LUCIA
What’s your name and age, and where are you originally from?
My name is Lucia, I’m 32, and I’m originally from Sevilla, Spain.
What do you do for work?
I’m an senior data analist for an international organisation..
What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
I live in Zeeheldenkwartier, and I absolutely love it. It has so much character! Beautiful old houses, little independent shops, cosy cafés and plenty of places to sit outside. I especially love the atmosphere around Prins Hendrikplein and Piet Heinstraat. It feels like a little village within the city.
How do you usually spend your weekends in the city?
My perfect Saturday starts with a long breakfast, followed by a walk through the city centre or a bike ride to Scheveningen. In Spain, going to the beach is completely normal, but somehow doing it after work in the Netherlands still feels like a luxury. Although I have learned that a sunny day doesn’t necessarily mean a warm day!
Where do you like to shop in The Hague?
I love the small boutiques along Prinsestraat and in the Hofkwartier. For bigger shopping trips, I usually go to the city centre. I also enjoy browsing vintage shops. You never know what you might find.
Where do you usually buy your groceries?
Mostly at Albert Heijn or Jumbo, but I also enjoy visiting the Haagse Markt. The variety of fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs and international products is fantastic.
What’s your favourite museum in The Hague, and why?
Definitely the Kunstmuseum Den Haag. I love the building itself, and the combination of modern art, fashion and design is really interesting.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or café in the city?
I really like Bookstor on Noordeinde. It’s such a lovely combination of books, coffee and a relaxed atmosphere. I can easily spend an entire afternoon there.
For dinner with friends, I enjoy exploring the restaurants around the city centre. And whenever I feel homesick, I look for a good place serving Spanish tapas.
What’s The Hague’s best-kept secret, in your opinion?
Westduinpark! Many visitors go straight to Scheveningen, but the dunes and quieter beaches around Kijkduin are absolutely beautiful.
And finally: what do you think could be improved in The Hague?
I would love to see more affordable housing, especially for young professionals. Finding an apartment here can be quite a challenge.
I also think the city could have more outdoor cultural events and live music in the summer.
NEDA
What’s your name and age, and where are you originally from?
My name is Neda, I’m 41, and I’m originally from Tehran, Iran.
What do you do for work?
I’am an architect
What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
I live in Bezuidenhout, not far from Haagse Bos. I love the balance between city life and nature. I can walk to shops, cafés and the train station, but I can also escape into Haagse Bos whenever I need some peace and quiet.
How do you usually spend your weekends in the city?
I love walking, so I often start my weekend with a walk through Haagse Bos. Sometimes I meet friends for coffee, visit a museum or spend an afternoon exploring a different neighbourhood.
I also enjoy cooking, especially Persian food. Dutch friends are always surprised by how much time I spend preparing a meal. I tell them good food takes patience!
Where do you like to shop in The Hague?
For everyday shopping, I like Theresiastraat. For clothes and gifts, I enjoy the shops around Denneweg and Noordeinde. I also like discovering small interior design stores. That’s probably the architect in me!
Where do you usually buy your groceries?
I buy most things at the local supermarket. The Haagse Markt is wonderful for fresh produce. It reminds me a little of the busy markets back home.
What’s your favourite museum in The Hague, and why?
Mauritshuis. I love the intimate atmosphere and, of course, the incredible paintings. Seeing Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring never gets boring.
I also love the architecture of the building.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or café in the city?
I enjoy Café Blossom. It’s a lovely place to meet friends for breakfast or lunch. I also like trying different international restaurants, especially those serving Middle Eastern or Asian food.
What’s The Hague’s best-kept secret, in your opinion?
I think it’s the peaceful green spaces. People often associate The Hague with politics, embassies and international courts, but there are so many beautiful parks, forests and quiet corners. One of my favourite places is the Japanese Garden in Clingendael. I
And finally: what do you think could be improved in The Hague?
I think there could be more opportunities for internationals and Dutch residents to meet outside work. The Hague is incredibly diverse, but sometimes different communities seem to live alongside each other rather than together.
And one small thing: I wish more shops were open a little later in the evening. I still haven’t completely adjusted to the Dutch shopping hours
DANIEL
What’s your name and age, and where are you originally from?
My name is Daniel, I’m 40 years old and originally from Cape Town in South Africa. I’m working as an IT security consultant with international companies.
What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
I live in Statenkwartier, close to Frederik Hendriklaan, or “De Fred”, as everyone calls it.It’s a great neighbourhood for families. The streets are beautiful, there are plenty of shops and cafés, and the beach is nearby.
I particularly like the fact that I can do almost everything by bicycle. In Cape Town, I used my car for practically everything.
How do you usually spend your weekends in the city?
If the weather is good, you’ll probably find me near the beach. I enjoy walking along the coast, cycling through the dunes or having lunch at one of the beach cafés.
I’m also a big rugby fan, so I occasionally meet South African friends to watch a match. And yes, we still have a braai whenever the weather allows it.
Where do you like to shop in The Hague?
I really like Frederik Hendriklaan. It has a nice combination of independent shops, food stores and cafés. For larger purchases, I go into the city centre.
I’m not someone who particularly enjoys shopping, though. My wife would probably say I spend more time looking at bicycles than clothes!
Where do you usually buy your groceries?
Usually at Albert Heijn or one of the smaller shops around De Fred. I also enjoy visiting the local food specialists for fresh bread, cheese and meat.
Occasionally, I visit international shops to find ingredients from South Africa.
What’s your favourite museum in The Hague, and why?
I really enjoy Escher in Het Paleis. I’ve always been fascinated by his optical illusions and impossible constructions. It’s one of those museums where you can spend ages looking at something and still discover new details.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or café in the city?
I like the beach restaurants in Scheveningen, especially in the warmer months. There’s something special about having dinner while watching the sun set over the North Sea. For a relaxed coffee or lunch, I usually stay around De Fred. I prefer places where you can sit comfortably and have a proper conversation.
What’s The Hague’s best-kept secret, in your opinion?
The dunes between Scheveningen and Kijkduin. They are fantastic for walking and cycling, and sometimes you can go for quite a while without seeing many people.
Coming from Cape Town, I was used to having nature close to the city. I didn’t expect to find something similar in the Netherlands.
And finally: what do you think could be improved in Eindhoven?
I think traffic and parking could be better organised in some neighbourhoods. Cycling is fantastic here, but there are still busy roads where cyclists, pedestrians and cars seem to compete for the same space.
I’d also like to see more activities for teenagers and young adults, especially during the winter months.