and ramps available. It's advisable to check their website or contact them directly for specific accessibility information.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed inside the Mauritshuis for personal use, but without flash. Some specific artworks or temporary exhibitions may have restrictions, so always check signage.
The courtyards of the Binnenhof, the Hofvijver (lake) with its reflections of the buildings, and the surrounding historic streets offer excellent photo opportunities.
Photography rules at the Binnenhof can depend on the specific areas and whether tours are in progress. Generally, exterior shots are fine, but interior photography might be restricted.
The 'golden hours' around sunrise and sunset offer beautiful light for photographing the historic architecture of the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis area.
The charming architecture surrounding the Mauritshuis, including the Hofvijver and nearby canals, provides picturesque backdrops for your photos.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The Escher in the Palace Museum is also a fantastic option, with its mind-bending optical illusions that captivate all ages. 🎨 Art Enthusiasts
🏛️ History Buffs
The Gevangenpoort (Prison Gate Museum) provides a chilling look into medieval justice and punishment. For a broader historical context of The Hague, exploring the city center on foot, perhaps with a guided tour, will reveal layers of history embedded in its architecture and streets. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Mauritshuis: A Jewel Box of Art
Unlike larger museums, the Mauritshuis offers a more personal encounter with these world-famous works, allowing visitors to appreciate the intricate details and artistic genius up close. Planning your visit to the Mauritshuis is key. While it's not overwhelmingly large, the density of masterpieces means you'll want to dedicate a good 2-3 hours to truly absorb the collection.
The Binnenhof: Heart of Dutch Governance
It houses the meeting places of both houses of the Dutch Parliament: the Senate (Eerste Kamer) and the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer). The iconic Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights), with its impressive wooden roof, is a central feature and often used for royal ceremonies. Currently, the Binnenhof is undergoing a major renovation, which means access to certain areas might be restricted.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit