The Hague, Netherlands — Shopping
Shopping in The Hague, Netherlands
The Hague is excellent for international and local shopping. Most shops are in the semi-pedestrianized Binnenstad immediately west of the Hofvijver lake, bordered south by Grote marktstraat and west by Jan Hendrikstraat/Toren-Straat. Ask the tourist office for their credit-card sized fold out map of the Binnenstadt or visit the excellent website, www.puurdenhaag.com, with links to all leading shops.
Markets
The Hague has a number of markets, the best known being the Haagse Markt on Herman Costerstraat, which takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. As well as consumables, you can find all manner of fabrics, clothes and household items here.
Shopping centers
Grote Marktstraat is home to major department stores as well as designer fashion shops. The Netherlands' first covered mall, De Passage, just off Hofweg, is a beautiful 115-year old glass-covered arcade with upmarket stores.
Key areas
At the heart of the Binnenstadt, Haagsche Bluf is a charming square of classy shops occupying genuinely old and re-created historic premises. Running north, Prinsestraat is known for its designer outlets and, parallel, Noordeinde is one of the city's best shopping (and eating) streets with many art galleries. Another charming street running north with excellent shops is Denneweg, renowned for its antique outlets. For those world-famous blue-and-white Dutch ceramics, make the short journey to Delft to buy at source from the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory, Rotterdamseweg 96. They also offer factory tours.
Shopping hours
In the city center, most shops open Tuesday to Friday from 0930-1800, Saturday 0900-1700, and Monday between 1100 or 1300-1700. There is late night shopping, until 2130 on Thursdays. Many shops also open on Sundays.
Tax information
Non-EU visitors are able to take advantage of reduced VAT shopping in major stores, the tax refund usually being claimed back on departing the Netherlands.
